[MrSandMan]

I've played factory stockers -- which some aren't bad (The pickups in my Dot On Shaft Carparelli are nice)., EMGs both active and passive and Seymour Duncan. And from my experience the Seymour Duncan are absolutely the best. EMGs are my least favorite, probably because they are just too.... active. It seems like they add unwanted color and brightness to the tone. Maybe I just needed to re-adjust the EQ on the amp for the EMGs?

What are your favorites?

[Kurtastrophe.]

I'm not too experienced, but I've played many guitars, and I don't like EMG's either.

I like low output humbuckers like Burstbuckers, and the PRS pickups are really awesome.

[Brian Krashpad]

I'm a Seymour Duncan fan as well. I have several different types in several different guitars. My Ravelle has the Jazz/JB combination that reportedly is the actual Seymour Duncan's favorite combination for a hot-rodded Les Paul humbucker sound. My Hamer SPecial has Duncan P-90's in it also. Both guitars featured those Duncans stock.

The bridge pickup on my LP Classic up and died, so I asked my luthier/tech guy, Tom, what Duncan I should put in to best compliment the stock ceramic magnet 496R pickup in the neck, and we went with a Custom 5, which is a hot alnico V magnet pickup, not as high output as the JB, but with a more pronounced mid-scoop (according to the numeric gradings on the Duncan website).

All of these sound grand and do exactly what they're supposed to.

Have never played EMG's and have no plans to.

[MrSandMan]

How would you compare the Seymour to stock Gibby's? Seems stock LP Gibson's are desired pickups too.

[R.B. Huckleberry]

The Duncan JB is my favorite bridge humbucker. I like their '59 pickup in the neck position.

Lately I've been quite taken with G&L's "MFD (Magnetic Field Design) " pickups. They are single coils design for a better output to hum ratio.

[Brian Krashpad]

Originally Posted by MrSandMan

How would you compare the Seymour to stock Gibby's? Seems stock LP Gibson's are desired pickups too.

I haven't tried any of the more "trad" style Gibson pickups like the 57 Classics or PAF pro's. They are very popular though, and I'd bet I'd like them. Right now for that lower-output alnico HB sound I use my DeArmond Jet Star.

My Studio Doublecut has Gibson's hotter alnico pair, the 490R and 498T, which are like a slightly mellower Jazz/JB kinda. I like them a lot as well. The LP Classic came with ceramic pickups, which are not very popular, hotter than the alnico's, but I thought they were fine. The only reason I went with a Duncan in the bridge is because the stock one died.

I used to have a Les Paul Special with stacked P-100 soapbars in it. They were OK but I much prefer the sound of a true single coil P-90, even a cheapie ceramic magnet one (which I have in my Agile Valkyrie), much less more trad/less hot alnico P-90's (like the Duncans in my Hamer or Designeds in my Schecter). Have yet to own a guitar with actual Gibson P-90's, but it's a real possibility at some point.

[Brian Krashpad]

Originally Posted by R.B. Huckleberry

Lately I've been quite taken with G&L's "MFD (Magnetic Field Design) " pickups. They are single coils design for a better output to hum ratio.

I'd really like to try some of those as well. Especially on an ASAT or SC-2. Unfortunately our local G&L dealer went out of business about a year ago.

[indytruckboy]

Hrmmmmm......

I'd have to say EMG 81/60.

Those always seem to me. But it really all depends on the guitar. They almost always seem the way to go to me.
I like me some Gibson 57s in LP bodies. I love the factory 498T in SGs. Oooohhhh, Texas Specials in Strats.

[StickMan]

I like the GFS Mean 90s, which are HB sized P90s and probably their best pickups. TV Jones Classics are awesome also.

[mmcquain]

Gibson Classic 57 pups in my CS-356 and in my last Les Paul... always great sounding!!!