I suppose from a many years in the studio, amongst other things, I always EQ whatever I'm playing (I use a Tech21 "Q-Strip" on my board) with a deep slope (35db/oct) high-pass filter with a shelf knee at around 500 Hz. This means that any pickup I use will not sound muddy, regardless of its raw sound. I also usually kick in a moderate upward slope (maybe12 db/oct) between 1KHz and 3KHz as well to bring out the electric guitar's natural "twang" . This kind of tone shaping is something I began to learn years ago while sitting at the mixing desk and both watching and working with talented and knowledgeable sound engineers making recordings. Many guitarists without studio experience (most I think) don't realize how much sound processing takes place during the course of making a recording from tracking to mastering. It certainly is frustrating to try to emulate the sound of an instrument on a recording without the knowledge or the equipment that went into making it sound the way it does. I remember so well my early band days and how we just tore our hair out trying to make our guitars, drums, bass, vocals, etc. sound the way they did on our favourite recordings. Nothing we did worked. We diligently learned the parts perfectly, but when we played and sang them together, it sounded nothing like the record. I remember trying like the devil io get two acoustic guitars to sound like they did on The Beatles, '"No Reply". No mater what we did or where we played we could not get it to sound "right". Of course we didn't know that those Gibson J-160Es actually sounded just like our guitars when the Beatles rehearsed the song and on the studio floor when they recorded them. It was only after the engineers had sharply attenuated their boomy low-mids and added some compression and other things, not to mention the sound imparted by the mics and pre-amps, etc. that what we heard was created. We had no clue. Cheers.

You really explained your point what a good pickup is well. The balanced pickup for a specific guitar concept sound really good! Like a sound palette for painting, all the colors of the rainbow should be present to choose from. Really dig the neck pup in that guitar, the top end sparkle makes it shine!

I’ve watched a lot of your videos. You have a really great delivery of information. Keep doing your thing.

Cheers from Texas! 🤘🐱🤘 Thank you so much for doing this video I have always had a problem with people saying this pickup sounds better than this one or whatever BUT not really being able to tell me why so I really appreciate your deep dives and descriptions because I really have just not taken the time to do it sad to say, so thank you! Lol Always impressed, Michael

I agree and that is why we own more than one guitar! It's not that one sounds better than another but they sound different. To me Alnico 2 magnet pickups have that vintage tone and clarity of hearing each string individually with a bell tone sound which I prefer for anything completely clean up to a dirty crunch. P90's get narley with mid gain that makes them unique as compared to strat or Tele single coil which is still trying to hold it all together. Once you get into high gain though I think the high output ceramic pickups give you less string to string clarity but makes the Distortion creamier which is what you want. This is where you want to hear the chord as one creamy tone VS the narley breakup of each string. So they all have their place in tone, it's just what type of tone your shooting for.

Your channel made me change my mind about brands. Thank you mate.

I think you're spot on about what it should be.. Might order in future 👍

GREAT GREAT video man!!

Ive really been into pickups and having the ability for maximum tonal options lately. I got an idea from the Fender Customshop to use bullet connectors on the jack and ground connections in my strat so I can simply loosen the strings and "hot swap" a new fully loaded PG. It works (though it is a bit of a pain in the ass getting the connectors to grab the wire tightly) and I can change pickups in less than 5 min.

very cool video great info .

I always go back to my favourite microcoil single coil Neck pup A5/3 custom.....Thx

Gotta tell ya that Philip McKnight turned me onto your channel. I bought my Schecter MGK PT because the sound of that pickup made me smile! The other 3 single humbucker style guitars I tested it against fell well short of making me smile.

Since passive tone and volume controls can only lessen those aspects of the signal generated and received by the pickup that signal needs to be both broad and clear.

