UberMetalDood
New member
Anyone ever try David Allen pickups? Just another boutique brand or worthy of praise?
David Allen Pickups?
- Thread starter UberMetalDood
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Lewguitar
New member
Re: David Allen Pickups?
They're really good.
I've installed them in a couple of Strats (not my own) and compared them to the Duncan Antiquitys, Fralin Vintage Hots and the Klein 62's.
The Allen's are right up there with the best I've tried.
I don't hear them as being better than the Antiquitys, and the Antiquitys have a certain throaty quality that I really like and tend to prefer - but the Allen's are excellent.
They're really good.
I've installed them in a couple of Strats (not my own) and compared them to the Duncan Antiquitys, Fralin Vintage Hots and the Klein 62's.
The Allen's are right up there with the best I've tried.
I don't hear them as being better than the Antiquitys, and the Antiquitys have a certain throaty quality that I really like and tend to prefer - but the Allen's are excellent.
PFDarkside
of the Forum
Re: David Allen Pickups?
I feel like I need the "secret decoder ring" when I go to his site. I've been doing a lot of Strat pickup research lately and it seems like Fender is very straight forward. Lollar and Fralin, also pretty straight forward. Duncan has a little bit of a hitch with the "Texas Hots" name, but still, very understandable line of Strat pickups. Once you get to D.Allen and Bare Kunckle it's like they are trying to evoke emotions to sell rather than a specific pickup, by linking products to artists/songs/eras, etc. I guess when you take on giants like Fender/Duncan and established boutique builders like Fralin/Lollar you need to differentiate. There are only so many ways you can create a vintage style Strat pickup I guess. They all have their slight magnetic differences and winding patterns, but boy is that tough to evaluate on the Internet.
I'd love to go to a shop with Strats loaded with pickups from a wide range of manufacturers to get the in person experience. At some point, paying a big chunk of change for minute differences becomes an expensive proposition!
I feel like I need the "secret decoder ring" when I go to his site. I've been doing a lot of Strat pickup research lately and it seems like Fender is very straight forward. Lollar and Fralin, also pretty straight forward. Duncan has a little bit of a hitch with the "Texas Hots" name, but still, very understandable line of Strat pickups. Once you get to D.Allen and Bare Kunckle it's like they are trying to evoke emotions to sell rather than a specific pickup, by linking products to artists/songs/eras, etc. I guess when you take on giants like Fender/Duncan and established boutique builders like Fralin/Lollar you need to differentiate. There are only so many ways you can create a vintage style Strat pickup I guess. They all have their slight magnetic differences and winding patterns, but boy is that tough to evaluate on the Internet.
I'd love to go to a shop with Strats loaded with pickups from a wide range of manufacturers to get the in person experience. At some point, paying a big chunk of change for minute differences becomes an expensive proposition!
Falloffthebonetone
New member
Re: David Allen Pickups?
The voodoo 69 set is the best set of strat pickups I have ever played. If you need any specific info I will be happy to tell you. David is also available to email and he will get back to you when he can if you have more questions.
The voodoo 69 set is the best set of strat pickups I have ever played. If you need any specific info I will be happy to tell you. David is also available to email and he will get back to you when he can if you have more questions.
mojosman
New member
Re: David Allen Pickups?
May I join the chorus here? I love these pickups. I have his Tru-62 set, and I plan to get another set when I build my next Partscaster. I'm not sure which set I want, because he has quite a few interesting choices. The quality is spot on, and has been mentioned already; customer service is great. You can talk to, or email, David directly. His stuff is on par with anybodies.
May I join the chorus here? I love these pickups. I have his Tru-62 set, and I plan to get another set when I build my next Partscaster. I'm not sure which set I want, because he has quite a few interesting choices. The quality is spot on, and has been mentioned already; customer service is great. You can talk to, or email, David directly. His stuff is on par with anybodies.
Re: David Allen Pickups?
i recently put a set of voodoo blues into my strat. totally happy, no desire to change anything. in fact, this is the best that this particular strat has ever sounded, and the main thought that went through my head after giving them a good bit of play was "Finally!"
i recently put a set of voodoo blues into my strat. totally happy, no desire to change anything. in fact, this is the best that this particular strat has ever sounded, and the main thought that went through my head after giving them a good bit of play was "Finally!"
DreX
New member
Re: David Allen Pickups?
I hadn't seen this site before. I'm always looking for overwound vintage, since that's the sort of thing that can go very right or very wrong. His selection is a little confusing since it makes so many references to music styles and years, but he does mention the wire gauge used for the single coils, which is uncommon. The question I'd ask is, if I like Texas Specials, what D Allen pickup would I go for?
What does "NRW NRP" mean? Does that mean the pickup is NOT RWRP?
