WCR vs. SD... Boutique vs. production

[uOpt]

Well, but very fine-graded pickups do fill in the void in the distortion input better. They give you a rounder sound and the perception of more sustain with less actual clipping.

[Zhangliqun]

I think heavy gain covers up some errors and in other ways is harder to play. The compression effect of heavy gain will make a line played with uneven dynamics sound even, but then very slight noises (like lifting a finger off a string) that would never even make it to the speaker on clean to moderate are screamed out for all the world to hear.

But on the whole, for most players who don't have enough chops to play a single note line without any overly quiet or loud notes, it covers up more than it reveals.

[sosomething]

At a certain point you stop playing the guitar and start playing the distortion.

[papersoul]

I have found expensive boutique pickups to be a waste of money.

[CustomCustom]

even some preamp distortion is fine, its the overall amount of distortion that matters. if there is too much then you start losing the character of the pup.

Agreed.


I can say i have a WCR Crossroads and its great. It came with this one when i bought my Les Paul used.


I wouldn't buy one NEW, too much money.

[SAVAGE DISTORTION]

But there are tens of thousands of guitarists worldwide that get by perfectly well and create classic recordings with Marshalls and Duncans, so whether or not the difference is large enough (or the tone of the boutiques is "better") is something that everybody has to decide for themselves when they get to that point. Most boutique equip is simply too rich for my personal taste, but there are a few things I´ve come across that I still wish I had been able to swing for...

^^^^^^^^^^^
THIS is so well stated that it speaks in volumes!!!! I salute you sir for what i would say is the BEST post EVER!

[Jason_Clement]

Boutique is nice, but once you actually get down to recording and mixing and mastering your sound, I do not think it really matters. Also, jamming or even live I doubt I'd be able to tell the difference between a similar seymour or a WCR or a bareknuckle. I mean the bottom line, for me, is that the only time I'd be able to take the time to really hear all the minute differences would be in my own house jamming by myself. And in that situation, it really doesn't matter to me lol.

So Seymour vs WCR? I'll go Seymour lol.

[SAVAGE DISTORTION]

Boutique is nice, but once you actually get down to recording and mixing and mastering your sound, I do not think it really matters. Also, jamming or even live I doubt I'd be able to tell the difference between a similar seymour or a WCR or a bareknuckle. I mean the bottom line, for me, is that the only time I'd be able to take the time to really hear all the minute differences would be in my own house jamming by myself. And in that situation, it really doesn't matter to me lol.

So Seymour vs WCR? I'll go Seymour lol.

I have to agree,i mean what sense does it make to spend the extra money if you dont reap the actual benefits playing out live with them???
I want a pickup that cuts through the mix and the$70 duncan JB does that just fine!
just ask jerry,marty,warren,jake,steve,scott and the hundreds of others that have had a JB in their guitar and played live with a band a lot!

[Jason_Clement]

I have to agree,i mean what sense does it make to spend the extra money if you dont reap the actual benefits playing out live with them???
I want a pickup that cuts through the mix and the$70 duncan JB does that just fine!
just ask jerry,marty,warren,jake,steve,scott and the hundreds of others that have had a JB in their guitar and played live with a band a lot!

[LtKojak]

[SAVAGE DISTORTION]

and this bothers YOU why? seriously dude until you are a mod around here check yourself

[richard parker]

If you can't tell the difference between a standard production pickup and a boutique one of a kind made to order custom pickup what are you doing on this forum ?

[bluefrog]

sorry I must add sthg here...
first : I had a couple of SD PUPs APii, 59, SH55,Ants, and WCRs Darkbursts & Goodwoods.
scnd: I liked the Goodwoods more (vs SD59) in the same LP Std 2005 with the same Amp Engl straight 100. I also have some clips from my buddy comparing the SD59 bridge vs the GW bridge. ( the later is fuller and rounder than the SD59B).
But my buddy still liked the SD59 more for this needs (same with BKP Mules).
He stucks for 25+ years with SD59B braided wire of course.
Me not I messiing with PUPs around mostly "boutique".
Today sheptone and german hauessel and D Barfuss stuff.
Duncan is still a milestone and a lot of SD59 from 80ties by MJ can easily filed as "boutique PUPs". It is yr taste and skill - not yr money what makes it. I always look(ed) for MJs !!!
I sold my PUPs not because they were bad - I just wanted to check sthg different.
for 2 years my Goldtop has now the Haeussels 1959 er set in. I am fine with them.
and I did not get a Set of Throbaks or StDesign or Kloppmanns yet to tinker with.
maybe tomorrow...

[uOpt]

Damn Bavarian keyboard have lots of Umlaute but no <return> key.

[Archer_of_Fish]

Why not?

The question is a good one and there is already good information in this thread. Adding to that information is a good thing....starting from scratch doesnt make any sense.