Hi Dylan, thank you for all your work and time. I think I missed the point where you totally put off your Kemper and never heard an explanation why you chose to do so

Getting pickup height set is paramount as well. I put some Fender Pure Vintage pickups into a strat. Sounded regular, basic and unoriginal. I was disappointed. I then continued with the height adjustment. What a transformation. They went from boring to dynamic. Touch sensitive, super responsive to the controls and had a great airyness and dynamic quality about them. Just killer. Weren't like that before the height adjustment though. Also i.portant to note is pot value as well. I have a Japanese Mustang Special. I forget the name of the pickups used in that but they look like baby Wide Ranges. Killer guitar and sounded cool stock. I swapped the pots for 1meg and it really brought out the character of them. Way more responsive and touch sensitive too.

PS Love the tones! Great audio!

I wonder if the pickups that we prefer, from a sonic range standpoint, have to do with the frequencies that our individual hearing loss ( because we all probably have some ) happen to affect... for example....if you can't hear well in the 4khz area, then the pickups that sound best to you have a lot of activity in the 4khz range ???? just a thought after watching the JHS video about the PG14 pedal being designed around Paul Gilberts hearing loss.... Let me know what you think .....

I don't think that it stops there. Once you have a set of pickups that you like and sound good in a particular guitar? Then you need to have it set at the right distance from the strings. If the pickup is set lower? It will be a bit brighter, cleaner, less output, and it may have better string to string separation. The opposite of bringing up closer which will give you more output, fuller tone, with more mids, low end, punch and sustain. Then if you raise the pole pieces you can add a bit more high end or clarity. You bring out more of the single coil factor by adjusting the one half of the humbucker. You also may want to drop the low bass side down a bit to compensate for the higher wound strings output vs. the thinner strings. So yes finding the correct pickups that sound good in a particular guitar is the first step. But then you have to tweak it to get the best from it. It pays to spend a little time to get it to the sweet spot for tone and response. I also find that pure nickel strings compliment the brighter PAF type pickups. Where NPS might be too piercing in the high end. NPS works better with darker and hotter types.

I have an ultra tele, stock noiseless pickups, I do dig the noiseless, I’ve been tempted to buy new pickups to do an A/B What would you put in it? I always play single channel amp style, so I can flip to neck and roll back volume to clean up, and go bridge all out rock

Dylan, pros and cons of bars magnets? That challenger sounded real good.

Ok, from what I just learned is that the quintessential tone is an all pass pickup configuration. A quality circuit with natural broadband balance, native and inherent to a guitar is completely the goal; seemingly perfect guitar EQ to one’s ear. Pickups (Dylan’s) that provide versatility with tone knobs rolling a sound in either direction maintaining quality is key. If a guitar’s inherent balance does not exist, then all these pedals/amp effects will not achieve their full potential limiting overall sound performance. It is a journey.

I think this is the first time I have seen you without a hat! :-)

In my opinion, the only thing that makes a pickup 'cheap' is inconsistent manufacturing, and/or sub par materials. Other than that, it's just a matter of what EQ curve is pleasing to your ears.

Those pups sound really great.

i like the advice about articulating why to replace puppies and how if a person describes isn't what your PUPs do you send them to a diff breeder to get a PUP that works for what they want. NICE

This is the best pickup-salesman I've seen.

I love this channel

Excellent video! I have to say, there is a really nice "bell-like" quality to those pups, especially on the bridge. And your advice on how to articulate what you do and don't like about a particular pup is spot on. It makes me want to really listen critically to my pickups, in much more detail. Great video!

Was that a Duncan JB in that purple Kramer? You didn't like it? It's been my go-to since '85 👍🎸

I have an Aria TA classic 335 type guitar which I always sound too good on it lol. I won't change a thing of it, just mess around with IRs.

Cheap Chinese pickups into a cheap 12 band EQ pedal is my preferred method. You can get close enough to whatever sound you need, that no one will be able to tell in a mix.

hi there i have a cort Source-BV Semi hollow Guitar it comes with p90's classic rock pick up i do not know the make of the pickup they are stock,I would like to know what would you recommend that will be a great upgrade?

