SD version of Dimarzio ProTrack DP188..or similar

[andyg_prs]

Hi guys, changing strings for a gig, finally got a chance to remove the pickup. I've done a drawing (not to scale) for the route along with a pic.

Essentially the main route is 16mm deep, but a pickup can only be "sunk in" about 10mm deep as it has ears that are not routed as deep at either side.

To deal with the challenge of wire routing there is a thin channel at the centre of the route that is about 4mm deep.

The pictures don't do things justice but everything is beautifully finished which makes me less inclined to route any deeper.

The current pickup probably extends to about 8mm beyond the surface of the body route with perhaps 2mm more for the tallest pole piece.

If I look up the lil '59 it says it is 0.85" which converts to 21.59mm. So that is 11.59mm above the surface of the body....or roughly 2mm more than the current pickup. There's plenty of string clearance....I guess I won't know till I try.

As an aside, in the past I have done partial coil taps on humbuckers whereby rather than sending a complete coil to ground I've put a resistor in series to only shunt part of that coil to ground. No idea what would happen to the pickup characteristic if I were to do the same for the main output from the pickup.....I'd obviously rather not have to start doing all of that.

Another question is, what is the lowest output single coil sized humbucker that SD do?

Thanks,
Andy

PS - the max length and width of the lil '59 are right on the cusp of what might or might not fit into the route too!

 

[Mincer]

Another question is, what is the lowest output single coil sized humbucker that SD do?

 

[Teleplayer]

Cool rails will be close, but probably not fit without modifying the guitar route IMO.

 

[playas]

Hi guys, changing strings for a gig, finally got a chance to remove the pickup. I've done a drawing (not to scale) for the route along with a pic.

Essentially the main route is 16mm deep, but a pickup can only be "sunk in" about 10mm deep as it has ears that are not routed as deep at either side.

To deal with the challenge of wire routing there is a thin channel at the centre of the route that is about 4mm deep.

The pictures don't do things justice but everything is beautifully finished which makes me less inclined to route any deeper.

The current pickup probably extends to about 8mm beyond the surface of the body route with perhaps 2mm more for the tallest pole piece.

If I look up the lil '59 it says it is 0.85" which converts to 21.59mm. So that is 11.59mm above the surface of the body....or roughly 2mm more than the current pickup. There's plenty of string clearance....I guess I won't know till I try.

As an aside, in the past I have done partial coil taps on humbuckers whereby rather than sending a complete coil to ground I've put a resistor in series to only shunt part of that coil to ground. No idea what would happen to the pickup characteristic if I were to do the same for the main output from the pickup.....I'd obviously rather not have to start doing all of that.

Another question is, what is the lowest output single coil sized humbucker that SD do?

Thanks,
Andy

PS - the max length and width of the lil '59 are right on the cusp of what might or might not fit into the route too!

That's a beautiful top.

Another option is you could always try asking your local Duncan dealer to check how much it would cost to order a custom shop pickup specifically to fit the route. If that's an acceptable option I bet they would be able to make you something that fits perfectly with the advantage of being able to specify exactly what tones you're after too. Or the dealer themselves might be willing to let you try out some pickups and return them if they don't fit properly - especially if you bring the guitar in in person, minus the pickup in question to try it out.


I know in Europe that's not always a realistic option, but worth a try certainly.

 

[magillver]

FWIW, I have a Little'59 in the neck position of my strat. Everything I've heard/read says not to split them, but I recently set up a series/parallel switch, and really like the parallel tone, not as rich as the series humbucker wiring, less overtones, but a very nice full tone, nonetheless. A buddy of mine described it as cleaner sounding.

 

[andyg_prs]

So I contacted SD. Interestingly they recommended the Red Devil over the Lil 59 but said if I was going custom shop that the single coil version of the Pearly Gates was a little warmer and looser sounding.

However, there was no suggestion that a pickup could be made any less tall, and essentially that routing a little deeper would be my option there.

Due to the risk factor of what might work in my guitar (unadulterated) I’ll be scanning for used SC sized humbuckers - but there doesn’t seem to be many of them out there.

I’ll keep trying though!

 

[playas]

If the custom shop can't help, may be worth a try calling bare knuckle pickups to see if they can do something that would fit. Has the added advantage of being closer to home for you.

 

[Mincer]

So I contacted SD. Interestingly they recommended the Red Devil over the Lil 59 but said if I was going custom shop that the single coil version of the Pearly Gates was a little warmer and looser sounding.

However, there was no suggestion that a pickup could be made any less tall, and essentially that routing a little deeper would be my option there.

Due to the risk factor of what might work in my guitar (unadulterated) I’ll be scanning for used SC sized humbuckers - but there doesn’t seem to be many of them out there.

I’ll keep trying though!

Had you talked to the Custom Shop directly? They may be able to fabricate a shorter bobbin for the wind you want.

 

[Artie]

So I contacted SD. Interestingly they recommended the Red Devil over the Lil 59 . . .

I hate to keep bearing bad news, but I have a set of Red Devils, (not installed yet), and they also have the wire coming straight out of the side, and because of the circuit board, zero chance of bending the cable down to get the pup to slide down into that route. Not sure how you could do it.

 

[andyg_prs]

I hate to keep bearing bad news, but I have a set of Red Devils, (not installed yet), and they also have the wire coming straight out of the side, and because of the circuit board, zero chance of bending the cable down to get the pup to slide down into that route. Not sure how you could do it.

Hmm, I wish I'd taken better pictures now....but from the look of the pickup that you posted earlier on in this thread, I think the additional central route would provide a path for that wire sticking out of the side....

 

[Artie]

I think the additional central route would provide a path for that wire sticking out of the side....

I'm sure they'll fit like a glove . . . assuming you can teleport them into position. The "trick" is to slide them in there. If you tilt the pup, to point the cable down, they no longer fit. Pythagorean theorem is a bitch.

 

[Artie]

I hope that didn't sound sarcastic. Didn't mean it that way. The last time I did a job like this . . . it required some routing.

 

[andyg_prs]

I hope that didn't sound sarcastic. Didn't mean it that way. The last time I did a job like this . . . it required some routing.

No, not at all, at least I've realised now before even starting that no SD stacked single coil is going to fit....