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

[Toner]

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

I have a set of the moderns to install in a guitar for studio use/re-tracking. IMO it sounds better if you do multiple guitar tracks with different pickups....
For example I have a tele with a non active noiseless pickup set and it adds a lot of clarity/twang and crunch on a high gain setup/recording slightly blended in.

I am mostly an active guy (Blackouts AHB-1 and EMG 81/85 (or 60)) so I was curious on these new fisman pickups. Haven't got around to installing them yet.

 

[leevc5]

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

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.

If you don't have a set then why do you feel compelled criticize people that actually have them and ask legitimate questions regarding their capabilities. I would think that a company and other potential buyers might find it beneficial to hear the opinions of real users especially for a new product release?

 

[Funkfingers]

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.

If you don't have a set then why do you feel compelled criticize people that actually have them

Where exactly did Chad criticise anybody? :scratchch All he has done is disagree with you. (Oh, the audacity.)

Also, it is not necessary to own a set of pickups in order to test them thoroughly and form a valid opinion.

I would think that a company and other potential buyers might find it beneficial to hear the opinions of real users especially for a new product release?

Any real user in particular?

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.

Surely, the best place on which to post your feedback concerning Fishman products would be the Fishman website.

 

[leevc5]

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

Do you have a set of Fluence pickups or played a guitar with them installed Mr. Funkfingers?

 

[Funkfingers]

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

Yes. Classic Humbuckers, gold finish. I tested them in my LTD EC401W. They are actually destined to go in my project 1994 Patrick Eggle Berlin Wall. (I posted to this effect earlier in this thread.​)

EDIT - Post #156

 

[leevc5]

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

Other opinions:

http://forums.fender.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=97443

 

[johnstone]

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

Never been on a forum before. I'm a Telecaster guy got my first when I was 14 its an American standard and is all I play. For my 30th birthday wife said I could get another one so I searched the internet to see about find the newest thing in Telecasters since I figure I got a real good traditional one all set up. Well in my searching these greg Koch pickups showed up and the little I found on them seemed real interesting and maybe what I am looking for sort of the next generation. But there is not much on the internet the Fishman site has a ad with information a lot which I don't understand and there are youtube demos that are interesting but the sound quality is not so good. I bumped into this Seymour Duncan Forum and there is a bunch of junk and silly arguments but there is also more talk about these kind of pickups then I can find anywhere else. So what I would like is someone who has used these pickups give some advice about whether I should buy a basic Telecaster and put these new technology pickups in it or buy another American Standard with Custom Shop Pickups. Thanks.

 

[Masta' C]

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

So what I would like is someone who has used these pickups give some advice about whether I should buy a basic Telecaster and put these new technology pickups in it or buy another American Standard with Custom Shop Pickups. Thanks.

The Greg Koch pickups are fairly new to the market and a bit pricey, so you probably won't find too many players who can provide first-hand accounts.

That said, if I was in your shoes, I wouldn't hesitate to grab a mid-range Tele, stick the Koch set in it and rock out for days For $350 you can turn pretty much any level Tele into a tonal powerhouse with completely unmatched versatility.

I really think Fishman is poised to become the "EMG" of the next generation with these Fluence pickups as long as they continue to play their cards right. For every single negative experience out there, there are 100+ stellar reviews by people who have been absolutely blown away the new technology.

 

[leevc5]

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

I can't say anything about the Fluence Tele pickups but I can tell you that the Fluence Classics I put in my Les Paul are I guess what you would call next generation. In brief I get all Classic tone of a Les Paul with voice 1 and with voice 2 I get a "hot Rod" tone that you really have to hear to appreciate. On top of that Fishman makes coil tapping easy so I can get single coil tone that almost gets a Strat tone for me. When you add it all up you get 8 different tones with V1 an V2 and when you coil tap another 8 so all in all the Fluence come all ready to give you 16 tones without any complicated wiring. And bottom line they do sound great, not better than say SD Seth Lovers but as good and they add the V1/V2 option.

 

[johnstone]

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

I emailed Fishman and asked if they could send me some sound samples not youtube stuff or short little clips but a good long sample so I can really hear what they sound like. I looked here and found a hot tele set that sounds real good maybe the answer is to buy these Seymour Duncans and I will have my current tele and a hot tele. I will have to think about it some more but if you people could give more information on these Fishman pickups it would help and hope they send me something. I guess if they don't get back to me it will be sort of a sign about their customer service too.

 

[darthphineas]

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

I emailed Fishman and asked if they could send me some sound samples not youtube stuff or short little clips but a good long sample so I can really hear what they sound like. I looked here and found a hot tele set that sounds real good maybe the answer is to buy these Seymour Duncans and I will have my current tele and a hot tele. I will have to think about it some more but if you people could give more information on these Fishman pickups it would help and hope they send me something. I guess if they don't get back to me it will be sort of a sign about their customer service too.

Do you think Fishman will have a sound sample that would offer a good idea and a solid comparison of how the product sounds when up next to other brand's products? Not every pickup company has the stones to do that, although it could be a more solid suggestion of the tone....provided it's the same guitar and same amp and the player could actually play the same notes with he same force and pick attack. Otherwise, any single video or audio sample of a single product really offers little to how it can sound...especially when there's not many companies that will be transparent as to how the samples or recorded and if they are sweetened or if they are EQd to be heard through speakers from a PC or headphones or a smartphone/tablet.

