Forum design vote #6 (Choose wisely)

[DarkMatter]

Time for the big choice. Zebro or a Hybrid. Either will be available as a set. Both will fit a humbucker rout.

The candidates.

1. Zebro is a split coil design like a Pbass pickup. It will combine single coil aspects with hum cancelling. The voicing will be based on a P90, aggressive, full, great harmonics.

2. The hybrid concept is based on getting a good hybrid pickup in the neck position to pair with the 59/Custom. It will be made as a original set, the voicing starts with the 59/Custom but will have more upper mid focus, more controlled bass, cleaner, clearer. It will still have the hybrid complexity.

 

[Swyse]

Re: Forum design vote #6 (Choose wisely)

I already know which one I'd like to own, but I'm curious. Any idea on the pricing difference? I'm assuming the Zebro design will be inherently more expensive to produce and thus more expensive for us.

 

[DreX]

Re: Forum design vote #6 (Choose wisely)

I voted Zebro, but mostly because I want to hear it in parallel rather than series. I have a guitar in mind for it already.

full, great harmonics.

Is that really the sort of thing you can promise before the fact?

I think often these terms are at odds, full = a lot of fundamental, great harmonics = a lot of harmonics, or is that in reference to it's ability to deliver pinch harmonics (which seems to correlate with the degree of output at the typical pinch harmonic frequencies)? I wouldn't say the StraBro 90 has especially great harmonics in full mode, but tap it, and the balance of power flips completely.

 

[DarkMatter]

Re: Forum design vote #6 (Choose wisely)

When I say full, I'm speaking in terms of broad frequency response. It should not be lacking in bass, mids, or highs.


But I cannot promise anything.

 

[Snake Aces]

Re: Forum design vote #6 (Choose wisely)

This is a tough decision.

 

[Myaccount876]

Re: Forum design vote #6 (Choose wisely)

I believe a better term for "full" would simply mean a prevelant midrange in the EQ (I'm pretty much positive that is what the Zebro crowd has been unanimously asking for). That alone is independent from Fundamental vs Harmonics. It is very possible to have a lot of midrange and harmonics, like the JB. This is just going for more of a P90 character, which does not contradict the goal of harmonics.

 

[DreX]

Re: Forum design vote #6 (Choose wisely)

Not lacking in highs, mids or bass is often described as "balanced", but this is what we get for eschewing technical terminology and specifications in the aftermarket pickup world. I just hope the pickup has a double helping of pixie dust sprinkled upon the bobbin prior to scatter winding.

 

[DarkMatter]

Re: Forum design vote #6 (Choose wisely)

Double dose of pixie dust never hurts.

 

[Myaccount876]

Re: Forum design vote #6 (Choose wisely)

I'm not going to argue.

 

[DarkMatter]

Re: Forum design vote #6 (Choose wisely)

I already know which one I'd like to own, but I'm curious. Any idea on the pricing difference? I'm assuming the Zebro design will be inherently more expensive to produce and thus more expensive for us.

I have no idea what the numbers will be, but it is a safe assumption that the Zebro would cost more due to the custom fabrication requirements.

 

[VHTJay]

Re: Forum design vote #6 (Choose wisely)

As cool as the hybrid idea is, at the end of the day I am pretty satisfied with the 'Duncan humbuckers I have. Zebro gets my vote.

 

[firebirdguy72]

Re: Forum design vote #6 (Choose wisely)

Sorry for the probably dumb question but how would the zebro mount? Would it have to be mounted like a pbass pickup? Or would it be kind of like a wide range humbucker but obviously just the 2 split coils.

 

[DarkMatter]

Re: Forum design vote #6 (Choose wisely)

^ It will mount just like a normal humbucker. Most likely, it will have a standard humbucker baseplate and a cover.

Should look like this

 

[orpheo]

Re: Forum design vote #6 (Choose wisely)

zebro.

 

[MacBradley]

Re: Forum design vote #6 (Choose wisely)

I haven't payed attention the the forum design threads for a while, but it looks like you guys have something similar (architecture wise) to the pickup I just built, albeit with a bar magnet instead of rod magnets.

I'm voting for the zebro, as its much more fresh design around here instead of a hybrid, which can be done with some solder skills and a screwdriver.

 

[DarkMatter]

Re: Forum design vote #6 (Choose wisely)

^ it will be a bit different due to using half bobbins. Also the bar magnet is not a given but probably the best way to P90 like tones.

 

[MacBradley]

Re: Forum design vote #6 (Choose wisely)

^ it will be a bit different due to using half bobbins. Also the bar magnet is not a given but probably the best way to P90 like tones.

Oh cool. I can't think of any Duncans that currently have half sized bobbins...would a custom bobbin mold need to be made then?

 

[DarkMatter]

Re: Forum design vote #6 (Choose wisely)

They will probably cut the middle out of humbucker bobbins or make them with flatwork like a strat pickup. A new mold would be way too expensive and time consuming.

 

[Jocelyn]

Re: Forum design vote #6 (Choose wisely)

I am finding it difficult to vote.

 

[LtKojak]

Re: Forum design vote #6 (Choose wisely)

They will probably cut the middle out of humbucker bobbins or make them with flatwork like a strat pickup. A new mold would be way too expensive and time consuming.

I might be wrong with this, however I'm NOT having high hopes for this design.

I see it as a solution looking for a problem; the exact opposite of "form follow function".

But don't mind me. I'm just a grumpy old man.