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

[tonaholic]

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

Whoaaa!!! Lets wait a minute here before I make a big mistake. I didn't know there was a problem mixing passive and active pickups. What kind of problems does it cause. I may have to rethink this whole shebang. maybe go for a set of Fluence humbuckers one for the bridge and one for the neck. what would be a good set for a Telecaster?

Your pickup routing & bridge will affect your choices unless you want to mod the guitar and make buckers fit where they might not. Ultimately, IMHO, a tele set is best for a tele. I like the options in the Gristle Tone set. Mix of blackgaurd and whitegaurd with out of phase in between for jangly rhythm? Yes please.

If you want HH - probably a set of the classics.

You should talk to Fishman and see if you can put a classic bucker neck into the gristle tone set with a bit of soldering as a 3rd potential option.

EDIT: Additionally, if you've got a good blackgaurd set, you should be able to make them as nasty as you want. I love a good tele neck pickup. With them being completely noiseless, they should hold up under gain. In theory. Again, I'll post clips once mine are installed. It'll be a while.

 

[stancaster]

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

What about a set of moderns with the ceramic in the neck position? How do you think that would work for a hot Telecaster?

 

[darthphineas]

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

I've mixed active and passive in the same guitar. Don't remember any problems. I think each pickup had their own volume pots...that was about it.

 

[stancaster]

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

I've mixed active and passive in the same guitar. Don't remember any problems. I think each pickup had their own volume pots...that was about it.

That's good news what Fluence Humbucker would you recommend for a Telecaster to play stuff like Clapton, Led Zep, Cream, Rolling Stones, Lynyrd Skynyrd...ya know a pickup with gutsy sound.

 

[Luke Duke]

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

I think you all have me sold on the Fluence pickup. I think the two voice option and coil tapping really gives a lot of versatility. Now I have a question for you what would be a good neck humbucker for my telecaster? I play like Clapton, Led Zep, Cream, Rolling Stones, Lynyrd Skynyrd...stuff like that so I need a pickup with some balls. I looked and listened to many of the Fluence Telecaster pickup demos and to be honest it souds to cheesy to me I mean that's just me it probably sounds great to people who are in to what old time telecasters should sound like but not like a telecaster with a humbucker neck pickup if you see what I mean.

Just to be clear you realize that it wasn't until later that Keef had a humbucker in the neck slot right? You also realize that Page recorded a ton with the stock pup configuration on his tele?

I've heard them in person, cheesy is not a word I'd use to describe them. Muscular, or even angry and...well gristley are words I'd use to describe voice 2. The sounds you describe from your influences ARE old telecaster tones, black and white guards. I'm trying to wrap my mind around what you're hearing, and the only thing I can guess is you're hearing clips of people using them in a "modern" way with a lot of compression and post EQ trying to cop a Brent Mason tone or maybe Brad Paisley. I'm hear to tell you that when I heard Greg play them live that was NOT the tonal footprint I heard.

As a guy who's played the strat pups, classic pups, modern pups (very briefly) and heard the tele pups I can honestly tell you that as great as the humbuckers are in some ways the single coils are better. The hum is GONE and the tone is intact...AND there's an overwound sound too for that more muscular, more angry, more distortion friendly tone.

 

[stancaster]

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

Just to be clear you realize that it wasn't until later that Keef had a humbucker in the neck slot right? You also realize that Page recorded a ton with the stock pup configuration on his tele?

I've heard them in person, cheesy is not a word I'd use to describe them. Muscular, or even angry and...well gristley are words I'd use to describe voice 2. The sounds you describe from your influences ARE old telecaster tones, black and white guards. I'm trying to wrap my mind around what you're hearing, and the only thing I can guess is you're hearing clips of people using them in a "modern" way with a lot of compression and post EQ trying to cop a Brent Mason tone or maybe Brad Paisley. I'm hear to tell you that when I heard Greg play them live that was NOT the tonal footprint I heard.

As a guy who's played the strat pups, classic pups, modern pups (very briefly) and heard the tele pups I can honestly tell you that as great as the humbuckers are in some ways the single coils are better. The hum is GONE and the tone is intact...AND there's an overwound sound too for that more muscular, more angry, more distortion friendly tone.

