Next forum pickup design (2014)

uOpt

Something Cool
OK, tirekicking time.

Before I go off with my inane ideas, let me say this: no weird mounts, OK? No pickups requiring extra routings, new pickupguard or special humbucker rings. That limits the audience too much, or worse leads to bad experiences as people open their lovely custom shop package today and toss it in the drawer til the end of time tomorrow.

Now, my idea is what I consider a "proper" big magnet Stratocaster pickup and a split pickup.

#1:

Big Magnet stratocaster pickup, Blackmore style.

The Quarter Pounder doesn't count since it is way too hot. Blackmore used the Schecter F-500s that have the big magnets but they are vintage class wind, not hot winds. They have awg42 or 42.5. I haven't been able to get my claws on one of those suckers, but Rio Grande makes a similar design and I have one of those and AHHHHHH yes that is where the Blackmore hides. I also kinda hired Zhang to rewind some of my SD QPs that way, just held up by my backlog of getting things out of old guitars (sorry, Zhang, will follow through eventually).

Anyway, I think this would be a good design. I think that some prototypes should be made with awg42 and awg42.5, because the thick wire might not fit and/or the in-between wire might be better. I also would very much like to try at least two magnet lengths. I think that compensating for the larger diameter by making it a bit shorter, so that overall magnetic power stays in normal bounds, might come out very well.

#2:

This is a much more untested idea, but I would really like to see a split style guitar pickup like a Precision bass pickup. In a humbucker casing. G&L puts that design into the commanche and some Tele clone but those are not interchangeable with normal pickups.

I think that this could be an excellent approach toward a neck pickup for a Les Paul that is not boomy, has the single pickup point thing with less cancellations but still has a lot more meat than putting a Stratocaster pickup into a humbucker casing. Not to mention it cancels hum.
 
Re: Next forum pickup design (2014)

I dig the big mag strat pup idea. I'd invest in those if they went ahead as stated or some close variation of what you stated.


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Re: Next forum pickup design (2014)

So a more vintage output quarterpound for strat? We could do that for ALL quarterpound pickups duncan makes too. I haven't seen many humbuckers with the thick slug poles either (I think the only one being a Rock field Fatass), that might be worth experimenting with too.
 
Re: Next forum pickup design (2014)

The second idea...I'm liking where that's going. It could go in a wide-range style cover.

I was going to suggest a pickup like that, only being able to split it too. I'd love one in the neck, and split the trebles off and only add a buttload of bass to a detuned rhythm sound, ala Morphine and not metal.

My first idea was a hexaphonic. This seems more appropriate.

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Re: Next forum pickup design (2014)

I really like idea 2 as well. I bet it could sound better than a P90 under a std hum cover.
 
Re: Next forum pickup design (2014)

#1 definitely sounds interesting to me, but wondering if one of Tom Anderson's pickups used in single coil mode (or parallel even) might do it.

Never been fortunate enough to buy an Anderson guitar (maybe one of these days) but Tom himself treated me like a million bucks on a pickup sale a few years back. Would not hurt to ask.

I'd most likely be in no matter what if Seymour did the QP bobbin/Vintage wind...
 
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Re: Next forum pickup design (2014)

We should ask us a question what is the weakest part of Seymour line-up. I'm thinking it's the humbucker-sized P90's.

We only have AlNiCo II Phat Cat's which generally doesn't speak to many people.

Maybe we should look into that category? Of course with some tweaks and tricks, because we can't live it.

So maybe... Big poles? diffrent mags? Maybe option of tapping the wind for two output options. Vintage and Vintage-Hot? Or maybe something like the DD90's from Hmaer Talladega?

That's just my two cents.

PS And if it's all about the two OP's options I would gravtiate to the second one.
 
Re: Next forum pickup design (2014)

I am very taken with the magnet length stagger pattern of the STK-10b YJM Fury. I would like to see this pattern available on conventional single coil replacement pickups.
 
Re: Next forum pickup design (2014)

So a more vintage output quarterpound for strat? We could do that for ALL quarterpound pickups duncan makes too. I haven't seen many humbuckers with the thick slug poles either (I think the only one being a Rock field Fatass), that might be worth experimenting with too.

