I have a Vintage with a Wilkinson P90 and I agree with you a 100%. My other recommendation is Warman Pickups, also from the UK, I have a set of their's in my 7 string and I like it a lot.
Stateside, GFS are great pickups. That said if you are in the UK shipping them over there isn't worth the cost. If you can buy a used GFS pickup used locally, it's worth the try. GFS is a "go to" brand over here in Arizona. About $30-45 per pickup they are pretty similar to the brands you recommend. I tend to go for Surf 90s (my favorite) pickups which really no one else makes. Actually Lollar and TV Jones make similar pickups (vintage inspired but modern builds) but they are not budget. That said the Surf 90 predates the Boutique options. Honestly I look for deals on used sets where someone bought a new guitar and bass and ripped out the OEM pickups. I put a set of Duncan Designed P/J pickups in my Squier Standard Precision Bass for $50 plus shipping. Those pickups are so good they can make the flatwound strings growl.😳
I did import a set of GFS pickups once, but I never did install them. The used market is always a gold mine with savings on big brands and even some of these smaller brands too 👍
it's a subjective matter..i've same harley benton, same color...for me it's a beautiful guitar ( i will only paint the p.u. covers in a coffee cream colour one day, same colour of the dots on the fretboard, because withe are not bad but i think the look would improve a lot) ..I agree that in this case ( i have 9 HB and i like roswell and tesla on them) neck and middle pickups are not excellent..but they are pretty good..in the future i may think to swap them with other pickups keeping the bridge Humbucker.. but there's no hurry 😃 ...anyway i liked how harley benton sounded at the end, and did not like the tone with treble booster at all !! i've seen many pickups swap that did not improved the tone at all..if the guitar is a well made project often the pickups fit perfectly...i have a FSR squier affinity in graffiti yellow and the chinese generic ceramic pickups on it play so good that i would not even think to swap them 🙂
Yeah, they aren't terrible but I know I would enjoy the guitar more if it sounded a certain way and these pickups aren't giving me that. The humbucker might stay, as you say, it's pretty decent 👍
I do the big upgrades myself, but I thought it would be a good option to show options that are less than the price point of the guitar. Tbf to these, they are also very good solid options and I would gig with them over the standard HB pickups too.
Great list sir! I couldn't agree more 👌 I really like a bargain so I'm always hunting for used Iron Gear & Tone rider sets 🙈 I have the HB Fusion ii (HSH) Originally put a SeyDunc JB in the bridge, but then "upgraded" it to an Iron Gear Rollin' Mill 👌 Been after a set of Tone Rider Surfari's for yonks.... one day. So are ya keeping the Fusion? 😃 Also just thought... (Potential vid idea) You could do a HB 25th Vs Fusion shootout? Both practically HSS "strats" roasted, lockers, SS frets etc 🤷♂
I've gone past the return policy so looks like I am 😂😂😂 at least for a little while, but it plays really nicely so I'll probably keep hold anyway. The ST Vs fusion is a great idea, it'll deffo be happening in the future 👍
I was looking at budget alternatives because replacing the pickups with big brands will cost the price of the guitar again. Nothing wrong with a set of dimarzio pickups though 👍
@@Den_UA-cam_handle_bullshit I've not heard of the blues buckers. I can almost guarantee that they would be up my street though. What magnets do they use?
Nothing wrong with these types of pickups but frankly brands dont really matter in this case since most of those brands(if not all) are made in china so it wont probably differ that much than the pickup thats already on your budget guitar....if the stock pickups are faulty yes or if you making a project and you need electronics but if they are there..and they work like they are supposed to...there is no need to replace them with basically the same stuff....
It's been a while since I've played them, so I might be remembering them a bit fondly. The HB pickups aren't the worst I've played either, so maybe you're onto something 👍
I have a feeling that a no load tone pot would do just about the same thing as that treble boost. Having had superstrats with a no load or only a volume pot, the difference is immense and I've tried this with various sets of pricey pickups 🤔
I also like Warman pickups. I've used their 12 Gauge humbucker with 2 6 Gauge single coils to hot rod my Yamaha Pacifica 112V into a bluesrock beast. Yes, one can play blues and bluesrock with high output pickups. 🙂 I've sold the guitar a while back and my bass player is still mad at me for doing that.
