Rolph pickups...anyone know anything about them?

Young Angus

Kometose Tonologist
I was just reading about the clips done on the komet constellation 30 amp and a lot of the chunkier ones, which sound absolutely awesome, were done with a les paul sporting rolph pickups.

I had a look on their site and they sound to be pretty boutique and all fancy pants. Does anyone know anything about them or better yet, does anyone use them?

Just curious :D
 
Re: Rolph pickups...anyone know anything about them?

Never used them. I do know that Dan Erlewine thinks highly of them and used Rolphs in his 59 RI Les Paul and felt they sounded identical to the pafs in an original 50's Les Paul he had in the shop. Lew
 
Re: Rolph pickups...anyone know anything about them?

complete rolph setup :32:


lesson.jpg
 
Re: Rolph pickups...anyone know anything about them?

The wobble-board gives it an open, 'woody' tone.... :rolleyes:
 
Re: Rolph pickups...anyone know anything about them?

Go to the Les Paul forum Young Angus and do a search for Rolphs...plenty has been discussed about them there - a cheaper option with similar tonal qualities is the SD antiquities, from all reports...and it won't break the bank to find out...

However, they are not your cup of tea, I would think, based on the music you're into...
 
Re: Rolph pickups...anyone know anything about them?

Yeah i know, i was just interested cos id never heard of them before.
 
Re: Rolph pickups...anyone know anything about them?

They are good....just like Voodoo's etc, etc. It is basically splitting hairs at that point.

I tried a new p-up from http://www.wolfetone.com/ He will rewind a p-up for $50...even to custom specs! He knows what he is doing, but most importantly they sound GREAT! I tried a set of "caretakers" (made specially for someone) and they sounded killer. They were hot PAF's, but they had clarity and warmth. I believe the bridge resistance was around 9.25 .
 
Re: Rolph pickups...anyone know anything about them?

psychodave said:
They are good....just like Voodoo's etc, etc. It is basically splitting hairs at that point.

I tried a new p-up from http://www.wolfetone.com/ He will rewind a p-up for $50...even to custom specs! He knows what he is doing, but most importantly they sound GREAT! I tried a set of "caretakers" (made specially for someone) and they sounded killer. They were hot PAF's, but they had clarity and warmth. I believe the bridge resistance was around 9.25 .
$50 for a custom wind?
:saeek:
 
Re: Rolph pickups...anyone know anything about them?

RG 2570 said:
$50 for a custom wind?
:saeek:

Yup and he is a great guy too. Will answer any and all questions and take the time to make you happy. I am about to order a few myself. I have some crappy sounding Burstbuckers that need a re-wind :smoker:
 
Re: Rolph pickups...anyone know anything about them?

It is all about matching the pickups with the wood.

I have 1 Rolph 59 set on my R7, 2 timbucker sets on my R8 and 95 standard, and 2 mag modded ant sets on my first "bluesy big apple boogie machine" ;) and the second on my teles.

I think the best axe I have is either the R7 or the R8. (Changes daily :laugh2: ) Not that ants don't sound good, they do but on these guitars Rolphs and Timbuckers had something extra.

B
 
Re: Rolph pickups...anyone know anything about them?

Rolph is based in Northern, KY. (I think Seymour is originally from that area.) I'm in KY, too. Back to the question: I know a guy that has a set of Rolph PAF styles in a Les Paul and he loves them.

Maybe I feel this way because many of the custom pickup guys' prices are out-of-sight (I'm not sure about Rolph's prices), but I think you can get a set of production pickups from a good maker like Seymour Duncan that are as good as any pickups out there. Most pickups are too pricey, but when some of these custom prices get around $200 apiece for full-size humbuckers, it makes it kind of tough to afford to experiment with a few different PUP's until you find what's best for your guitar and playing style.
 
Re: Rolph pickups...anyone know anything about them?

davguitar said:
Rolph is based in Northern, KY. (I think Seymour is originally from that area.) I'm in KY, too. Back to the question: I know a guy that has a set of Rolph PAF styles in a Les Paul and he loves them.

Maybe I feel this way because many of the custom pickup guys' prices are out-of-sight (I'm not sure about Rolph's prices), but I think you can get a set of production pickups from a good maker like Seymour Duncan that are as good as any pickups out there. Most pickups are too pricey, but when some of these custom prices get around $200 apiece for full-size humbuckers, it makes it kind of tough to afford to experiment with a few different PUP's until you find what's best for your guitar and playing style.

I know a guy that owns a store in Morehead, KY and he and his tech were talking about how great the Rolphs were, and they weren't even trying to sell me any...I'm from KY, too, and I've heard lots about how great these pickups are from many different players, esp in the Cincy area.

Farkus
 
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