Get the Track Free here: workingclassguitar.com/courses/best-of-corey-s-youtube/lectures/48784044 Check out some of the gear MXR Super Badass Variac Fuzz sweetwater.sjv.io/mxrsuperbadassfuzz Lollar Gold Foil Pickups www.lollarguitars.com/lollar-gold-foil-pickups Lollar Firebird Pickups www.lollarguitars.com/lollar-humbucker-pickups/firebird Waterslide Guitars www.waterslideguitars.com/
Corey you’ve already got an arsenal of guitars that sound better than the Firebirds, but these Gold Foils sound different to all of them and give you another palette to create with. I think this guitar sounded awesome as it was. By the way, that bridge pickup on the slide guitar sounded incredible. Don’t get rid of that one. Thanks for all the videos. I really admire your playing.
Corey, I love the Firebirds, especially for your playing. But I can’t help but feel it has lost the uniqueness it had with the Goldfoils. You have guitars that fit the Firebird niche. I would revert to the Goldfoils. My 2c. Great video as always!
They both sound great. But I think in a live situation the Firebird pickups are better and assert themselves better. I would keep them. Played only in the studio, the goldfoils are certainly a welcome change.
Try some G&L MFD pickups. They are wider range. Like a P90 in a strat package. Also all the poles are adjustable so you can change sensitivity by string.
Man, that’s some killer playing throughout the demo. I dug both sets of pickups for different reasons. I think the answer is clearly two novos so you can have both sets ready to go.
How fun that was! The originals sounded "deeper" and had more attitude (mojo?) than the replacements so I prefer the originals. I have a couple Teiscos and while most all of the hardware is kinda cheesy the pickups look and sound super. And I have to say no guitar player I have ever heard past or present can phrase better than you. Your playing always inspires me and hopefully I'll get to see you live someday. Thank you for the super video and especially thank you for WCG!
i completely agree with @jeffrininger, i think the original ones sound better at least on this Novo guitar, i'd say they sound with more defenition, the new ones sound darker, although i usually rather fat and darker tones to the crispy ones, i'd not change the pickups on this they sound awesome, btw Corey is one of my fav guitarist player, he's a badass guitarist
The gold foils absolutely have a vibe to them. I’m more partial to the firebird pickups. That jam you played on your Harmony with the fuzz was magic!!!!
It's not a mistake to change pickups because you can always put the old ones back in. Selling the old ones before you are absolutely sure though, that is a mistake.
I love the gold/copper/bronze pearloid pickguard on black. I also love the gold foil pickup tone in this video through headphones. The Firebird type pickups seem to offer more mids (which I think are important for guitar, and I obviously love P90 tone with that comment), while these gold foils offer more sparkle at every position. I'm now leaning toward an inexpensive GFS Tele sized neck gold foil for a 12 string build I'm doing, and I was certain it was going to be a P90. I hope the narrow single coil does what every video review of other gold foils do, because even without YT video evidence, I'm getting one to try, besides other types. I have the gold foil bug, and I'm an old and retired bass player. ...yeah, the sympathetic harmonic is a pain when tuning a 12 string, especially when setting intonation. Your playing is great, and you don't need me to tell you so. Thanks for the vid.
That is one gorgeous guitar Corey. I had the good folks at Novo build a Serus J in Ice Metallic Blue with mini Lollar mini HBs about 4 years ago. It is a phenomenal guitar. Both sets sound good but the Firebirds sound a little more compressed to my ears and the Gold Foils more open or chimey top end.
Nice video! I am a pickup swapper too. Here is a crazy idea, how about the Firebird pickup in the bridge position, and the gold foil at the neck? They all sound great, Lollars, of course.
Yep, I was thinking the same thing. I put Lollar GFs in the neck pos and Lindy Fralin Big Single the bridge pos of a thin line build. The Big Single has a nice low mid and pairs well in the GF in the mid position. I imagine your idea would yield a similar result.
First off, love the video and simply put, you are sick man. I really dig firebirds but honestly the gold foils in that particular instrument rules. Looking forward to more killer videos.
Gold foil in the neck FOR SURE. Bridge I was torn, I like the clang of the gold foil but the FB might be more practical with gain. Great video thank you.
What is that lap steel pickup in the bridge at around 7:00 that sits OVER the strings??? I’m putting a crazy partscaster together and this intrigues me!
