Fishman Fluence Modern Humbucker -any updates, it's been a couple of years

[Masta' C]

Re: Fishman Fluence Modern Humbucker -any updates, it's been a couple of years

Can someone expand on the sound of Voice 2 of the Classic bridge? Does it have the JB-like upper mid thing going on?

Curious about this, as well.

Frank mentioned the voicing was modeled after the voicing of his double-cream '70s JB. I've owned the same generation JBs and find them to be a bit smoother in the mids than the newer ones. I believe Frank wholeheartedly, just curious if most of us would instantly recognize the "JB" influence or not.

On a side note, I know Satchel of Steel Panther recently switched to the Fluence Classics from the JB in his own guitars and he was a total JB slut, so the Classics must be doing something right.

 

[darthphineas]

Re: Fishman Fluence Modern Humbucker -any updates, it's been a couple of years

On a side note, I know Satchel of Steel Panther recently switched to the Fluence Classics from the JB in his own guitars and he was a total JB slut, so the Classics must be doing something right.

I'd say that Frank showed up at Russ's place last Fall with a bag of cash and an offer for free pickup installation... but he didn't pony up for toll road fees and a half-tank of gas, so I don't see that happening. I was lucky to make off with half a sammich.

Out of the 2 voices of the Classic bridge, the V2 is the most like an old JB.

 

[leevc5]

Re: Fishman Fluence Modern Humbucker -any updates, it's been a couple of years

Curious about this, as well.

Frank mentioned the voicing was modeled after the voicing of his double-cream '70s JB. I've owned the same generation JBs and find them to be a bit smoother in the mids than the newer ones. I believe Frank wholeheartedly, just curious if most of us would instantly recognize the "JB" influence or not.

On a side note, I know Satchel of Steel Panther recently switched to the Fluence Classics from the JB in his own guitars and he was a total JB slut, so the Classics must be doing something right.

Over the years I have had 4 JBs installed in a few different guitars. To my ear V2 on my classics set sound very much like the JB although they don't have the high output kick that the JB has. With the JB when I switched from neck to bridge I got a real nice output jump. The Classics don't do this the output between neck and bridge is pretty even.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Fishman Fluence Modern Humbucker -any updates, it's been a couple of years

Classics ... the output between neck and bridge is pretty even.

Which is precisely why I bought a pair.

Regarding your question about four-way switching on the Gristle Tone T style pickup pair. I do not think that series interconnection of the four coils is possible. Even if it is, I doubt that the resultant sound would be desirable.

Two single coils, in series, either in or out of phase, I like. Two stacked coil pickups, interconnected in series, never seems to sound right.

 

[leevc5]

Re: Fishman Fluence Modern Humbucker -any updates, it's been a couple of years

Which is precisely why I bought a pair.

Regarding your question about four-way switching on the Gristle Tone T style pickup pair. I do not think that series interconnection of the four coils is possible. Even if it is, I doubt that the resultant sound would be desirable.

Two single coils, in series, either in or out of phase, I like. Two stacked coil pickups, interconnected in series, never seems to sound right.

Whatever you think but the four way switch on my Tele is a big improvement having the bridge and neck in series gives the Tele a completely different voice that is very desirable.
http://www.guitar-mod.com/rg_4wayinfo.html

 

[leevc5]

Re: Fishman Fluence Modern Humbucker -any updates, it's been a couple of years

Hey Darth, you did coil tapping on the Fluence you had. If you had to choose what would it be inner or outer coil tap?

 

[darthphineas]

Re: Fishman Fluence Modern Humbucker -any updates, it's been a couple of years

Hey Darth, you did coil tapping on the Fluence you had. If you had to choose what would it be inner or outer coil tap?

I tested them all with the outer coils.

 

[leevc5]

Re: Fishman Fluence Modern Humbucker -any updates, it's been a couple of years

These Fluence pickups never cease to amaze me. I set up the coil tap this after noon and believe it or not I can get my Les Paul to quack like a Stratocaster. It offers a lot more than just quacking but That quack is one thing I never thought I'd hear out of a Les Paul. Gonna experiment with the SD pup booster this evening. I love it on single coils but never much cared for what it did with HBs. Now I got this coil tap deal I'm expecting great things.

 

[leevc5]

Re: Fishman Fluence Modern Humbucker -any updates, it's been a couple of years

Frank, if you're around, is there a way to wire the Classics so you can have one pup on V1 while the other is on V2? I don't care about having HF Tilt.

 

[darthphineas]

Re: Fishman Fluence Modern Humbucker -any updates, it's been a couple of years

It appears that the install guide covers that on page 1, section 4.

 

[leevc5]

Re: Fishman Fluence Modern Humbucker -any updates, it's been a couple of years

It appears that the install guide covers that on page 1, section 4.

It's not really clear. I'll take a guess.
Purple neck wire to neck p/p tone.
Yellow bridge wire to bridge p/p tone
Tie off green and orange wires from neck and bridge respectively.
Is that it?

 

[Luke Duke]

Re: Fishman Fluence Modern Humbucker -any updates, it's been a couple of years

Can someone expand on the sound of Voice 2 of the Classic bridge? Does it have the JB-like upper mid thing going on?

Curious about this, as well.

Frank mentioned the voicing was modeled after the voicing of his double-cream '70s JB. I've owned the same generation JBs and find them to be a bit smoother in the mids than the newer ones. I believe Frank wholeheartedly, just curious if most of us would instantly recognize the "JB" influence or not.

On a side note, I know Satchel of Steel Panther recently switched to the Fluence Classics from the JB in his own guitars and he was a total JB slut, so the Classics must be doing something right.