I've heard some mixed reviews about warman, but those that have found sets they enjoy really sing their praises. They are so affordable, it might be worth it just to experiment 😉 cheers for the tip
The first guitar has iron gears in, the blue Tele had a tone rider in and HSS Squier has Tex Mex in. I didn't have any Wilkinson's unfortunately to demonstrate, but I've played them and they are pretty decent 👍
@@stormyweather2837 yes, sorry. The Harley Bentons featured in the videos all have the stock pickups. The example before and after treble booster are with the standard Roswells and the full review videos all features the stock pickups too. I do plan on changing them out through, as you may have picked up I'm not the biggest fan 😂😂
@@BudgetPedalChap the treble booster (or Behringer EQ) is a great way of getting more detail from muddy pickups. In fact I think the EQ should be the first stop as it's so flexible
@@BudgetPedalChap I got my 3 single coil v70's for like 115$ in total a couple years ago, maybe it was luck Good vídeo tho, it seems to be really helpful for a lot of people!
I have a Vintage with a Wilkinson P90 and I agree with you a 100%. My other recommendation is Warman Pickups, also from the UK, I have a set of their's in my 7 string and I like it a lot.
@@materedai4158 I may very well have need for some replacement p90s soon, I'll take your recommendation on board 👍
Stateside, GFS are great pickups. That said if you are in the UK shipping them over there isn't worth the cost. If you can buy a used GFS pickup used locally, it's worth the try.
GFS is a "go to" brand over here in Arizona. About $30-45 per pickup they are pretty similar to the brands you recommend. I tend to go for Surf 90s (my favorite) pickups which really no one else makes. Actually Lollar and TV Jones make similar pickups (vintage inspired but modern builds) but they are not budget. That said the Surf 90 predates the Boutique options.
Honestly I look for deals on used sets where someone bought a new guitar and bass and ripped out the OEM pickups. I put a set of Duncan Designed P/J pickups in my Squier Standard Precision Bass for $50 plus shipping. Those pickups are so good they can make the flatwound strings growl.😳
I did import a set of GFS pickups once, but I never did install them. The used market is always a gold mine with savings on big brands and even some of these smaller brands too 👍
Tonerider pickups are great! Their alnico II Rocksong humbuckers are one of my favourite sets of humbuckers. Any category and price point.
I've not had a chance to try their buckers, I'll have to try and get one installed into one of my guitars 👍
it's a subjective matter..i've same harley benton, same color...for me it's a beautiful guitar ( i will only paint the p.u. covers in a coffee cream colour one day, same colour of the dots on the fretboard, because withe are not bad but i think the look would improve a lot) ..I agree that in this case ( i have 9 HB and i like roswell and tesla on them) neck and middle pickups are not excellent..but they are pretty good..in the future i may think to swap them with other pickups keeping the bridge Humbucker.. but there's no hurry 😃 ...anyway i liked how harley benton sounded at the end, and did not like the tone with treble booster at all !! i've seen many pickups swap that did not improved the tone at all..if the guitar is a well made project often the pickups fit perfectly...i have a FSR squier affinity in graffiti yellow and the chinese generic ceramic pickups on it play so good that i would not even think to swap them 🙂
Yeah, they aren't terrible but I know I would enjoy the guitar more if it sounded a certain way and these pickups aren't giving me that. The humbucker might stay, as you say, it's pretty decent 👍
Budget only gets so far. I would always want a decent upgrade if I was changing pups in a guitar as I'd only do it if I was Keeping it.
I do the big upgrades myself, but I thought it would be a good option to show options that are less than the price point of the guitar. Tbf to these, they are also very good solid options and I would gig with them over the standard HB pickups too.
Always fun toake it your own! Thanks for sharing
It is indeed. It's part of the fun of buying cheaper guitars 👍
I love some iron gears. I've not heard a bad set yet
They are hard to resist at that price 👍
Thanks, never knew about this options.
Yeah, there are some great options for upgrading the stock pickups 👍
Great list sir! I couldn't agree more 👌 I really like a bargain so I'm always hunting for used Iron Gear & Tone rider sets 🙈
I have the HB Fusion ii (HSH) Originally put a SeyDunc JB in the bridge, but then "upgraded" it to an Iron Gear Rollin' Mill 👌
Been after a set of Tone Rider Surfari's for yonks.... one day.
