is there such a thing as a mini HB that is as good as the big guys???
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eclecticsynergy
Well-known member
Re: is there such a thing as a mini HB that is as good as the big guys???
RioGrande Babybucker is punchy and fat, much bigger sounding than a mini hum though still tighter than most full size humbuckers. It uses extra deep rod mags so the poles are not adjustable; the upside is that it splits remarkably well with true singlecoil tone. There's a similar, lighter-wound model for neck position but I haven't tried that one.
RioGrande Babybucker is punchy and fat, much bigger sounding than a mini hum though still tighter than most full size humbuckers. It uses extra deep rod mags so the poles are not adjustable; the upside is that it splits remarkably well with true singlecoil tone. There's a similar, lighter-wound model for neck position but I haven't tried that one.
Clint 55
OH THE DOUBLE THICK GLAZE!
Re: is there such a thing as a mini HB that is as good as the big guys???
Fralin and Duncan sound insane to me. I'm really gasing for a mini hum pickguard.
Duncan:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcnpSlfGSK0&t=46s
Fralin and Duncan sound insane to me. I'm really gasing for a mini hum pickguard.
Duncan:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcnpSlfGSK0&t=46s
Re: is there such a thing as a mini HB that is as good as the big guys???
Well, minis are just different- I don't know if you can evaluate or compare them with the normal-sized ones. You can always have the Custom Shop build them with the voicing you want, though.
Well, minis are just different- I don't know if you can evaluate or compare them with the normal-sized ones. You can always have the Custom Shop build them with the voicing you want, though.
eclecticsynergy
Well-known member
Re: is there such a thing as a mini HB that is as good as the big guys???
I could use and maybe love a mini hum in neck position. For the bridge slot, not so much.
I could use and maybe love a mini hum in neck position. For the bridge slot, not so much.
freefrog
Well-known member
Re: is there such a thing as a mini HB that is as good as the big guys???
I"ve recently changed the stock bridge mini-HB of an Epiphone Wilshire RI because it was NOT different enough when compared to a full sized HB. Reason: the thing had an inductance of 4.5H, just like a standard P.A.F. clone.
Depending on the design involved (dual mag Firebird style or Epi mini-HB guts), "normal" mini-hums measure something like 6.3k to 7.5k with an inductance in the mid/high 2H or 3H range.
Once their resistance beefed up, their inductance rises accordingly and they can sound as warm as full sized HB's.
Granted, their narrowed magnetic window still makes them a bit tighter / brighter, with a different harmonic response... but not enough to defeat the fattening effect of a high inductance IME/IMHO.
In the Duncan line, SM2's or SM3's might do the job. In other brands (like GFS or DiMarzio), there's a bunch of alternatives, including P90 sized HB's for those who feel ready to tinker : under their soapbar cover, there's usually two small coils, useable to replace a standard mini-HB...
Good luck in your quest, OP!
I"ve recently changed the stock bridge mini-HB of an Epiphone Wilshire RI because it was NOT different enough when compared to a full sized HB. Reason: the thing had an inductance of 4.5H, just like a standard P.A.F. clone.
Depending on the design involved (dual mag Firebird style or Epi mini-HB guts), "normal" mini-hums measure something like 6.3k to 7.5k with an inductance in the mid/high 2H or 3H range.
Once their resistance beefed up, their inductance rises accordingly and they can sound as warm as full sized HB's.
Granted, their narrowed magnetic window still makes them a bit tighter / brighter, with a different harmonic response... but not enough to defeat the fattening effect of a high inductance IME/IMHO.
In the Duncan line, SM2's or SM3's might do the job. In other brands (like GFS or DiMarzio), there's a bunch of alternatives, including P90 sized HB's for those who feel ready to tinker : under their soapbar cover, there's usually two small coils, useable to replace a standard mini-HB...
Good luck in your quest, OP!
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Mark Cearlock
New member
Re: is there such a thing as a mini HB that is as good as the big guys???
P90s are always an swapable option for the "deluxe" mounted minis..Having said that, I had a lp studio that I put some mojotone minis in (from stock p-90's), the bridge "hotrod" version (11.5k, a8 mag) was quite fat, and approached reg size paf territory somewhat.. The neck mini I used was actually their bridge "classic" version, and at 7k and a4 mags, was quite good.
hth
P90s are always an swapable option for the "deluxe" mounted minis..Having said that, I had a lp studio that I put some mojotone minis in (from stock p-90's), the bridge "hotrod" version (11.5k, a8 mag) was quite fat, and approached reg size paf territory somewhat.. The neck mini I used was actually their bridge "classic" version, and at 7k and a4 mags, was quite good.
hth
eclecticsynergy
Well-known member
Re: is there such a thing as a mini HB that is as good as the big guys???
I didn't know anybody was making A8 mini hums; I bet that rocked.
I didn't know anybody was making A8 mini hums; I bet that rocked.
ItsaBass
New member
Re: is there such a thing as a mini HB that is as good as the big guys???
They are different. You need to specify what you mean by "as good as," or else we can't reasonably suggest anything.
As for Duncan offerings, you can put in mini humbuckers or Firebird pickups. Duncan really muddies the waters here by having several different designs in that basic size and shape, and calling many of these different designs "mini humbuckers."