It's like an OLD JB like Darth said. They weren't wound quite as hot and sat in the mix perfectly. I LOVE the sound of the old ones. I have one in my Strat and I considered making the JB/V2 voice the primary for my Falbo.

Over the years I have had 4 JBs installed in a few different guitars. To my ear V2 on my classics set sound very much like the JB although they don't have the high output kick that the JB has. With the JB when I switched from neck to bridge I got a real nice output jump. The Classics don't do this the output between neck and bridge is pretty even.

To my ears the older JBs weren't as hot as newer ones, but they had a midrange content, and the spike that made them really punch through.

Frank, if you're around, is there a way to wire the Classics so you can have one pup on V1 while the other is on V2? I don't care about having HF Tilt.

Yes! I did it to the neck on my classics the other day. You move the wire to the opposite pole and voila!

Luke

 

[leevc5]

Re: Fishman Fluence Modern Humbucker -any updates, it's been a couple of years

I think that the eclectic HF Tilt option is not something the general population of users will find useful.
If Fishman could modify the circuit to replace the HF Tilt with a mid range boost I think most users would find it more appealing.

 

[Luke Duke]

Re: Fishman Fluence Modern Humbucker -any updates, it's been a couple of years

I think that the eclectic HF Tilt option is not something the general population of users will find useful.
If Fishman could modify the circuit to replace the HF Tilt with a mid range boost I think most users would find it more appealing.

See, I'm going to disagree. To me it gives a more vintage sound and I re-wired the switch so it was always "on" and I pull the pot up for a "clarity boost". Seems more useful to me that way and I don't have to re-EQ all my amps for one guitar because they don't have the extra high end clarity.

 

[Chad]

Re: Fishman Fluence Modern Humbucker -any updates, it's been a couple of years

See, I'm going to disagree. To me it gives a more vintage sound and I required the switch so it was always "on" and I pull the pot up for a "clarity boost". Seems more useful to me that way and I don't have to re-EQ all my amps for one guitar because they don't have the extra high end clarity.

That's probably the route I would go if I got the Classic set.

 

[Chad]

Re: Fishman Fluence Modern Humbucker -any updates, it's been a couple of years

If anything, this thread shows the challenges of bringing a new concept like this to market. On one side, it's hard to get the traditionalists on board because they fear change. On the other hand, there are people who embrace the change...almost too much....and go completely overboard with product development ideas and suggestions. Has to be somewhat maddening for the design team. If Fishman added a kitchen sink to these pickups, at least one person in this thread would be asking for two kitchen sinks......that could be combined on demand via a switch. No, that isn't good enough.....how about kitchen sinks that are morphable on demand....kinda like a spin-a-split.

 

[Luke Duke]

Re: Fishman Fluence Modern Humbucker -any updates, it's been a couple of years

If anything, this thread shows the challenges of bringing a new concept like this to market. On one side, it's hard to get the traditionalists on board because they fear change. On the other hand, there are people who embrace the change...almost too much....and go completely overboard with product development ideas and suggestions. Has to be somewhat maddening for the design team. If Fishman added a kitchen sink to these pickups, at least one person in this thread would be asking for two kitchen sinks......that could be combined on demand via a switch. No, that isn't good enough.....how about kitchen sinks that are morphable on demand....kinda like a spin-a-split.

That's some great insight Chad.

I have to admit I'm not a big button/switch/knob guy. I find what settings I like on a guitar and stick with them. The dual voicings are pretty phenomenal though so they are broadening my horizons. Going from PAF bridge to JB bridge because of a solo is such a handy feature. For me the Fishman neck voicing was preferable so I wired it as my "main" voicing and I pull the pot up for PAF tone. Same thing with the HFT. I preferred it "on" and turning it "off" for more clarity for certain passages etc. Regardless I have 4 bridge tones, 4 neck tones, and 8 "middle position" tones. That's before any knobs are turned!

 

[leevc5]

Re: Fishman Fluence Modern Humbucker -any updates, it's been a couple of years

If anything, this thread shows the challenges of bringing a new concept like this to market. On one side, it's hard to get the traditionalists on board because they fear change. On the other hand, there are people who embrace the change...almost too much....and go completely overboard with product development ideas and suggestions. Has to be somewhat maddening for the design team. If Fishman added a kitchen sink to these pickups, at least one person in this thread would be asking for two kitchen sinks......that could be combined on demand via a switch. No, that isn't good enough.....how about kitchen sinks that are morphable on demand....kinda like a spin-a-split.

Do you have a set installed on one of your guitars?

 

[darthphineas]

Re: Fishman Fluence Modern Humbucker -any updates, it's been a couple of years

I've heard feedback that it could be seen as Fishman having boxed themselves in with naming one set Classic and another set Modern, then marketing the voices such as "tone you've always wanted" and "ideal". where else is there to go from there? people might wonder if there is even a need for any other models. haha!

and it might seem that there could be room for more End User input, rather than Think Tank hubris. but, sure, there comes a point when it's not reasonable to factor in when people are coming up with a new "idea of the day" based on minutiae.

Regardless I have 4 bridge tones, 4 neck tones, and 8 "middle position" tones. That's before any knobs are turned!

don't let it get back into having to do that math again, would ya? lol!

 

[Chad]

Re: Fishman Fluence Modern Humbucker -any updates, it's been a couple of years

Do you have a set installed on one of your guitars?

No, but strongly thinking about it. Don't really have a guitar in "need" of a new setup or I would have already bought a set.