Polepiece differences?
- Thread starter RG 2570
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Leather Rebel
New member
Re: Polepiece differences?
Another part to this that I want to understand is what the advantage is to have non-adjustable slug pole pieces on one of the coils rather than adjustable regular screws or hex screws. Do the slugs fatten the sound some? As for comparisons, I've heard that the Allen Holdsworth model is essentially a JB with regular screws on both coils and it is apparently a little brighter than the JB. A fellow forum member on this forum replaced the regular screws on his Custom5 with hex heads and it turned into a "metal machine". The EQ from the Custom5 and Full Shred are very much different, but yet they share the same magnet and resistance. The screws appear to be the biggest difference, unless they are wound differently.
Anyone out there done any experimenting with swapping regular screws, hex head screws, and slug poles?
I'm very interested in this, too. I have a Screamin' Demon and it has hex heads on the neck side coil and regular screws on the bridge side coil. I'm going to swap them around to see what effect it has on the sound. I've been trying to explore this for a while because I'm looking to buy a higher-output Duncan that would be similar to a JB but with tighter bass and a little more aggressive attack, but not necessarily any brighter. I've already tried a Custom and I much prefer the JB...maybe because of the A5 magnet. I've also had a Full Shred and found it too compressed and lacking mids. I'm thinking that maybe swapping the regular screws on a JB for hex heads could do this, but I hope to understand my options before I buy one.RG 2570 said:
Another part to this that I want to understand is what the advantage is to have non-adjustable slug pole pieces on one of the coils rather than adjustable regular screws or hex screws. Do the slugs fatten the sound some? As for comparisons, I've heard that the Allen Holdsworth model is essentially a JB with regular screws on both coils and it is apparently a little brighter than the JB. A fellow forum member on this forum replaced the regular screws on his Custom5 with hex heads and it turned into a "metal machine". The EQ from the Custom5 and Full Shred are very much different, but yet they share the same magnet and resistance. The screws appear to be the biggest difference, unless they are wound differently.
Anyone out there done any experimenting with swapping regular screws, hex head screws, and slug poles?
Re: Polepiece differences?
the difference between the full shred and c5 has much more to do with the winding than anything else. i have a custom shop 17k c5 with allen head poles and it sounds nothing like a full shred.
i think the allen head screws give a little faster attack and a tighter overall sound but ive only done a little experimenting with different poles in the same pup, ymmv
the difference between the full shred and c5 has much more to do with the winding than anything else. i have a custom shop 17k c5 with allen head poles and it sounds nothing like a full shred.
i think the allen head screws give a little faster attack and a tighter overall sound but ive only done a little experimenting with different poles in the same pup, ymmv
fab.regnaut
New member
Re: Polepiece differences?
Yes the allen screws add brightness , and in a C5 it tightens the bass ( it is necessary for this p-u ) , increase pick attack , add a lot off harmonics ( even on bass strings ) , in one word you turn this mellow fellow into a metal machine !!!
Yes the allen screws add brightness , and in a C5 it tightens the bass ( it is necessary for this p-u ) , increase pick attack , add a lot off harmonics ( even on bass strings ) , in one word you turn this mellow fellow into a metal machine !!!
Artie
Peaveyologist
Re: Polepiece differences?
This is one of those situations where I can't help but wonder if any change in tone has more to do with the different types of metal of the screws, than the head-style. If you read on the SD Q&A, they talk quite a bit about the importance of the metalurgy of the screws as it relates to tone.
Edit: SD Q & A #30 is a pretty good one on this subject.
Check #83 also.
More good reading on this subject: 354 - 358
This is one of those situations where I can't help but wonder if any change in tone has more to do with the different types of metal of the screws, than the head-style. If you read on the SD Q&A, they talk quite a bit about the importance of the metalurgy of the screws as it relates to tone.
Edit: SD Q & A #30 is a pretty good one on this subject.
Check #83 also.
More good reading on this subject: 354 - 358
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Leather Rebel
New member
Re: Polepiece differences?