I have to agree with those people who say the gold foils sound better. I think they just match up with that guitar perfectly. But you do you! It’s your guitar.
Hi Corey! Never mind the pups, that gold pickguard is the ticket!! Guitar sounds great with either pups, it's a matter of preference imo. Thanks for sharing!
The Firebirds sound a bit dead to my ears, Corey. I like that Gold Foil sparkle, but then I’m a Gretsch guy. 😉 Cheers, brother! Hope all is going well in your world. 🤘🏼
Gold Foils! Killer guitar and playing Corey. I have a Novo Serus T w/ P-45 in neck, single coil in bridge. Miris J is on my list for next guitar. Thanks for sharing bro. You Rock!
I love gold foils in my Grez and my vintage Harmony, but I've recently discovered true firebird pickups and it's completely blown my mind. I snagged a Firebird a little while back and need to change it to the Lollar Firebird pickups asap.
Those gold foils sounded awesome! I have a Serus J on order and I'm now going to switch from Fralin P90's to those gold foils. Thanks for the comparison!
Did you guys end up putting the gold foils in? I have a Serus J and am not feeling the Fralin P-90s. Gold foils sound amazing in this vid, thinking of making the swap
@@whwh7339 I haven't gotten around to it yet as I recently found out about TV Jones T-Armond pickups, which is a Dynasonic in a p90 form factor. I'm indecisive to begin with and the TV Jones pickups are VERY appealing, and they are a direct drop-in replacement for a standard p90. Decisions decisions...
@@whwh7339 It appears UA-cam deleted my reply so forgive me if you're seeing this twice I haven't swapped mine yet because I recently became aware of TV Jones T-Armond pickups - basically a Dynasonic in a p90 form factor. I'm indecisive so I'm trying to pick one of the two
Someone recommended me those too. I need to go down a rabbit hole on UA-cam. I like the Lollar Gold Foils and the Mojo Teisco style GFs. It’s good to have so many options in the P90 slot, I’ve never quite come around to stock P90s but absolutely love my Serus J otherwise
I also have a Miris loaded with Lollar Goldfoils, and I get why you might want to swap them for humbuckers. They sound amazing, but sometimes I want a little more heft, especially when playing cleaner tones. But man it’s hard to beat them once you add some gain… In this swap, I preferred the goldfoils. But there was also a weird transient on the attack of the firebirds; I couldn’t tell whether it was actually the guitar/pickups, or an artifact in the recording - sounded almost like it was peaking? Great playing as always - thanks for all you do!
I like them both for different reasons. I like that the foils have a more textural flavor while the Firebird pickups are a bit more in your face. More tools in the tool box!
Great vid Corey! I like the punch of the firebirds, but thought the gold foils were a cooler and more raw type of sound. Ultimately it’s what you feel get the tones out of your head, but as a listener- I’m rooting for the gold foils! :)
I would put the Firebird in the bridge and the goldfoil in the neck. In an ideal world, there would be a builder creating a combination between goldfoil and firebird pickup.
Both sound good. Different, but good. Seems you have the gold foil sound covered with other guitars so by changing the pickups now you have more options. Great playing as always
I liked how the Lollar Foils worked with the guitar a bit more, it would be interesting to hear a Dynasonic style pickup in that guitar. The guitar sounds big and airy regardless of the pickup, and kind of proves the point that you have to start with an instrument that sounds good.
This wound up being serendipitous as I've been looking at my Gretsch & thinking "Firebird pickups might be cool in here" and finding very few people swapping Firebird pickups into a hollow/semihollow guitar. Not sure if this sold me because I quite liked the attack on the goldfoils, however those wouldn't be a drop in replacement for filtertrons. At least I have a reference point now.
I have two novo guitars and they are both stellar… I have a serus j baritone with the lollar mini broilers and a solus HH with the Fralin pure pafs. I dig both of the pickups but lean more towards the gold foils. The mini broilers sound kind of look the old dearmonds and I love them
I played guitar back in the 60s and owned Teiscos, Harmonys, plus a couple more brands with gold foil pups. My experience was that they sounded great in the bedroom, but weren't practical on a stage under a buzzing Schlitz Beer neon sign. By far the noisiest pups I ever played. P90s and Starts were WAY quieter. I'd like to know Corey's take on noise.
I'm always blown away by your licks. It's such solid, dead on playing with every style and feel nuance required. Maybe it' the the Italian thing.... I could live to 200 and Rossini's Barb. of Seville melody lines - plus others - seem too good to be true. More power to yah's!
