Genesis Mr. Browney

Hi,

This James Farmer,
I just want to add a comment to Diverdown.
Mr.Browney was originally custom made just for me
also which I name Mr.Browney
I have the 1st prototype Browney pickup.
Here the story behind this great pickup.

A few years back my brother larry introduce me to Genesis pickups.
Love them.I have almost everyone of them that Joey makes.
The only kind he didn't make was an alnico II pickup.
So My Brother got ahold of Joey.Then Joey email me. Asking me
about what sound I was looking for. I ask joey if he does Alnico II's.
Joey didn't have any Alnico II metal at that time and it would take awhile till he find a good supplier.Plus Iwas going to to sound bites
for him in the first place.

Anyway I told when he does get them. let me know.
Few months later. He notify me. Said he has them. So Joey and I
when to work. I ask Joey if he can create a pickup that sound close
to EVH early 335 pickup but a little more richness in the mids and lows with a sweet top end but very open sounding with great harmonics.
After Joey did his research and it took a while he came up with
Mr.Browney.

Long story short. This pickup was made to get EVH early sound plus
alot more. In otherwords This pickup was made to sound great
no matter what style you play. But in no way made to compare to EVH 78
This is an entirely different animal.

I feel the need to respond here, DiverDown. At no point did I discount your opinion that the EVH'78 Duncans sound "more like the sound that Edward is chasing". Nor did I insult you.

However, if you're going to use Edward's own words to say that the Duncan pickups sound "more like" EVH's original sound, then you've just stopped yourself dead in the water. Ed says they sound *better*, not *exactly the same*. (For the record, those "new" Wolfgangs he's playing on the new tour don't sound anywhere near as good to my ear as the Charvel customs he's been playing on a couple of songs and then selling on ebay for charity, which have EVH'78's in them)

I, on the other hand, am not trying to say that Mr. Brownie sounds *EXACTLY* like Edward's Frankenstrat sounded back when it was plugged into a heavily modded Plexi, then a power soak, then effects, then a solid state power amp, then a speaker cabinet, then a microphone, then a tape deck and then finally, the mixing and mastering process. However, I do believe that it can get pretty darn close, as long as you are aware that so much of Edward's tone comes from the way he plays, not his pickups.

What I am saying is that it is an amazing sounding pickup, with tons of diversity, that in absolutely no situation that I have played it in has it EVER sounded muddy. Let me preface the rest of this paragraph by saying that my amp's treble knob is set at *2.5*. They sound crisp and clear as a bell. They are articulate to a point that you have to be very precise in your attack, because these pickups will make any mistake you make obvious you. Everybody else here that has tried them agrees. If there was any flaming done here, it was the *1* you gave the sound quality of the pickup in your previous review. To say these pickups deserve 1 star, is frankly, an insult to the quality of the craftsmanship of Joey, which I cannot abide. To be fair, you did come back and give them a well deserved 8. I will also be fair and purchase an EVH '78 myself and compare them with my own ears and come back here to report on nothing other than how good they sound against each other.

I did not decide to give Joey my money TWICE because I wanted to sound just like Edward Van Halen. I gave him my money based on the very same reviews that every one of you are reading right here on these pages. I started researching humbuckers for a custom guitar that I had built a year and 1/2 ago and read up on every brand I could think of. One day I started thinking, "who can I think of that has the coolest sounding humbuckers?", which of course brought me to Ed. I came to look at Genesis because in almost every review I read of both the Dimarzio Van Halen pickup and what is now known as the EVH '78, everyone said to check these out. When I looked here, everyone was like, "yeah you can get the EVH tone, but they are so much more than that" or something along those lines. They then proceed to talk about all of the other great qualities of the pickup, which you are all free to go read for yourselves if you are thinking about buying one.

Bottom line is, everyone is free to have their own opinion of what sounds bad and what sounds good, of course. However, *IN MY OPINION*, the opinion of most of the people who have posted on this board and that of pretty much everyone who has heard my guitars since I started using these pickups, they sound absolutely freakin fantastic.

