I’ve got a 1970s Hohner Les Paul and the humbuckers are starting to die. I was looking at Seymour Duncan’s but for that cost does it make sense to just get a new guitar?
What pickups are you looking at that are as costly as a new guitar?
I’ve replaced a bunch of my pickups in my guitar. It’s a great way to get exactly what you want, and often you’ll get higher quality than most guitar brands use stock. Pickups will have the largest effect on a guitar’s tone outside of the amp.
Not saying the pickups are more expensive than a guitar. The question is more does it make sense to put $200 worth of pickups into a off brand Les Paul. Or do I put that 200 towards a better guitar that’s all.
If you have recommendations on cheaper but good sounding humbuckers that would be appreciated.
Roswell, Wilkinson, Tonerider, Dimarzio, Bare Knuckle is about my slippery slope. Used ones may come very reasonably priced now and then.
I also wouldn’t shy away from great and expensive pickups if you have a guitar you like. They are about 90% of the sound, so why not combine great guitar with great sound? If you get a more expensive piece of wood and metal for your pickups later, it’ll be an easy swap. Or sell the pickups. There’s a good market for wanted models in most places.