I'll listen some more and see if I can somehow find someway to listen or even play some live ones. You really sound like you know what your talking about so I'm going to put the brakes on and take some time and make sure I make the right choice. I can afford only one American Telecaster(the one I have) and one set of high end pickups so I gotta get it right the first time.
Anybody know if their is a directory of music stores that have Fluence Telecaster pickups available in the store for trying out? That would be a big help.

 

[tonaholic]

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

I'll listen some more and see if I can somehow find someway to listen or even play some live ones. You really sound like you know what your talking about so I'm going to put the brakes on and take some time and make sure I make the right choice. I can afford only one American Telecaster(the one I have) and one set of high end pickups so I gotta get it right the first time.
Anybody know if their is a directory of music stores that have Fluence Telecaster pickups available in the store for trying out? That would be a big help.

He's totally right, from my experience. Your influences were very much using traditional telecasters with their original single coils.

You won't find them in the store pre installed anywhere. Fishman doesn't send out demo guitars with their acoustic pickups and it's on the manufacturer for parts/accessories to floor demo their wares. Not just fishman but zero pickup makers do. If you want zero risk, get an established tele set mountains of praise.

Or you might do well to wait for directly recorded demos from someone as the camera mic always poorly captues tone.

 

[leevc5]

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

Got a set of Classics this afternoon and loaded them up in my Les Paul. Mon Dieu! What a difference from the moderns. I have been playing and experimenting with them this afternoon and this evening and am so far really impressed with the voices Fishman has created for these pups. I will give them a go for a week or so including some head to head comparisions with Seths, 59s, Sh-2n, etc...and let you know what I think (as if anyone cares...but what the heck, it gives me something to do when my fingers start to hurt).

Compared all three sets (59s, Seth, Classics). All three are great. Final choice is the Classics because of the V1 - V2 selection. The added tonal options is a significant tiebreaker between these three world class pups.
TAF

 

[stancaster]

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

Ordered a set of Moderns for my telecaster. Gonna have to redo the back end and I'm not sure what the wiring is going to involve but I'm sure I'll figure it out. After thinkin this and thinkin that I finnaly decided for 185 bucks I miswell take a shot if I don't like them I can probably sell them reasonably close to that and try something else who knows what.

 

[GuitarDoc]

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

I don't like to lower the pickup height because years off experience has demonstrated that the closer I can get the pickup to the strings the better definition I get.

I think your "years of experience" have mistreated/misled/misdirected you. If the only variable is pup height, then generally speaking you will get more volume, more base, more mids and less clarity or definition by moving the pup close to the strings.

 

[leevc5]

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

I think your "years of experience" have mistreated/misled/misdirected you. If the only variable is pup height, then generally speaking you will get more volume, more base, more mids and less clarity or definition by moving the pup close to the strings.

Sorry Doc but your diagnosis is wrong on this on this one. The magnetic field around the pole pieces is weak and the closer the string is to the pole piece the more definition you will get from it. I can show you pictures if you like that demonstrate that the resolution/definition/clarity of a string is higher the closer it is to the pole piece.
What is the basis of your theorem?

 

[Funkfingers]

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

I can show you pictures if you like that demonstrate that the resolution/definition/clarity of a string is higher the closer it is to the pole piece.

Okay. I'll be Spartacus on this one.

Show, don't tell. Go right ahead. Make my day.

 

[leevc5]

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

OK Spartacus, show me the resonant peak, Q factor and inductance measurements for the Fluence Moderns and I'll show you the graph that proves my point. Fair enough?

 

[Masta' C]

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

Define "resolution/definition/clarity"

Depending on who you talk to, such traits might refer to a pickup sounding more "open", having increased dynamics, exhibiting a stronger presence of the fundamental, having improved sustain, producing greater string-to-string balance under gain, a firmer, more direct feeling response and/or having a greater perceived separation of the individual strings/notes when played together. Not all of these qualities are achieved the same way.

That said, I do think I get where Leevc5 is coming from...

First, there's definitely a greater electrical response for a given string movement the deeper the string is placed within the magnetic field because it induces a greater manipulation of the field than a string located in a weaker part of the field. Said simply, a pickup placed very close to the strings typically produces a greater output for a given input compared to a pickup adjusted farther away.

Adjusting a pickup closer to the strings will generally enhance the focus on the fundamental, as well. However, it can also adversely affect overall dynamics and even compromise sustain in some cases. Furthermore, the tone curve can be noticeably affected by the pickup height.

There are trade-offs with either approach. Therefore, I think it's rather silly to subscribe to any hard-and-fast rule for all pickups.

