[lostcat]

as described elsewhere the pickups in my Artcore (ACH1-2) are a tad bland
options being considered are

Duncan P-Rails

TV Jones

GFS Memphis

Any opinions gleefully received as info on some of these is very thin on the ground in oz

[montereyjack66]

Hi. I just had a TV Jones CLassic installed in the bridge position. MAJOR IMROVEMENT! I held off on the neck pick-up because (A) I wanted to see how it sounded first, (B) I did kind of like the the neutrality and clarity of the low end on the Artcore PUP, (C) was hesitant to drop a lot of coin on a very inexpensive (but very decent) guitar. Two TV JONES would have put me over what I paid for it used. Happy for the moment. I think I will live with it a bit before I elect to MOD with another Filtertron type pick up. (I suspect I will just cuz... stay tuned).

In short, ZERO REGRETS about the switch. Would hesitate putting in a really hot distortion ball humbucker though.

Note: Other folks on this site have done both PUPs in TV Jones and sounded pretty happy.

mj

[ishtar]

Seems like if you're asking us, TVJones might be the big favorite... Got any pics of your Artcore? Red w/Bigsby, correct?

[lostcat]

Originally Posted by ishtar

Seems like if you're asking us, TVJones might be the big favorite... Got any pics of your Artcore? Red w/Bigsby, correct?

Mine is ORANGE - Bigsby is retro fitted

Probably for me TVJ is first choice - but IF I fitted Prails it could do more things and $$$$$ - here in Oz anyway

[Memphis Black]

Hi all not sure if this thread dead but i have two Artcores that i have been using for last few years and only just got round to upgrade. I have an AFS75T which now has Memphis Bridge and neck plus a afs75Tdv IV which has a Memphis Bridge and a Warmen Humbucker size P90 in the neck and all i can say is these pickups are rockin, It took a while to set up and dial in pickups and my amps (hotrod fender 1x12 and a deville )but its as close to my mates Gretsch and is awesome once cranked up even out gunning his. Seen lots of post about under powered but not to me they aint. They dial from doo wop to rockabilly to setzer (I WISH) At the twist of a volume knob. The warmann p90 is so sweet and clear on the tdv iv that it opens up so much tone these are worth a check out. love my artcores on stage they have different tones but still got that twang and defo will last until a 6120 drops off the back of a lorry lol

yeeee haaaaa

[Archtop 13]

Lollartrons. Filtertron sound with a little more punch.

[johnnyguitar]

Filtertrons...$50 each off eBay.
Less than 1/2 price of TV's. Much better quality than GFS

[Memphis Black]

Yep filtertrons a bit rare in uk couldnt pick up a nice pair,and defo not that cheap. I remember reading an article on here about pickups and tone and it basically said that if the tone is great for you and set up right thats all that is required. I have mates who swop pickups and pots and caps but at the end of the day playing live it dont make much difference on stage to the audience, if you can play good and have a good set up then you will sound good.Spend time with what you got learing how to get your tonethats what it seemed to preach I have people come and ask me what gretsch it is im playing and they realise its an Ibanez and are a bit shocked, so gfs must be doing something right, my dream is a 6120 but a bit outa my league at moment yeee haaa also my fender hot rod on clean set up is low power input jack,treble boost on,volume 4 ,Bass 5.Mid 4,Treble 7,Reverb 3,presence 8 gets me a great vintage sound. The Hot rod was USA made but last year every joint on it had to be re soldered by my amp tech guy and for some reason now it has a bit more punch , maybe it was magic rockin solder lol

[griole]

I upgraded my Artcore stock pickups with Giovannis, which are Artec's upper grade pickups. Great impreovement in tone and clarity, and only $59 for the pair on ebay. The seller has both Alnico 5s and 3s for sale, both sets with nickel covers. I don't know about availability down under, but I believe Artec is no longer offering these to US distributors. I've used Artec, GFS, and Giovannis to replace the stock Artcore ceramic humbuckers in the past, and I've found the Giovannis to be an excellent and inexpensive upgrade.

[Nerrad]

I REALLY want to put Dynasonic's in my artcore. But I dont have the cash. Those are my favorite pickups in the world.

I put hs filtertrons in my 5120 and im in love with them. Cheaper than the tvjones