Hi Dylan, I hear a lot about coil splitting for humbuckers, but when I listen, all I hear is quieter humbucker. I don't hear that nasal single coil sound. I am dreaming or is that possible with a split humbucker.

Dylan, Voodoo Pickups is making something that doesn't add up. The Teseracht (my spelling may be off) is an Anico IX, 43 Ohm humbucker. It's very clear when played clean. It obviously plays distorted well. The articulation is quite distinct. This doesn't add up. Damn thing should be muddy. Do the physics add up with the more powerful magnet?

Does anybody know if dragonfire screamer pickups are any good? Looking to throw some into a yellow ibanez rg 350 ive had forever that currently has the stock infinty pups, the reason im asking is because they come in a wide variety of cool color options for cheap.

I hate you! I was happy with the humbucker pups in my old Vantage. Now after hearing these humbuckers I'm reconsidering . I've had this guitar since I was in the Navy, it has been around the world with me, played on many ships, has taught 3 generations how to play guitar. Only electronic original left is the volume pot. I started watching your channel on the suggestion from Phillip McKnight (who I think has the knack of picking the right pickup for a guitar). I became a subscriber. Although your lectures sometimes seem long, your teaching why something works the way it does. Over the videos I've watched, I'm amazed of your knowledge recall into the understanding of the science & materials behind a pickup's workings. Now to justify building another guitar or rebuilding what I own.

My issue is the transition tone between G and B strings. Wound G or solid G because when the B string is picked, there is a change that annoys me on my Tele. The B really is the issue. I've tried to EQ that squeal out of it. On acoustic guitar, no problem. I've tried gauges heavier and lighter but no dice. A dead string might work or a wound B. I play the neck mostly. Even lowering the pickup doesn't help. Any ideas ?

Man, this is helpful. These qualities you described are basically what I'm looking for and what I've come to enjoy in my various guitars to some degree or other. I agree that too honky is not great... only thing I may differ: I like a hot bridge humbucker. Nice alternative to hitting a pedal.

Very interesting video Thank you Dylan Cheers from France

Best pick ups i've had, still have, Bryan Williams Jimmy Page double neck pups! Clarity Break up, growl, aticulation, just spectacular. The greatest song ever demands it all, and they produce!

Hi Dylan, & Mrs Tone 🤣. I have a question for you. I’m building my next guitar and have been considering P Rails. Do you have an answer in your bin that would do that in a better way? I would be interested. Take care you two. Thanks

Can I make a pushpull to be a 2in1 vol/tone knob?

Nice bike rack!!!

I'd have to say that I agree with you Mr Dylan especially on those two fabulous sounding pickups on that guitar. The neck pickup is incredible, what model do you call it?

I want that guitar

What do you think about "narrowfield pickups?" Regular size humbuckers can be too bassy/muddy, and single coils can be to bright/spikey. Narrowfield type pickups seem to sit tonally between the two. They are physically smaller, so should get out of the way of the pick and fingers. Maybe guitarists like the P90 for some of these reasons. 🤷

i think those pickups sound great- i think they would sound even better (for me) if he lowered the neck pup. I do have to disagree about the middle position- if anything, 2 pickups running in parallel B/M M/N B/N...are scooped ...certainly not mid focused..

I want my fender duo sonic HS to have a fuller, less tinny sound.....which pickup?

I just bought a Gibson sg with p-90s and they are very noisy, any recommendations

I gave up using hot bassy overwound pickup after hearing gojira songs. For low tuning , thick strings , high gain amp , such pickup will fuzz and flub out way too much . With tight , bright PAF , I retain the clarity and articulation. My tone chasing ends.

What pickup has wide range 9f overtones?

What happens if you stack two jazzmaster pickups on top of one another and run longer pole pieces through the holes? That's probably a dumb question, but I don't make pickups so I have no idea.

