Anyone using G&L MFD pickups for doom?

[benjuro]

Downtuned my ASAT with MFD pickups recently and shocked by how good it sounded. Have yet to use it at full rock jams volume but plan to try it soon...

Anyone going this route?

[Jäke]

Kind of funny that you post that because my first "Telecaster" was a '94 ASAT Special (which I sold maybe 15 years ago) and have been subconsciously chasing those amazing tones ever since.

I recently purchased a set of MFDs from the G&L site and tucked them underneath the stock covers of a Jazzmaster, which is tuned to drop-A. Of all the hacks/upgrades/etc. I've ever done on an instrument, probably the most rewarding so far.

So… it's with a straight face that I can say I firmly believe that I have the best sounding Jazzmaster on this here planet. They're way bigger, punchier, sparklier, ballsier, snappier, and QUIETER than any single coil I've ever played. They even dickstomp most humbuggys. Total secret weapons. Well, at least they were. D'oh!

PS: They're both neck pups, since the angled bridge one does not fit the same.







#doomlawyer

[benjuro]

Kind of funny that you post that because my first "Telecaster" was a '94 ASAT Special (which I sold maybe 15 years ago) and have been subconsciously chasing those amazing tones ever since.

I recently purchased a set of MFDs from the G&L site and tucked them underneath the stock covers of a Jazzmaster, which is tuned to drop-A. Of all the hacks/upgrades/etc. I've ever done on an instrument, probably the most rewarding so far.

So… it's with a straight face that I can say I firmly believe that I have the best sounding Jazzmaster on this here planet. They're way bigger, punchier, sparklier, ballsier, snappier, and QUIETER than any single coil I've ever played. They even dickstomp most humbuggys. Total secret weapons. Well, at least they were. D'oh!

PS: They're both neck pups, since the angled bridge one does not fit the same.


#doomlawyer

This is awesome to hear, and kudos to you for making that swap--elegant and stealthy! That Jazzy is beautiful.
We tune to drop A as well, and some pickups just aren't into hanging out that low. I'd been after a G&L with the MFD's for a while, thinking only I want better clean tones...when I brought it to jams to show bandmates, the dirty toanz absolutely killed--even with 10's and tuned to standard...

Low and heavy, here we come.

[Jäke]

Not to derail the thread or anything (this place is quiet enough lately where I guess it doesn't matter), but let me know how setting up your ASAT goes with drop-A.

Some issues I ran into were having to dremmel down the back end of the low string saddle a bit and buy shorter machine screws to be able to get the saddles far back enough to be able to intonate correctly. No huge deal, but that little side screw can no longer catch them either.

Did you get a Tribute? I love that Irish stout finish they have now. Pop up some pics if you can.

[benjuro]

I love that Irish brown finish as well, especially with the black pickguard and covers--would've been nice. I also dig swamp ash though and was thrilled to see this used one pop up locally, very cheap and with a G&L hsc.

What gauge string set are you using?

So, you had to shorten the threaded "stem" part of the saddle, correct? Sounds like a pain but I have a dremel and imagine done carefully enough you'd be hard pressed to notice. Any tips here would be appreciated as I wonder how easy it is to source a replacement. Bummer the saddle-lock screw doesn't function there. I'm ok with replacing those saddle length screws, those non-permanent mods don't bother me at all and a big part of the reason I bought the Tribute to mess with...to both try those MFD's and leave my US-made Invader alone!

[Jäke]

Niiiiiiice. Congrats on the score. I had a blueburst ASAT bass a long, long time ago (in a galaxy far, far away). If you ever decide to blackout your guard and pup covers, I can send you the extra black covers that I’ve got now.

Used the standard Ernie Ball baritone strings for years, but from some string tension calculator thing online, I found that the GHS baritone strings have almost equal tension across every string — results in a much more comfortable playing situation. Never looking back. https://www.juststrings.com/ghs-cu-bari.html

Yeah exactly, hadda shorten the saddle stem on the low A. Don’t recall, but pretty sure I had to change to shorter screws on most saddles to crank them back far enough. The pic of my bridge up there shows just how far back they are compared to where yours is now. No biggie really, though.

[benjuro]

Super helpful, thanks J! I had used the EBs on my proper bari but have been buying equal tension sets for my guitars of late, they play nicer and I want to believe they're better for the neck.

If this thing works for the project, I think blackout will be the way to go, imagine it'll look sick on the blueburst. I may just hit you up for those covers...

[BoatRich]

I have a G&L Rampage and I’m either doing an ASAT or Fallout next. I really miss having a tele around so I’m leaning towards the ASAT for sure.

[benjuro]

I have a G&L Rampage and I’m either doing an ASAT or Fallout next. I really miss having a tele around so I’m leaning towards the ASAT for sure.

My brother has beautiful USA versions of both, so I had the opportunity to try them before buying. I LOVE the P90/splittable bridge humbucker arrangement. The MFD pickups are ultimately what sold me on the ASAT, but the Fallout might have been a bit more comfortable to play. I've gotten used to the tele shape. I thought the slab body would bother me, but it's quickly become my go-to guitar.

[benjuro]

Many thanks to Jäke for the blackening...

[Jäke]

Love it. Pearloid pickguards are for blues lawyers.

[ibarakishi]

if anyone here so far can comment on how they feel these pickups compare to lace ones, i would love to listen to your knowledge

[ibarakishi]

asking because i have an old beater trash peavey that i love and eventually want to throw new pickups in. wondering how these sound

[Jäke]

Wish I could help you out, but I have zero experience with Lace pickups.