IronGear Pickups

[darryl.bellotti]

Has anyone heard of or used IronGear pickups before? I've checked them out and they have plenty of positive reviews and are reasonably priced. I wanted to see if anyone else has fitted them to a PB kit before and wondered how they performed.

[stan]

Never used them, but have heard they are good bang for buck, YouTube reviews seem good.

[wokkaboy]

Hi Darryl, I think two guys on the forum have used them but I can't remember who. They may see your post and respond. I do remember they were very impressed with them

[Simon Barden]

I've used them. Got two Blues Engine PAF-styles on my Gibson Flying V, (got some more of those to fit to my ES-3) and a Steel Foundry (bridge) and Steel Foundry Overwound (neck) on my Fender Roadworn Tele. Also fitted a set of Vintage 6TS to a friend's Strat copy.

Really happy with the Blues Engines on the V (it previously had the Gibbo Ceramics on it) and the Steel Foundries are excellent - really got the Tele twang, bite and clarity nailed. Much better than the original Fender pickups.

The Strat ones were possibly less impressive overall but still a lot better than the stock pickups (but I've got a custom shop strat and a Jap strat fitted with some great Kinmans, so both have much more expensive pickups fitted so they had a lot to live up to).

I don't know how they compare to the Toneriders, but I'd imagine they'd be pretty similar - both in cost and sound. Both UK designed/Asian manufactured.

Here's their UK website. http://www.irongear.co.uk/index.html

I must say they their sound clips leave something to be desired, and they sound much better in reality.

I'm just about to order a Platinum 90 for the neck position of a USA Hamer.

If I had the money and inclination, I'd be tempted do some Iron Gear Vs Tonerider comparisons.

[Simon Barden]

Just ordered the P90 and a set of the Metal Machines for the EX-1.

[darryl.bellotti]

Just ordered the P90 and a set of the Metal Machines for the EX-1.

Yeah cool! Thats all the reassurance I need. I've seen some good reviews so went ahead and ordered the Dirty Torque for the bridge of my build ... Then after thinking about it, I regret not getting it as a set with the Blues Engine for the neck ... But I might get the Rolling Mill for the neck ... I haven't decided yet, but I'm close!

[FrankenWashie]

I gotta stop reading these threads...I see some metal machines in my future...

[darryl.bellotti]

I gotta stop reading these threads...I see some metal machines in my future...

I know. I'm already planning my next build and the IronGears are a big factor in it! I may even have a go at putting in some 6100 frets in. That means learning how to pull the old ones without damaging the fretboard. The kit I got has an ebony board without inlays and I love the dark wood. It looks sick. I'm definitely going the same again on the next one.

[FrankenWashie]

You need to get a pair of fret pullers and some fret board savers, it can be done you just need to put a little back bow in the neck and go gently so you don't tear the edges of the fret slot.

[darryl.bellotti]

You need to get a pair of fret pullers and some fret board savers, it can be done you just need to put a little back bow in the neck and go gently so you don't tear the edges of the fret slot.

Yeah cool. I never considered putting the bow in the neck!! Makes sense. I reckon I might just bite the bullet and have a go. Have you ever done it?