WCR pickups?

G

GuitarDoyle

New member
Hello there Gents!

I am new to the board and a new Hamer owner. I like the stock jb/59 in my Hamer Studio and I have had these in other guitars but last week I fell in love with some Rio Grande pickups. My tech turned me onto the BBQ and Texas. But, I keep seeing threads on message boards about how amazing WCR pickups happen to be and that nobody else can compare. Is this possible?

GD

 
I've got a set of WCR darkbursts in my Newport. They are really good. However I'm new to the Newport, so I can't comment except to say they are worlds better than the Phat Cats (completely different) and SD 59's that I have tried. Very clear and articulate. Interesting that they are not that hot, but have sustain that allows you to solo with ease. They also have a very tight low end. No mud at all.

I just recevied my second set of Darkbursts today and tomorrow, they will go into my 95 Studio custom replacing the 59 and JB. I'll post a report on how they sound. For reference I've tried in my Studio:

Stock combo 59 and JB. I've always loved the 59 in the neck, but JB is too mid rangy.

Tried an SD custom 5. Sounds completely dead compared to most pickups.

Tried a 59 in the bridge. Not enough umph on the high end, and the lows were too fuzzy.

 
I have a set of WCR Crossroads in my 96 Studio Custom that replaced the 59/JB that it came with. The WCR's really made this guitar come alive. The Crossroads (PAF clones) are very detailed sounding, JB and 59 are lifeless in comparison.

 
I'm a child of the 80's hair bands, but am more into blues and classic rock now.

I'm running through an Aiken Invader 18 watt and or Top Hat Club Royal 2x12. Clean blues, dirty blues, AC/DC style rock, to more modern hard rock.

 
I have a set of Darkbursts in my #1 now; 03 Studio Custom (Nu Blu). A definite upgrade from the 59s. Bridge is outstanding, and the neck is much better than the 59. Tonally, the bridge is full range with loads of harmonics, with just a smidgin rolled off the highs. Neck is more focused and less bassy/flabby than the 59. My only want would be a bit more focus, even if that means lower output.

Bottom line, they're keepers.

 
I've got a set of WCR darkbursts in my Newport. They are really good. However I'm new to the Newport, so I can't comment except to say they are worlds better than the Phat Cats (completely different) and SD 59's that I have tried. Very clear and articulate. Interesting that they are not that hot, but have sustain that allows you to solo with ease. They also have a very tight low end. No mud at all. I just recevied my second set of Darkbursts today and tomorrow, they will go into my 95 Studio custom replacing the 59 and JB. I'll post a report on how they sound. For reference I've tried in my Studio:

Stock combo 59 and JB. I've always loved the 59 in the neck, but JB is too mid rangy.

Tried an SD custom 5. Sounds completely dead compared to most pickups.

Tried a 59 in the bridge. Not enough umph on the high end, and the lows were too fuzzy.
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I went to the WCR site and didn't see " darkburst's". What are they?

Joe

 
You gotta ask for them. He hasn't updated his site yet. They are basically a slighly higher output Crossroads pickup (with the same price)

 
Put the darkbursts in today. Pretty much agree with seeker. They are more articulate than any of the SD's. I at first mistook this for too many highs, but realized that they are just much more accurate / articulate than SDs. Tighter than 59's as well. Kind of like a really good tube amp that doesn't cover up mistakes the WCRs are really clear. Also, they sound incredible clean! I'm very happy with them.

My only exposure to Rios' were in a McNaught vintage doublecut. I found them too midrangy and grainy. Nice, but too much mids for my taste.

 
I have a set of Crossroads to put in one of my Artist Customs. Just gotta set aside the time to get 'er done!

 
I had a LP Standard a few years ago I put Fillmores in. Those pickups put that guitar on another level. I found them to be very versatile pickups.

As much as I like my 57 LP reissue Gold Top with the stock Burstbuckers my experience with the Fillmores has me thinking hard about putting them in anyway.

 
WCR pickups kick ass and they are the only aftermarket pickups I'll buy these days. I have Fillmores in my 57 Reissue LP and my tech is installing Darkbursts in Limited Edition LP Standard today.

 
I have 3 Les Pauls with WCR pickups -- an R7 Goldtop with Goodwoods, and an R8 and R9 both with Darkbursts. They are the most versatile, detailed, and articulate humbuckers I've ever played.

 
Wow! You guys have me excited about these!?

What would you guys suggest for these guitars?

I have a Hamer Studio

LP Standard

PRS McCarty

I like the bridge to not only provide good high gain tones, but versatility in that it does clean well.

JES1680,

Did you ever get those Darkbursts installed?

 
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Wow! You guys have me excited about these!?What would you guys suggest for these guitars?

I have a Hamer Studio

LP Standard

PRS McCarty

I like the bridge to not only provide good high gain tones, but versatility in that it does clean well.

JES1680,

Did you ever get those Darkbursts installed?
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The site is www.crcoils.com.

There's pretty good info on the sound of the pickups up there. The darkburst set is not listed on the site (you have to ask I guess).

I like the pickups, and they shipped immediately, which is nice. The only thing I didn't like was the hookup wire. I prefer the look of the old metal shielded vintage stuff (probably has no effect on the tone) and would like it of you could get that as an option.

But I am weird about this stuff anyway...

Mike

 
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