Duncan and GFS coils compatible?

K

Kel

New member
I'm interested in building one of the 59/Custom hybrids that have been described in the other threads. I already have a Custom Custom, so I have the screw coil covered, but I need to purchase a 59 for the other coil. However, before I destroy a perfectly good (and more expensive) Duncan, I was thinking of trying the experiment with a cheaper GFS pickup.

My question is: Are Duncan and GFS bobbins physically the same size? I know that some other manufacturers use different heights and widths, and probably can't be used on the same base plates. Anybody have some of each and note the differences?
 
Re: Duncan and GFS coils compatible?

IIRC the GFS are kind of "duncan knockoffs", or?

I would assume yes, but can´t say for sure...
 
Re: Duncan and GFS coils compatible?

Zerberus said:
IIRC the GFS are kind of "duncan knockoffs",
Click to expand...

They may be the word you said, but that doesn't mean the dimensions are the same. Our components are very faithful to original Gibson and Fender specs. I have a feeling their stuff is metric-based and it might be just different enough to ruin your day.

All of our dimensions are listed on our website. Maybe they do the same thing. Or not.
 
Re: Duncan and GFS coils compatible?

I would suggest getting a used 59 or other Duncan PAF. Better safe than sorry. :)
 
Re: Duncan and GFS coils compatible?

Another spin on compatibility- to save myself disassembly and re-do --

-does the usual black 'hot' connection stay the same when replacing a GFS with a Duncan?
My case is putting a Hotrails into a prewired GFS Strat pickguard.
Thanks
 
Re: Duncan and GFS coils compatible?

I have a GFS V59 in the bridge of my Epi and a duncan 59 in the neck,, they are the same size and spacing.
 
Re: Duncan and GFS coils compatible?

skynyrd said:
I have a GFS V59 in the bridge of my Epi and a duncan 59 in the neck,, they are the same size and spacing.
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GFSs are 50mm in polepiece spread, Duncans are 49.2mm.

Close, but not cigar.

HTH,
 
Re: Duncan and GFS coils compatible?

Dudes, this is a six year old thread.

alanfc said:
Another spin on compatibility- to save myself disassembly and re-do --

-does the usual black 'hot' connection stay the same when replacing a GFS with a Duncan?
My case is putting a Hotrails into a prewired GFS Strat pickguard.
Thanks
Click to expand...

You just asking about the Duncan wiring colour codes? Yes, black is hot. Green and bare go to ground, while red and white get soldered together and taped off, unless you're trying to do some funky tapping or out of series/parallel or whatever.

This might help you out.
 
Re: Duncan and GFS coils compatible?

the biggest thing would be the bobbin screws thru the Duncan baseplate lining up with the screw holes in the GFS bobbin.
 
Re: Duncan and GFS coils compatible?

To add an answer somewhat tangential to the question, I've made a Custom 59 with a trembucker custom coil and standard spaced 59 slug coil on the custom's baseplate. The screws holding the 59 on go in at a bit of an angle, but it sits just fine.

The screw 59 coil is now sitting on the baseplate from my Peavey Wolfgang's bridge pup as one of its coils died. That is not tremspaced despite being a floyded guitar. I had to file a couple of holes in the base a _very_ little bit so the screws could get through. Again the dimensions are slightly different, but close enough that it all seems to pull together ok.

The Samshin pup that I pulled out of my Epi LP does have some quite significantly different bobbins, I dunno if they'd work or not, and seeing as how they're crappy Samshin pups, I have no plans to try it ;) I did get to reclaim a double height ceramic magnet from it though :)
 
Re: Duncan and GFS coils compatible?

Kam said:
Dudes, this is a six year old thread.



You just asking about the Duncan wiring colour codes? Yes, black is hot. Green and bare go to ground, while red and white get soldered together and taped off, unless you're trying to do some funky tapping or out of series/parallel or whatever.

This might help you out.
Click to expand...

"Dude"
i was using the search function to pull answers like everyone *****es about not enough people using.

and I already read 4,000 threads on color coding, that was not my question
 
Re: Duncan and GFS coils compatible?

alanfc said:
"Dude"
i was using the search function to pull answers like everyone *****es about not enough people using.

and I already read 4,000 threads on color coding, that was not my question
Click to expand...

Ooo...kay?

Um, that's cool, man, but the first line of my post was actually aimed at the other guys who were answering the six year old OP and ignoring your question. I thought that using the plural form of 'Dude' and then responding to your post in a seperate paragraph made that fairly clear. Guess not. I'll be sure to really spell it out next time.

Anyway, good luck with sorting out your guitar, man. Hot Rails are great pickups and I'm a big fan of them. I'm sure it'll sound awesome when you get it sorted. Take it easy. :)
 
Re: Duncan and GFS coils compatible?

Kam said:
Ooo...kay?

Um, that's cool, man, but the first line of my post was actually aimed at the other guys who were answering the six year old OP and ignoring your question. I thought that using the plural form of 'Dude' and then responding to your post in a seperate paragraph made that fairly clear. Guess not. I'll be sure to really spell it out next time.

Anyway, good luck with sorting out your guitar, man. Hot Rails are great pickups and I'm a big fan of them. I'm sure it'll sound awesome when you get it sorted. Take it easy. :)
Click to expand...

Understood. Thanks
 
Re: Duncan and GFS coils compatible?

If making a CC/59 hybrid and you want to hear what it really sounds like then it is not at all advisable to use a coil from a gfs 59. it is not the same as a coil from the duncan 59b and of course will not sound the same
 
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