Inexpensive humbuckers

[tonydetiger]

I've used a couple of low-cost (< $50) humbuckers for a couple of project guitars, a Golden Age overwound from Stew Mac and a TB-77 from Mean Street/Axcessories. I go for a Dimarzio Tone Zone or a Seymour Duncan JB type of tone, but have found that both of the other pickups can get really close to that sound.

Anyone else tried out any low cost humbuckers and liked them? I'm asking both out of curiosity and for suggestions.

 

[EADGBE]

I haven't yet. I really like super distortions and JBs so I tend to stick with those.

 

[Bill Brasky]

I tried the Kent Armstrong m214k OEM distortion HB. You can buy these for around $28 new on ebay. I thought it had a very cool sound in the right guitar. It sounded KILLER in my heavier, fixed bridge Strat with a rosewood fb and thick, rounder neck, not so hot in my lightweight alder Strat with all maple neck. Big mid-range peak, good for Boston-ish sound to classic metal. Kent Armstrong HB sized p-90's are great sounding too. They actually sound like a raw p90 and can be found for around $50 new with nickel covers.
The Duncan Designed (I know, I know) HB103 sounded awesome in an all mahogany Explorer I had. These are a Korean made version of the Duncan SH-6 Distortion pickup and can be had for way less than a SD. The other Duncan Designed pickups I tried were crap to blah, but not this one.

 

[OlAndrew]

Got a set of Tonerider Alnico IIs in a Japanese hollowbody archtop...love them. I'm into cleans and not much drive, though. Think Larry Carlton playing rhythm on a slow blues for my ideal.

 

[UMT]

I bought a used set of buckers from a guy who upgraded his Epiphone Les Paul for $25.00 and REALLY like those pickups. They are alnico's and they sound really great in my Strat HH.... I believe they were 'Alnico Classics' but not exactly sure.

 

[UMT]

I bought a used set of buckers from a guy who upgraded his Epiphone Les Paul for $25.00 and REALLY like those pickups. They are alnico's and they sound really great in my Strat HH.... I believe they were 'Alnico Classics' but not exactly sure.

 

[Slackerprince]

Lots of used pickups on craigslist, these days.
Saw a ToneZone for $40. Could probably get it for cheaper.

Slackerprince