Ceramic Vs. Alnico

Dirty Fingers are incredible. Gibson just resumed selling a Quick-Connect version, so I am definitely planning to get one to replace the '61 bridge in my LP Classic. The '61 is OK, but doesn't have a tight enough low end for my taste and the DFs are maybe the tightest, most percussive and hi-fi pickups I have ever used.
Good call !!I got the DF'ers plus newer set..excellent & the 61's in my SGJ are my go to precise for leads & maybe why i use it so much is they are a tad less bass for that up on top of things type placement
 
Now that you mention it, 61's for leads with SGJ & 490's on SG faded for rhythm was my basic tone for years
 
I had heard people say they didn't like the newer version of Dirty fingers.
I have never had them but getting the vintage set might be spendy.
 
I had heard people say they didn't like the newer version of Dirty fingers.
I have never had them but getting the vintage set might be spendy.

I've had both, can't tell the difference. Not sure what it is with guitar players, but seems they will always claim the "original" version of just about anything is superior to the "modern" version.
 
Good call !!I got the DF'ers plus newer set..excellent & the 61's in my SGJ are my go to precise for leads & maybe why i use it so much is they are a tad less bass for that up on top of things type placement

I have DF's in my Classic and '50s Standard. They are just phenomenal all-around pickups (Classic has a '61 in the neck and the Standard a BB-1 and they pair well with both) - monster output but clear and maybe the best string-to-string definition of any pickup I have used. I am a fan of the Gibson pickup "sound" and prefer them to any others that I have tried, maybe just because I have been playing Gibsons for so long, and these are among my two favorites of the modern pickups (T-Tops my all-time favorite for tone), the other being the 500T which I have in my '79 Custom, because in a lot of ways it sounds like a super-hot version of the very late T-Tops that had ceramic mags and I just wanted more oomph out of the guitar. I also have one in my Traditional.

High output Alnico pickups just have a sloppy low end that I can't abide. I like the overall tone of the 498T for example, but it can't hang with high-gain palm-muting and start/stop downstroking the way a good ceramic can.
 
Last edited:
Just to not start another thread about pickups. From here on I am focused on price or over price.

Supply and demand.
I demand pickups not be $700 +
I don’t care what golden god guitar they came out of.
There are just to many fools paying the prices stop.
I could name a vender but if he showed up it would like get ugly but maybe that’s what it takes.
 
“ (T-Tops my all-time favorite for tone)”

The T tops would be great if I could afford them.
:ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::santa:
IMG_0367.jpeg
 
Last edited:
“ (T-Tops my all-time favorite for tone)”

The T tops would be great if I could afford them.
I started a reply earlier, but it’s the S.O.S. from me, but I didn’t know what you were looking for. So I will say it again…


T-Top, and Vinyl. I have a set…T-Top neck, a Vinyl bridge. The Vinyl is a slightly hotter version of his T-Top. They are amazeballs to me. I’ve debated another set, but can’t really justify it right now. I’m thankful that I took the recommendation of @SG John in regard to giving Mick Manlius’ pickups a try. His most expensive pickups are $120 each. A fair deal in my opinion.
I have no affiliation with Manlius pickups, other than being a happy customer.
 
I started a reply earlier, but it’s the S.O.S. from me, but I didn’t know what you were looking for. So I will say it again…


T-Top, and Vinyl. I have a set…T-Top neck, a Vinyl bridge. The Vinyl is a slightly hotter version of his T-Top. They are amazeballs to me. I’ve debated another set, but can’t really justify it right now. I’m thankful that I took the recommendation of @SG John in regard to giving Mick Manlius’ pickups a try. His most expensive pickups are $120 each. A fair deal in my opinion.
I have no affiliation with Manlius pickups, other than being a happy customer.
I am aware of him and appreciate that Don.
He is priced reasonably . I just dislike it when people shoot up high cost , people pay and it becomes normal.

I spent $165 in 2019 for a custom wound pickup from SD. It sounds good but I asked for a T top. I don’t quite think it delivers imho.
But the price is with in reason.
For some reason I don’t like high output pickups much.
 
Last edited:
I am aware of him and appreciate that Don.
He is priced reasonably . I just dislike it when people shoot up high cost , people pay and it becomes normal.

I spent $165 in 2019 for a custom wound pickup from SD. It sounds good but asked for a T top. I don’t quite think it delivers imho.
But the price is with in reason.
For some reason I don’t like high output pickups much.
I don’t mind “high output” pickups…that’s what the volume knob on the guitar is for after all ;) .
I mentioned my hopped up ceramic P90s earlier in this thread. I have no qualms with playing them at 3-4 on the guitar volume knobs…for classic, blues, whatever cleanish tone I’m going for. It’s much the same to me for the Asphalt pickups in my crescent moon V, and SG. Dial them back, and they sound fantastic.

However, the T-Top and Vinyl set is just as stellar…bit more headroom to play with pedals, and just a classic vibe. I was thinking of putting another set in my crescent moon SG, but I have no destination for the other pickups…and no desire to find one.
 
I don’t mind “high output” pickups…that’s what the volume knob on the guitar is for after all ;) .
I mentioned my hopped up ceramic P90s earlier in this thread. I have no qualms with playing them at 3-4 on the guitar volume knobs…for classic, blues, whatever cleanish tone I’m going for. It’s much the same to me for the Asphalt pickups in my crescent moon V, and SG. Dial them back, and they sound fantastic.

However, the T-Top and Vinyl set is just as stellar…bit more headroom to play with pedals, and just a classic vibe. I was thinking of putting another set in my crescent moon SG, but I have no destination for the other pickups…and no desire to find one.
I like the idea of the extra headroom. Besides that the tone I am after is not super saturated.
 
Last edited:
That is something I do like about my custom wound, it has headroom . The volume knob does respond better than some of the generic pickups I have.
 
These:


In this:
View attachment 99592

@~$180 for a pair these days….a bargain. RWRP on request.

Mick’s pickups are certainly some of my favorites. My newest set are the Vinyls I put in a Les Paul. Great pickups. I’m a t top fan as well. I think my favorites are David Allen “Powerage” set I have in an SG
 
Last edited:
Mick’s pickups are certainly some of my favorites. My newest set are the Vinyls I put in a Les Paul. Great pickups. I’m a t top fan as well. I think my favorites are David Allen “Powerage” set I have in an SG
Might you have a sound clip of the vinyls ?
 
I can put one together for ya. Any particular tones you want to hear?
I like everything you play. UFO is kind of my aim but Michael is so hard to copy.
KK downing owned the exact same flying “V” from 1971 with T-tops.
Kk was JCM 800 I assume. Michael was 4 hole plexi back in the early 70’s
I know the effects he used for lead tone. It is the rhythm tone that is more basic.
So amp wise, either of those.
Not a big deal how you do it.
 
Might you have a sound clip of the vinyls ?
I’m not him, but…T-top tribute until 1:04-ish…then the vibe gets shut off, and Vinyl from 1:04-ish on. Phaez Daisycutter amp channel IIRC…It’s a wet/dry/wet clip though, so more likely Laney AOR, with the Phaez and Classic 30 flanking.


Edit: yep….Laney AOR is the dry/master in that one.
 
Back
Top