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GFS Pickups...any good? Or not?

crunchee

Asked by crunchee,

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crunchee Veteran HFCer

crunchee

Posted
Posted

I've been looking at some of the GFS pickups that are being offered at GuitarFetish, primarily the Alnico II HBs, and maybe the Retrotrons. Price is attractive, but they're made who-knows-where. Still, it might be something for me to try without breaking the bank and investing a lot of money. And yes, I've been looking for used Alnico II HB alternatives, mainly the SD Pearly Gates, Custom Custom, or Slash Pro...all of which have Alnico II magnets. Problem is, they don't always come cheap on FeeBay, and yes I HAVE been looking here as well.

If you can't already tell, I'm looking to put them in a bright-sounding guitar and perhaps tame any tendency for it to get shrill-sounding, especially as it's a ash bodied guitar with a maple neck.

Opinions on the GFS pickups? Any users? Any ideas on cost-effective alternatives? TIA! :)

18 answers to this question

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backinit Veteran HFCer

backinit

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I have heard good reports about that model (Al2 vintage), but my own experiences have been hit (lil'killers) or miss (AL soapbar). There are a few utube vids out there that compare GF pickups to gibson and maybe others.

I have had good experiences with guitarpartsonline pickups (Dragonfire strat active pickups), but I don't think that they make a al2 model.

Tonerider pickups are in between SD/Dimarzio and GF pricing and they make an Al2 model called the rocksong. If you can find them rockfield SWV as well.

hamerhead Veteran HFCer

hamerhead

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I like everything I've gotten from them, but haven't tried the Alnico IIs.

The Liverpools in my Echotone gave it the expected Gretsch slant, sound great, and look really cool. The Firebird minis in the Jay/homemade Billy-Bo are good, but I haven't really used them enough yet. I stuck with their regular and hot minihums (in a P90 Studio) after putting them up against Gibsons and Duncans.

When I emailed questions they always got back to me in relatively short order, and their answers proved to be right on the money.

For the price, you can't beat them. Give 'em a holler and buy what they recommend.

polara Veteran HFCer

polara

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I put Dream 90s in an import something a couple years ago and was satisfied. There are so many variables... what's lovely in one guitar might not be good an another to another set of ears...but they seemed P90ish, not too hot, not too bright, perfectly good.

The only pickups that I've ever played through and thought "Oh, this sounds really special" are the Lollars in my CS First Act, but then it's also handmade of really nice wood by top builders so it might have sounded killer with crap pickups in it. I do think those GFS Dream 90s held their own against the stock Duncans in my old P90 special, not as hot, more mellow and even.

aknapp Inner Circle

aknapp

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+1 on the Liverpools. They may not be an exact Gretsch replica, but they get close and sound very good regardless.

I like the Fat Pat's (A5), too.

No experience w/A2's.

Another alternative may be the Zhangbuckers (http://www.zhangbucker.com/humbuckers.html). Lots of A2 options, discounted now (custom wound for mass-produced price), LP forum loves 'em.

I just got a set of P90's for a '93 Special. They sound COMPLETELY different than the stock SD's, and, sooooo much better! COMPLETELY transformed the sound of the guitar. Dave, the owner, will consult with you via e-mail or phone and wind to your specs.

stobro Veteran HFCer

stobro

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I put a set of their Memphis Alnico II (Rickenbacker tone) Retrotrons on my Hamer 12-string special. They replaced a set of high output SD humbuckers that a previous owner had put in there that were way too hot and congested sounding to work with 12 strings. As I recall, they did open up the tone and give the guitar more jangle.

I realize now that I haven't pulled that guitar out of its case in a loooong time, so I can't really provide a fresh tone report.

serial Veteran HFCer

serial

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About 7/8 years ago, I was looking for a Tele bridge humbucker because SD Lil 59s are perhaps the worst Tele pickup on the planet and that's what was in one of my Teles (I wanted a hum for gigging). I wanted a Barden, but wow-pricey. In an eBay search for a used Barden, I stumbled on the GFS Lil Hot Puncher. For $25 +shipping, I took a shot. LOVED it. Bought four more and currently run them in all my Tele stuff.

Lockbody Veteran HFCer

Lockbody

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I love what are the Tonerider Hot Classics in the Squier Classic Vibe 50's Telecaster. As good of a Tele tone as I've had.

Toadroller Veteran HFCer

Toadroller

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I replaced the duncan designed humbuckers in my Korean maple Standard with the Alnico 2s and was very pleased. It helped tone down the maple.

http://www.guitarfetish.com/GFS-Classic-II-Alnico-2-Vintage-Wound-Zebra-Humbucker-_c_44.html

I also had one of their thin-line style teles and took the P90 soapbars from it, putting them into my Chinese SATP90. Very nice P90s, very dynamic.

Hamer Dave Veteran HFCer

Hamer Dave

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I've bought some of their boutique PAF's for my build. Yet to install them. Heard good things, and price is right. I understand they are made over seas, but to their strict instruction, so the great price. Give them a shot.

tomteriffic Veteran HFCer

tomteriffic

Posted
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About 7/8 years ago, I was looking for a Tele bridge humbucker because SD Lil 59s are perhaps the worst Tele pickup on the planet and that's what was in one of my Teles (I wanted a hum for gigging). I wanted a Barden, but wow-pricey. In an eBay search for a used Barden, I stumbled on the GFS Lil Hot Puncher. For $25 +shipping, I took a shot. LOVED it. Bought four more and currently run them in all my Tele stuff.

Similarly, I've got a mid-range Yamaha Pacifica tele-type. I couldn't really justify a Broadcaster pickup, but that's the tone I was after. I also went with the Li'l Hot Puncher and am really happy with it. Also, on the recommendation of our own Hardhearted Bill, I put a set of their white bread strat pickups in a project and IMO, they gave up nothing to a stock set of Fender pickups for quite a few more bucks.

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