Diminished Triad
New member
How might these sound?
Zephyr Jazz Pickups?
- Thread starter Diminished Triad
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Funkfingers
Guest
Re: Zephyr Jazz Pickups?
I am going to take an educated guess that somebody built prototypes but that they did not produce sounds that any sane person would think warranted the retail price.
Silver wire is not offered on the Custom Shop order form template for bass guitar pickups. Draw your own conclusions.
I am going to take an educated guess that somebody built prototypes but that they did not produce sounds that any sane person would think warranted the retail price.
Silver wire is not offered on the Custom Shop order form template for bass guitar pickups. Draw your own conclusions.
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Funkfingers
Guest
Re: Zephyr Jazz Pickups?
The usual claim on the SD Custom Shop pickups advertising is that they will attempt to build anything that your bank balance can support. There must, however, come a point at which a line must be drawn on grounds of good taste and/or manufacturer reputation.
A customer could knowingly request a pickup that would sound terrible. It would not be in any manufacturer's best interests for it to be known that they produced a "boutique" heap o' steaming dung.
The usual claim on the SD Custom Shop pickups advertising is that they will attempt to build anything that your bank balance can support. There must, however, come a point at which a line must be drawn on grounds of good taste and/or manufacturer reputation.
A customer could knowingly request a pickup that would sound terrible. It would not be in any manufacturer's best interests for it to be known that they produced a "boutique" heap o' steaming dung.
Diminished Triad
New member
Re: Zephyr Jazz Pickups?
All very good and insightful answers. Thanks!
All very good and insightful answers. Thanks!
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Funkfingers
Guest
Re: Zephyr Jazz Pickups?
JOLLY's answer is better than mine - mostly because it got to the point far more quickly.
JOLLY's answer is better than mine - mostly because it got to the point far more quickly.
DrNewcenstein
He Did the Monster Mash
Re: Zephyr Jazz Pickups?
If the silver wire offered tonal options beyond copper's abilities, I could see the demand for it. However, you've also got to consider whether the amp can reproduce those tonalities accurately. If not, then the amp design has to be changed/updated.
If at the end of the day you end up with the same sounds you could get from copper coils and a traditional amp, I can't see where silver coils are an advancement.
If the silver wire offered tonal options beyond copper's abilities, I could see the demand for it. However, you've also got to consider whether the amp can reproduce those tonalities accurately. If not, then the amp design has to be changed/updated.
If at the end of the day you end up with the same sounds you could get from copper coils and a traditional amp, I can't see where silver coils are an advancement.
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Funkfingers
Guest
Re: Zephyr Jazz Pickups?
If we accept the premise that silver wire coils yield increased high frequency clarity and "presence", this could put a sheen on the overall tone of an electric guitar.
On a bass guitar, it would add frequency information in a range that would compete directly with guitars. In a full band context, the "improvement" is unlikely to be heard. There is little or no point paying a premium price for a difference that nobody will hear.
If we accept the premise that silver wire coils yield increased high frequency clarity and "presence", this could put a sheen on the overall tone of an electric guitar.
On a bass guitar, it would add frequency information in a range that would compete directly with guitars. In a full band context, the "improvement" is unlikely to be heard. There is little or no point paying a premium price for a difference that nobody will hear.
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DrNewcenstein
He Did the Monster Mash
Re: Zephyr Jazz Pickups?
As I suspected. Even if a different wire type did for bass what the silver does for guitar (i.e. increased low-end definition), you've got to consider the amp's ability to match, and then the expense yet again vs the outcome.
As I suspected. Even if a different wire type did for bass what the silver does for guitar (i.e. increased low-end definition), you've got to consider the amp's ability to match, and then the expense yet again vs the outcome.
One Bad Monkey
New member
Re: Zephyr Jazz Pickups?
I have a Silver Zephyr version of the SPB-1 pickup. They'll definitely do it for you in the Custom Shop if you ask, but as mentioned, it'll probably be expensive (in full disclosure, since I write articles for SD's blog, I got it at a price too good to pass up).
The bass it's in has a one-piece walnut body, with a Mighty Mite maple neck w/rosewood fingerboard.
It sounds amazing. As mentioned, there is a sparkle and focus that isn't present in the regular SPB-1 pickup (that was originally in the bass), especially with the tone knob rolled all the way off. There's also a depth and richness that is inherent in the tone (although a lot of that can also be attributed to the body itself).