Yes. I can definitely say that Seymour Duncan would see a huge improvement in their relationship to traditional oriented bass players if they had a big magnet split P bass pickup that is less heavy electrically.

I observe what's going on on some bass forums pretty closely and a lot, and I mean A LOT, of people pickup up the QP, which is very heavy with it's double-whoop (magnets and coil). In the bass world the QPs don't react like in the guitar world. They really need a lot of reigning in with the tone control. After that people kick that pickup out and don't try Seymour Duncan again, although the SPB-1 in particular is an extremely attractive pickup if you want a really good rock sound Precision bass.

Maybe it is time for a bass pickup as a forum designed pickup?
 
Re: Next forum pickup design (2014)

I am very taken with the magnet length stagger pattern of the STK-10b YJM Fury. I would like to see this pattern available on conventional single coil replacement pickups.

I am a big fan of that stagger as well...I wonder if that could be had as a floor shop custom on other singles? Might be worth asking about.

Off topic, I like the Fury stacks a lot. But the more I play them I think the neck model is a bit too hot...it can lose definition when the bridge is sounding just where I like it eq and gain wise. I think the bridge version is miles better than the HS-3 though and I like it as is. I've been thinking about going custom shop for a milder fury neck.


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Re: Next forum pickup design (2014)

We should ask us a question what is the weakest part of Seymour line-up. I'm thinking it's the humbucker-sized P90's.

We only have AlNiCo II Phat Cat's which generally doesn't speak to many people.

Maybe we should look into that category? Of course with some tweaks and tricks, because we can't live it.

So maybe... Big poles? diffrent mags? Maybe option of tapping the wind for two output options. Vintage and Vintage-Hot? Or maybe something like the DD90's from Hmaer Talladega?

I think SDs P90 line might need some TLC anyway, but I am not sure whether that is a target for a forum pickup.

The Phat Cat is too suppressed for some reason I haven't been able to determine and since it's ugly I don't care. It is probably packaged up in way too much metal casing. The vintage regular model is kind of harsh and bland. The Antiquity sounds too sharp, it doesn't have much bass. I supposed it works well in a LP with maple cap and TOM but it comes out not fat enough in a SG or plain LP jr/special, especially when comparing it to the Gibson soapbars which are very full sounding (but lack that airy sparkle of boutique pickups).

The irony is that Seymour Duncan makes one of the most killer sounding P90 like pickups, the StraBro90, which does everything I want in a soapbar.
 
Re: Next forum pickup design (2014)

Do the StratBro90's need special routing?

I am with you on this whole "no special routing" thing... All the way. That is precisely why I haven't used/tried my Fuglies yet...

The second idea looks intriguing...

B
 
Re: Next forum pickup design (2014)

Yes. I can definitely say that Seymour Duncan would see a huge improvement in their relationship to traditional oriented bass players if they had a big magnet split P bass pickup that is less heavy electrically.

I observe what's going on on some bass forums pretty closely and a lot, and I mean A LOT, of people pickup up the QP, which is very heavy with it's double-whoop (magnets and coil). In the bass world the QPs don't react like in the guitar world. They really need a lot of reigning in with the tone control. After that people kick that pickup out and don't try Seymour Duncan again, although the SPB-1 in particular is an extremely attractive pickup if you want a really good rock sound Precision bass.

Maybe it is time for a bass pickup as a forum designed pickup?

I wouldn't mind more 5 string jazz humbucking options that fit a Fender.



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Re: Next forum pickup design (2014)

Do the StratBro90's need special routing?

I am with you on this whole "no special routing" thing... All the way. That is precisely why I haven't used/tried my Fuglies yet...

The second idea looks intriguing...

B

I'm in the exact same position with my Fuglies. I just don't want to deal with fitting them...sometimes I try things in several guitars and it's just a hassle.


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Re: Next forum pickup design (2014)

Do the StratBro90's need special routing?

No, they are a tiny bit bigger but since they replaced a cover with just tape they (barely) fit in a normal Strat position. I don't think they are deeper either, at least I didn't notice.
 
Re: Next forum pickup design (2014)

Does that fit a normal route of some kind?

No, but it was the only thing I could think of that was made from two short three slug coils. But then again, I don't see why it couldn't be mounted to a humbucker baseplate.
 
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