Well, ok, but I don't think anyone said that. We all want to sound the best we can, the question is, "will putting in a booteek set of Pups that cost half as much as my guitar accomplish that?" The answer is no. Like anything else, there are diminishing returns. While a $100 set of pups may sound 5 times better than a set of pups that cost $20, will a $300 set of pups sound 15 times better? Highly Doubtful. Now, put those same pickups in a band setting. How much of a difference to they really make once you're off the couch and all that noise is happening around you?Originally Posted by chuckocaster
And that's cool, and I'm the same way as far as favoring a specific rig for a certain type of job. But let's be very realistic about it: We do this because it makes US happy, not to please the audience. You could show up with the exact opposite of what you think is your perfect rig, play a job, and no one would know the difference. You could take a Mid 80's Crate and a Lotus LP knock-off, and as long as you play like you mean it and have fun, there's not a soul in the audience that would question your...um...tone.Originally Posted by Tele-Bob
I think you're right. Besides a few musicians that may be in attendance, no one would have a clue.Originally Posted by Plugger
And that, ladies and germs, sums it all up. No need to swap parts and guitars endlessly trying to find that all-elusive 'tone', just play from your heart.Originally Posted by Offshore Angler
Disclaimer: There are a LOT of people out there who mod or do projects as a hobby, myself included. That's cool, nothing in this post suggests that anyone change their ways. If that's the thing that makes you happy, you should by all means swap pickups to your heart's content. My post is strictly from a playing and performance perspective.