All in all, it's great. Will it sound that much more amazing than an SPB-1 (or my current favorite, the SPB-4) in a band setting? That would be a hard sell.
I have a Silver Zephyr version of the SPB-1 pickup. They'll definitely do it for you in the Custom Shop if you ask, but as mentioned, it'll probably be expensive (in full disclosure, since I write articles for SD's blog, I got it at a price too good to pass up).
The bass it's in has a one-piece walnut body, with a Mighty Mite maple neck w/rosewood fingerboard.
It sounds amazing. As mentioned, there is a sparkle and focus that isn't present in the regular SPB-1 pickup (that was originally in the bass), especially with the tone knob rolled all the way off. There's also a depth and richness that is inherent in the tone (although a lot of that can also be attributed to the body itself).
All in all, it's great. Will it sound that much more amazing than an SPB-1 (or my current favorite, the SPB-4) in a band setting? That would be a hard sell.
Johnny the Kid
Shaunofthedeadologist
Re: Zephyr Jazz Pickups?
I imagine that in a solo context, such as a bass amp demo, a Zephyr pickup could be good for showing off the full range of frequencies and tones that the amp can produce.
In a band setting though, as others have pointed out, you will be competing with the guitars for frequencies the guitars can better and more easily produce. The extra high end the silver will give you will be completely wasted because the guitars will cover it up. This is the same reason that metal bands who scoop mids so heavily tend have very poor mixes in my opinion. The best example I can give is Pantera's Walk during the solo. Great song, but Rex Brown's bass cannot hold up the entire song during the solo.
I imagine that in a solo context, such as a bass amp demo, a Zephyr pickup could be good for showing off the full range of frequencies and tones that the amp can produce.
In a band setting though, as others have pointed out, you will be competing with the guitars for frequencies the guitars can better and more easily produce. The extra high end the silver will give you will be completely wasted because the guitars will cover it up. This is the same reason that metal bands who scoop mids so heavily tend have very poor mixes in my opinion. The best example I can give is Pantera's Walk during the solo. Great song, but Rex Brown's bass cannot hold up the entire song during the solo.
PFDarkside
of the Forum
Re: Zephyr Jazz Pickups?
Think about bass outside of a blues or rock context, maybe jazz trio or solo bass performance...
Think about bass outside of a blues or rock context, maybe jazz trio or solo bass performance...
Johnny the Kid
Shaunofthedeadologist
Johnny the Kid
Shaunofthedeadologist
marcboomer
Bass Player @ Seymour Duncan
Re: Zephyr Jazz Pickups?
That is an amazing bass you have there! I have tried in a P also. Great for recording and bedrooms. But I didn't get to enjoy as much when playing live. I definitely did need to re-adjust amp EQ's with them as well.
That is an amazing bass you have there! I have tried in a P also. Great for recording and bedrooms. But I didn't get to enjoy as much when playing live. I definitely did need to re-adjust amp EQ's with them as well.
uOpt
Something Cool
Re: Zephyr Jazz Pickups?
Speaking of it, is there still a way to get any Zephyr cheaper?
At some point I had McGyvered together a MusicianEnemy deal with some 15% off coupon and mrrebates but I didn't pull the trigger, thinking some used ones would eventually come along. Hahaha. No.
Speaking of it, is there still a way to get any Zephyr cheaper?
At some point I had McGyvered together a MusicianEnemy deal with some 15% off coupon and mrrebates but I didn't pull the trigger, thinking some used ones would eventually come along. Hahaha. No.
DrNewcenstein
He Did the Monster Mash
Re: Zephyr Jazz Pickups?
Used ones wouldn't be all that cheap, IMO, as there's no glut of them like JBs. I know if I had one and was selling it used, I'd ask nearly same-as-new cost.
Used ones wouldn't be all that cheap, IMO, as there's no glut of them like JBs. I know if I had one and was selling it used, I'd ask nearly same-as-new cost.
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Funkfingers
Guest
Re: Zephyr Jazz Pickups?
They would need to be Telecaster neck/Rhythm pickup sized to fit in The Block housing.
They would need to be Telecaster neck/Rhythm pickup sized to fit in The Block housing.
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