Same pickup different makers.

blindedbysilence

blindedbysilence

New member
If multiple companies or winders produced the same pickup, as far as specs, would they sound different or the same. Say for instance Lollar, Duncan, and Bare Knuckle all wound a 10K Alnico V with 42 awg. Would they all sound different?
 
Re: Same pickup different makers.

If they used the same quality 42 awg, wound with the same pattern, at the same tension, and with the same polepieces, then probably they would sound very close, if not identical (like two Duncan JBs being AB'd). Hope that helps.
 
Re: Same pickup different makers.

Reason I'm asking, I'm wanting a particular Tele bridge pup. I called the custom shop with the specs, but decided to hold off ordering for a couple of days. Since then I've found two pickups wound the way I wanted. One from Don Mare, and the other from Lollar.
 
Re: Same pickup different makers.

How do you know they are the way you want.......have you asked both of the winders about the TPL counts, degree of scatter, tension they use, overall coil shape on the bobbin etc???
 
Re: Same pickup different makers.

Ah, so they could be quite different. I have read the specs that match what I'm looking for. Even if I went through the CS I'd not have a solid idea what the completed pickup would sound like.
 
Re: Same pickup different makers.

Yep, a lot of different factors involved. The Seth lover and PG are both a low 8's and A2 mag bridge humbucker - but sound fundamentally different.

And you've hit the nail on the head with regard to trying a pickup.....any pickup really. Until you know what any 10k tele bridge is like, you can't know what you want out of it. And unless the winder is familiar with the pickup you are basing your tonal improvements on, it also becomes hard to communicate your needs - like describing your favourite shade of red to a blind person.

My advice FWIW, is to go Zhangbucker.......based on my knowledge of his winds and how he has successfully interpreted my tonal wants from every pickup I've got him to wind for me. His specialty is right where you want to be from a K point of view, and his prices are about the same as a production line Duncan.

edit for link:http://www.zhangbucker.com/
 
Re: Same pickup different makers.

FYI, DC readings and general specs interpretation is generally useless as an indicator as how a p'up will actually sound.

The best way to go is to contact a winder and ask for ballpark tone using a real example. like a record or a video.

From that point on, the winder will work her/his "magic" accordingly.

HTH,
 
Re: Same pickup different makers.

keeping the same wound a 10K Alnico V with 42 awg, but different baseplate material and different polepieces will sound different.
 
Re: Same pickup different makers.

Having similar components is just one part of the process. The best analogy I can give you is think of two chefs with the same cut of beef and seasonings. Both steaks will probably taste phenomenal but they will without a doubt be very different.
 
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