Tonemetal is a myth

Right again. I don't agree! hahaha! (Where's my wooly neck pickup?)

Can you do one of these videos with p-90s

so how come a company like EMG does solderless pickups but everyone else continues to do the other? Is there something wrong with the kits, or just people wanting remain traditional? Also have you ever tried the mad hatter terminator systems? If so, what are your thoughts on those?

Does DAF stand for Dylan Applied For?

Whats a good soldering iron for soldering them thats hot enough.

Are we getting a raw nickel option again??

might be a stupid question but i put new pickups in but i just cut the old ones out and twisted the new ones together to the old wire instead of resodering..will that effect the tone/signal??

I like vintage types humbucker pickups, not or lightly potted, low wind, no scatter, A2 magnet; sounds like heaven. I don't like A5.

So what vakes a guitar pickup better?

Met a used in base plates makes more. Difference in tone then the wood of a body. It's all about the magnetic field. Ohm of a pickups it's just one part. Gauss levels. And other values matter. A recipe works o it doesn't. So many variables For a pickup.

I'm gonna swap out the vintage wax embedded metal covered humbuckers on my Les Paul for cheap zebras off eBay. Why? Because I want to configure and explore split coil. I'm sure it sound slightly different, but I expect it to still sound like a Les Paul rather than a strat. Your neck pickup doesn't sound as necky as mine.

The word "quality" should enter the lexicon more. "What I like and what you like is totally different" heard that a thousand times, let's talk quality and why one can be legitimately "better" than the other (while acknowledging tastes vary).

Probably not the best title for the video, but a good one nonetheless.

So nice

Why do PAF Burstbuckers that came from 50 or early 60 Gibson Les Paul cost so dang much in your own words?

Magnet mixtures sound different

Why do some PAF pickups sound "magical" and others unimpressive, even though they share the same materials and construction techniques? I know some pickup makers "clone" those magical sounding pickups, but do they ever duplicate their sound, are their pickups consistent? Sometimes cheap pickups sound great, while expensive pickups don't. In general more expensive pickups (and other gear) will be superior, but certainly not always. Pickup making is a science and an art, with some "magic" is involved too - no? I'm just a drooling idiot who likes to noodle, and in general I prefer low-resistance pickups, but sometimes hotter pickups maintain their clarity - and that can be magical sounding! This channel more than most bring some clarity to the issue, which is appreciated.........cheers!

Dylan, You never actually answered the question of what makes one pickup better than another. What do you do to make your pickups better than another. What do you do differently to make your P90 better than lets say Gibson’s P90?

Wish I had all the money back I spent on buncams and Dimarzios. I'd buy more gfs Pickups. And more. Wilkinson pickups. And a few others for way less that do the same or better. I get compliments amd. Questions what pickups. I'm using to get the sounds I get all the time. And I have to reply, well. It was 30 bux brand new I got it near free becuse it didn't have a name attached. I love my local. Guitar shop they have a certain spot for pickup. Stupid cheap. I've gotten Duncan's out of it for 40 bux. Won't pay more than that for a Duncan. They still are. Sitting in their cases. Also Rio grande pickups. Used 40 bux each lol. They do so many pickup swaps. For local musicians that that box always has gems in it because they didn't like them. And ended up changing back to their stock pickups that came with the guitar. My favorite pickup for a humbucker use alnico 2 magnets. Also the DC resistance, high output pickups get too Compdessed for me. End up.Sounding sterile. I'm Just anti brand name and anti hype. At this point in evolution, everyone knows what does and dosn't work and one can get a lesser known brand name far cheaper than paying for a name but today's society lives on vanity. Enjoy your harley when you have to rebuild your engine and trans every 40k. Iles while my unwanted beautiful comfy gold wing will run 200k miles needed only general maintenance.. Function over form is my life. I'm frugal. And new gear joy is gone within ten minutes these days anyway lol. Everyone is copying everyone now. No need paying crazy money for the same sounds I can get for way cheaper. I'm the youngest of 5 and music is in the family I have an excellent ear trust that.