Put the foils back in and just get another Novo for the firebird pickups. It would be interesting if you tried out a Lollar Chicago Steel. Not just for steel guitar. I just installed one with a Novel Foil in the middle and an El Rayo in the neck and they all sound great.
Hmmmmm....I kinda like the gold foil in the neck and the mini humbucker in the bridge. Overall , I think the foil pups were better. I would put 'em back. Gotta give you a huge shout out for that opening tune and riffage--awesome (as usual)!!!!!
Both sound great but I definitely prefer the gold foils. I’m a Gretsch guy though so I may be partial to the clarity. I have TV Jones Supertrons in my Fano. I bet they would work great in the Novo!
I like the gold foil best. But it could be interesting to have the gold foil in the neck, and firebird pickup in the bridge - Like Neil Young has in the bridge of his 'Old Black' Les Paul.
A lot of difference between them. I honestly think the gold foils gave it a airy touch that the firebird don’t have. Curious to hear how something like dyna sonic type pickup would sound in comparison
Corey! First of all, you are one of the best players I have ever heard and I feel you are naturally at home on a semi-hollow/hollow-body. I strongly feel that the Mirus J sounded better with Gold Foils unless you’re specifically looking for more output and upper midrange frequency content. Also, the GFs look way cooler!
The original Lollar Foils sound more magical to me. No question, I prefer the front foil pickup, and I prefer the sound in the middle as well. For me it’s a matter of taste in the bridge position, although, I feel like the Foil is a better match to the neck pickup. I’m sure there are yet other options in humbucker pickups, but, I was surprised these fools sound. Of course, you may prefer the tighter lighter sound of the replacement pickups, and their more fundamental tone. Great sounding guitar, that you could easily swap pickups on all the time, and it Will entertaining. This bluesy solo you just did, has kick ass drive that makes this hollow body sound really balls’y! In a live situation I could see a preference for the less hairy replacement set. However, even if the replacements sound better to me in some ways, I just can’t go there myself. In the end, it’s more about different and what is personally preferable. Great job showing us this demo! Thanks
It's gold foils for me. The mini's do lend more to the fatter blues sound you're going for. Both sound great! Just different. I'm getting into filtertrons right now. Love the clarity and high end sparkle of these kind of single coil pickups. Hard to beat them in a full mix.
Gold Foils suit this guitar better - has a distinct clear but warm voice, the Firebird is a little too bright for this guitar. I would stick to Gold Foils, they even look better.
I like the GF's better but perhaps that Firebird in the Bridge with the GF up on the neck would be the combo I'd most likely stick with, the GF sounds thin down at the bridge while that FB sounds fantastic there. But the neck, gold foil, that sounded amazing.
The Firebird pickups are more tight, percussive, and has a little more pressence, a little different in the upper mids. You just need another guitar with the firebird pickups. This guitar seems to work best witg the goldfoils. Both of these pickups are some of my favorite pickups outside of teles.
That neck goldfoil is hard to beat, sound nothing but amazing on your guitar. For neck pickup I like firebird much more. These two would be my choise. Cheers!
Thanks Corey! I preferred the Firebird pickups for the 'clean' sound and the Gold Foil pickups for the fuzz tones. Well, that's a bit awkward, right?! ;) 'Get the Track Free here:' and then the link is missing. Or is it just me (and my dumb browser)?!
I'm biased toward Firebird pickups - all of the clarity and snap of a single coil and they're humbucking (NOTE: they are NOT mini humbuckers - Firebirds are a specific design that just happens to share the footprint). Lollar specifically makes probably the best current version. On that particular guitar, however, I preferred the gold foils. As a fan of Novo guitars, specifically the Serus J with the Mastery vibrato, I would've liked to hear the Firebirds without the foam behind the bridge. That extra string length and all that comes with it is the essence of the offset vibrato system and is never a bad thing!
Just based on the comparison sounds, I like the gold foils better. I expected the opposite. I know the comparison was made with a limited range of amp settings, so I might change my mind if I heard a wider range of sounds.
The Firebird pickups sounded ok, but ordinary. The Gold Foil pickups sounded great, musical, and unique! I'd put those back. I started putting "quick connects" on my pickups and pickguards so they can be swapped out in a few minutes without any soldering. Much easier to compare pickups, pots, etc., and I can swap out all the electronics at once and easily convert the same guitar into many different guitars. But, in this age of powerful modern Modelers, it's fairly easy to get any sound you want just by changing the Parameters/Settings.
