Making a 59 trembucker sound fatter

[WDeeGee]

I'm not much of a brainiac but I read somewhere that more inductance gives a fatter sounding pickup? Not sure whether fatter means more low end, less top end, more low mids, or just more mud.

I also read that the more iron, the higher the inductance, so I was thinking of adding a second metal spacer. Anyone have any experience with this?

Thanks.

 

[dystrust]

Re: Making a 59 trembucker sound fatter

I wouldn't expect that to have much effect. Your best bets for a fatter sound would be to swap the magnet to A8, or try a different pickup. The PATB-3 is supposed to sound like a fatter '59, though it doesn't look like one.

 

[hamerfan]

Re: Making a 59 trembucker sound fatter

Yes it works in a certain but you need the right steel alloy.(You dont want pure iron and rust in your pickup)
Some years ago i bought pickups from a boutique winder and the bridge pup was really brite. The winder took it back and put a different keeper bar into it, which smoothed it out a bit.

You could also put a cover on, change the screws and the keeper bar (you need a tremspaced pne!!) to a higher alloy like a 1020 or 1022. Hint: You can use a standard sized keeper bar as spacer for your trembucker.

Look here: http://www.addiction-fx.com/gallery3.htm

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: Making a 59 trembucker sound fatter

Aluminum can be used to cut highs from pickups. You could try covering the pickup cavity with aluminum foil, covering beneath the pickguard around the pickup, or wrapping it around the sides of the pickup itself to play with how much of a cut to the highs you want.

If you want the pickup to be less biting you can always reduce the value of the volume pot controlling it (or roll back your tone control).

 

[WDeeGee]

Re: Making a 59 trembucker sound fatter

I wouldn't expect that to have much effect. Your best bets for a fatter sound would be to swap the magnet to A8, or try a different pickup. The PATB-3 is supposed to sound like a fatter '59, though it doesn't look like one.

Thanks, first thing I did was swap to A8, too much aggressive mids. I checked out some PATB-3 clips, nice but too scooped for me.

 

[WDeeGee]

Re: Making a 59 trembucker sound fatter

Yes it works in a certain but you need the right steel alloy.(You dont want pure iron and rust in your pickup)
Some years ago i bought pickups from a boutique winder and the bridge pup was really brite. The winder took it back and put a different keeper bar into it, which smoothed it out a bit.

Thanks, hamerfan, I mainly want to add a bit more (lower to mid) mids. I tried an A8, but it's too much, and cleans aren't exactly the 8's strong point. I like the roughcast UOA5, but it lacks sparkle and the bottom end could be a little fuller. Like the A8 it's okay for hi-gain, but cleans are only so-so. I like the A5 but I mainly want to add a bit more (lower to mid) mids without losing lows or highs.

I have a shorter A5 here, about 1/4 inch shorter than the standard magnet I don't know if that would make a difference.

You could also put a cover on, change the screws and the keeper bar (you need a tremspaced pne!!) to a higher alloy like a 1020 or 1022

PS: I thought higher alloys sounded brighter?

 

[hamerfan]

Re: Making a 59 trembucker sound fatter

PS: I thought higher alloys sounded brighter?

Yes, you need alloys lower than 1018.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Making a 59 trembucker sound fatter

I thought higher alloys sounded brighter?

Yes, that is correct. 1022 is the brightest commonly available alloy for screws. 1018 or lower would reduce brightness some.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Making a 59 trembucker sound fatter

I mainly want to add a bit more (lower to mid) mids without losing lows or highs.

If A8 is too much, and UOA5 lowered the highs more than you like, you might want to try an A6.

 

[Clint 55]

Re: Making a 59 trembucker sound fatter

Double thick magnets give you more output, and a fatter, deeper sound.

I have 1 in use right now, but it's in a hot humbucker. I'm really excited to try them in a vintage wind to get the openness from the wind but filled out fatter from the mag. I have a vintage Fralin and a double thick A2 and A6 incoming this week.