Fishman, like several pickup companies, might require a degree of patience, as I've seen. When I tried to approach them at a guitar show in 2015, one guy was actually speaking to an attendee while another guy was chatting it up with another exhibitor. After waiting several minutes (at least 5) to even be acknowledged, I determined they weren't interested in selling me anything. If not for Falbo's passion for the tech he took to Fishman, I'd have never given the product or the brand another thought. But, like I said, I don't think Fishman is the only pickup company with such areas of opportunity.

 

[Funkfingers]

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

The only valid test is to play some for yourself, in your style(s), through your amplification.

I would still like to hear what JOLLY has to say about his Fluence Modern humbuckers.

@johnstone. If you are comfortable on a Fender American Standard Telecaster, get another one. Buying pre-owned would save enough money to justify the expense of the Fishman Fluence Gristle Tone pickups and electronics kit.

I notice that you have Roy and Nancy as your avatar. I am not yet convinced that the "Blackguard" voice on the Fishman pickups will be gnarly enough to accurately replicate Nancy.

 

[johnstone]

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

The only valid test is to play some for yourself, in your style(s), through your amplification.

I would still like to hear what JOLLY has to say about his Fluence Modern humbuckers.

@johnstone. If you are comfortable on a Fender American Standard Telecaster, get another one. Buying pre-owned would save enough money to justify the expense of the Fishman Fluence Gristle Tone pickups and electronics kit.

I notice that you have Roy and Nancy as your avatar. I am not yet convinced that the "Blackguard" voice on the Fishman pickups will be gnarly enough to accurately replicate Nancy.

Do you think the Seymour Duncan Hot Tele set would be a better choice for me because I don't want another American Standard sound I want something different and the video on here for them did sound a lot different?

 

[johnstone]

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

Do you think Fishman will have a sound sample that would offer a good idea and a solid comparison of how the product sounds when up next to other brand's products? Not every pickup company has the stones to do that, although it could be a more solid suggestion of the tone....provided it's the same guitar and same amp and the player could actually play the same notes with he same force and pick attack. Otherwise, any single video or audio sample of a single product really offers little to how it can sound...especially when there's not many companies that will be transparent as to how the samples or recorded and if they are sweetened or if they are EQd to be heard through speakers from a PC or headphones or a smartphone/tablet.

Fishman, like several pickup companies, might require a degree of patience, as I've seen. When I tried to approach them at a guitar show in 2015, one guy was actually speaking to an attendee while another guy was chatting it up with another exhibitor. After waiting several minutes (at least 5) to even be acknowledged, I determined they weren't interested in selling me anything. If not for Falbo's passion for the tech he took to Fishman, I'd have never given the product or the brand another thought. But, like I said, I don't think Fishman is the only pickup company with such areas of opportunity.

You are right I looked and looked and listened and listened and it just doesn't work on computer stuff you have to play and hear the real thing I guess I'll have to take a trip up to DC and see if Washington Music Center has some to try. this is the best I could find and it is hard to tell just like you said.https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=RRbmYQvWoK8https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2G1QXzuMLsc&feature=player_embedded

 

[jeremy]

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

there are lots of great tele pups out there depending on what tones you are after. do you play a certain type of music or lots of styles? same amp or got a bunch?

 

[Funkfingers]

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

Obvious starter question. What pickups are in your current Tele, johnstone?

Presumably, you have the modern machined bridge with the compressed powdered steel saddles on the offset intonation adjustment screws.

 

[darthphineas]

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

I guess I'll have to take a trip up to DC and see if Washington Music Center has some to try.

does Washington Music Center actually keep sets of identical guitars loaded with different models of pickups? not sure if that would be a first, but it would definitely be a rarity. I've ran the idea past pickup companies as far back as when I first mentioned it to Seymour about 25 years ago. it just seems to be a huge logistical/cost issue. although one company did like the idea of a single guitar with a shuttle system, but I think they have been too busy coming up with new products to spend much time on the idea. didn't Fishman try use some sort of a shuttle system during the development phase of the Fluence?

or maybe if you're in New England, see if you can surf on over to Boston to visit Fishman for a demo.

 

[johnstone]

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

there are lots of great tele pups out there depending on what tones you are after. do you play a certain type of music or lots of styles? same amp or got a bunch?

I play mostly 60s rock with some pop hits over the decades thrown in I really like Mick Taylor and I like those Rolling Stones songs when he was in the band and I like Bill Frisell but mostly play his music for my own enjoyment. Same old amp a Fender Twin Reverb. Yep there sure are a lot of pickups out there the only reason I'm interested in the Fishmans is it's a new technology and I am thinking that when I get my birthday Telecaster I want it to be something completely different from my old Telecaster.

 

[johnstone]

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

Obvious starter question. What pickups are in your current Tele, johnstone?

Presumably, you have the modern machined bridge with the compressed powdered steel saddles on the offset intonation adjustment screws.

It has the same pickups that were in it when my mom and dad bought it for me in 2000. Presumably I don't know what in tarnashin the bridge and saddles and so on have to do with picking out a pickup it has whatever bridge and saddles Fender was putting on their Telecasters in 1999.

 

[Funkfingers]

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

In that case, by default, a stock brand new Fender Am Std Telecaster will sound different straight out of the case.