Choosing pickups for a semi hollow

[Gardo]

I’m making a new plan. It has been pointed out that pickups won’t change the overall character of the guitar although they do make a difference. I can get nice enough sound from the basic ceramic humbuckers it has. Probably the biggest thing I dislike is they just look cheap.
So my new plan is to mount these chrome trim rings over the existing black ones.
If f the screws are long enough it should work. They fit just below flush with the bobbins.


Well that’s the plan anyway

 

[wulfenganck]

I replaced the stock humbucker in neck position of my Ibanez Artcore AF75 with a second hand Artec P90 in humbucker size. Much of an improvement with a low budget.
A friend of mine has P90s from the german manufacturer Haeussel in his semi-acoustic. Great sounding guitar.

Artec P90

Haeussel P90

 

[Beachbum]

Don't get hung up on semi hollow vs solid body. Most semi hollow guitars have a solid block down the middle with the rest of the body contributing not much more than something to hold onto. Spend some time listening to solid body LP"s vs 335's. When I do that pickup for pickup I don't hear much difference if any between the two. Also don't shy away from GFS pickups thier Dream 90 is one of the best P90s I've ever used.

 

[Lies&Distortion]

I put Mojotrons in a gutted Ibanez Artist. Best $400 guitar I own.

 

[ChXpensiveVintage]

My Ibanez AM93 loaded with EMG Fat 55’s running 24V.

Probably not for everyone, neck doesn’t do jazz warmth like passives, but they do sound really good and are surprisingly versatile.

 

[Lies&Distortion]

My Ibanez AM93 loaded with EMG Fat 55’s running 24V.

View attachment 1242810
Probably not for everyone, neck doesn’t do jazz warmth like passives, but they do sound really good and are surprisingly versatile.

Grotesque. But if my ears like it who cares!

 

[ChXpensiveVintage]

Grotesque. But if my ears like it who cares!

Or indeed if they don’t.

 

[Zepfan]

You could change out the ceramic magnets for Alnico magnets yourself.

 

[Gardo]

I ended up with GFS Professional Series, Alnico 2. The neck is wound to 7.6k and the bridge 8.6k with nickel covers. It was really not bad to swap them . I tried pulling just the switch and discovered that was all I needed as the pickup grounds go through the switch as well. After several days of playing I couldn’t be happier. Smoother and warmer than the originals. I am actually amazed at the goodness I’m finding with this “entry level “ guitar.
I also threw on some chicken head knobs.