Or, you can listen the other guy (who probably works for Seymour Duncan)and do your best to sound exactly like Edward. While you're at it, after spending the premium price for these pickups, (I'm pretty sure they're over $200 a piece while I paid $250 for a SET of Mr. Browneys, handmade to MY specifications, not Edward's, by Joey himself) enjoy kicking down the $4,000 for the 5150 III full stack (that's for just one and Edward is currently using about 16 of them on stage).

See previous review (DiverDown below)

See previous review (DiverDown)

"Cotton Ball" here submitting an updated review. I switched the potentiometer to 500k and it did clean up some of the mud with the Brownie (but now the single coils sound too shrill, oh well). I have spent more time with the pickup with the new volume pot and have some additional comments.

First, this is a good pickup for the money and based on other reviews, many people seem to like them. Hopefully you will too. It does have a lot of usable tones (both loud and clean) and is a good PAF-ish, work horse pickup that works for a variety of music styles.

However, if you're looking for EXACTLY Ed's tone, then you need to understand the difference between something that "sounds like" something versus something that "is" something. In other words, would you want an amplifier that "sounds like a Marshall" or an actual Marshall amp? Or, would you want a guitar that sounds like a Les Paul or a guitar that IS a Les Paul? Personally, I'll take the real deal everytime over something that falls in the wannabee category.

To many reviewers, the Brownie "sounds like" Ed's pickup, but it's not Ed's pickup. Like I said before, the Duncan EVH is THE sound of Ed's Frankenstrat guitar. If you don't believe me, then why didn't Fender put the Brownie in their Relic Frankenstrats? Remember, Ed himself has said that the Fender CS Frankenstrats "sound better" than his original Frankenstrat. This is a comment from the Man himself - in other words, to Ed's tone-chaser ears, the Duncan is the sound he's been chasing.

Fender put the Duncan EVH in the Frankenstrats because that is Ed's tone from that guitar. Maybe they contacted Joey about doing the pickups, I don't know (JOEY - Can you confirm this?). All I can say is if you want the EXACT tone that Ed has been chasing, you can't get it with the Brownie.

If you want something that's a good approximation of Ed's early guitar tone and costs a lot less money than a Duncan custom shop pickup - PLEASE get the Brownie from Joey. He's a good guy and his customer service can't be beat (that is one thing I can say about Seymour Duncan, their customer service is HORRIBLE...nothing worse than staying on hold for 30 minutes only to get a recording to leave a voicemail. Joey wins HANDS DOWN in this dept).

The proof is in the pudding or pickup. The Brownie is a good pickup and works for a lot of players/set-ups. BUT if you want to get as close as possible to Ed's tone, I can't recommend the Brownie - you need to get the Duncan EVH if you're truly a tone chaser.

I have to say I'm extremely disappointed for getting flamed by another reviewer for giving an honest product review. I sincerely hope that Genesis isn't somehow seeding the reviews for it's products.

1 calibrated set of Mr. Browney humbucking pickups. Passive, like everyone says, let the amp do the accelerating, all you have to do is drive.

I picked up a Warmoth made Axis (EBMM) on ebay used for 400 bucks (SCORE!!!), as I'd always wanted to really dig in to one and put it through the paces. It came with a Dimarzio Evolution in the bridge and some other Dimarzio in the neck. Now if you've read my other review of my first experience with Joey's pickups, it will be no surprise that I ordered a set before the guitar even got here. More on that later...

When I dropped the Browneys in this guitar, I'm telling you, it was like the thing suddenly took on a life of it's own. It went from an average flat tone to one of the most versatile sounding Dual-bucker guitars I've ever played. Not that I'm trying to be harsh on the Evo's. They really do scream. But the Browney's have so much more depth to them, that to my ear, there really is no comparison. I also got a push/pull installed for coil splitting which just opens up an enitrely different world for this guitar. What was once a 2 trick pony just became a whole new realm of exploration. I could seriously go on and on about all the cool tones I can get.

For the record, the guy who wrote that last review... Not trying to be rude, dude, but you seriously might want to think about pulling the cotton out of your ears. Did you ACTUALLY call these pickups muddy? Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to direct your attention to EVERY SINGLE OTHER REVIEW OF THESE PICKUPS where you'll find hands-on evidence of just how clear and precise these pickups are.

What more can I say here, faithful reader?

Joey Palmiery is God's gift to pickups.

