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Topic: Sierra lap steel - Aiello / George L pickup ?'s |
Mitch Crane
From:
1000 Oaks, CA
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Posted 31 Dec 2010 2:07 pm |
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Hi all,
I'm aquiring a Sierra laptop 8 guitar that currently has an Aiello MRI pickup installed and may sound great and I'll leave it alone...
http://www.horseshoemagnets.com/_sgg/m1m4_1.htm
BUT, in case I want to put it back to current factory spec, it would call for a George L's 10-1 pickup. Question: On the Sierra site, it lists the pup as the 10-1. BUT is it really a pickup for an 8 string guitar ? In other words, if I buy a 10-1 pickup, is it going to fit and be appropriate for the Sierra laptop 8 ?
Thanks in advance for any info.
SIERRA SITE w/ LAPTOP 8 SPECS:
http://www.sierrasteels.com/pages/laptop.html
WHAT I'M GETTING (not here yet)
Last edited by Mitch Crane on 31 Dec 2010 5:03 pm; edited 3 times in total |
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Doug Beaumier
From:
Northampton, MA
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Posted 31 Dec 2010 3:02 pm
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Yes, the George L's 10-1 is a 10-string pedal steel guitar pickup, but Sierra uses it on their 8-string lap steel. It works fine on the Seirra because of it's extra-wide string spacing. I have the same George-L's PU on a pedal steel here and it measures exactly the same as the George-L's PU on my 8-string Sierra.
Sierra also offers the George-L's 105 PU on it's 5-way rotary switch model.
Your Sierra looks stunning! It's a beautiful instrument. I'm very curious to know how that Aiello PU sounds. Inquiring minds want to know! 
_________________
My Site / My YouTube Channel
25 Songs C6 Lap Steel / 25 MORE Songs C6 Lap Steel / 16 Songs, C6, A6, B11 / 60 Popular Melodies E9 Pedal Steel |
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Mitch Crane
From:
1000 Oaks, CA
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Mark van Allen
From:
Watkinsville, Ga. USA
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Posted 31 Dec 2010 4:42 pm
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Hey, Mitch, I'm pretty sure you'll be happy either way with one of the finest Lap Steels built these days.
I can only imagine the Horseshoe will sound tremendous. The stock George L's sound really good, but very "hi-fi" for want of a better description. They are very clear and crisp, articulate, no surprise from a pedal steel design. To me they make the Sierra sound like a pedal guitar tonally, and not like most lap steels, which have various characteristics but usually much lower output pickups.
I like the sound of the stock George L, but I assume the Aiello will sound amazing as well. Let us know what you decide! |
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Rick Aiello
From:
Berryville, VA USA
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Posted 31 Dec 2010 4:52 pm
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Oh my ... that's a rare one.
I remember it well ...
It's an MRI pickup ... that Jason Lollar and I built ... he wound the bobbin ala a Fender Trap string thru ...
And I made the magnet assembly ...
He sent me the bobbin/coil ... then I assembled the unit ... then sent it back to him to install into the Sierra ...
It is made so the original George L pickguard and height adjustment could be utilized ... so if you want to drop the 10-1 (a pedal steel pickup) back into it ... no harm nor foul..
I made a few complete MRI units by myself after that ... for a few of my cast steels ...
I later went to the "Potbelly" ... which was a much stronger unit ...
But the MRIs are tough to beat ... if I do say so myself ...
PS: It's not the initial Horseshoe unit that Jason and I collaborated on and I used in my Sierra for that Indian Love Call recording ... |
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Mitch Crane
From:
1000 Oaks, CA
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Posted 31 Dec 2010 4:55 pm
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Wow, thanks for the history Rick ! To be sure, I won't be doing anything until I give this baby a good workout and trial period. Good to know that there was no modification and that the George L's will just drop right in there. Thanks so much for chiming in Rick ! 
Rick, is there a tune on your site (or anywhere else) with this MRI / Sierra combo ? Sorry to have made an incorrect call in the above post ! 
This pickup is also coming with the Sierra...is it also one of yours Rick ?
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Rick Aiello
From:
Berryville, VA USA
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Posted 31 Dec 2010 5:08 pm
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That's a Jerry Wallace "Truetone" ... which was offered by Sierra at the time ... as a single coil option ... to the humbucking George L.
George L also offered a 10-5 ... which had 5 variations via coil taps ... very interesting and fun to play with ... I still have mine somewhere ...
I used my Sierra ... for all my prototypes ... it was my "constant" ... a great steel guitar.
And the Cherry with the legs ...  |
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Mitch Crane
From:
1000 Oaks, CA
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Posted 31 Dec 2010 5:12 pm
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Bill Leff
From:
Santa Cruz, CA, USA
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Posted 31 Dec 2010 6:41 pm
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| That Sierra there looks awfully familiar. I think I've played it before. Nice score! |
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John Ely
From:
Minneapolis Minnesota, USA
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Posted 5 Jan 2011 8:58 am Sierra-8
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I'm looking for a non-pedal Sierra 8 much like the one Mitch has pictured. Considering new and used; am awaiting a response from Sierra after leaving VM's and emails. I posted a notice in "Wanted to Buy" section, but if any of you in this thread know of similar guitars for sale, please drop me a line.
Thanks!
John Ely
Minneapolis, MN
_________________
John Ely (but I'm not THE John Ely who played with Asleep at the Wheel). |
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Andre Nizzari
From:
Bronx, NY
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Posted 8 Jan 2011 5:14 am
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I was the original owner of that sierra. #003 I sold it last two years ago to buy the black mamba, which I will never sell.
_________________
Blues in a doggy bag, is what I got to eat! |
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Mitch Crane
From:
1000 Oaks, CA
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Posted 8 Jan 2011 3:43 pm
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John, I emailed you.
The rest... while not official, I may need to sell this beauty. "Life happens" ya know, and this may need to go. If any interest, please PM or email me.. still undecided, but willing to 'talk' about it... |
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Former Member
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Posted 10 Jan 2011 5:29 pm
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Yes,
I agree. a VERY nice score!!!!
Man, who all owned this thing???
My life's now complete... 
Unless Rick starts making PU's again...  |
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Mitch Crane
From:
1000 Oaks, CA
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Posted 10 Jan 2011 6:25 pm
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Nice meeting you today Ron !! Enjoy
Hopefully, the string of owners is now OVER ?! |
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