Is the current Guild HB-1 pickups sound anything like the originals?

[Rambozo96]

I see them on the Guild site from time to time and always wanted to try one. I never played a Guild electric with those oversized humbuckers so I have nothing to compare to.

 

[GAD]

I don't think anyone here has tried them yet.

 

[Default]

I have a loose pair of reissues on my dresser, but nothing that I want to put them in. :-/

 

[GAD]

I have a loose pair of reissues on my dresser, but nothing that I want to put them in. :-/

crap sorry I thought you meant the HB2s.

 

[Default]

I have been coming home and crashing. I toyed with the idea, but didn't pull the trigger.

 

[guitarslinger]

I put the current HB1's in my NS Bluesbird. I think they sound great, although I never had a Guild with the originals so that's not a comparison. Better yet, my band mates, to a man, preferred that guitar with those pickups over half a dozen other guitars I routinely played.

 

[Prince of Darkness]

I put the current HB1's in my NS Bluesbird. I think they sound great, although I never had a Guild with the originals so that's not a comparison. Better yet, my band mates, to a man, preferred that guitar with those pickups over half a dozen other guitars I routinely played.

I was disappointed that the NS Bluesbird was not produced with HB1s. Really happy to see this. Did you have to increase the size of the routes?

 

[guitarslinger]

I was disappointed that the NS Bluesbird was not produced with HB1s. Really happy to see this. Did you have to increase the size of the routes?
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The routes are fine. The HB1 rings cover the old holes and everything still lines up pretty well with the stock pick guard. Easy install and great results. I put the pickups from the Guild in a Zach Myers PRS SE. The HB 1's are better.

 

[kent]

when u say better what do u mean? i have guild nightbird that came with emg . i took then out years ago and used gibson classic 57s they sounded much sweeter and way more tone.

 

[bluesypicky]

Nothing sounds like a 70's HB1.

 

[rampside]

What bluesypicky said.

 

[Zelja]

I have an NS S-100 with the new large format HB-1s. They are not bad humbuckers at all but still a bit generic sounding. I replaced the bridge pickup with a vintage HB-1 & it seems to have more character and is brighter. Placebo effect, hearing what I want to hear? Maybe, but I don't think so. Vintage HB-1s are special.

 

[M.S.Cone]

They are nice, but not as nice as the HB-1.