Question about Michael Schenker's pickups

[mrbill]

One of my all-time favorite live albums is UFO's "Strangers in the Night", which I've been listening to a lot lately, and was wondering what kind of pickups Schenker was using then. His leads strike me as more of a vintage PAF sound, but then his double-stops are so fat and crunchy, they sound like what I'd expect from higher output pickups.

Does anyone know what pickups he used for SITN or, generally, during his stint with UFO?

 

[ChazMania]

Much Schenker love on the boards lately....love it! Certainly this era in my all time top 5. He has never "seemed" to be a tinkerer, so I wouldn't be surprised if stock pickups.

 

[aynirar27]

good question man, I'd like to see what people know. Definitely some great tones on that album. I can never get the low end right playing the main riff to rock bottom. always too tight or too spongey

 

[Randy]

I believe I read he used the original Gibson "Dirty Fingers" pickups in his V, but I'm not positive.

 

[CowTipton]

I always thought it was T-Tops into a JMP 1987.
The half-cocked wah pedal and a chorus as well.

 

[Sweetfinger]

Based on his guitars and time period, T-tops + Crybaby wah + Marshall.

 

[mrbill]

I'd never heard of T-Tops prior to their mention here, Googled them, and found a thread on MyLesPaul where several posters said that they are very low output pickups ( dc resistance typically around 7.5 ). If that's true, how did he get such a crunchy, grinding tone? Were his Marshalls modded? And I've never heard that he used a distortion pedal. I know he used / uses Marshall 2205s, which are pretty high gain, but they weren't made until about four years after SITN.

 

[DustyRhodesJr]

He used Schaller pickups for many years, dont know if he has changed
now that he uses Dean guitars or not.

 

[andybaylor]

From what I remember: Stock Gbson V, that had been smashed several times. Whatever came in that model.

All in the hands.

Lights out, Lights out Chicago...

 

[NorCal_Val]

If that's true, how did he get such a crunchy, grinding tone? Were his Marshalls modded?

50 watt Marshall at full blast will do that.

 

[Rockledge]

I'd never heard of T-Tops prior to their mention here, Googled them, and found a thread on MyLesPaul where several posters said that they are very low output pickups ( dc resistance typically around 7.5 ). If that's true, how did he get such a crunchy, grinding tone? Were his Marshalls modded? And I've never heard that he used a distortion pedal. I know he used / uses Marshall 2205s, which are pretty high gain, but they weren't made until about four years after SITN.

Lower output often means warmer and wider tone.
Also, think about it. Lower output pickups likely means lower magnetic pull on the strings, as well as the ability to crank the amp up and drive it harder without feedback or blowing an eardrum.

 

[Blackmoreguitar]

I read somewhere he used an echoplex to help overdrive the Marshall. No idea if that's true. Love Shenker, what a great guitarist.

 

[DRS]

It is strange, in these modern times, that people assume only hot pickups can push an amp into great tone. Clapton with Cream and Mayall, Page with Zep, Deep Purple and Blackmore, etc etc - all low output pickups into snarly amps.

 

[Go Cat Go!!]

He used Schaller pickups for many years, dont know if he has changed
now that he uses Dean guitars or not.

This is what I remember as well.