SD really should make the 59/Jazz Hybrid a production PU

[Mincer]

Re: SD really should make the 59/Jazz Hybrid a production PU

If we take a look at pickups that were released over the past few years, we see that they are almost all affiliated with a particular artist. Artists are one of the main things that sell pickups. So, usually, a new pickup is affiliated with a famous artist, and that is what drives sales. I don't speak for the SD company, and we are all free to question why they come out with the products they do....but I have to believe it comes down to what sells and what they determined might not be worth investing in. The SDRL site is the #1 way to let them know your ideas, though.

 

[Big Mike Blues]

Re: SD really should make the 59/Jazz Hybrid a production PU

If we take a look at pickups that were released over the past few years, we see that they are almost all affiliated with a particular artist. Artists are one of the main things that sell pickups. So, usually, a new pickup is affiliated with a famous artist, and that is what drives sales. I don't speak for the SD company, and we are all free to question why they come out with the products they do....but I have to believe it comes down to what sells and what they determined might not be worth investing in. The SDRL site is the #1 way to let them know your ideas, though.

Makes sense, pretty much anyone else has done the same thing. The codes are all fairly cracked and out there. There's a million 50's PAF type recipes out there.
It's a smart marketing move.

The 59/C hybrid is the only one I can remember NOT being artist specific or hinted at.

 

[blueman335]

Re: SD really should make the 59/Jazz Hybrid a production PU

I think people get a little too wrapped up.
The focus here is pickups of course, but the general playing guys that don't debate this stuff to the nth degree are usually fine with off the shelf.
the 59/C filled a nice niche, and it's a good pickup. There probably isn't enough marketing demand for something more specialized in the neck to match when a Jazz/59/PG etc will probably suit most people.

- 'General playing guys' and being knowledgeable about the inner working of PU's isn't mutually exclusive. You can play gigs and know how your instrument works.

- I think there's a demand for a neck HB with more clarity and dynamics than what Duncan currently offers. I've seen many observations over the years: '59's can be bassy, Jazz's don't have the character & color of a PAF, and PG's are on the warm side. A good neck hybrid definitely has a place in the line up. Many players use their neck PU more than the bridge, so for them, the neck is more likely to be replaced first.

 

[Big Mike Blues]

Re: SD really should make the 59/Jazz Hybrid a production PU

- 'General playing guys' and being knowledgeable about the inner working of PU's isn't mutually exclusive. You can play gigs and know how your instrument works.

.

That is not what I said.

Basically guys on forums debating the minutiae of pickups generally are going to delve in deeper and want what's not available or fine tune further.
Most players I've met over the years feel like a 59/JB is a HUGE improvement over stock or seths/ant's for the more vintage guys.

Not as many dig deeper than the off the shelf / available stuff or care to, so there's less call for a custom hybrid neck design.
*unless* their favorite players are tied to it.

 

[Discharged]

Re: SD really should make the 59/Jazz Hybrid a production PU

The biggest issue with Phat Cats is the magnets. They use A5's, which have the crisp high end and firm low end of a real P-90

Rick, just to be dense; the early P-90s used A3 mags, which were extremely roughcast, with only one grinded side to ensure the best possible physical contact with the keeper bar. Remember, those supported a pretty low charge, specially with nowaday's standards.

That's what an actual real P-90 was at the time of their inception. And TBH, I don't know when exactly Gibson start using A5s in their P-90 production line.

/Peter

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: SD really should make the 59/Jazz Hybrid a production PU

If we take a look at pickups that were released over the past few years, we see that they are almost all affiliated with a particular artist. Artists are one of the main things that sell pickups. So, usually, a new pickup is affiliated with a famous artist, and that is what drives sales. I don't speak for the SD company, and we are all free to question why they come out with the products they do....but I have to believe it comes down to what sells and what they determined might not be worth investing in. The SDRL site is the #1 way to let them know your ideas, though.

So, sounds like we should be convincing someone famous to vote for a neck hybrid and then they’ll make it?

 

[Blille]

Re: SD really should make the 59/Jazz Hybrid a production PU

So, sounds like we should be convincing someone famous to vote for a neck hybrid and then they’ll make it?

Alternatively one of us could become famous.

 

[Demanic]

Re: SD really should make the 59/Jazz Hybrid a production PU

So essentially, it's like sneakers. That's helpful to know.

 

[jimman]

Re: SD really should make the 59/Jazz Hybrid a production PU

I remember reading rumors a few times that the sentient was really just a 59/jazz hybrid or at least something pretty similar. If thats true, I have to wonder if the 59/custom didnt sell like they wanted it to, so they released the neck hybrid as a more metal geared pickup.