Thanks for the input, guys. I'm still wondering why slug poles are used when screws are much more adjustable. Any thoughts?
Thanks for the input, guys. I'm still wondering why slug poles are used when screws are much more adjustable. Any thoughts?
Leather Rebel
New member
Re: Polepiece differences?
I wondered that, but companies like Seymour Duncan have been improving pickups for quite a while to just "accept" using slug pole pieces because Gibson did originally. There must be some reason for it.Benjy_26 said:
Re: Polepiece differences?
Guitarists are probably the most resistant to change groups I've ever come across. Unlike other enthusiasts such as computers or cars guitarist tend not to like things that aren't traditional.
Look at how many people still buy strats and Les Pauls...great guitars but extremely outdated designs as far as playability and ergonomics. Guitarists tend to want to their stuff to look traditional and old....zebra or double creme anyone??
This is why Duncans don't usually stray from that "traditional" type look and sound too much. Case and point is Dimarzio....people look at that company and most things about the look and sound of the pickups are generally "untraditional" by guitar standards.
Guitarists are probably the most resistant to change groups I've ever come across. Unlike other enthusiasts such as computers or cars guitarist tend not to like things that aren't traditional.
Look at how many people still buy strats and Les Pauls...great guitars but extremely outdated designs as far as playability and ergonomics. Guitarists tend to want to their stuff to look traditional and old....zebra or double creme anyone??
This is why Duncans don't usually stray from that "traditional" type look and sound too much. Case and point is Dimarzio....people look at that company and most things about the look and sound of the pickups are generally "untraditional" by guitar standards.
Boleslaw Gers 666
New member
Re: Polepiece differences?
If you've buggered the screw can you just go to the hardware store and buy another or do you need a special one to be a polepiece?
If you've buggered the screw can you just go to the hardware store and buy another or do you need a special one to be a polepiece?
Re: Polepiece differences?
Gibson made a P90 variant in the WWII era with Alnico slugs for the ES125 and it was noted for a brighter tone and sharper attack. When Fender came along, he used the slugs; easier and cheaper to manufacture, brighter tone. Slugs also seem louder than an equivalent pu with adj poles.
Polepiece material and morphology seem to make a difference; try some different materials or lengths sometime and screw cap shapes. I've tamed a few bass heavy archtops with feedback problems using different composition polepieces for the E and A strings. A good hardware store will have a few different screws that will work.
Gibson made a P90 variant in the WWII era with Alnico slugs for the ES125 and it was noted for a brighter tone and sharper attack. When Fender came along, he used the slugs; easier and cheaper to manufacture, brighter tone. Slugs also seem louder than an equivalent pu with adj poles.
Polepiece material and morphology seem to make a difference; try some different materials or lengths sometime and screw cap shapes. I've tamed a few bass heavy archtops with feedback problems using different composition polepieces for the E and A strings. A good hardware store will have a few different screws that will work.
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hamerfan
Well-known member
Re: Polepiece differences?
ES 350, dont mix it up. These pickups you are mentioning have a special slug made of a magnetic material and a special winding. So these pickups dont need a bar magnet underneath. Similar pickups are special made Fralin and Steven Kersting (skguitar pickups) nowadays. They are totally different to Gibson style Humbucker we are talking about
ES 350, dont mix it up. These pickups you are mentioning have a special slug made of a magnetic material and a special winding. So these pickups dont need a bar magnet underneath. Similar pickups are special made Fralin and Steven Kersting (skguitar pickups) nowadays. They are totally different to Gibson style Humbucker we are talking about
Captain Tightpants
New member
Re: Polepiece differences?
I read somewhere that Seth Lover didn't design the humbucker with adjustable screws, but Gibson's sales dept. wanted em, so he put screws in one coil to make them happy. He said the only reason they put screw coils on the outside of the pickups was for looks.
I read somewhere that Seth Lover didn't design the humbucker with adjustable screws, but Gibson's sales dept. wanted em, so he put screws in one coil to make them happy. He said the only reason they put screw coils on the outside of the pickups was for looks.
