Jimi signature set vs Psychedelic set?

[Artie]

I probably could have tacked this on to SirJack's "period correct" thread, but I didn't want to hijack it. Specific to these two sets, what might be the difference? It's kind of odd that they make both. They're both A5 rod mags and both sets are within approximately 200 ohms of each other and $20 cost. I can't imagine that these two sets would be noticeably different.

Anyone know the difference, and/or thinking, behind producing both?

 

[PFDarkside]

Jeremy, do you have both?

It seems like Psychedelic was a custom shop option, then Hendrix was a later partnership that’s been done as standard production.

 

[Mincer]

I always thought they were similar, too. I haven't tried them side by side, but the difference might be in the business part. The Hendrix set had to go through (and pay) his estate. The Psychedelic set is a Custom Shop creation. I am not sure which one came first.

 

[Artie]

I do notice that the Jimi sig set has reverse stagger, to simulate an upside-down Strat, strung lefty. So, maybe that's the distinction. Also, the middle isn't RWRP, which the Psychedelic set doesn't mention one way or the other.

 

[jeremy]

the jimi set is formvar rather than pe too. i dont have the cs set so cant compare them side by side but im sure there are some similarities

 

[beaubrummels]

The Jimi set is a specific wind Seymour did originally using his record player as a wind machine. Not sure what the Psych set is based off of. I don't own either, so don't know the sound difference. But I do have a 1966 Strat with an original neck pickup, period-correct replacement middle pickup and '68 bridge pickup, and have had Antiquities in it before, and while all pickups are different sounding, I could get any and all known Strat duties done with any of them. It's just how punchy and satisfying it was changed with what pickups I had in. The original '66 and Antiquities were the most satisfying. I find a little heat in the pickups to be more satisfying now. If you are going with the Jimi/Psych 6k sets, I would expect to require a 1968 Marshall Super 100 stack to make them really satisfying. If you're running a Line6 or modern amp/emulator, maybe not as much satisfaction.

 

[Artie]

If you are going with the Jimi/Psych 6k sets, I would expect to require a 1968 Marshall Super 100 stack to make them really satisfying. If you're running a Line6 or modern amp/emulator, maybe not as much satisfaction.

I'm definitely going to be in the latter on that one. But I still think either would sound sweet. (But maybe not in my hands.)

 

[David Garner]

Having researched both, the Psychedelic Set is way closer to what he was using at the height of his career. The signature set is hotter and uses formvar instead of PE wire.

I have the Psychedelic Set and you will not be disappointed in it.

 

[Artie]

The signature set is hotter and uses formvar instead of PE wire.

You and Jeremy have both mentioned Formvar vs PE. Can you shed light on how that effects the tonal characteristics? I'm not doubting you. I just don't know.

 

[ToneFiddler]

heavy formvar has a thicker insolation than PE, therefore the distributed capacity is smaller therfore brighter.

the jimi set may sound great but the story/PR is fishy.
as the story goes, seymour wound this for jimi and gave it to him before a concert. he used it that night but nobody knows if he used it ever after.
but why would seymour wind a dedicated set for a lefthand without correcting the stagger???

the psychodelic is definitely the more plausible choice in the duncan world. since its custom shop you can order it any way you like (normal or reversed stagger)

edit: ups, wrong thread. thought we were in the one you didn‘t want to hijack

 

[David Garner]

You and Jeremy have both mentioned Formvar vs PE. Can you shed light on how that effects the tonal characteristics? I'm not doubting you. I just don't know.

To my ears, the PE has more snap to the tone and more bounce in the low end. Just a very percussive tone.

 

[Mincer]

I believe the Psychedelic set was developed to be the ultimate late 60s Strat pickups. The Jimi set does deviate from what was available at the time. It is interesting as Fender pickups form that era are well-studied. The recipe has been published for years. Build a pickup using that formula, put it in a Strat and use a vintage Fender or Marshall amp played in a style that the good players at the time were using, and you get that sound.

 

[Artie]

edit: ups, wrong thread. thought we were in the one you didn't want to hijack

Nope. You're in the right place.