Advice on a humbucker for a lee oskar harmonica

[jammer]

I am an old timer harp player. I want to build a humbucker pickup fit for a lee oskar diatonic harmonica so I can achieve one of my life's goals of playing through a marshall stack really loud.

I saw one on a website in the UK: (http://www.drika.biz/pickups.html). I think it picks up the stainless steel metal covers (reeds and reed plates are brass).

I imagine the pickup should be a soapbar or a rail placed in a high resistance capsule. But:

1) which humbucker will provide the greatest sensitivity for two stainless steel covers say 1/4 inch distant?

2) can I wire the pickup directly into a phono plug and into the amp or do i need some additional electronics eg. pots

3) any advice how can I avoid electrocution on the first warble?

Thanks.

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: Advice on a humbucker for a lee oskar harmonica

Oh wow, I can't wait to see the answer for this one. I didn't even know you could do this for a harmonica.

 

[jammer]

Re: Advice on a humbucker for a lee oskar harmonica

I heard a sample and it sounded plausible. But, i don't know anything about wiring.

 

[Curly]

Re: Advice on a humbucker for a lee oskar harmonica

the link didn't work for me

anyway, I'm a little skeptical, since a harp is more like a sax than a guitar

what's wrong with a regular ole Green Bullet?

 

[Bludave]

Re: Advice on a humbucker for a lee oskar harmonica

Jammer...... It can be done, but I would recommend adding a volume and tone pot. It will give you more control over the sound you are going to get. Why not create a housing to slip the harp into. This housing would hold the pickup and the volume and tone pots, as well as a jack this way you should be able to attach a ¼" cable. It may be hard to hold due to size and very difficult to create the flutter with your hand as you would normally with your hand over the harp.

Then again why can't you just plug a green bullet into the Marshall?

 

[jammer]

Re: Advice on a humbucker for a lee oskar harmonica

The issue is feedback. Green bullets, the Shure 545 (uniden III) or 57's or even a piezo all have the problem with bright sounds. Also, I want to explore the kinds of sounds available from an electromagnetic setup.

 

[jammer]

Re: Advice on a humbucker for a lee oskar harmonica

So, do you guys think I can a I take a high output rail or soap bar, wire in tone, volume and female plug then plug it into an amp (after creating the housing)?

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: Advice on a humbucker for a lee oskar harmonica

It makes sense ... a pickup is just an electromagnet. Any magnetic metal vibrating near it, be it a steel guitar string or a harmonica's metal covers, will create inductance in the pickup's electric current. If you've ever seen Eddie Van Halen "play" an electric drill, you will understand what I mean.

I think you're on the right track with a high-output single-coil-size humbucker. Hot Rails or JB Jr. would be good choices in that regard. Volume and tone aren't strictly necessary (any more than they are on a guitar, I guess), but if you work those in you will definitely have more versatility.

I am really curious to hear how this turns out. Best of luck!

 

[nepalnt21]

Re: Advice on a humbucker for a lee oskar harmonica

the link didn't work for me

some one (jammer) forgot to take the parenthesis off of the html.

 

[jammer]

Re: Advice on a humbucker for a lee oskar harmonica

Thank you esp Rather Dashing. I just bought a Hot rails and potentiometer. I will send you a file of the pickup through a Marshall - if I don't electrocute myself in the process - but what a way to go!!

http://www.drika.biz/pickups.html

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: Advice on a humbucker for a lee oskar harmonica

Hey, no problem. I hope it works for you. Please post a sound clip here for everyone to listen once you're up and running!

Once you get everything, there are other more electrically inclined people on this board (ArtieToo, I'm looking at you) who can help you with the wiring.

:banana:

 

[jammer]

Re: Advice on a humbucker for a lee oskar harmonica

U da man thanks.