I hadn't seen this site before. I'm always looking for overwound vintage, since that's the sort of thing that can go very right or very wrong. His selection is a little confusing since it makes so many references to music styles and years, but he does mention the wire gauge used for the single coils, which is uncommon. The question I'd ask is, if I like Texas Specials, what D Allen pickup would I go for?
What does "NRW NRP" mean? Does that mean the pickup is NOT RWRP?
Falloffthebonetone
New member
Re: David Allen Pickups?
He JUST released the new Texas Flood strat set. Start there. nrw and nrp DO mean not rwrp I believe.
http://www.dallenpickups.com/product_p/ap-txfld.htm
He JUST released the new Texas Flood strat set. Start there. nrw and nrp DO mean not rwrp I believe.
http://www.dallenpickups.com/product_p/ap-txfld.htm
Falloffthebonetone
New member
Re: David Allen Pickups?
Notice the neck pickups on all of the single coil models have polepieces that are in closer proximity than usual. THAT is attention to detail, and nobody else I know does that, even bkp. They aren't just a vintage handwound recreation of the pickups form the days of yore, they have innovation, they are like a vintage PLUS. His 69 set compared to others has the neck pickup with the closer pole pieces, a hotter bridge pickup and the middle pickup is rwrp. You couldn't take a pickup and put it in a different position and expect the same result unlike the other 69 replica sets like the fender ones. On top of that they are 80 dollars less than BKP with equal if not GREATER attention to detail. THAT is the detail that won me over with these.
Notice the neck pickups on all of the single coil models have polepieces that are in closer proximity than usual. THAT is attention to detail, and nobody else I know does that, even bkp. They aren't just a vintage handwound recreation of the pickups form the days of yore, they have innovation, they are like a vintage PLUS. His 69 set compared to others has the neck pickup with the closer pole pieces, a hotter bridge pickup and the middle pickup is rwrp. You couldn't take a pickup and put it in a different position and expect the same result unlike the other 69 replica sets like the fender ones. On top of that they are 80 dollars less than BKP with equal if not GREATER attention to detail. THAT is the detail that won me over with these.
PFDarkside
of the Forum
Re: David Allen Pickups?
I believe the Austin Blues are his Texas Specials (overwound) and the Texas Flood is his recreation of Stevie's actual #1 pickups.
I believe the Austin Blues are his Texas Specials (overwound) and the Texas Flood is his recreation of Stevie's actual #1 pickups.
DreX
New member
Re: David Allen Pickups?
I take specific issue with BNP's stagger practices, I ranted about it here, with photos.
In general I really like mild stagger, somewhere between flat and vintage, and I like recessed a G pole for unwound G's, as seen in the DiMazrio Velvet line.
I take specific issue with BNP's stagger practices, I ranted about it here, with photos.
In general I really like mild stagger, somewhere between flat and vintage, and I like recessed a G pole for unwound G's, as seen in the DiMazrio Velvet line.
Falloffthebonetone
New member
Re: David Allen Pickups?
I forgot to mention, Dallen uses a modern stagger. Works perfect with 9.5 and even 12 radius fretboards.
I forgot to mention, Dallen uses a modern stagger. Works perfect with 9.5 and even 12 radius fretboards.
hermetico
New member
Re: David Allen Pickups?
Yesssssssssssssss,
I've tested 3 sets and, to me they are the best single coils I've ever tried.
In classical tones / applications, Allen's are some step over Bareknuckle pickups.
Maybe, Allen isn't still covering Metal, Dropped tunings, etc.
I've tested:
Hot 54/59
Stratcats
Dovers
In the low output side, the Stratcats are awesome, very silky with all the bells but round high end.
Dovers are spectacular. Work with attitude in any application and they love to be driven but, they deliver amazing strato tones in clean, also.
The set that I am still not so convinced are the Hot 54/59 but, maybe I need to work them a while more.
I'm waiting some Echoes and, some other sets. Crazy waiting to have them loaded in my axes.
Yesssssssssssssss,
I've tested 3 sets and, to me they are the best single coils I've ever tried.
In classical tones / applications, Allen's are some step over Bareknuckle pickups.
Maybe, Allen isn't still covering Metal, Dropped tunings, etc.
I've tested:
Hot 54/59
Stratcats
Dovers
In the low output side, the Stratcats are awesome, very silky with all the bells but round high end.
Dovers are spectacular. Work with attitude in any application and they love to be driven but, they deliver amazing strato tones in clean, also.
The set that I am still not so convinced are the Hot 54/59 but, maybe I need to work them a while more.
I'm waiting some Echoes and, some other sets. Crazy waiting to have them loaded in my axes.
mojosman
New member
Re: David Allen Pickups?
Have you ever tried his Johnny Blades? Those pickups intrigue me. Ultra quiet, and a very cool tone. There is a video of Johhny Hiland chicken pickin with those, and doing all the typical Tele stuff.