I reckon' judging them side by side isn't the full picture. I think how the guitar functions amongst your various guitar options is also going to be a factor.
I think the gold foil pickups have a richer, sweeter timbre, while the firebird pickups have a flatter timbre at the high end but are fuller at the low end. I’d imagine distortion live might play better through the firebirds, especially playing over a loud band, but the gold foils have more subtlety, if you’re in a situation in which the audience can really listen for subtleties. I’m all for a full low-end, but in fact I prefer the gold foils here: all the little subharmonics - or whatever those sympathetic notes are, which timbre comprises - are more interesting to listen to.
The Firebird pickups are really nice! Not a mistake. Good foils are cool, and have a sound, but the new pickups seem way more usable? That guitar is way too nice to be a niche instrument. The new pickups make that a go to axe.
There's nothing like gold foil pickups, and I think you proved that to your viewers. The same can said for Fire Bird pickups. Maybe you need another guitar for the Gold Foils. LOL! 😊
I have a Miris J on the way. Should be here next month.....with GOLD FOILS. I hope mine was the perfect choice. As far as your guitar, I prefer the unique gold foil sound. Dennis Fano is completely trustworthy.....I don’t want to have to post a video apologizing for changing out the pickups. 😮 😂
The pickups certainly suit this guitar. Novo’s seem a mixed bag although they are a very popular guitar of the moment. I’m always curious and would love to see some footage on how these guitar companies come up with their pick up choices and design to accompany their models aside from certain ubiquitous retro influences. PRS seems to be the only one that really deep dives into how they come up with their pickups. Great video!
Get the Track Free here:
workingclassguitar.com/courses/best-of-corey-s-youtube/lectures/48784044
Check out some of the gear
MXR Super Badass Variac Fuzz
sweetwater.sjv.io/mxrsuperbadassfuzz
Lollar Gold Foil Pickups
www.lollarguitars.com/lollar-gold-foil-pickups
Lollar Firebird Pickups
www.lollarguitars.com/lollar-humbucker-pickups/firebird
Waterslide Guitars
www.waterslideguitars.com/
HI Corey! loved the video content, you are amazing! ... Something went wrong with the link meaning to get the track. The page can't be found.
@@climber7565 Thanks! Try the link now. Should be working
@@coreycongilio Hey Corey!! Thank you Sir!! It is working now!!! You always make my day with your videos and knowledge!! I appreciate you.
The Gold Foils have a more unique sound! I like them more, more open sounding!
yep..they have that "airy" sound and feel....
Totally better!
The gold foils. The opening track was excellent. Surprisingly cool sounds.
Sorry Corey, but I’d be swapping them back to the gold foils.
totallly agree.
way more sonic interest and bite.
great vid corey! love that novo.
No need to apologize! I wanted the input!
Corey you’ve already got an arsenal of guitars that sound better than the Firebirds, but these Gold Foils sound different to all of them and give you another palette to create with. I think this guitar sounded awesome as it was.
By the way, that bridge pickup on the slide guitar sounded incredible. Don’t get rid of that one.
Thanks for all the videos.
I really admire your playing.
Corey, I love the Firebirds, especially for your playing. But I can’t help but feel it has lost the uniqueness it had with the Goldfoils. You have guitars that fit the Firebird niche. I would revert to the Goldfoils. My 2c. Great video as always!
They both sound great. But I think in a live situation the Firebird pickups are better and assert themselves better. I would keep them. Played only in the studio, the goldfoils are certainly a welcome change.
I prefer the chime and airiness of the gold foils. The Firebird pickups sound great but they aren’t airy and it’s more straight ahead rock sounding.
Try some G&L MFD pickups. They are wider range. Like a P90 in a strat package. Also all the poles are adjustable so you can change sensitivity by string.
The unsung hero of pickups
I'm a huge fan of mini-HB's, but I liked the gold foils better in this guitar. Great playing! Great review!
Man, that’s some killer playing throughout the demo.
I dug both sets of pickups for different reasons. I think the answer is clearly two novos so you can have both sets ready to go.
