Forum design pre-revote discussion (Zebro construction update)

[DarkMatter]

Re: Forum design pre-revote discussion (Zebro construction update)

The mini magnets would almost certainly have to be ceramic as well.

 

[jtougas]

Re: Forum design pre-revote discussion (Zebro construction update)

Howsabout doing a centerline rail, resting on a magnet (say, A4), and flanking A2 or A5 rod magnets, 3x3? Too much tooling, too close coils to get P90 sound?

 

[frankfalbo]

Re: Forum design pre-revote discussion (Zebro construction update)

I bet the idea of flanking the poles with half or quarter sized magnets would be really effective, especially if it were supposed to have a P-90 like output, but it might be costly to get/make magnets of that size.

Nah you can just score and snap an Invader, Hot Rails, or Cool Rails magnet. (depending on the dimension required) Same reason that scoring and snapping ceramic tile works so well. Then, if the snap is a little rough you can try again (ceramic magnets are quite inexpensive) or touch it up against a grinder for a second and it smooths out without losing charge.

 

[SJ318]

Re: Forum design pre-revote discussion (Zebro construction update)

Hi, one BIG question on 3+3,
In the setting where there are 3 screws for the low strings, that puts the low screws CLOSER to the neck, which would be LESS TIGHT. You cannot change the position of the screws by turning it 180 degrees, that just puts the high string screws in the same original position.
If in fact there are hidden poles like the last shot of the 3+3 pickup Lt. Kojack showed, well then if one wished, he could screw the low 3 screws real low so the unexposed poles pick up the vibration CLOSER TO THE BRIDGE on the low strings, thus making "tighter" sounding. Does not the Comanche pickup do that with no hidden poles? Just 6 total, instead of 12 total like the Kojack picture? If so, the Comanche pup gives you no choice on low string looseness.
I would not want any pickup where the choice of the low screws is limited to being more bass heavy than I would personally want. I hoped I framed my question/and or dilemma with the low 3 screws so you understand me, as my point is valid and what I see in my minds eye is a problem.
Thanks you for reading.
Steve B.

 

[GilmourD]

Re: Forum design pre-revote discussion (Zebro construction update)

I was thinking about this last night and I swore I saw it somewhere else, so I dunno if the idea is patented or whatnot... This is a picture of a Lace Holy Grail setup.

I was thinking, what if you made a pickup that looked like a standard set of bobbins from the top but with only three poles on each bobbin, offset. In the areas where there are no poles the coil would actually taper off to be thinner, like the above except wound horizontally like a standard humbucker coil would be. Would that solve the issue of bending while making it buck hum and not have as much coil mass on the non-pole sides to interact with the magnetic field?

 

[DarkMatter]

Re: Forum design pre-revote discussion (Zebro construction update)

^ interesting pickup.

I don't think w should be trying to find any new ideas. Mostly, I just wanted to pass on the information that I had received. It also seems that some of the Zebro problems may not be a big deal at all. The biggest concern for the Zebro that I see now, is cost. Scott did also say that they were investigating some 3d printing technology that would lower the cost of such projects considerably. However, it sounded like this was in the very early stages and nothing was for certain as to whether or not they would be utilizing this technology.

 

[Agileguy_101]

Re: Forum design pre-revote discussion (Zebro construction update)

OK, whatever happened to just getting a hum cancelling P90 in a humbucker size?

 

[SJ318]

Re: Forum design pre-revote discussion (Zebro construction update)

I'd like to repeat (bump) my own question as it was disregarded so far.
I do not get why this is overlooked, it makes a great impact on sound. This was asked in another current thread (not me) and no direct answer to that one either. OK, just tryin' one more time, after this I won't bring it up again. I know my question is valid and can limit a lot of latitude for fine tuning treble/bass response. Original reply #24.
Thank you,
Steve Buffington

 

[Edgecrusher]

Re: Forum design pre-revote discussion (Zebro construction update)

OK, whatever happened to just getting a hum cancelling P90 in a humbucker size?

Yeah im kinda wondering this too... the focus of a noiseless p90 in a humbucker slot seems to have been lost... now the focus is trying to make a cockeyed pickup idea function.

 

[DarkMatter]

Re: Forum design pre-revote discussion (Zebro construction update)

OK, whatever happened to just getting a hum cancelling P90 in a humbucker size?

I don't recall that ever being the plan

I'd like to repeat (bump) my own question as it was disregarded so far.
I do not get why this is overlooked, it makes a great impact on sound. This was asked in another current thread (not me) and no direct answer to that one either. OK, just tryin' one more time, after this I won't bring it up again. I know my question is valid and can limit a lot of latitude for fine tuning treble/bass response. Original reply #24.
Thank you,
Steve Buffington

The 3+3 pickup was offered as an alternative to the Zebro design as a way to keep costs down and avoid a technical problem. However, if done properly, the Zebro shouldn't even have this technical problem. On the Zebro design we haven't made a determination on which side of the humbucker case would have which coil, but you are right about not being able to turn the pickup around to move the bass side any closer. That is true of both designs.