 

[Blille]

Re: SD really should make the 59/Jazz Hybrid a production PU

So essentially, it's like sneakers. That's helpful to know.

Except hybrid sneakers suck.

 

[Mincer]

Re: SD really should make the 59/Jazz Hybrid a production PU

So, sounds like we should be convincing someone famous to vote for a neck hybrid and then they’ll make it?

Well, they would have to be famous enough that they have the economic ability to convince their fans to buy what they use. It doesn't always translate into 'talent' or 'good music'.

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: SD really should make the 59/Jazz Hybrid a production PU

That’s cool. Long as I can get my hybrid set on.

 

[Masta' C]

Re: SD really should make the 59/Jazz Hybrid a production PU

Someone reach out to EVH...tell him he left a prototype neck pickup in the SD Shop back in '78 and he needs to contact Seymour directly to get his hands on it!

 

[Silence Kid]

Re: SD really should make the 59/Jazz Hybrid a production PU

Guess I’ve got to be the one to ask a dumb question - my observation is, anyone clamoring for a 59/Jazz or most any other of an exponential number of hybrid combinations, are those who actually have no problem making one themselves in the first place (and would probably rather purchase a used pickup.) Half of those people will probably wind up eventually experimenting with different magnets, or different coils, pole pieces, further ripping the thing apart anyway - So what’s the purpose of having this on the actual production roster?

 

[Masta' C]

Re: SD really should make the 59/Jazz Hybrid a production PU

To be fair, you have to buy 2 used and/or broken pickups to create a hybrid. Personally, I'd rather spend a couple extra bucks and get a shiny new one that I don't have to mess with, even though I can build my own.

As for mag swaps, etc...to your way of thinking, why make ANY production pickup if people are just going experiment and modify them?

 

[Silence Kid]

Re: SD really should make the 59/Jazz Hybrid a production PU

To be fair, you have to buy 2 used and/or broken pickups to create a hybrid. Personally, I'd rather spend a couple extra bucks and get a shiny new one that I don't have to mess with, even though I can build my own.

As for mag swaps, etc...to your way of thinking, why make ANY production pickup if people are just going experiment and modify them?

Part of me thinks Duncan selling independent coils is not a bad idea.

 

[Discharged]

Re: SD really should make the 59/Jazz Hybrid a production PU

Part of me thinks Duncan selling independent coils is not a bad idea.

You do this by sending dead coils or whole p'ups to rewind. The ongoing rate is relatively affordable.

/Peter

 

[Laughing Kookaburra]

Re: SD really should make the 59/Jazz Hybrid a production PU

Guess I’ve got to be the one to ask a dumb question - my observation is, anyone clamoring for a 59/Jazz or most any other of an exponential number of hybrid combinations, are those who actually have no problem making one themselves in the first place (and would probably rather purchase a used pickup.) Half of those people will probably wind up eventually experimenting with different magnets, or different coils, pole pieces, further ripping the thing apart anyway - So what’s the purpose of having this on the actual production roster?

Not all of us that would like the 59/Jazz are inclined to do so ourselves.

 

[Discharged]

Re: SD really should make the 59/Jazz Hybrid a production PU

Well, Masta'c has vouched for Chris Carter of SIN p'ups, who seem to be a capable custom p'up winder.

If interested, I can provide him with the exact specs required to make that p'up, so he can make what the Co just won't do.

Have Chris to PM me if you're interested on this idea of a deal. I could also personally do it but, as I'm in the EU, it would be impossible to me to do at the required price point, due to far too high production cost and unfavorable shipping rates.

/Peter

 

[blueman335]

Re: SD really should make the 59/Jazz Hybrid a production PU

Rick, just to be dense; the early P-90s used A3 mags, which were extremely roughcast, with only one grinded side to ensure the best possible physical contact with the keeper bar. Remember, those supported a pretty low charge, specially with nowaday's standards.

That's what an actual real P-90 was at the time of their inception. And TBH, I don't know when exactly Gibson start using A5s in their P-90 production line.

/Peter

Didn't know what magnets Gibson originally used in P-90's, I knew they didn't start off with A5's. I would have guessed A4's, and maybe they used some along the way. A4's were supposedly used in a number of PAF's. Maybe they went to A5's in P-90's for the higher output, and that would have increased the noise, which in turn led to a consumer demand for humbuckers.

A3's would be a better choice for Phat Cats than A2's. At least they have some high end (needed in the neck slot), although it's softer than an A5's. For me, A2's are about the last alnico I'd have chosen, in either bridge or neck slot for the windings Phat Cats have. They have their own vibe, but don't really have the P-90 magic that some of us were hoping for.