How fun that was! The originals sounded "deeper" and had more attitude (mojo?) than the replacements so I prefer the originals. I have a couple Teiscos and while most all of the hardware is kinda cheesy the pickups look and sound super. And I have to say no guitar player I have ever heard past or present can phrase better than you. Your playing always inspires me and hopefully I'll get to see you live someday. Thank you for the super video and especially thank you for WCG!
i completely agree with @jeffrininger, i think the original ones sound better at least on this Novo guitar, i'd say they sound with more defenition, the new ones sound darker, although i usually rather fat and darker tones to the crispy ones, i'd not change the pickups on this
they sound awesome, btw Corey is one of my fav guitarist player, he's a badass guitarist
The gold foils absolutely have a vibe to them. I’m more partial to the firebird pickups. That jam you played on your Harmony with the fuzz was magic!!!!
The Gold Foils owned the day, to my ears. Thanks for the vid!
It's not a mistake to change pickups because you can always put the old ones back in.
Selling the old ones before you are absolutely sure though, that is a mistake.
Couldn't agree more. Been there, done that.
They both sound great Corey. Neither is better they are just different, it's up to you
I love the gold/copper/bronze pearloid pickguard on black. I also love the gold foil pickup tone in this video through headphones. The Firebird type pickups seem to offer more mids (which I think are important for guitar, and I obviously love P90 tone with that comment), while these gold foils offer more sparkle at every position. I'm now leaning toward an inexpensive GFS Tele sized neck gold foil for a 12 string build I'm doing, and I was certain it was going to be a P90. I hope the narrow single coil does what every video review of other gold foils do, because even without YT video evidence, I'm getting one to try, besides other types. I have the gold foil bug, and I'm an old and retired bass player. ...yeah, the sympathetic harmonic is a pain when tuning a 12 string, especially when setting intonation. Your playing is great, and you don't need me to tell you so. Thanks for the vid.
I got chills when you played slide, man I got to learn slide it calls me over and over again.
That is one gorgeous guitar Corey. I had the good folks at Novo build a Serus J in Ice Metallic Blue with mini Lollar mini HBs about 4 years ago. It is a phenomenal guitar. Both sets sound good but the Firebirds sound a little more compressed to my ears and the Gold Foils more open or chimey top end.
Love the guitar and all the tones!!
I prefer the Gold Foils
Me too! But for the price he paid for that guitar he can put in anything he wants if he likes it better…
@@Bobby_Digital37 true, but he asked for our opinions.
@@cchavez248 I sure did! Thanks!
Nice video! I am a pickup swapper too. Here is a crazy idea, how about the Firebird pickup in the bridge position, and the gold foil at the neck? They all sound great, Lollars, of course.
Yep, I was thinking the same thing. I put Lollar GFs in the neck pos and Lindy Fralin Big Single the bridge pos of a thin line build. The Big Single has a nice low mid and pairs well in the GF in the mid position. I imagine your idea would yield a similar result.
Maybe try the Gold Foil in the neck, and leave the bridge with the pup you just put in?? Just a thought… 👍👍
Good idea.
My thoughts exactly!
First off, love the video and simply put, you are sick man. I really dig firebirds but honestly the gold foils in that particular instrument rules. Looking forward to more killer videos.
Gold foil in the neck FOR SURE. Bridge I was torn, I like the clang of the gold foil but the FB might be more practical with gain. Great video thank you.
What is that lap steel pickup in the bridge at around 7:00 that sits OVER the strings???
I’m putting a crazy partscaster together and this intrigues me!
thanks for putting this comparison together! i'd love to hear how lipstick pickups (either the full or half-cut ones) sound.
I love the sound of the fire bird pickups.
I have to agree with those people who say the gold foils sound better. I think they just match up with that guitar perfectly. But you do you! It’s your guitar.
I have Gemini gold foil pickups in a Mexi Jazzy with a Mastery bridge. Love the microphonic nature of them - so dynamic!
Hi Corey! Never mind the pups, that gold pickguard is the ticket!! Guitar sounds great with either pups, it's a matter of preference imo. Thanks for sharing!
The Firebirds sound a bit dead to my ears, Corey. I like that Gold Foil sparkle, but then I’m a Gretsch guy. 😉
Cheers, brother! Hope all is going well in your world. 🤘🏼
I’m definitely torn between the two. Missed ya in the zoom but, talked about your question!
I prefer where the gold foils have the sparkling highs.
more clarity less chime with the firebird PU's! Sounds great either way!!!
