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Topic: Pickup Recommendations? |
Tom Bradshaw
From: Walnut Creek, California, USA
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Posted 18 Mar 2009 8:30 am
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Since I have restored a lot of steels, my request here may seem strange, and proves that I don't know everything. I'm currently restoring a D-10 early ("Classic" model) MSA. I want to put new pickups on it that are recommended by players who are hip to the current and best-sounding now available. Since the guitar will have an E9th on the top neck and C6th on the bottom neck, what pickups would you recommend that I install (that can now be purchased from suppliers)? Thanks, ...Tom
Last edited by Tom Bradshaw on 18 Mar 2009 10:00 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Roger Crawford
From: Griffin, GA USA
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Posted 18 Mar 2009 8:41 am
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Tom, if you're looking to use single coils, Jerry Wallace's TrueTone pickups are widely condidered to be the best available. I have them on all of my guitars and love the tone and minimal hum. |
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David Nugent
From: Gum Spring, Va.
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Posted 18 Mar 2009 10:30 am pickups
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Tom..I owned one of the early S-10 Classics and found that due to the extra narrow pickup openings, none of the modern pickups (not even the narrow mount models) would fit without alterations to the guitar. I ultimately sent the stock pickup to Jerry Wallace (Truetone Pickups) for rewinding. |
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John Allison
From: Austin, Texas, USA
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Posted 18 Mar 2009 11:03 am
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At the TSGA event Jim Flynn (Lone Star Seels Guitars)had an aluminum-neck 8 string lap steel with one of Jerry Wallace's pickups. I didn't expect much, tone-wise, out of a hunk of metal, but that thing was great! If Jerry's single coil can make an aluminum neck lap steel sound that good, I wouldn't hesitate to use them for any steel, pedal or non-pedal.
In fact Jim has my fixer-upper PS that I recently bought from here on the forum and it'll definitely end up with a Tru-Tone on it as part of the restoration. _________________ John Allison
Allison Stringed Instruments
Austin, Texas
www.allisonguitars.com |
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Tom Bradshaw
From: Walnut Creek, California, USA
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Posted 18 Mar 2009 11:53 am Pickup Size
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Thanks for the input. I have no concerns about the size of the replacement pickup chosen. I intend to expand the pocket in the neck to accommodate whatever pickup I select. ...Tom |
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Dwight Lewis
From: Huntsville, Alabama
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Posted 18 Mar 2009 6:05 pm Pickups for Classic
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Tom, hi and good to see ya back. I have a classic with that tiny pickup opening and I had Jerry rewind the stock pup to 21.3Kohms 12 stringer. It is perfect for mid high chords, missing a little down stairs. But I have seen some of your work on your website and I remember the white MSA you did awhile back. I believe it had a BL pickup. I would ,since you are refurbing this baby, route the neck and stick in either a BL712/ BLXR16 combo or a Wallace combo 18k/ 25k. Also George-L e66/10-1 combo.My opinion. Thanks and one more thing, is it possible for me to call ya . I got a conversion question for ya about a classic D12 changer and end plate.
ijaash@yahoo.com
Dwight _________________ Dekley 7p4k(PRS-10C), BMI S12 5p5kn |
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Don Brown, Sr.
From: New Jersey
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Posted 18 Mar 2009 7:11 pm
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Tom, would that be a "Maple Laquer" or other than that? Wooden necks?
Don |
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Tom Bradshaw
From: Walnut Creek, California, USA
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Posted 18 Mar 2009 8:42 pm Body type?
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The finish on the MSA? It is black Forumia. The necks are wood under that Formica. ...Tom |
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Vernon Hester
From: Cayce,SC USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 18 Mar 2009 9:09 pm MSA Pickups
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Tom,
I have BL 710's on my 77 MSA. I have also used 705's which sound good as well.
Vernon Hester |
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Ron Randall
From: Dallas, Texas, USA
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Posted 18 Mar 2009 11:20 pm
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Tone Aligners.
humbuckers and, each pole piece is adjustable up and down.
Contact Bob Hofnar here on the Forum |
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Dave Diehl
From: Mechanicsville, MD, USA
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Posted 19 Mar 2009 3:32 am
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Have not heard a Classis with the Truetones installed but I have the BL710's in mine and really like the response. |
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Don Brown, Sr.
From: New Jersey
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Posted 21 Mar 2009 6:37 am
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Tom, before you make any rash decisions, you might want to read this thread from John Fabian. If this Pickup does as well as the remarks on it, I'm going to give them a try. Randy, was quite impressed too.
Click Here
All our best to you and yours,
Don |
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Bobby Bowman
From: Cypress, Texas, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 21 Mar 2009 7:27 am pick ups
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Tom,
For sure, look into the "Alumitone" pick up. I think they are out your way in California.
BB _________________ If you play 'em, play 'em good!
If you build 'em, build 'em good!
http://www.bobbybowman.com |
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Paul Redmond
From: Illinois, USA
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Posted 23 Mar 2009 12:58 am
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George L's 10-1 !!!
PRR |
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Mike Perlowin
From: Los Angeles CA
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Posted 23 Mar 2009 4:43 am
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Tone Aligners.
After trying 4 different pickups in my Millennium, I settled on the Tone Aligner. As was mentioned, the individual pole pieces are adjustable so you can balance the volume between the bass and treble strings.
But beyond that, they just plain sound good. My guitar came alive when I tried one. It was not a subtle difference.
The great thing about interchangeable pickups is not that you can get a lot of different sounding pickups, but that you can try out a lot of different sounding pickups and see which you like best. For me, the tone aligner is it. _________________ Please visit my web site and Soundcloud page and listen to the music posted there.
http://www.mikeperlowin.com http://soundcloud.com/mike-perlowin |
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