Paul Popov – Defect Designer

A conversation with Paul Popov from across the globe.

Do you prefer passive or active pickups?

PP: “Actually I am rather a fan of active pickups. My playing style and style of music I play is prioritized using active pickups… but this time I was hooked and changed my mind to use passive electronics… hooked by SH-2 and SH-4. I knew about Seymour Duncan for quite a long time. My first older guitars with passive pickups were mainly with Seymour Duncan and everything was great but up to me these two pickups are special and most interesting.”

What is it about the Jazz Model™ SH-2 tone that you like?

PP: “The SH-2 surprises with crystal pure and ‘saturated’ rich sound, SH-2’s beauty comes to light when you play clean sound. This is an ideal pickup for jazz, blues, funk players and metal players. I haven’t met any pickup yet that could be compared with this one. For playing dynamics and controllability of notes – this model is excellent for all this. Uncompromising sound, I do not think it can leave any guitar player indifferent.”
And what about the JB Model™ SH-4?
PP: “As for SH-4, everything is ease if you look from my point of view and style. I just switched my guitar in completely different sound systems starting from a mini transistor guitar combos to large and powerful tube amplifiers. I always got the sound I needed – distinctive, rich, clear, readable. “Readability” – when your band has two guitars – and especially if you play death metal – I think is the most important thing in sound. SH-4 always shows guitar sound at it’s best.  I remember I was playing my Mayones (Regius Pro) guitar in 100-watt (B-52) guitar combo and I was extremely positively shocked with this tone and sound. I stuck my guitar in tube (B-52) and feelings got even better! Then I switched the other completely different (HIWATT) amp – again!!! – I just wanted to play cause sound was astonishing!! Even with maximum gain I felt all 6 strings, heard them sounding clearly.”
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