Which Loaded Pickgaurd is best? Your Opinon

D.Allen · 01-10-2010, 09:54 PM

GFS, Mighty Mite, dragonFire, or Frankrocks.
I see a lot of reviews for GFS and have heard demos on youtube but the others are more of a mystery. Mighty mite siad they were 5.2kohms in the neck and middle and 5.6 in the bridge. Frankrocks said his pups come from Japan I think GFS is from Korea not sure if that matters. I am looking for an upgrade for a 2008 bullet I got my daughter so I don't want to put a bunch into it. If you know if one or all of these are worth $50- $60 to upgrade I would appreciate the feed back.

TwoMartinMan · 01-10-2010, 10:12 PM

I put the GuitarFetish J20 Alnico V prewired SSS pickguard into my Squier Affinity body for $47.95. I'm more than satisfied. Big improvement over the stock pickups and the guard itself is a 3 ply white/black/white instead of the stock 1 ply white.

D.Allen · 01-10-2010, 10:16 PM

I see a lot of info on GFS and 99% is positive so I may go that way. It just seems like there would be more info on the others out there. Did the screw holes line up I have heard that some don't?

ncjeepinyj · 01-10-2010, 10:22 PM

I put a Dragonfire HSS loaded pickguard in my Squier and its ok. I am happy with it for the money i paid for it( $40 shipped) but it didnt fit real good. The pickups seem deeper, as in i actually had to take a little material out (deeper) to get it to fit. I couldnt adjust the pickup height much at all until i did. Also, only about 3 of the screw holes lined up. The pickups sound good but that was a little more work than i was hoping to do for something that i thought would fit. I knew the screw holes might not line up but i didnt expect the pickup height problem. If all prices are about the same, i would suggest looking into something else.

papacitorick · 01-10-2010, 10:28 PM

I put a handwired GFS pg in the project I am doing. A bit more than you are looking to spend though. As far as the prewired GFS guards, the only thing I know is that they are not actually their pups. Hope you find something you like

D.Allen · 01-10-2010, 10:50 PM

I was looking at the hand wired too. It is more then I wanted to spend but it looks like it could make a hugh difference. I saw some people installing the GFS handwired in their MIM Fender Starts so they must be good.

peskypesky · 01-11-2010, 02:35 AM

i put a GFS loaded pickguard in one of my strats and i like it a lot. it's one that has non-GFS alnico pups in it. i think it cost like $59 and i'd say it's worth every penny.

DoctorKillmore · 01-11-2010, 03:38 AM

I'd like to add that the GFS loaded pickguards do not have GSF brand pickups in them. Just one of those things where you have to read the fine print.

TwoMartinMan · 01-11-2010, 06:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dshillhouse

Did the screw holes line up I have heard that some don't?

Only 3 of my screw holes lined up. All the others I filled and re-drilled. The likelihood of finding any replacement guard where all the holes line up is very, very slim. That just seems to be the way things are. I also had to trim down the length of the middle pickup adjustment screws. They were bottoming out in the cavity. Used my Dremel tool to shave off about a 1/16" from each one and they fit fine.

peskypesky · 01-11-2010, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DoctorKillmore

I'd like to add that the GFS loaded pickguards do not have GSF brand pickups in them. Just one of those things where you have to read the fine print.

well actually, it's a little more confusing than that. The handwired GFS loaded pickguards have GFS pups but their other ones don't.

with:
http://store.guitarfetish.com/hawipi.html

without:
http://store.guitarfetish.com/wipi.html

zag1 · 01-11-2010, 06:47 PM

I'd rather get the handwired loaded pickguards, because at least I know they're using GFS pickups, which is the main reason I'd be ordering from them in the first place. Who knows where those cheapies came from, or how they sound? That's a good price (Too good!), but how do I know if I'm better off sticking with what came in the guitar in the first place? If you're gonna spend, make it count! Just a thought.

DoctorKillmore · 01-11-2010, 07:17 PM

I would venture to guess that the other pickups are Mighty Might.

D.Allen · 01-11-2010, 08:35 PM

Anyone try the Dragonfire prowired? They seem to compete with GFS handwired?

zag1 · 01-12-2010, 01:10 PM

It appears that Dragonfire Pro series guards are all "active" units, whereas the GFS give you their better pickups to choose from in their hand wired guards. Both of their "econo" series pickguards give you those cheap pickups w/refrigerator magnets. No wonder you can get a loaded pickguard for $34.95.

photoweborama · 01-12-2010, 01:50 PM

I'd rather wire mine own. I'd only use GFS myself.
I trust the quality of the products so much that I don't use any other pickup unless it is for a special application.

I really prefer overwound pickups also...

D.Allen · 01-14-2010, 11:52 AM

What pots and switch do you use? Anything else I would need to wire my own to my pickgaurd? Pups, new pots? New switch?