Gold Foils! Killer guitar and playing Corey. I have a Novo Serus T w/ P-45 in neck, single coil in bridge. Miris J is on my list for next guitar. Thanks for sharing bro. You Rock!
I love gold foils in my Grez and my vintage Harmony, but I've recently discovered true firebird pickups and it's completely blown my mind. I snagged a Firebird a little while back and need to change it to the Lollar Firebird pickups asap.
Hey Corey! All things being equal, I like the Firebird p/u's better. They sound fuller and more open to my ears.
Those gold foils sounded awesome! I have a Serus J on order and I'm now going to switch from Fralin P90's to those gold foils. Thanks for the comparison!
I'm definitely putting gold foils in my Serus J. I have an LP Special and the stock p90s are great. I want something different in the Novo.
Did you guys end up putting the gold foils in? I have a Serus J and am not feeling the Fralin P-90s. Gold foils sound amazing in this vid, thinking of making the swap
@@whwh7339 I haven't gotten around to it yet as I recently found out about TV Jones T-Armond pickups, which is a Dynasonic in a p90 form factor. I'm indecisive to begin with and the TV Jones pickups are VERY appealing, and they are a direct drop-in replacement for a standard p90. Decisions decisions...
@@whwh7339 It appears UA-cam deleted my reply so forgive me if you're seeing this twice
I haven't swapped mine yet because I recently became aware of TV Jones T-Armond pickups - basically a Dynasonic in a p90 form factor. I'm indecisive so I'm trying to pick one of the two
Someone recommended me those too. I need to go down a rabbit hole on UA-cam. I like the Lollar Gold Foils and the Mojo Teisco style GFs.
It’s good to have so many options in the P90 slot, I’ve never quite come around to stock P90s but absolutely love my Serus J otherwise
I also have a Miris loaded with Lollar Goldfoils, and I get why you might want to swap them for humbuckers. They sound amazing, but sometimes I want a little more heft, especially when playing cleaner tones. But man it’s hard to beat them once you add some gain…
In this swap, I preferred the goldfoils. But there was also a weird transient on the attack of the firebirds; I couldn’t tell whether it was actually the guitar/pickups, or an artifact in the recording - sounded almost like it was peaking?
Great playing as always - thanks for all you do!
I like them both for different reasons. I like that the foils have a more textural flavor while the Firebird pickups are a bit more in your face. More tools in the tool box!
Great vid Corey! I like the punch of the firebirds, but thought the gold foils were a cooler and more raw type of sound. Ultimately it’s what you feel get the tones out of your head, but as a listener- I’m rooting for the gold foils! :)
That Novo sounds really, really nice. The 'gold foils' are showing up quite a bit in my feed lately. I like them as much as P90s.
I would put the Firebird in the bridge and the goldfoil in the neck. In an ideal world, there would be a builder creating a combination between goldfoil and firebird pickup.
IMO the firebird neck is the best sounding pickup out there
That is exactly the original pickup combination on my Serus J: Goldfoil in the neck, Firebird in the bridge
Both sound good. Different, but good. Seems you have the gold foil sound covered with other guitars so by changing the pickups now you have more options. Great playing as always
i love them both! but im curious what value on pots and the capacitor when you install the firebird pickups?
I liked how the Lollar Foils worked with the guitar a bit more, it would be interesting to hear a Dynasonic style pickup in that guitar. The guitar sounds big and airy regardless of the pickup, and kind of proves the point that you have to start with an instrument that sounds good.
This wound up being serendipitous as I've been looking at my Gretsch & thinking "Firebird pickups might be cool in here" and finding very few people swapping Firebird pickups into a hollow/semihollow guitar. Not sure if this sold me because I quite liked the attack on the goldfoils, however those wouldn't be a drop in replacement for filtertrons. At least I have a reference point now.
I have two novo guitars and they are both stellar… I have a serus j baritone with the lollar mini broilers and a solus HH with the Fralin pure pafs.
I dig both of the pickups but lean more towards the gold foils. The mini broilers sound kind of look the old dearmonds and I love them
I played guitar back in the 60s and owned Teiscos, Harmonys, plus a couple more brands with gold foil pups. My experience was that they sounded great in the bedroom, but weren't practical on a stage under a buzzing Schlitz Beer neon sign. By far the noisiest pups I ever played. P90s and Starts were WAY quieter.
I'd like to know Corey's take on noise.
I just ordered a pair of Lollar Goldfoils for my recent Warmoth build. This video tells me I am making a good move.