 

[frankfalbo]

Re: Forum design pre-revote discussion (Zebro construction update)

I personally usually like pickups slanted treble toward the neck. Leo Fender typically defaulted to treble strings closer to the bridge. Whether it's a Strat, a Tele, Mustang, The Electric XII, the orientation of a P-Bass pickup, the G&L Comanche, the Fender way is to put the treble part of a pickup toward the bridge.

But...treble toward the neck is not without precedent. Even on Fenders, Hendrix's bridge pickup was tilted backwards because it was strung up lefty. Jake E Lee's single coils are reversed. http://www.charvel.com/guitars//search.php?partno=2869400876 and some older Ibanez http://www.ibanez.co.jp/anniversary/expansion.php?cat_id=130&now=5

 

[GilmourD]

Re: Forum design pre-revote discussion (Zebro construction update)

I personally usually like pickups slanted treble toward the neck. Leo Fender typically defaulted to treble strings closer to the bridge. Whether it's a Strat, a Tele, Mustang, The Electric XII, the orientation of a P-Bass pickup, the G&L Comanche, the Fender way is to put the treble part of a pickup toward the bridge.

But...treble toward the neck is not without precedent. Even on Fenders, Hendrix's bridge pickup was tilted backwards because it was strung up lefty. Jake E Lee's single coils are reversed. http://www.charvel.com/guitars//search.php?partno=2869400876 and some older Ibanez http://www.ibanez.co.jp/anniversary/expansion.php?cat_id=130&now=5

 

[RayBarbeeMusic]

Re: Forum design pre-revote discussion (Zebro construction update)

I had Kevin Smith (www.smitspickups.com) make me a Comanche Z coil with alnico 2 slugs instead of the ceramic bar. Worked great, more alnico sweetness, absolutely no dropout issues. Fits under the original G&L cover.

 

[frankfalbo]

Re: Forum design pre-revote discussion (Zebro construction update)

Yeah MJ makes those in the Custom Shop too. It's a good pickup. I don't think it's what these guys are asking for, some of them want the noiseless P90 sound. But MJ has made that under a humbucker cover before. 3x3 holes, Alnico Rod magnets.

 

[RayBarbeeMusic]

Re: Forum design pre-revote discussion (Zebro construction update)

I don't think there is a way to really make a noiseless P90 other than the way Kinman does it, with lots of little H-shaped shields. At least, I haven't heard any other attempt that comes close.

If they are doing alnico rod Z coils in the custom shop, I'm surprised there isn't more info out there about it. That would be a good pickup for people like me who have HB routed neck slots but don't like the muddiness of neck buckers.

I had also heard that they would do alnico rod z coils that fit in a Comanche or ASAT Z at one time, but won't do it anymore. Seems like there is some market out there for that, at least as a custom shop option. There are a fair amount of Comanches and ASAT Zs made at this point.

The other thing someone should do is make a noiseless, whether single or humbucker or P90 tone oriented, that fits an an ASAT special soapbar MFD slot. G&L used to make a humbucker that fit in that slot for the Cavalier and Interceptor back when Leo was alive, but I don't think they've made it since the 80s. There are a lot of ASAT special players out there who would probably like some other options or are tired of the hum.

 

[VHTJay]

Re: Forum design pre-revote discussion (Zebro construction update)

Yeah MJ makes those in the Custom Shop too. It's a good pickup. I don't think it's what these guys are asking for, some of them want the noiseless P90 sound. But MJ has made that under a humbucker cover before. 3x3 holes, Alnico Rod magnets.

That sounds pretty aweosme! Can you comment on the tonality of these, Frank?

 

[DarkMatter]

Re: Forum design pre-revote discussion (Zebro construction update)

Nah you can just score and snap an Invader, Hot Rails, or Cool Rails magnet. (depending on the dimension required) Same reason that scoring and snapping ceramic tile works so well. Then, if the snap is a little rough you can try again (ceramic magnets are quite inexpensive) or touch it up against a grinder for a second and it smooths out without losing charge.

I just remembered that I have some humbucker spacer sized magnets. I could try this magnet arrangement out. I don't have a pickup with a double screw coil though, is it easy to press out slugs?

 

[jimijames]

Re: Forum design pre-revote discussion (Zebro construction update)

So I used to be in the treble towards the neck camp, but after playing a Tele I'm definitely okay with the treble towards the bridge layout.

Because the treble frequencies benefit more from compression, IMO, I would wind the treble strings with 43 gauge and the low strings with 42 gauge and just use a bar magnet to reduce drop off.

I dunno though I won't have the cash to go in on this if it comes out.