Need suggestion for pickups

I just bought an electric guitar (Yamaha) and have been taking lessons for about 2 months now. I also practice everyday watching the video lessons provided on this site. For some reason when I try to play what the instructors are playing the sound is not the same. I know the type of amp and pick ups are probably a major factor in that.

My question for you vets is, what type of pick ups and amps do you suggest I get in order to get a nice tone for playing different types of music like (Blues, Metal, Rock, R&B and Alternative) ? I like all of these genres of music and want to be able to play all of them without having to make major adjustments.

I thought about getting the Boss GT-8 Guitar Multi Effects Processor because the guy at my Guitar Center said that one pedal could sound like several different types of Amps. Thanks in advance!

If you want to play more straight forward metal riffs then EMG's are a good bet - I only started warming to then recently, you won't get much variation in tones and they sound the same on just about any guitar BUT they have their place, it all depends on what you are playing. EG, I find myself reaching for my axe with the EMG 81/85 set quite often when I want to play a really screaming burning hot lead part but I prefer Dimarzio as all rounders. My suggestion to any player is always Dimarzio, great tone across the board.
Dimarzio Evolutions are excellent - check out the Dimarzio site for an idea of what artists use them (Steve Vai among others). Lots of variety of playing styles and tones but they really sound good for tight rhythm and hot lead. Word of warning though, they are exceptionally sensitive (great for sustain and harmonics) so all of your mistakes will sound worse but then again, that is a good thing as it will force you to become a better player! If you want to hear what they sound like in person, go to a guitar shop and plug in an Ibanez Jem (ultra high end axe). Good luck with it and let us know what you go for in the end.

you didnt say what config your guitar is in right now weither it s/s/s s/s/h h/h h/s/h but thats ok.


i would through a set of missed matched gibson pickups in the ring. the 490r and 498t. there are a lot hotter pickups out there but these are what gibson actually uses on theirmid level les paul and sg. the sound great sustain very nicely and have the added 'color' that emgs dont have.

i hate guitar multi processors so id say dont buy any of them but other people have different opinions about them so you should ask them for sure.

amps for these styles is with out a doubt a tube amp. some are way more expensive then others. i hear the epiphone blues junior head/cab combo is pretty good as with the blackheart (been thinking about getting me a black heart). both are pretty cheap and are 5 watt tube amps but i would recommend trying them. vox makes a good little map for around $300 its the ac-30vtand the ac-30vtxl look em up.

as you get better and better youll learn how to make you sound better on the gear you have. for right this minute id say just fool around with your amp and try to find that sound then write down the settings so you can find it any time.

Pickups aren't always the first thing that should be replaced. Is the guitar a low end model and what amp are you currently using?

If you're replacing humbuckers, want great, versitile tone, then PAF style pickups are the only way to go. I've always used the Duncan 59. But I'm not sure that changing pickups is the thing for you to do after only 2 months of playing- unless your guitar has really lousy pickups. Custom pickups are for fine tuning your natural 'bone' tone. You'll know exactly what you want from pickups after you've been playing through a real tube amp for a while and developed your touch. Single coils are tougher to decide on. I use no-noise models on my gigin' guitars, Duncan classic stacks in one axe, and Lace Sensors in another. You lose a lot of tone and feel with the noise-free thing, but it's a compromise you have to make, or you'll have big problems under certain lighting/grounding situations. For recording, clean lower volume playing, and places where the buzz is minimal, I use my vintage strats stock pickups.

if you want a versatile amp get a Line 6 Spider or any Line 6 lol :D

I'd recommend you wait before upgrading your pickups. You are new enough that you will change your mind several times and what you think sounds good will change over time. First, fool around with the settings on your amp, as someone else has suggested. If that doesn't do it for you, try some inexpensive effects. If you are not gigging regularly, there are lots of effects out there that are less than $30 that are perfect if you are not gigging or recording yet. My 2 cents.


JaxMusicSupply

Check pod x3 live as a pedal,you can get some really fantastic tones!