I'm always blown away by your licks. It's such solid, dead on playing with every style and feel nuance required.
Maybe it' the the Italian thing.... I could live to 200 and Rossini's Barb. of Seville melody lines - plus others - seem too good to be true.
More power to yah's!
Put the foils back in and just get another Novo for the firebird pickups. It would be interesting if you tried out a Lollar Chicago Steel. Not just for steel guitar. I just installed one with a Novel Foil in the middle and an El Rayo in the neck and they all sound great.
Hmmmmm....I kinda like the gold foil in the neck and the mini humbucker in the bridge. Overall , I think the foil pups were better. I would put 'em back. Gotta give you a huge shout out for that opening tune and riffage--awesome (as usual)!!!!!
Gold Foils have more personality in the Novo. More air and chime.
Both sound great but I definitely prefer the gold foils. I’m a Gretsch guy though so I may be partial to the clarity. I have TV Jones Supertrons in my Fano. I bet they would work great in the Novo!
Great video, Corey!!! I would like to see a video of a comparison between mini Humbuckers and firebird ones
I like the gold foil best. But it could be interesting to have the gold foil in the neck, and firebird pickup in the bridge - Like Neil Young has in the bridge of his 'Old Black' Les Paul.
A lot of difference between them. I honestly think the gold foils gave it a airy touch that the firebird don’t have. Curious to hear how something like dyna sonic type pickup would sound in comparison
Corey! First of all, you are one of the best players I have ever heard and I feel you are naturally at home on a semi-hollow/hollow-body. I strongly feel that the Mirus J sounded better with Gold Foils unless you’re specifically looking for more output and upper midrange frequency content. Also, the GFs look way cooler!
I appreciate that!
i prefer firebird neck and bridge, and goldfoils in the middle, go with that?
The original Lollar Foils sound more magical to me. No question, I prefer the front foil pickup, and I prefer the sound in the middle as well. For me it’s a matter of taste in the bridge position, although, I feel like the Foil is a better match to the neck pickup. I’m sure there are yet other options in humbucker pickups, but, I was surprised these fools sound. Of course, you may prefer the tighter lighter sound of the replacement pickups, and their more fundamental tone. Great sounding guitar, that you could easily swap pickups on all the time, and it Will entertaining. This bluesy solo you just did, has kick ass drive that makes this hollow body sound really balls’y! In a live situation I could see a preference for the less hairy replacement set. However, even if the replacements sound better to me in some ways, I just can’t go there myself. In the end, it’s more about different and what is personally preferable. Great job showing us this demo! Thanks
It's gold foils for me. The mini's do lend more to the fatter blues sound you're going for. Both sound great! Just different. I'm getting into filtertrons right now. Love the clarity and high end sparkle of these kind of single coil pickups. Hard to beat them in a full mix.
The firebirds are my favorite pickups.. i have them in my Serus J! But in that Miris The Goldies are pure fire🎉
Gold Foils suit this guitar better - has a distinct clear but warm voice, the Firebird is a little too bright for this guitar. I would stick to Gold Foils, they even look better.
I like the GF's better but perhaps that Firebird in the Bridge with the GF up on the neck would be the combo I'd most likely stick with, the GF sounds thin down at the bridge while that FB sounds fantastic there. But the neck, gold foil, that sounded amazing.
I like the Firebirds but they do have a more nasal quality compared to the shimmer of the gold foils.
Any chance you’d sell that novo? Im looking to get a miris and that one is amazing
Do you thing gold foil its a good way for hollow body to play 50's & 60's blues !??
The Firebird pickups are more tight, percussive, and has a little more pressence, a little different in the upper mids. You just need another guitar with the firebird pickups. This guitar seems to work best witg the goldfoils. Both of these pickups are some of my favorite pickups outside of teles.
That neck goldfoil is hard to beat, sound nothing but amazing on your guitar. For neck pickup I like firebird much more. These two would be my choise. Cheers!
Loved the gold foils the most. They sounded complex and jangly
Man the sounds!! So amazing, so beautiful!!
Thanks Corey! I preferred the Firebird pickups for the 'clean' sound and the Gold Foil pickups for the fuzz tones. Well, that's a bit awkward, right?! ;)
'Get the Track Free here:' and then the link is missing. Or is it just me (and my dumb browser)?!
