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Topic: The "Portal" Pickup has arrived! |
Rich Hlaves
From:
Wildomar, California, USA
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Posted 13 Dec 2008 6:15 pm |
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It was sitting in a non-descript white box in my mailbox when I returned from running errands. Needless to say, all other activity stopped at my house until the pickup was installed in my Ric S100.
All I can say is WOW! This latest creation From Rick Aiello is fantastic. I would describe the tone of this pickup as "clear", "Transparent", "open" and most of all "Balanced". This is by far the clearest, most balanced, expressive pick up I haved played to date. It is quite hot with plenty of output and has great sustain. I backed the blade just slightly away from the strings, from where Rick suggests it should be in his guide to adjusting a Ric pickup. He mentioned I may want to do this as the magnetic field is so strong in this model.
If I had to compare it to something, I would say it reminds me of a P90 but tons better. This device has the ability to let you hear tones from your instrument you have never heard before. They where all there, you just couldn't hear them. Kudos Rick!
I had a 1 1/4" horseshoe Ric PU in the guitar and I thought it would be tough to beat. The Portal is better. Thanks Rick, it was fun being the first to own one! Also thanks to Rick's friend Richard who sent me a free headshock decal for the S100. It is so nice when people are nice.
I might add that the workmanship on this pickup is top notch. Everything fit perfectly in the guitar. and the gloss black powder coat is mirror like.
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Ron Whitfield
From:
Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA
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Posted 13 Dec 2008 7:38 pm That's it...
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... I'm going to have to go to bed early tonight, I've reached my ooh and ahh limit for one day!
I still have one of those cool decals left, hiding in safe keeping. |
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Rick Aiello
From:
Berryville, VA USA
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Posted 14 Dec 2008 7:46 am Re: The "Portal" Pickup has arrived!
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I'm glad it made it safely out there ...and you like it ... 
Thanks for the kind words ...  |
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Bill Creller
From:
Saginaw, Michigan, USA (deceased)
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Posted 14 Dec 2008 8:12 pm
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Don't you just love it when a plan comes together  |
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Tom Pettingill
From:
California, USA (deceased)
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Rich Hlaves
From:
Wildomar, California, USA
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Posted 15 Dec 2008 10:07 am
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The most amazing thing about the Portal is the bass response. There is no muddiness to the bass. The bass notes are as clear as all the others, just lower in pitch.
RH |
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Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 15 Dec 2008 11:19 am
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The man is a borderline genius, I tell you. Always pushing forward, always trying something new (always with a houseful of screaming kids!). I don't know how he finds time for it (I'm talking about the pickups). 
_________________
Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links |
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Rich Hlaves
From:
Wildomar, California, USA
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Posted 15 Dec 2008 12:09 pm
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| Rick's wife must be a very special woman. As for the man himself, there is nothing borderline about it. Nice guy too. Super to do business with. |
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Rick Aiello
From:
Berryville, VA USA
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Posted 15 Dec 2008 2:52 pm
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Borderline psychotic ... that's what my neurologists say ...
Anyway ... glad you are enjoying it Rich ...
And yes, Chrissy's an angel ...
As long as I:
Keep those diapers clean and fresh ... 
Keep the house vacuumed ... 
Keep the dishes washed ... 
Keep up with the laundry ... 
Keep the bathrooms clean ... 
And most of all ... keep getting her pregnant ...  |
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Rich Hlaves
From:
Wildomar, California, USA
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Posted 15 Dec 2008 3:26 pm
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Hey, at least the most important is the most fun!
Enjoy that family. It is a blessing that not all of us have been able to enjoy. |
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Les Anderson
From:
The Great White North
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Posted 15 Dec 2008 5:05 pm
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With this new pick up being so clear and transparent, that means if you drop a lemon everyone is going to hear it?
I may stick with my fuzzy, muffled pick ups. No one can tell if I am playing out of tune or the PUs are acting up again.  |
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Rich Hlaves
From:
Wildomar, California, USA
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Posted 15 Dec 2008 5:46 pm
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Les,
Interesting comment and you are exactly right. I clinker will shine right though. Everything you play does be it right, wrong or indifferent including poor bar technique that causes string rattle or buzz. I look at it as something that forces me to play better. I need all the help I can get! But that tone......killer.
RH |
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Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 15 Dec 2008 7:33 pm
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I say borderline only because I know Rick better than most of y'all....hehe.
_________________
Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links |
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Rick Aiello
From:
Berryville, VA USA
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Posted 16 Dec 2008 9:11 am
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| Quote: |
| I say borderline only because I know Rick better than most of y'all....hehe. |
This might be of interest ... to some of y'all ...
Excel JB Redo
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