Pickup Identification

[Mark115]

I'm trying to identify the pickup in the attached pictures. It is in the neck postion on a modified 1973 Telecastor, and appears to date from around that time period (based on the amount of debris found on the pickup). Any information will be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[hamerfan]

Re: Pickup Identification

I have seen similar pickups with phillips screws in a beginning 70ties mosrite copyguitar, which a teacher on our school had. I remembered it as Ibanez, but i found a similar pickup in cream on the web as Univox guitar.
http://www.popscreen.com/p/MTYxMjAy...-PAF-Humbucker-Pickup-for-Your-Project-Repair

Hope that helps.

 

[LtKojak]

Re: Pickup Identification

Probably OEM, Korean made for the Yamaha original SA series. Probably early- to mid-70s.

How much does it measure and the most important factor: what's the polepiece spread?

 

[KBliss]

Re: Pickup Identification

That seriously looks like an "SA" (Stereofonic Alnico), built July 17, 1955, possibly stolen from Keith Richards.

By "seriously", I mean I'm joking- Lt. Kojak, I tip my hat to you ( again, in awe ). You're a one-man encyclopedia of humbuckers!

 

[LtKojak]

Re: Pickup Identification

You're a one-man encyclopedia of humbuckers!

You've been much too kind.

That's my somewhat educated guess, being a jap guitar buff and serviced quite a few of '70s and '80s, I've seen my fair share of jap- and korean p'ups.

Thank you for your kind words, K!

Yours very truly,

 

[Mark115]

Re: Pickup Identification

I have seen similar pickups with phillips screws in a beginning 70ties mosrite copyguitar, which a teacher on our school had. I remembered it as Ibanez, but i found a similar pickup in cream on the web as Univox guitar.
http://www.popscreen.com/p/MTYxMjAy...-PAF-Humbucker-Pickup-for-Your-Project-Repair

Hope that helps.

Thanks for the information. I'll start investigating Mosrite pickups, and will send a message to the Mosrite company and see if I can get confirmation.

 

[Mark115]

Re: Pickup Identification

Probably OEM, Korean made for the Yamaha original SA series. Probably early- to mid-70s.

How much does it measure and the most important factor: what's the polepiece spread?

Thanks for the information. The measurements: pole to pole = 25/64 inch, length = 2 38/64 inch , width =
1 20/64 inch. I have the pickup back in the Tele, so depth from the pickup baseplate to the top is 32/64.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Pickup Identification

That seriously looks like an "SA" (Stereofonic Alnico)

They should have a metal cover with a single cutout surrounding all six adjustable polepiece screws.

 

[LtKojak]

Re: Pickup Identification

Thanks for the information. The measurements: pole to pole = 25/64 inch, length = 2 38/64 inch , width =
1 20/64 inch. I have the pickup back in the Tele, so depth from the pickup baseplate to the top is 32/64.

Sorry, I haven't made myself clear enough: when I've said "measure", I meant the DC reading.

The polepiece spread in measured from the center of the screw from the first to the sixth. The normal spread is 49.2mm. Is it bigger or smaller that this measure?

 

[Mark115]

Re: Pickup Identification

Sorry, I haven't made myself clear enough: when I've said "measure", I meant the DC reading.

The polepiece spread in measured from the center of the screw from the first to the sixth. The normal spread is 49.2mm. Is it bigger or smaller that this measure?

I measure the polepiece spread at 50mm center to center. The dc resistance from the red to black lead
is 4.66 kOhms and from the red to the white lead is 4.36 kOhms, at 24.3 deg. C. Thanks for your help on this. Based on everything I've read so far, this is starting to look like a 1980 Yamaha SA 2000 S pickup....

 

[Mark115]

Re: Pickup Identification

They should have a metal cover with a single cutout surrounding all six adjustable polepiece screws.

View attachment 47238

There is no cover on guitar/pickup as purchased, but the top and bottom solder location does match your picture, so it looks like there may have been a soldered cover at some point....

 

[LtKojak]

Re: Pickup Identification

I measure the polepiece spread at 50mm center to center. The dc resistance from the red to black lead
is 4.66 kOhms and from the red to the white lead is 4.36 kOhms, at 24.3 deg. C. Thanks for your help on this. Based on everything I've read so far, this is starting to look like a 1980 Yamaha SA 2000 S pickup....

Specs-wise, it's like a Burstbucker#2.

However, I bet's got an A5 mag in it.

HTH,

 

[Mark115]

Re: Pickup Identification

Specs-wise, it's like a Burstbucker#2.

However, I bet's got an A5 mag in it.

HTH,

Thanks. So based on the measurements, you think this is a Yamaha SA pickup?

 

[LtKojak]

Re: Pickup Identification

Thanks. So based on the measurements, you think this is a Yamaha SA pickup?

I'd say so. It's a cheaply made, korean OEM p'up. Nothing to write home about, though.

With a nickelsilver baseplate and cover, plus 1018 steel alloy-made keeper, slugs and screws, with an A2 and/or UOA5 magnet, might get it closer to a BB#2, tonewise.

If you're in Europe, I could do the modding for you. I LOVE working with'em. I've turned quite a few lemons into good-sounding p'ups.

See my series "Epi Probuckers: a close look", so you can see what I do.

HTH,

 

[CountFeedback]

Re: Pickup Identification

my first guess would be 70s-80s Yamaha too.

 

[Mark115]

Re: Pickup Identification

Thanks to everybody who responded, and I hope you enjoyed playing "guess the pickup". I know most guitarists on the web are negative on this pickup, but ironically it's the one pickup that I get the most positive comments on, even over my Duncan and Gibson pickups on other guitars. Maybe it's the interplay with the Tele, or the light overdrive on a Fender tube amp. The only "cheating" I do is use an EQ between the guitar and amp to brighten the pickup and give more definition to the bass. At least I can now respond better when they ask about the pickup.

 

[CountFeedback]

Re: Pickup Identification

If that's the Yamaha I think it is? those pickups were used by a lot of my favorites in the 80s: Big Country, John McGeoch(Magazine,Banshees,PIL), Mission UK, and more I can't remember.