I think that pretty much covers it. I can't tell you enough how good they sound. How much fun they are to play with. How I'm constantly inspired to PLAY MORE because every single time I pick up a guitar that has been graced by Joey's pickups, the tone just gets me where I need to be. Plain and simple.

Also, yet again, amazing customer service by Joey. I hit him up, he set me up, and I was rockin in a flash. He is so ready to accomodate any request and give you exactly what you want. The guy is completely friendly and easy to talk to. If you start to tell him what you're looking for, this guy knows his business and will help you decide the best way to go, for the best price and guarantees his work. I'm speaking from large amounts of personal experience having had a lot of conversation with him on the design of my first set.

Trust me. Talk to the man. You will not be sorry.

Passive, bridge humbucker model. See other reviews for all details.

Pickup was installed in a Strat-style guitar with two Genesis single coil pickups (HSS). ONLY reviewing the Mr. Browney pickup.

Okay, while I'm sure that the other reviews for the "Mr. Browney" reflect what other users are hearing, I have to comment on the tone I heard from this particular Browney and guitar set-up. The guitar was played through several different amps: Marshall, Fender, etc. Mostly classic rock tunes. It sounded Browney alright...VERY muddy with no articulation whatsoever. Maybe it had to do with the fact that Mr. Browney was wired with single coils and perhaps the pot values weren't right, but this guitar sounded, well, "crappy".

I also listened to the VH samples from the Genesis website and I have to say if you really listen closely to the VH samples compared to the original recordings, the Mr. Browney samples sound - to my ear - to not "cut" when they should be cutting and were thin when they shouldve been thick compared to the original recordings. To be fair, it's possible the original VH recordings were EQd to sound more cutting or thicker, but I just dont think the Mr. Browney even gets close...at least loaded in this particular guitar.

If you want a pickup that truly has the "Brown Sound" you should check out Duncan's EVH78 pickup. YES, it's expensive compared to Joey's Mr. Browney, but it's as close as you'll ever get pick-up wise to Ed's original tone. I have the EVH78 (wound by "MJ") and it has the feel, tone, spank, bloom, whatever or however you want to describe it of EVH's original Frankenstrat sound. I've tried every pickup that claims to have the "Brown Sound" and it doesn't get any closer than the EVH78.

At the end of the day, what really matters to you? Price? Customer Service? OR Tone? If it's price/customer service PLEASE talk to Joey and get his Mr. Browney, you won't be disappointed. However, if you want to dance the night away, rock the cradle, go down to mean street or get funny in the back of my car get the Duncan EVH78 pickup!

Humbucking Pickups.

73' SG Deluxe. Neck and Bridge.

Very responsive and articulate pickup. It really reacts to your playing in a natural way. These pickups are rival any I own or have played including new Gibson Burstbuckers and Seymour Duncan Antiguities.

Joey Palmiery is one of the friendliest and most down-to-earth people I have ever had the pleasure of dealing with. He makes a great product and could be arrogant, like Mike "Fooler" Fuller for example, but is nothing but helpful and a joy to deal with.

Don't blow your money on a more expensive pickup with a big name that doesn't sound near as good. Read the reviews and see how great Joey's pickups are. Do yourself a favor and buy some.

Humbucker 9k

i got it installed in a warmoth strat and jackson dinky in the bridge
i replaced seymour duncan jb and rio grande muy grande hmubucker

not a hot pickup ...let the amp be hot
i use a engl 580 preamp and vht power amp
the tone is balanced and shows everything you pick
so if your sloppy this pickup won't hide it
i'm a clean player and like to hear everything i play and this pickup has been the best i've found to fit my playing and i've tried alot
you hear every note in a chord even when it's fully distorted and joey will do anything to make you happy too

i would buy again for sure i already have two
i've been playing for 23 years
i love everything about this pickup and nothing to hate
i see no other pickup in my future except maybe the duncan 78 model which is supose to be the same as this pickup
do a google or myspace search for the band shotcold and you can hear the pickup on some songs i did with my band

Genesis Mr. Browney F-Spaced Humbucking Pickup

Passive Low/Medium output pickup

Reverse Zebra

I Installed this pickup in the bridge position of a Jackson USA Soloist Custom shop Guitar... It replaced a Seymour Duncan Trembucker... I left the Replacement Seymour Duncan Jazz neck pickup in place... Th e original pickup was a high output pickup.. It actually sounded muddy with the amp I am currently using... I replaced it with the Mr. Browney and oh my god, the sound was incredible...