Try it now! workingclassguitar.com/courses/best-of-corey-s-youtube/lectures/48784044
Do I see a Laguna Blue Rivolta Mondata Baritone in the background?
Truly a man of culture I see...❤
Indeed!
Those gold foil pickups sound incredible! The new ones we kind of boring to my ears honestly. Maybe in a band setting the new ones sound better?
Oh man, always so inspiring what & how you explain and show all the stuff - legend 🙏👍
Looks sweet the new way!
both sound really good but I think the gold foils had the most variety of tone. The firebirds sound nicely focused though.
You should try DiMarzio PG-13 mini humbuckers in it
Really sounds outstanding with the Gold Foils.
You don’t hear what you’re playing…you feel it in your bones.
;After hearing the sound samples. I would definitely keep the Gold Foils!
I'm biased toward Firebird pickups - all of the clarity and snap of a single coil and they're humbucking (NOTE: they are NOT mini humbuckers - Firebirds are a specific design that just happens to share the footprint). Lollar specifically makes probably the best current version. On that particular guitar, however, I preferred the gold foils. As a fan of Novo guitars, specifically the Serus J with the Mastery vibrato, I would've liked to hear the Firebirds without the foam behind the bridge. That extra string length and all that comes with it is the essence of the offset vibrato system and is never a bad thing!
Love the gold foils, more appealing sound to my ears. 😊
I have the Miris J but I have the frozen p90s in it to me it’s perfect …can’t go wrong with a novo
Just based on the comparison sounds, I like the gold foils better. I expected the opposite. I know the comparison was made with a limited range of amp settings, so I might change my mind if I heard a wider range of sounds.
The Firebird pickups sounded ok, but ordinary. The Gold Foil pickups sounded great, musical, and unique! I'd put those back. I started putting "quick connects" on my pickups and pickguards so they can be swapped out in a few minutes without any soldering. Much easier to compare pickups, pots, etc., and I can swap out all the electronics at once and easily convert the same guitar into many different guitars. But, in this age of powerful modern Modelers, it's fairly easy to get any sound you want just by changing the Parameters/Settings.
I reckon' judging them side by side isn't the full picture. I think how the guitar functions amongst your various guitar options is also going to be a factor.
I can see how the mini humbuckers are a lot more versatile due to their punch amd clarity.
That guitar is fantastic! Both pickup sets sound great. 😃
Corey the link for track isn't working.
Try it now!
I think the gold foil pickups have a richer, sweeter timbre, while the firebird pickups have a flatter timbre at the high end but are fuller at the low end. I’d imagine distortion live might play better through the firebirds, especially playing over a loud band, but the gold foils have more subtlety, if you’re in a situation in which the audience can really listen for subtleties. I’m all for a full low-end, but in fact I prefer the gold foils here: all the little subharmonics - or whatever those sympathetic notes are, which timbre comprises - are more interesting to listen to.
You always sound great, but these pickups really shine with your playing style.
Hey thx!
Leave the gold foil in the neck and swap just the bridge pickup. Maybe a p90 bridge would pair well too.
The Firebird pickups are really nice! Not a mistake.
Good foils are cool, and have a sound, but the new pickups seem way more usable?
That guitar is way too nice to be a niche instrument. The new pickups make that a go to axe.
There's nothing like gold foil pickups, and I think you proved that to your viewers. The same can said for Fire Bird pickups. Maybe you need another guitar for the Gold Foils. LOL! 😊
Maybe you could have gotten a second Meris with those firebird pickups :D
😂
Found some killer Novo clones on ebay. For the price, it's worth trying out.
I'm looking for a new set of toasters for a Ric...I need a little more output
Better snarl with Guyatones on Bridge pickup especially. Just better distortion, some Pete Townsend vibes.
I have a Miris J on the way. Should be here next month.....with GOLD FOILS. I hope mine was the perfect choice. As far as your guitar, I prefer the unique gold foil sound. Dennis Fano is completely trustworthy.....I don’t want to have to post a video apologizing for changing out the pickups. 😮 😂
You’ll love it. He can’t make a bad one!
The pickups certainly suit this guitar. Novo’s seem a mixed bag although they are a very popular guitar of the moment. I’m always curious and would love to see some footage on how these guitar companies come up with their pick up choices and design to accompany their models aside from certain ubiquitous retro influences. PRS seems to be the only one that really deep dives into how they come up with their pickups. Great video!
Thx for watching!
May be due to relative volume but I actually preferred the gold foils