help regarding Fender wide range humbucker

[happychef]

I have a question regarding the original Fender wide range humbucker. I'm looking to purchase a pair on Ebay, and this particular pair is missing the covers. I've noticed that all the pole pieces are screwed in the same direction, with the screw heads on top. But all the images I've found of originals have 6 pole pieces screwed one way and 6 the other. Is this important? Also the description says they have wear on top of the poles, but from what I can see they don't look too bad. I know it's always a gamble buying online but it would be great if someone could give me a bit of advice.

Here are the links to the particular pickups:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/401430393704?pb=14&&autorefresh=true

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/352193842690?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&fromMakeTrack=true

 

[AlexR]

Re: help regarding Fender wide range humbucker

As the pickup looks like it has been operating coverless, it seems not unreasonable to assume that someone could have taken the poles and made them all sit the same way.

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: help regarding Fender wide range humbucker

Pass.

Bill

 

[happychef]

Re: help regarding Fender wide range humbucker

Thanks Bill. But I'm just wondering what your reasons for passing are? I don't know a heap about pickups so your reasons might help me out.

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: help regarding Fender wide range humbucker

Call it a feeling. They are in poor condition, and I'm just not sure what you'll actually be getting.

Unless you are desperately seeking vintage pickups to restore a vintage guitar, there are better pickups out there. That pickup never really caught on, though they have their fans. They're bright and without the warmth of PAFs. The poles used a very unique magnet construction, virtually unobtainable today. Most aftermarket repros don't sound the same...not even the current Fender offering.

Even for a restoration, I think you can do better. You may have to pay more; you may have to be very patient...but trust that something better will come along.

Good luck.

Bill

 

[Chistopher]

Re: help regarding Fender wide range humbucker

Ewww... wide range humbuckers look ugly naked.

 

[dystrust]

Re: help regarding Fender wide range humbucker

If you want an accurate Wide Range reproduction, Curtis Novak makes one complete with the CuNiFe magnets. They're not cheap though.

 

[AlexR]

Re: help regarding Fender wide range humbucker

^ No....Novak and a lot of others us FeCrCo or something similar. Its the closest readily available alternative and does indeed do a good enough job that the wind and other alloys can be tweaked to get there.

The ONLY one who has ever got CuNiFe more recently is Telenator......and you pay big time for it. 1 pickup is $450 or similar

 

[happychef]

Re: help regarding Fender wide range humbucker

Thanks for the help folks. I have actually done a bit of reading about the originals and various reproductions I just figured these might be a good deal, but I am still unsure about the pole pieces and how the sound might be affected. I'm not really worried about the aesthetics; I'm mucking around with a Japanese Jaguar, experimenting a bit with what kinda sounds I can get from it. Perhaps I'd be better with the Novaks or others. Bit I did already place a bid on the bridge pickup and so far it looks like I'm gonna get it so I guess I may soon find out how it is!

 

[Mincer]

Re: help regarding Fender wide range humbucker

Don't forget, the Custom Shop makes really accurate versions, too.

 

[GoldenVulture]

Re: help regarding Fender wide range humbucker

Thanks for the help folks. I have actually done a bit of reading about the originals and various reproductions I just figured these might be a good deal, but I am still unsure about the pole pieces and how the sound might be affected. I'm not really worried about the aesthetics; I'm mucking around with a Japanese Jaguar, experimenting a bit with what kinda sounds I can get from it. Perhaps I'd be better with the Novaks or others. Bit I did already place a bid on the bridge pickup and so far it looks like I'm gonna get it so I guess I may soon find out how it is!

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/401430393...torefresh=true

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/352193842...MakeTrack=true

They went for over $200 each.Did either of them go to you ?