Here's a short guide to the Duncan mini offerings:
1. The "Vintage" wind of the Duncan "mini humbucker" is a classic '60's style Firebird pickup. The Antiquity II Firebird pickup is the "aged" version. This style of pickup uses blade magnets within each coil, with a metal connector plate between the blades. The regular one comes with a pickup cover with the Duncan logo on it, but I think you can get a smooth (i.e. "vintage correct") cover via shop floor custom order through a Duncan retailer. The Antiquity comes with the "vintage correct" cover, but only aged. Maybe you could get it non aged via shop floor custom; I'm not sure.
2. The other two winds of Duncan "mini humbucker" (Custom and Seymourized) are Duncan designs that are not Firebird *or* Epi/Gibson mini humbucker style pickups.
3. The Epi/Gibson style mini humbuckers (same size, but different design, as Firebird pickups) are available only as Antiquity II's. Again, I'm not sure if you can get them with "clean" pickup covers by way of shop floor custom order.
They are different. You need to specify what you mean by "as good as," or else we can't reasonably suggest anything.
As for Duncan offerings, you can put in mini humbuckers or Firebird pickups. Duncan really muddies the waters here by having several different designs in that basic size and shape, and calling many of these different designs "mini humbuckers."
Here's a short guide to the Duncan mini offerings:
1. The "Vintage" wind of the Duncan "mini humbucker" is a classic '60's style Firebird pickup. The Antiquity II Firebird pickup is the "aged" version. This style of pickup uses blade magnets within each coil, with a metal connector plate between the blades. The regular one comes with a pickup cover with the Duncan logo on it, but I think you can get a smooth (i.e. "vintage correct") cover via shop floor custom order through a Duncan retailer. The Antiquity comes with the "vintage correct" cover, but only aged. Maybe you could get it non aged via shop floor custom; I'm not sure.
2. The other two winds of Duncan "mini humbucker" (Custom and Seymourized) are Duncan designs that are not Firebird *or* Epi/Gibson mini humbucker style pickups.
3. The Epi/Gibson style mini humbuckers (same size, but different design, as Firebird pickups) are available only as Antiquity II's. Again, I'm not sure if you can get them with "clean" pickup covers by way of shop floor custom order.
Mark Cearlock
New member
Re: is there such a thing as a mini HB that is as good as the big guys???
Also In that same guitar i had a set of modern gibson "deluxe" style mini's that were 6.9, and 6.8k, and they were pretty darn good too.. but ymmv
Also had a mojotone "classic" p90 set which were very tasty also.
Another option i used was from a small winder called Manlius pickups, which had a model called a hotrod 59 or similar that was built on a p90 size base (mounts to the guitar just like a "deluxe" style mini would).. So= full size hb that fits in a p-90 route. Not sure if he makes them anymore tho..
Yes it did!
Also In that same guitar i had a set of modern gibson "deluxe" style mini's that were 6.9, and 6.8k, and they were pretty darn good too.. but ymmv
Also had a mojotone "classic" p90 set which were very tasty also.
Another option i used was from a small winder called Manlius pickups, which had a model called a hotrod 59 or similar that was built on a p90 size base (mounts to the guitar just like a "deluxe" style mini would).. So= full size hb that fits in a p-90 route. Not sure if he makes them anymore tho..
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Dave Locher
New member
Re: is there such a thing as a mini HB that is as good as the big guys???
Apparently Wilde (Bill & Becky Lawrence) L500 humbuckers are just skinny enough to fit in a P90 route. I assume that means they will work in some mini humbucker routes as well?
Tons of power, great clarity, and very crisp/bright in a sorta mini hum kinda way.
Apparently Wilde (Bill & Becky Lawrence) L500 humbuckers are just skinny enough to fit in a P90 route. I assume that means they will work in some mini humbucker routes as well?
Tons of power, great clarity, and very crisp/bright in a sorta mini hum kinda way.
chadd
Well-known member
Re: is there such a thing as a mini HB that is as good as the big guys???
Rio Grande makes a few higher output models that will likely meet your needs. By design minis are a little brighter than full size bucker, too. I have lollars in my Bansgee and I'm underwhelmed by them, I've been doing a ton of research on this topic.
Rio Grande makes a few higher output models that will likely meet your needs. By design minis are a little brighter than full size bucker, too. I have lollars in my Bansgee and I'm underwhelmed by them, I've been doing a ton of research on this topic.
Re: is there such a thing as a mini HB that is as good as the big guys???
Oh if P90s work too, iirc dimarzio makes a ton of their humbuckers in P90 mount versions
Oh if P90s work too, iirc dimarzio makes a ton of their humbuckers in P90 mount versions
Re: is there such a thing as a mini HB that is as good as the big guys???
I personally think that minis sound great. I have several guitars (including an older Wilshire and Firebird V) with minis in them and wouldn't ever consider changing them. Man, that borders on heresy!
But my favorite type of pup is a P-90. Big and fat, bright and chunky. A P-90 will drop right into that mini rout. And, there are LOTS of P-90s to choose from with near endless tweak-ability with mag swaps. You can get anything you want at Alice's (P-90) restaurant.
I personally think that minis sound great. I have several guitars (including an older Wilshire and Firebird V) with minis in them and wouldn't ever consider changing them. Man, that borders on heresy!
But my favorite type of pup is a P-90. Big and fat, bright and chunky. A P-90 will drop right into that mini rout. And, there are LOTS of P-90s to choose from with near endless tweak-ability with mag swaps. You can get anything you want at Alice's (P-90) restaurant.
Re: is there such a thing as a mini HB that is as good as the big guys???
Like I said in another thread...one of my favorite posters on the forum.
Like I said in another thread...one of my favorite posters on the forum.