When a pickup is muddy I would lower it first

Exactly. Dylan, I would give my designs and templates to the fellows over there at Texas Toast if I could get a Sonic Wave with a dotted bolt on neck in metallic blue with your PAF style humbucking pickups and shielded like a space capsual. Now that would be a new standard milestone to cause spontainious drooling in every basement, garage and studio. My Sonic Wave body designs are modular and configurable. The great thing is the new higher top shelf sustain caused by the central Vesica Picies chamber which drives body waves out the sides away from the strings to avoid string wave interruption. One can use cheeser pickups and still have more sustain but the better pickups producing across the board clarity win the day in one of my bodies. I just finished #23 and used lesser pickups in it called 59s by Seymour Duncan. I heard what I expected. Monster sustain even with lower output. I will bill it as a smooth jazz ride for boomer homies or hot rod that sumbitch with some them from your website. I can wait cause I know things are backed up right now. I don't want #23 to just have the same old school cool pickups which worked fine. This one deserves something different. Its body wave affect is potent. Dude I put up the last few guitars I finished on the tube so folks would be able to see but of course that's nothing compared to real life. Took 30 years to develop the tech and form is function. As usual I dig the show. I've done a few axe things and can tell you have so your not just filling da pot. You know your stuff man. See ya.

What matters to me are the magnets. I love Alnico II’s.

"This ones just a placeholder" LOL. Yeah some of those cheap pickups are garbage - they look like a pickup and thats about it. No amount of EQ or boosting is going to fix what's inherently wrong with them. Not to say that all cheap pickups are bad either, it depends on their design. And sometimes different can be good.

That challenger looks great. Hard to believe it's less expensive than some factory made US Fenders.

My favorite pickup choice is on my Jackson RR, with my unique wiring, my secret. Sweet rich fat tone on the neck, and raw sharp and cutting tone on the bridge. I just made it with HH config, SD Jazz on the Neck and Bill Lawrence L500 on the bridge. The guitar sounds killer and is very versatil... But that's another secret hahha 2 push pulls (1 tone and 1 volume) and a very uncommon config: 1st push pull on tone control. To split coils... yes, but you loose attack on hi-gain so... 2nd push pull on volumen, the guitar quit the tone pot at all, no split, no tone, just volume (if is up, if is down again 1 vol, 1 tone and split coil optional) So I have now my dream configuration.

WOW - You have hair!

Its called m****r f*****n ears! Your ears are no better than mine there Danny Devito😊

A Boss Katana makes a bad pickup sound better.

Sorry to say but this clarity pickups sound almost sterile, even harsh. Actually would be good for you to maybe have some other guitar players demo them.

Hey Dylan!! Fix your hair or get a hat!! Good video, btw.

I tell ya. I've learned so much. I can now make a guitar how I like but there's one drawback. I don't play anyone's music so I have my own sound and my own style unlike anyone. My pickups need to reflect that. I've found that caps help and so does the tone bleed.

Pickups are only as good as the guitar there going into.

Lots of ‘tone’ words

Video is a waste of time. Nothing but a sales pitch for his pickups. 16 minutes and still can’t explain why one is better than another. Plenty of opinion on sound differences, that’s about all.

You can't get good winding wire anymore. Even the best modern stuff is just so-so.

I've watched ALOT of your videos. Obviously you know your shit. What bothers me is you always leave out us metal guys. As I realize this video has a ton of useful knowledge in it I cannot relate it to any type of metal genre at all. It would be nice for you to direct your knowledge towards us metal guys sometimes

That guitar is out of tune.

How can Dylan talk tone when he can barely play? Where do Dylan's opinions on tone even come from? Clearly not experience..

wasted my time. not a single useful moment in this vedio