So are ya keeping the Fusion? 😃
Also just thought... (Potential vid idea) You could do a HB 25th Vs Fusion shootout? Both practically HSS "strats" roasted, lockers, SS frets etc 🤷♂
I've gone past the return policy so looks like I am 😂😂😂 at least for a little while, but it plays really nicely so I'll probably keep hold anyway. The ST Vs fusion is a great idea, it'll deffo be happening in the future 👍
@@BudgetPedalChap Nice one! Looking forward to that! 😃👍
I just tweak with my ew pedal and I use an old ds1 as a booster. I like Wilkinson's and Roswell's equally in my HB's. Every woman has her charms
I've tried a few EQ tricks and I think there is definitely a pickup change in its future. I'm not decided just yet though 👍
I choose Seymour Duncan and DiMarzio
I was looking at budget alternatives because replacing the pickups with big brands will cost the price of the guitar again. Nothing wrong with a set of dimarzio pickups though 👍
I'll be keeping this guitar so I've ordered DiMarzio Bluesbuckers.
@@Den_UA-cam_handle_bullshit I've not heard of the blues buckers. I can almost guarantee that they would be up my street though. What magnets do they use?
Nothing wrong with these types of pickups but frankly brands dont really matter in this case since most of those brands(if not all) are made in china so it wont probably differ that much than the pickup thats already on your budget guitar....if the stock pickups are faulty yes or if you making a project and you need electronics but if they are there..and they work like they are supposed to...there is no need to replace them with basically the same stuff....
That's not been my experience, but hey ho, different strokes for different folks
Bare knuckle
That would be a worthy upgrade for sure. Usually a bit more on the pricey side though
@@BudgetPedalChap they have the new Bootcamp series, quite affordable
Do you really think the Vintage pickups would be an upgrade on the stock?
It's been a while since I've played them, so I might be remembering them a bit fondly. The HB pickups aren't the worst I've played either, so maybe you're onto something 👍
I have a feeling that a no load tone pot would do just about the same thing as that treble boost. Having had superstrats with a no load or only a volume pot, the difference is immense and I've tried this with various sets of pricey pickups 🤔
That'd be a nice simple modification 👍
Excellent advice as usual chappie!
Why thank you 👍 there are some great pickups out there, the Roswells aren't them 😂😂
u didnt forget a pickp but a pedal (equalizer) best option to me
I'll have to give it a go and see what it sounds like 👍
Entwistle too. Great sound at a reasonable price. I have both Stratty and HB in cheapy guitars: great improvement.
I had some entwhistles in a revelation Tele and I was not impressed, I will check them out to see if it was just that set though 👍
Really interesting and helpful ! New subscriber !
Cheers, glad you enjoyed it. Welcome aboard 👍
I also like Warman pickups. I've used their 12 Gauge humbucker with 2 6 Gauge single coils to hot rod my Yamaha Pacifica 112V into a bluesrock beast. Yes, one can play blues and bluesrock with high output pickups. 🙂 I've sold the guitar a while back and my bass player is still mad at me for doing that.
Their Tennesee Revivals replaced a rather bland set of Schecter pickups in one of their affordable range guitars. A very articulate set of pickups!
I've heard some mixed reviews about warman, but those that have found sets they enjoy really sing their praises. They are so affordable, it might be worth it just to experiment 😉 cheers for the tip
I've had a few iron gear sets and always been good
Yeah, they are solid. Their build quality seems pretty decent too from the sets I've had
Wait so this video is just the iron gear Texas loco pickups in your guitar?
The first guitar has iron gears in, the blue Tele had a tone rider in and HSS Squier has Tex Mex in. I didn't have any Wilkinson's unfortunately to demonstrate, but I've played them and they are pretty decent 👍
@@BudgetPedalChap do you have any Harley Benton guitar with the stock rosewell pickups ?
@@stormyweather2837 yes, sorry. The Harley Bentons featured in the videos all have the stock pickups. The example before and after treble booster are with the standard Roswells and the full review videos all features the stock pickups too. I do plan on changing them out through, as you may have picked up I'm not the biggest fan 😂😂
Another nice vid. Thanks!
Cheers 🍻 What would be your choice for affordable upgrades?
@@BudgetPedalChap the treble booster (or Behringer EQ) is a great way of getting more detail from muddy pickups. In fact I think the EQ should be the first stop as it's so flexible
@@waspcatcher I might have to do a follow up using an EQ to shape these pickups. Great shout 👍
Maybe second hand Suhr pickups can be a choice too
I've not seen them come up your a decent price before but I'd be willing to give them a try if they did 👍
@@BudgetPedalChap I got my 3 single coil v70's for like 115$ in total a couple years ago, maybe it was luck
Good vídeo tho, it seems to be really helpful for a lot of people!
@@Badfaceadrii I would totally snap up that deal too. Thanks for your kind words 👍