I use whatever inspires me. These days it's my parts strat and my ltd ec401v. Next week......or tomorrow, it'll be something else.
Been using Texas Specials (too harsh), CS 69's (not harsh enough). Currently using Fat 50's, seem about right.
Agreed, however would like to offer this...some pups lend themselves to some of the more traditional electric blues sounds. The expression of emotion often lies with the hands that are playing. I find warm or soulful dynamic pups pleasing to hear and use for da blues.
Ok, I'll bite. It's a fairly broad genre, but one with both a long established history at least in terms of its roots and one that has influenced modern music more than any other. The blues are also a state of mind. Like many emotions, they can be tough to explain...but we know it when we hear it. Sorry for waxing a bit poetic but can one technically describe love, heartbreak, or desperation? I'll leave the musical theory of blues to someone else...I could hack at it but would most likely be corrected early and often by most any second year theory student.
Dimarizio dp-408 virtual vintage 54 pro, clean bell like tone, driven it gets fat. Works well downstream
Savage bends and runs! Way to go Mr Brian H! Not sure what the rest of the rig is...but you make those pups sound great!
the blues is all about the sound, feeling and emotion are a given and so is the sound.. for instance.. dave mustaine has his guitar in the symphony of destruction setup and he sitting along side a blues band who want a gentle blues sound .. its all about the sound, the emotion and feeling are transmitted through the air waves.. im sure you would agree that the heavy crunch of megadeth is not the right SOUND for blues.. thats my opinion..
While I agree that certain tones or sounds lend themselves better to certain genres it's really more about the notes you play and how you make them sound and feel to me. Less about what pickups or amp settings you choose. Put the Megadeth rig in the hands of B.B. and he'd still sound bluesy. Put Lucille in the hands of Dave Mustain and have him chug away at Symphony of Destruction and it won't sound like blues.