The last I heard they were off D. Allen's site. I hope that he brings them back. I have three SSS Strats now. I'm thinking that if I build another Strat, maybe having one with a totally different sonic palate might be a great idea.
http://youtu.be/xUWMohNVEjE
Have you ever tried his Johnny Blades? Those pickups intrigue me. Ultra quiet, and a very cool tone. There is a video of Johhny Hiland chicken pickin with those, and doing all the typical Tele stuff.
The last I heard they were off D. Allen's site. I hope that he brings them back. I have three SSS Strats now. I'm thinking that if I build another Strat, maybe having one with a totally different sonic palate might be a great idea.
http://youtu.be/xUWMohNVEjE
hermetico
New member
Re: David Allen Pickups?
Nope, still not tested the Hiland' signature set.
All his pickups are really quiet and, the quietest are the Stratcats (talking about singles).
BTW, what said above. He isn't just reproducing a vintage pickup with period-correct materials. He's designing from scratch a pickup that can get this or that vibe.
He uses to mix alnico compositions in each pickup, so you can have a mix of Alnico 5 and Alnico 3, by example. This is also unusual but, helps to round high end and give nice punch to basses or to achieve this or other goals.
Poles are spaced to be under its string. Size, shape and composition are designed for a goal. Typical fender strato pickup covers doesn't work with his pickups.
The man, itself, is a Doctor in Physics, and he was working for NASA, specialty electromagnetism!. Also, a guitar player.
Pickups are cheaper than Bareknuckles and, IMHO, slightly better sounding. Quality is top notch.
Main issue is to decide which to choose but, contact da man and tell him what are you after.
We will have those in Europe really soon.
That will be great!.
Nope, still not tested the Hiland' signature set.
All his pickups are really quiet and, the quietest are the Stratcats (talking about singles).
BTW, what said above. He isn't just reproducing a vintage pickup with period-correct materials. He's designing from scratch a pickup that can get this or that vibe.
He uses to mix alnico compositions in each pickup, so you can have a mix of Alnico 5 and Alnico 3, by example. This is also unusual but, helps to round high end and give nice punch to basses or to achieve this or other goals.
Poles are spaced to be under its string. Size, shape and composition are designed for a goal. Typical fender strato pickup covers doesn't work with his pickups.
The man, itself, is a Doctor in Physics, and he was working for NASA, specialty electromagnetism!. Also, a guitar player.
Pickups are cheaper than Bareknuckles and, IMHO, slightly better sounding. Quality is top notch.
Main issue is to decide which to choose but, contact da man and tell him what are you after.
We will have those in Europe really soon.
That will be great!.
Re: David Allen Pickups?
I agree with Hermetico completely. I own 8-sets of David Allen Pickups; his P-51's (which he really should call '59's because they are the best sounding recreation of the 1959 PAF pickups on Earth IMHO), his P-51's in a Tele, his P-51's in a Flying-V, another set of his P-51's going into a friend's Flying-V, his Dirty Cats in a Flying-V, his Alley Cats in an Explorer, his Cheetahs in another Tele, his Tru '62's in a $40 Squier Strat that now sounds better than my Fender Custom Shop Strat, I just got and am getting ready to install his Powerage pickups (they are supposed to nail Angus Young's secret specs) into an SG; and as soon as I can afford to buy them, I plan on buying a set of his Dovers (supposed to sound exactly like Eric Johnson's tone. In fact, I read an article on Hermetico's website where he installed the Dovers into an American Standard Strat and then did a full-on video comparison of that guitar with an EJ Signature Strat. It was amazing that the cheap Strat with the Dovers beat out the signature model) and installing them in another Strat I have.
I am a serious gear-geek. I was quarantined inside the house & hospital for almost 4-years due to very severe cancer. The one thing I could do was play guitar, and I wound up collecting guitars, pickups, pedals, etc. The two things a company absolutely MUST provide are 1) a great product, and 2) great customer service (not kissing up, but being respectful and fair. When you call David Allen Pickups, David Allen answers the phone himself and he will spend hours talking to you about everything guitar. he will get you dialed in on what tone you're trying to achieve and I've heard of him allowing someone to exchange a set of pickups for a different set (I assume they would need to be undamaged and you would have to be cool about it). There aren't many companies that will do that nowadays. Wampler Effects has similarly great customer service. Brian Wampler treats his customers extremely well. In contrast, Mr. Erickson (the Customer Service Rep) of Catalinbread Pedals is very quick to treat customers terribly and the company's owner doesn't seem to care at all. It is unfortunate because they make some of the best pedals around; however, I refuse to support a company that won't treat me with respect. David Allen is very true to his customers and he definitely goes the extra mile to make sure you are happy.
