HB1's

[plague]

as mentioned in another thread both of my s300s are d(imarzio) models, leaving me to have never experienced these much praised and beloved infamous guild pups for myself. i know words are sort of inherently inadequate for this type of thing but could you folks enlighten me a little as to what "all the fuss" is about? the color and shape of it all? something particularly unique about the tone and/or design? opinions as to anything on the market today that comes close (blasphemy i know)? thanks

 

[plague]

I always thought the Guild HB-1 'buckers were quite PAF-ish in tone and output voltage,and this was verified for me By Seymour Duncan.In speaking to Seymour I found he has detailed files on all the PU's he's ever had in his shop,well over 10000 different pu's-and he told me he's had many Gibsons come in there with Guild pu's installed-most of the time disguised as Gibsons with Gibson cans on them.His research shows NO sonic difference between HB-1 and real 1958 P.A.F. Gibson buckers [but] The construction of the HB -1's are superior...

does that cover it?

 

[Qvart]

as mentioned in another thread both of my s300s are d(imarzio) models, leaving me to have never experienced these much praised and beloved infamous guild pups for myself.

I've never played the Gibsons so I can't comment on the comparison. But the HB-1's in the Guilds I've owned have a sweet vintage sound that is great for stoner rock (think Fu Manchu, Kyuss, Clutch, Sabbath). I tune my S-100C to D, turn the highs way down on my amp and the gain way up, play almost exclusively through the neck p'up and it's damn near perfect. Using the middle p'up setting with more treble produces a great rock tone akin to AC/DC. I get similar tones out of my '96 with Seymour Duncans but it has a crunchier, more modern sound. And that's the best way I can describe them: "vintage" vs. "modern."

As for the S300-D's: I've never tried the DiMarzios, but I'll let you know how the HB-1's are in that model when my '78 S300-A arrives later this week! \m/-_-\m/

 

[GAD]

Tone tone tone. Nothing else matters.

I have a variety of high-end WCR pickups, and love them, but they don't match the... mojo of the HB1s in my 76 SF4. I'd say the HB1s in my 73 sounded even better, but I don't have it any more to compare.

Vintage PAFs sell for thousands. You can close to that sound for a couple hundred with HB1s. Hell I've heard that vintage PAFs are notoriously inconsistent. I'd bet the Guilds are not.

GAD

 

[danerectal]

The one word I use to describe the HB-1 is definition. You get an unparalleled clarity with the HB-1. Each note has its distinct voice. They also seem to have pretty high output and a brighter sound (I think they also have a different material for the cover which could account for the "brightness"). The best way to find out is to give in to your GAS.

 

[tele4tone]

I think the clarity of sound is the big reason I like them. Although my SF IV is colored a bit by the guildsby bridge. I wouldn't trade it for nothing and I get comments about the tone all of the time.

I would def like to obtain a solid body with the same pups. someday.