Good cheap pickups

[richard parker]

What's the cheapest pickup you have that sounds good ? I had a Kent Armstrong hot rails type that I used for a while in the bridge of a Strat. It cost next to nothing but it sounded really good. I took it out a few years back because I wanted to go back to a single coil sound but recently I gave it to a 17 year old pupil of mine to put in the bridge of his very cheap Squier Strat. Damn, it sounds good!!!! I'd go out and gig with this guitar tomorrow and the guitar and the Kent Armstrong together cost less than the last set of buckers I bought.

[masta' c]

Are you looking specifically for single-coil sized pickups?

[formula73]

I think it's just a discussion about cheap pickups that sound good to us. I have to say, the Detonator is really growing on me. I sold a guitar that one was in and went right out and bought another. For what? I don't know, but I did. I also like that Armstrong Hot Rod Vintage (A5 15k ish) model but I haven't had it in anything in years and I also notice they're not nearly as good a deal as they used to be.

[idsnowdog]

The Mighty Mite Motherbuckers and Kent Armstrong M215.

[TheLivingDead]

The pups that came in my Xaviere XV-870 sound phenomenal. They can be had for pretty cheap here: http://www.guitarfetish.com/Strat-Vi...Set_p_717.html

I imagine the rest are of similar quality.

[ehdwuld]

I think the INF4 bridge pickup that comes stock in so many Ibanez guitars
is a dang fine bridge pickup
its mate tho , sux as a neck

[blueman335]

I like Schallers and Carvins, you can usually get them for around $20 used. I also like GFS Mean 90 in the neck slot.

[Ed Hunter]

I think overall the best bet is to buy used duncans. that way you get a inexpensive pu and definitely the best at the same time!
I just got a LIKE NEW set of duncans from a guy here(ARYTON) for a great price.

[formula73]

I don't think the OP is shopping. I think this is just a discussion.

[St_Genesius]

The Duncan Designed version of the Distortion, whose name I can't recall (HB-103? HB-104? Something like that...) is a hell of a pickup. Also, I have a GFS Filtertron copy, though I can't recall now which one, that I like a lot.

[dr. ad]

the tonerider H90s i picked up are pretty decent.

what are sky pickups like? my understanding is that they're kent armstrong's deisgns being manufactured in korea, not unlike the duncan designed line. any opinions?

[aneyekay1]

Tesla pickups
made in Korea

[Gplayerzzz]

I have some toneriders that arn't bad at all. Also these are great for 30 bucks
http://pmcpickups.com/

[Funkfingers]

+1 for Kent Armstrong and for the DD HB-103b.

I am enormously fond of a Kent Armstrong import series Hot P90 that I have owned for longer than I care to remember.

I once installed a DD HB-103b into a friend's Cort G-250. I have no idea how close it sounds to an American Duncan Distortion. I just know that it is one ripper of a Rock guitar pickup.

Very recently, I acquired a pre-owned Lace Sensor light blue model. The vendor had been using it as a neck PU. I tried it in the bridge position. Here, it manages to combine the attributes of a Telecaster, Clapton's Brownie and Lowell George's number one Stratocaster. Nice.

[malymal86]

I like Schallers and Carvins, you can usually get them for around $20 used. I also like GFS Mean 90 in the neck slot.

That's what's up! I want to put a mean
90 for my lp neck...

[malymal86]

I think overall the best bet is to buy used duncans. that way you get a inexpensive pu and definitely the best at the same time!
I just got a LIKE NEW set of duncans from a guy here(ARYTON) for a great price.

This is the best thing to do, I got a sd jb used on Craigslist for a great price....

[hamerfan]

I would not go new but cheap, because you loose a lot of money in the second you purchase it. Go used and brand pickup i.e. get a used DiMarzio, Seymour Duncan on Fleabuy or in the Trading Zone

[GuitarDoc]

I have had very good results with the GFS pups I've purchased:

Mean 90 (LP and SG)
Fat Body 10k (Tele bridge)
64'Vintage set (Strat)

I broke the wire in one of my Strat pups a few years ago and found that I could buy the entire set from GFS for less than just replacing that one broken pup. It sounds great, I have no complaints at all.

The Mean 90 sounds absolutely fabulous, and only about $30 IIRC.

[Reckless Abandon]

GFS are nice. at least the ones I have

[SrDeMaFp]

I have some toneriders that arn't bad at all. Also these are great for 30 bucks
http://pmcpickups.com/

You're the only other person I've ever seen recommend these pickups. I have a VB1RT and it sounds ****ing phenomenal! I also 2nd the GFS Mean 90. Sounds great in the neck slot.