Info on Duncan Performer HB101-PF?

[Slap's RedLP]

Hey all......

Just picked up one of these bad boys from my favorite LOCAL retailer.

I know it's likely the same as "Duncan Designed" in that it was not made in SD's USA facilities but to his specs. What I DO know about it is that it's basically a Hot Rails pup, and hotter than a jalapeno(24.42K).

What I'd like to know is wht kind of magnet do these things come with? I was TOLD they are alnico's, but for the output it has...seems more like a ceramic. Plus, what caps are best to use with these? This in a '92 Peavey USA Predator(Strat copy, had 3 ceramic bar-magnet single-coils).....has the factory Alpha 500K pots, swapped out the green "chicklet" for an OD .047 before this pup was swapped in.

Slap

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Info on Duncan Performer HB101-PF?

You have answered almost all of your own questions. The bar magnets under Rails pickups are necessarily smaller than inside a typical side-by-side HB. Assume that the bar magnet in your pickup is ceramic.

 

[Slap's RedLP]

Re: Info on Duncan Performer HB101-PF?

Appreciate the response.....so, anyone have a suggestion on the best cap value to use?

Also wonder......does any of the pickup gurus on here make any alnico mags that would work in this application? it appears to have the same length mags as the humbuckers, but approximately half the width.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Info on Duncan Performer HB101-PF?

I would begin with a .022 capacitor.

Remove the magnet from between the rails of your pickup at your own risk.

 

[idsnowdog]

Re: Info on Duncan Performer HB101-PF?

The ceramic magnets are epoxied between the rails and are not removable. The capacitor value is a matter of personal taste, a larger value cap cuts more treble and a lower value less. .022 would probably be a good starting point.

 

[Slap's RedLP]

Re: Info on Duncan Performer HB101-PF?

Thanks....I got to thinking about that magnet, and it did appear to be epoxied. Best to just leave it there.

As far as the cap goes....I need to figure out exactly to go about this. I WANT to KEEP the .047 OD I previously solderd in for the neck&mid single-coils, and the bridge does NOT have a tone control(like most Strat-types). A friend suggested something about a push-pull pot, to be able to run a cap on the bridge pup. Anyone have any suggestions/links to a wiring diagram that would facilitate this?

 

[idsnowdog]

Re: Info on Duncan Performer HB101-PF?

Thanks....I got to thinking about that magnet, and it did appear to be epoxied. Best to just leave it there.

As far as the cap goes....I need to figure out exactly to go about this. I WANT to KEEP the .047 OD I previously solderd in for the neck&mid single-coils, and the bridge does NOT have a tone control(like most Strat-types). A friend suggested something about a push-pull pot, to be able to run a cap on the bridge pup. Anyone have any suggestions/links to a wiring diagram that would facilitate this?

All you need to do is jumper two terminals on the switch to add the bridge to the tone control. http://www.seymourduncan.com/support/wiring-diagrams/schematics.php?schematic=tone_f_bp

 

[Slap's RedLP]

Re: Info on Duncan Performer HB101-PF?

OK....perhaps I'm not articulating my thoughts properly, my apologies.

I want to keep the .047 for the neck&mid....but want to have a tone control and a SEPARATE cap(such as a .022) for the bridge pup. I was thinking I'd have to run the Neck&mid off of one pot, and run the bridge pup/cap on the rearmost tone control(normally the Mid tone pot). Hate to lose the ability to differ the tones between the neck&mid, but not really any room to add another pot on that pickguard.

This is SO much easier on my Les Paul, LOL....

 

[idsnowdog]

Re: Info on Duncan Performer HB101-PF?

This should do what you want. Maybe someone can double check? Neck/middle on the middle tone control with .047 capacitor. Bridge with .022 capacitor. If you want the middle control to be the bridge tone just switch the two wires from the switch to the pots.

 

[Slap's RedLP]

Re: Info on Duncan Performer HB101-PF?

Ah...that looks like that may be the ticket. May go ahead and pick up a mini-toggle to wire up for a coil-tap while I'm at it.

thanks for the help....MUCH appreciated!

Slap

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Info on Duncan Performer HB101-PF?

Slap. How often do you actually use a tone control on your centre pickup?

You might find it better to make the jumper connection between the contacts for the centre and bridge pickups (as suggested by idsnowdog). That way, you can roll the treble off the neck or neck+centre PU settings for Bluesy tones whilst still having instant access to three other bright tones at the flip of the selector switch.

There is even a case for having no tone control at all for the centre pickup. Just one each for the neck and btidge pickups.

 

[Slap's RedLP]

Re: Info on Duncan Performer HB101-PF?

Good point, Funk.......I don't normally roll the tone back on the middle pup, just a case of wanting to have my cake& eat it too I guess.

I've had this thing for the better part of 19-20 years....it stayed around during my "sabbatical" from the instrument. Got back into my playing early last year, and have been modding stuff to get the sound I want. Slippery slope......LOL