When was the STK-T1B discontinued? When was the STK-T2B released?

[Sage]

Specifically, can anyone tell me:

1. When was the STK-T1B discontinued? I assume it was replaced by the STK-T3B.
2. When was the STK-T2B first released?

Trying to figure out whether the bridge pickup in Jeff Buckley's 1983 Telecaster was a T1B or a T2B. I know he had the pickups installed just before recording Grace in late 1993 (it was released in '94). Most sources believe it's a T2B, but I suspect that's because they're not aware that the T1B existed. Was it still being produced in '93?

 

[Mincer]

Re: When was the STK-T1B discontinued? When was the STK-T2B released?

I don't know if anyone other than people who work at the factory might know that. Those are a few pickups you never really hear about on here, though. If you don't get an answer here, try sending SD an email (link at the bottom of the home page).

 

[jeremy]

Re: When was the STK-T1B discontinued? When was the STK-T2B released?

i dont know the answer but the t2b looks pretty different from the t3b, i kinda assume the t1b looks similar to the 3 with rod poles

 

[Jacew]

Re: When was the STK-T1B discontinued? When was the STK-T2B released?

i dont know the answer but the t2b looks pretty different from the t3b, i kinda assume the t1b looks similar to the 3 with rod poles

I don't know about these pickups, but was interested enough to look up and it seems to be a rail pickup like t3b. Apparently lower wound though?

 

[jeremy]

Re: When was the STK-T1B discontinued? When was the STK-T2B released?

the stk-t3b is a pole piece but the stk-t2b is the rail pup but i looked and you are correct that the 1 is a rail pup like the 2. so disregard what i said. back to square one

 

[Sage]

Re: When was the STK-T1B discontinued? When was the STK-T2B released?

Yeah, both the STK-T1B and the STK-T3B were designed as "vintage" output pickups. The T1B is a rail, and the T3B has poles. Most likely, the STK-T1B was discontinued when the STK-T3B replaced it. The question is, when was that?

Jeff Buckley used a stack with rails in the bridge position of his 1983 Telecaster, which was sold back in 2012 via Chelsea Guitars, who posted this video of it: https://vimeo.com/36963770
The dealer mistakenly identifies the pickup as a Quarter Pounder, which is visibly incorrect. It's either a STK-T1B or an STK-T2B. Most likely, Buckley also had a STK-T1N installed in the neck position.

We know the pickups were installed probably around 1993, just before Buckley recorded Grace, his only completed album. If the STK-T1B was discontinued before that, then we'll know it's an STK-T2B. Alternatively, if the STK-T1B was still in production, but the STK-T2B had not yet been introduced, then we know it's an STK-T1B.

If both were in production at that time, then I would guess it's the more vintage-voiced STK-T1B, since Buckley's tone never really gets that hot.

 

[dystrust]

Re: When was the STK-T1B discontinued? When was the STK-T2B released?

The STK-T2B Hot Stack was also available in the old style red cover like that; I had one in a Tele I sold about a decade ago. I don't remember where I saw it, but I saw a claim that it used a ceramic magnet instead of the alnico V that the current STK-T2B uses. I believe that claim as my 'new' black STK-T2B sounds nothing like the red one I used to own. It's less bright and possibly slightly more full in the mids despite having similar overall output. I frequently hear that these old red-cover stacks have some sort of magic that their new counterparts lack but I disagree in this case. Of the two STK-T2Bs I've owned I prefer the new one by a wide margin.

Getting back to the original topic..
I don't care for Jeff Buckley's music, so I'm not familiar enough with it to guess which one he was using.