Just to be clear, I don't work for David Allen Pickups, nor am I associated with him, I don't get any free gear or anything for talking about his stuff. I have, however, talked to him many times on the telephone, so I know quite a bit about Mr. Allen. He worked for NASA as an Electromagnetic Physicist and as such, he has/made some very specialized tools (many hand made that are not available to anyone outside that field/expertise) that he uses to analyze tones, sounds, etc. This is a big reason why he is able to dial in his pickups so perfectly. He also has a number of connections that give him "insider information" about windings, magnets, specs, etc. that the pros are using.
I don't think that Mr. Allen lists them on his website, but he has a number of guitar pros that use his gear. Brad Paisley, Glen Campbell, the guy from Florida Georgia Line, Pat Buchannan, and a lot more. Pat Buchannan actually ordered a few sets of David Allen pickups anonymously at first. Mr. Allen only found out because Mr. Buchannan eventually called Mr. Allen to talk about doing a custom set for him. Pretty cool. He really should let more people know about all of this.
I love his pickups and swear by them, but to each their own. Definitely worth a try though...
I agree with Hermetico completely. I own 8-sets of David Allen Pickups; his P-51's (which he really should call '59's because they are the best sounding recreation of the 1959 PAF pickups on Earth IMHO), his P-51's in a Tele, his P-51's in a Flying-V, another set of his P-51's going into a friend's Flying-V, his Dirty Cats in a Flying-V, his Alley Cats in an Explorer, his Cheetahs in another Tele, his Tru '62's in a $40 Squier Strat that now sounds better than my Fender Custom Shop Strat, I just got and am getting ready to install his Powerage pickups (they are supposed to nail Angus Young's secret specs) into an SG; and as soon as I can afford to buy them, I plan on buying a set of his Dovers (supposed to sound exactly like Eric Johnson's tone. In fact, I read an article on Hermetico's website where he installed the Dovers into an American Standard Strat and then did a full-on video comparison of that guitar with an EJ Signature Strat. It was amazing that the cheap Strat with the Dovers beat out the signature model) and installing them in another Strat I have.
I am a serious gear-geek. I was quarantined inside the house & hospital for almost 4-years due to very severe cancer. The one thing I could do was play guitar, and I wound up collecting guitars, pickups, pedals, etc. The two things a company absolutely MUST provide are 1) a great product, and 2) great customer service (not kissing up, but being respectful and fair. When you call David Allen Pickups, David Allen answers the phone himself and he will spend hours talking to you about everything guitar. he will get you dialed in on what tone you're trying to achieve and I've heard of him allowing someone to exchange a set of pickups for a different set (I assume they would need to be undamaged and you would have to be cool about it). There aren't many companies that will do that nowadays. Wampler Effects has similarly great customer service. Brian Wampler treats his customers extremely well. In contrast, Mr. Erickson (the Customer Service Rep) of Catalinbread Pedals is very quick to treat customers terribly and the company's owner doesn't seem to care at all. It is unfortunate because they make some of the best pedals around; however, I refuse to support a company that won't treat me with respect. David Allen is very true to his customers and he definitely goes the extra mile to make sure you are happy.
Just to be clear, I don't work for David Allen Pickups, nor am I associated with him, I don't get any free gear or anything for talking about his stuff. I have, however, talked to him many times on the telephone, so I know quite a bit about Mr. Allen. He worked for NASA as an Electromagnetic Physicist and as such, he has/made some very specialized tools (many hand made that are not available to anyone outside that field/expertise) that he uses to analyze tones, sounds, etc. This is a big reason why he is able to dial in his pickups so perfectly. He also has a number of connections that give him "insider information" about windings, magnets, specs, etc. that the pros are using.
I don't think that Mr. Allen lists them on his website, but he has a number of guitar pros that use his gear. Brad Paisley, Glen Campbell, the guy from Florida Georgia Line, Pat Buchannan, and a lot more. Pat Buchannan actually ordered a few sets of David Allen pickups anonymously at first. Mr. Allen only found out because Mr. Buchannan eventually called Mr. Allen to talk about doing a custom set for him. Pretty cool. He really should let more people know about all of this.
I love his pickups and swear by them, but to each their own. Definitely worth a try though...
W
wolf5150
Guest
Re: David Allen Pickups?
Hiland switches allegiance to another company ?
What a shock.....
biggest whore in the industry.
Hiland switches allegiance to another company ?
What a shock.....
biggest whore in the industry.
W
wolf5150
Guest
Re: David Allen Pickups?
By the way I have the 60s RnB in my new Warmoth build.
Can't express an opinion until it's complete but they're very well made and packaged.
By the way I have the 60s RnB in my new Warmoth build.
Can't express an opinion until it's complete but they're very well made and packaged.