This pickup is a low/medium output pickup... But because of the increase in clarity it actually sounds louder than the JB it replaced... The tone sound like equal amounts of treble, mid, and bass... You don't have to EQ the hell out of it.... Super clear sound great no matter if it s on a clean channel, or dirty channel.... I play Rock and Jazz/Blues.. This pickup will kick ass no matter what kind of music you play... This is a bridge pickup, but you can order a bridge, neck, or acalibrated set...

If any thing happened to this pickup.... I would hunt the person who stole/destroyed it and sell their body parts in Mexico for the money to buy it again.... Perfect pickup... call them Joey is the best... Have Genesis custom wind yours today....

Humbucking, passive. From their website: "Mr. Browney was designed to capture the elusive brown sound. It is a medium output pickup and it uses an AlniCo II magnet for a smoother sound, buttery midrange and excellent bass response. It is made ot of 42 gauge magnet wires, wood spacers, precision machined shoes, quality slugs and adjustable pole pieces and random-wound, hand-guided winding technique. It has all the elements of the brown sound that you are looking for. From note bloom, chord bloom, feedback, harmonics, double tone, and screaming pick scrapes are all there. Most of all, it has the trade mark of every Genesis pickup which is clarity and it cuts very well without being bright."

Installed in an Enrie Ball MusicMan Silhouette Special, bridge position, replacing the stock Dimarzio. Changing because the stock Dimarzio was very nasal and midrangey.

Medium outpot. Tone is well balanced. I've searched high and low for a humbucker I like in an alder body guitar, and they all stank. This pickup by contrast does not stink. That's actually high priase from me, believe it or not, because I just don't seem to like the sound of a humbucker in a strat. But I was determined to make this guitar work for me, so I'm glad I ran into the Genesis Mr. Brownie. I play mostly blues, rock, and hard rock and the Mr. Brownie covers all of that ground very well.

I've been playing for over 5 years. I own a lot of gear, too much to list, most of it boutique or modded. If something happended to the Mr. Brownie, I would buy another because it's the only humbucker I've found that floats my boat in a strat.

specs and such have been posted so i wont go into detail. we all know its a humbucker made in the style of evh's classic humbucker.

dropped into a 1981 tokai vh copy guitar only one humbucker (bridge position). i had an original dimarzio that i had replaced with a tom anderson h3, so this replaced the h3. the dimarzio was just not my flavor, high output monster that didnt give you that classic paf (evh) feel and sound. the h3 is a great hunbucker but more in the style of a modern sound then what i was looking for.

its not that high output at all which is what i love and needed. i have a simple set-up that works for me:

guitar>peterson tuner>fulltone clyde wah> mxr phase 90(vintage)>marshall slash 2555>avatar 4x12 v30's or tone tubby 2x12 hcone's.
i have a maxon ad 80 analog delay running in the effects loop. i might throw my boss bf2 flanger (japan) in front of the amp sometimes.

hard for me to describe tone other than say its a very well balanced bucker. not in your face but not hidden either. does a great job for what its intended, but also very well rounded to do other things. it can easily do the blues thing or clean up very well.

as you can tell im into rock (VH, ZZ TOP, OZZY, ACDC, etc) but also dig the usual blues stuff (Clapton, SRV, etc.) this can do all of the above with no problem and im sure more.

one thing i recommend is have a pro install this thing. things like proper installation and such make a huge difference in the sound you here. if you dont know what youre doing please spend the extra $50 or such to give this or any other pickup a fair chance. things like height from strings etc. make an impact on what you here.

if this thing was destroyed i would buy again for sure, does the job for me. been playing for about 6 years now. have a fair amount of quailty gear and have this in the same category. i love everything about this bucker. its gives that classic crunch, great blues overdrive, and nice cleans when i back off the volume. no negatives from my point of view. compared it to the sd evh, but decided to give this a shot first after reading reviews and hearing it on their site.

ive had this for a few months to play with so i could give a proper opinion and review.

btw-joe over at genesis is a great guy to work with. his customer service was just outstanding and a pleasure to deal with.