Most of us seek out a very subjective and personalized "sweet spot" for each pickup, where we get a good balance of the characteristics WE want individually. There are very few "rights" and "wrongs" in this regard

 

[stancaster]

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

Got the Moderns. Installed them with some difficulties. Pots are little bitty things and I have big hands wiring them especially the push pull conections was a real pain. The neck pickup slipped right in replacing the 59 I had in there just fine. Had to route a little for the bridge pickup and a lot for the control cavity. Got it all wired up and put the pots, switch and battery on a piece of pickguard I cut out and screwed it onto the body. Restrung adjusted the pickup height and was amazed that it worked first time. Put the ceramic in the neck and it sounds good nice to have the two tone switch for hot rhythm and hot lead. The Alinco pickup in the bridge was OK, I think I like the standard Tele pickup better. Not going to make any real judgements until I have some time to play it some more and get adjusted but my first impression is that Tonecholic was right I should have probably waited for the Telecaster pickups. The guitar really looks kluged together and I may or may not be able to work my way around that so in the long run it is sound I am looking for not a designer guitar...I wasn't blown away right out of the chute like I was hoping for but I'll work with them and see what happens. Will play it a couple of weeks and maybe try some that coil tapping they talk about.

 

[tonaholic]

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

Got the Moderns. Installed them with some difficulties. Pots are little bitty things and I have big hands wiring them especially the push pull conections was a real pain. The neck pickup slipped right in replacing the 59 I had in there just fine. Had to route a little for the bridge pickup and a lot for the control cavity. Got it all wired up and put the pots, switch and battery on a piece of pickguard I cut out and screwed it onto the body. Restrung adjusted the pickup height and was amazed that it worked first time. Put the ceramic in the neck and it sounds good nice to have the two tone switch for hot rhythm and hot lead. The Alinco pickup in the bridge was OK, I think I like the standard Tele pickup better. Not going to make any real judgements until I have some time to play it some more and get adjusted but my first impression is that Tonecholic was right I should have probably waited for the Telecaster pickups. The guitar really looks kluged together and I may or may not be able to work my way around that so in the long run it is sound I am looking for not a designer guitar...I wasn't blown away right out of the chute like I was hoping for but I'll work with them and see what happens. Will play it a couple of weeks and maybe try some that coil tapping they talk about.

Given your favorite bands being classic rock and blues rock in nature, if you're not digging the moderns and want humbuckers, you should exchange them for the classics. You can play anything on any pickup but if you're not happy with them, try to exchange them. If you're really not happy and can't exchange them, selling them used and taking a small hit is better than living with a sunk cost you're unhappy with. You can buy the classics used, probably, for about the same price. I see used sets on Reverb now and then.

That would give you the Tele-gib voicing of PAF/JB + Lots of other combinations. Also the classic neck is way more suited to a Tele style voice with voice-2 being like a clear p90/bucker hybrid from what I can tell.

 

[Funkfingers]

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

Fair enough?

Not really.

You have asserted that GuitarDoc is wrong but supplied no supporting evidence.

 

[darthphineas]

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

3 sets of Fluence up for sale in Trading Post ( click here )

 

[stancaster]

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

3 sets of Fluence up for sale in Trading Post ( click here )

I sure can understand why people are dumping these dogs. A lot of noise about fancy technology and sound switching and so on and so forth but they are just for fad jumpers that go after every new thing that comes along weather its bad or good and I think these things are not actually bad but they sure aren't as good as regular old pickups that are already proven. I'm gonna put my tele back together same as it was try and sell the Fluence pickups and buy a set of Seymour's Pearly Gates, I know I can depend on them and if their not what I want which I doubt I can do the 21 day return deal. Now that is something you can take to the bank.

 

[darthphineas]

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

I bought them for testing and review purposes...like I do the majority of gear that I buy. While passive pickups are far more into my own personal preference, the sounds I heard from the Fluence have been more impressive to me than the other active pickups I've tried to-date.

There will most always be advancements in tech. Who in the 60s would have thought that a couple of 15-16k pickups from a few different guys would change the landscape of an entire sub-genre of guitar gear. Or how many years ago would amp-modeling have been unheard of. And while there are still people that prefer lower-wind vintage-style PAFs and single channel tube amps, a lot of players are glad that there is room for all kinds of options. It might seem a little silly to some to think otherwise.