UK Pickup Builders

[Gabriel]

So some of you may have seen that I was thinking of selling my Eastman. Well I've changed my mind, but I do want to change the pickups.

So I was wondering who you would recommend pickups from? Bare Knuckle pickups are out of budget so I'm looking at other builders in the UK.

I'm thinking of a set of custom Creamery pickups, I emailed Jaime last night to see what he'd recommend me as I'm looking for a slightly different sound to the PAF style pickups in the guitar at the moment.

Which other UK pickup builders should I check out?

[Concretebadger]

I'm on the lookout for some hambakers to drop into my Epi when I'm back from holiday, so I'm in a similar situation. I'm torn between a set from The Creamery and Cat's Whisker. Both are in a similarly priced, offer customised orders and are cheaper than Bareknuckle sets.

I've not had chance to try any out, but I recall their names being mentioned before. Hopefully someone else can chime in on that.

[NickD]

Mojo pickups could be worth a shout too

www.mojopickups.co.uk/

[Thom]

I really wanted a set of the Creamery HB sized WRHBs, and the guy (can't remember his name) is really good to deal with and very helpful. Unfortunately he couldn't do them in lefty configuration because of the covers so I didn't end up getting them. They have had good reviews, but not tried them personally. Think someone here had their JM pups and said they were good.

[Taylor704]

No experience of them myself, but I've been eyeing up some Irongear pickups for my Telecaster. They seem to get some really good reviews and £70 for a set of humbuckers seems decent.

Link - http://www.irongear.co.uk/

[benecol]

Not sure why you're keeping it UK-centric particularly; I'd recommend David at Zhangbucker Pickups. Best aftermarket pickups I've used.

[ekwatts]

Sounds like you need a Juicy Throater.

[HeartfeltDawn]

This chap posts over at The Fretboard (UK centric forum) and does some good work by all accounts.

http://oilcitypickups.co.uk/

[timhulio]

Yep I've got one of his Tele neck pickups. Sounds okay for a tele neck pickup. To be honest I'm not really into the Oil City 'angle', and seeing as most of these things from different builders sound very similar, how a product is sold - the copy, or 'baloney' - is pretty important at choosing between them.

Look into Catswhisker pickups too. I've some of these in another Tele. They must be pretty good as I've not felt inclined to change them in six years.

[James]

For bass at least Wizard Pickups get a lot of love on the internet. I have a set of their 64 Jazz in my bass and love them. Certainly worth considering.

One nice thing is that pickups in that sort of price range is that they hold their value fairly well so you could try a few sets over the course of six months for very little outlay.

[Noisy Cat]

Mojo all the way.

I've got his Jazzmaster pups, they're great. I'm gassing for his Jags and Wide Rangers.

[dustandbarley]

+1 for Wizard and Mojo, but maybe consider Aaron Armstrong (son / grandson of Kent / Dan Armstrong). Definitely worth a call. He can custom build/wind to what you want, or has standard stock. Good luck

[HeartfeltDawn]

Wizard Pickups don't exist but Hot Rod Pickups have formed as an offshoot of Wizard...

http://thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/16 ... ups#latest

[LaceSensor]

ive got bareknuckles in that johnny marr geet, and they sound spectacular. almost too good. You can hear all the mistakes too well

[timhulio]

These Artecs must be amazing, because when I play all I hear are mistakes.

[Rox]

Mojo pickups. Great pickups and priced ok. Not crazy high yet not cheap. They sell them in the states under a different name since Mojo and Mojotone here are already copyrighted ( the US name isn't coming to me). They make a really cool goldfoil that fits in a humbucker slot .

[paul_]

Sounds like you need a Juicy Throater.