Lee_M.
Brockburst Toneologist
To all ~
About 2 months ago, I approached MJ during NAMM about winding a set of original spec '57 PAFs to model the pickups in Duane Allman's Cherry Burst. Well, knowing full well that the pickups were '57's (swapped from his original '57 Goldtop), the process of winding PAFs at Gibson was definitely new, so I believe that there were some anomaly-type PAFs wound for the Goldtops that were stellar by today's tonal standards.
The Story:
For 2 months straight, I sent MJ email after email talking about Duane's setup, tone and how he worked his tone controls, what speakers he was using, et al. I know by the end of it, she was exhausted. However, despite my email onslaught, she was still VERY WILLING to listen to what I had to say. She stayed ENTHUSIASTIC through the entire process.
Now, why did it take 2 months for MJ to comlete the pickups? Well, MJ wanted to make sure that Seymour listened to the CD's that I forwarded for her review. I had a particular tonal example I wanted her to replicate ("You Don't Love Me - 14:25 into the track - left channel) that I sent in CD format, so she could listen to the Fillmore concerts while she was winding the Brobuckers (and she did). Well, she kept telling me that she wouldn't wind the pickups until Seymour opined on the tone - at first it pissed me off.
However, I quickly realized that her desire to get Seymour involved with the process (as busy as he is) was to "get the pickups right" the 'first go around'. It is hard for me to put into words, but it is like a Master Instructor telling you that you need to scatterwind vs. the standard Leesona machine wind.
In this case, when Seymour finally had some time (thanks to a little help from Evan - thank you very much, bro), Seymour listened to the CD's and the "You Don't Love Me track at 14:25). Seymour gave the final opinion and MJ wound them - I really appreciated that vs. MJ just guessing what might have worked.
Why is this all important to the Forum Members?
Despite my "over-enthusiastic" attitude (which MJ and Evan said 'nicely'), I was really being a jerk at one point - I apologize for that. Nonetheless, MJ kept being extremely pleasant, nice and on schedule. They arrive on Tuesday or this week. MJ should be commended for dealing with me.
How will they sound?
I note that although I haven't received the pickups, Evan and MJ think that I'm going to love them, and I envision them really making a HUGE difference in my new VOS '59. It is going to be one sweet combination with my Blockhead 50W / 2x12 Combo (with JBL D120F's).
Soundclips?
Be on the look out for soundclips on April 1st and 2nd (or a week or so after that). There will more than plenty of clips to go around, and I will do the clips with the amp all over the gain spectrum.
Ossie at Blockhead Amps
As a side note, if you haven't dealt with Ossie at Blockhead, he is the coolest guy from/with which I've ever dealt and bought gear. He is simply amazing and he thinks that I have one of the nicest amps he's ever built (including stuff he's done for Aerosmith, Greenday et al).
My amp is promptly called the "Georgia Peach", while my guitar (with MJ's pickups) is called "Jessica".
Conclusion:
MJ, you are the best and I love you as a friend.
Without a doubt, I am 100% satisfied with how I've been treated and will recommend MJ over any of the other boutique winders at this time. Lord knows I've tried them ALL ("the boutique PAFs"), including the infamous Tom Holmes, which are collecting dust in my drawer at the moment (a cool $600 being unused).
Anyway, thanks for reading guys and gals. I thought that my story was important to share because MJ really went above and beyond the call of duty to please me.
I think these Custom Shop PAFs are going to be magical, so get ready for the clips!!!
Very Best Regards,
Lee Moore
About 2 months ago, I approached MJ during NAMM about winding a set of original spec '57 PAFs to model the pickups in Duane Allman's Cherry Burst. Well, knowing full well that the pickups were '57's (swapped from his original '57 Goldtop), the process of winding PAFs at Gibson was definitely new, so I believe that there were some anomaly-type PAFs wound for the Goldtops that were stellar by today's tonal standards.
The Story:
For 2 months straight, I sent MJ email after email talking about Duane's setup, tone and how he worked his tone controls, what speakers he was using, et al. I know by the end of it, she was exhausted. However, despite my email onslaught, she was still VERY WILLING to listen to what I had to say. She stayed ENTHUSIASTIC through the entire process.
Now, why did it take 2 months for MJ to comlete the pickups? Well, MJ wanted to make sure that Seymour listened to the CD's that I forwarded for her review. I had a particular tonal example I wanted her to replicate ("You Don't Love Me - 14:25 into the track - left channel) that I sent in CD format, so she could listen to the Fillmore concerts while she was winding the Brobuckers (and she did). Well, she kept telling me that she wouldn't wind the pickups until Seymour opined on the tone - at first it pissed me off.
However, I quickly realized that her desire to get Seymour involved with the process (as busy as he is) was to "get the pickups right" the 'first go around'. It is hard for me to put into words, but it is like a Master Instructor telling you that you need to scatterwind vs. the standard Leesona machine wind.
In this case, when Seymour finally had some time (thanks to a little help from Evan - thank you very much, bro), Seymour listened to the CD's and the "You Don't Love Me track at 14:25). Seymour gave the final opinion and MJ wound them - I really appreciated that vs. MJ just guessing what might have worked.
Why is this all important to the Forum Members?
Despite my "over-enthusiastic" attitude (which MJ and Evan said 'nicely'), I was really being a jerk at one point - I apologize for that. Nonetheless, MJ kept being extremely pleasant, nice and on schedule. They arrive on Tuesday or this week. MJ should be commended for dealing with me.
How will they sound?
I note that although I haven't received the pickups, Evan and MJ think that I'm going to love them, and I envision them really making a HUGE difference in my new VOS '59. It is going to be one sweet combination with my Blockhead 50W / 2x12 Combo (with JBL D120F's).
Soundclips?
Be on the look out for soundclips on April 1st and 2nd (or a week or so after that). There will more than plenty of clips to go around, and I will do the clips with the amp all over the gain spectrum.
Ossie at Blockhead Amps
As a side note, if you haven't dealt with Ossie at Blockhead, he is the coolest guy from/with which I've ever dealt and bought gear. He is simply amazing and he thinks that I have one of the nicest amps he's ever built (including stuff he's done for Aerosmith, Greenday et al).
My amp is promptly called the "Georgia Peach", while my guitar (with MJ's pickups) is called "Jessica".
Conclusion:
MJ, you are the best and I love you as a friend.
Without a doubt, I am 100% satisfied with how I've been treated and will recommend MJ over any of the other boutique winders at this time. Lord knows I've tried them ALL ("the boutique PAFs"), including the infamous Tom Holmes, which are collecting dust in my drawer at the moment (a cool $600 being unused).
Anyway, thanks for reading guys and gals. I thought that my story was important to share because MJ really went above and beyond the call of duty to please me.
I think these Custom Shop PAFs are going to be magical, so get ready for the clips!!!
Very Best Regards,
Lee Moore
