Question for Sierra Owners

Mike Perlowin · From: Los Angeles CA

How important are the interchangable pickups? Do you change pickups? And if so do you notice a big difference in the tone of different ones?

Len Amaral · From: Rehoboth,MA 02769

I like the fast track pickup change on the Sierra guitars and you can instantly hear the difference between pickups.

David Spires · From: Millersport, OH

Mike,

I thought the "Quick Change" pickup on my Sierra was a great feature, but I have never changed pickups in it! The only reason is because I never bought a second pickup in their special housing to slide in there.

It is certainly a feature that I never used, but it sounded like a cool idea at the time.

David Spires

Glenn Suchan · From: Austin, Texas

Mike,

I have never changed pick-ups on my axe. But, because I play a 14-stringer the only pick-ups available are the original and the Sierra "CT" pick-up. Danny Shields made my pick-up and I really don't see a need to change.

Keep on pickin'!
Glenn

mickd · From: london,england

I really love the tones I get from the standard pickup that came with my Session. I've never tried sliding in another one to see what the difference might be, but its nice to know I could do that one day.

Pete Burak · From: Portland, OR USA

Hi Mike,
I only changed pickups once in 18 years before owning a Sierra, mainly because it was a hassle.
I have acquiered about a dozen pickups since getting a Sierra and enjoy mixing and matching them with different amps/effects, for different sounds (single coils, humbuckers, Danny Shields 3-position, GeorgeL 5-position, anything Bill Lawrence comes out with, anything Steve Blutcher from DiMarzio comes out with, ect...)
They all sound different, some sound significantly different.
I have one that sounds killer with a Fender Twin but sounds muddy with a Nash 400 (go figer?!).
At conventions several of us Sierra guys have had fun trying out pickup brands/models that the other guy had and vice-versa.
I tried a BL-910 that way.
At gigs I'd often switch one out with another to please my ear or to A-B in real time on the bandstand.
Used 12 string pickups often pop up for sale for less than $50 and I often buy them just to try out (I bought a single coil Mullen pickup on Buy&Sell not too long ago and it sounds pretty cool).
If you are a player who likes to try out different pickups (old or new) then this is a feature you might like alot.

I'm amazed that every brand doesn't offer some kind of method to change pickups without having to remove strings, mess with wiring, pickup height, ect...
(I understand the new Millenium steels will have removable pickups).
-pete

Jeff Bradshaw · From: Leslieville, Alberta - Canada

Hi Mike, I play a Sierra guitar and have a couple of different pickups. One is an E-66, the other is an unmarked pickup that has individual string poles so I assume that the latter mentioned pickup is a stock/standard Sierra pickup. Both of these pickups sound great yet both pickups also have their own unique tonalities. Do I change the pickups during a live gig?...No...However...I have changed them during recording sessions from time to time. Curiously, it's the lead guitar pickers on those sessions (not the producers), who seem to be the most impressed (envious?) by the quick change pickup feature. ...jeff

Chuck Martin · From: Clifton, Virginia

I also play a Sierra and recently had Sierra make me a modular BL-710 for it. Its a great feature to be able to switch pickups so easily. I'm really happy with the tone and clarity from the Bill Lawrence but who knows, if I get tired of it I can either go back to a George Ls or try something else.

Bobby Lee · From: Cloverdale, California, USA

I used one pickup (a Shields) for about twelve years because it was the best sounding pickup I had. Lately I've been acquiring pickups and switching them a lot.

I have three 12-string pickups that I use on gigs, and I often switch them between songs. I might use the 12-1 for a soft Hawaiian tune, for example, then switch to the 712 for a brighter country-rock tone. Also, the Shields pickup can get a cool out-of-phase sound that works for the more "acoustic" tunes.

I have two 10-string pickups that I only use for recording, because I often don't need the bottom two strings on recordings, and these pickups sound great! If you order your Sierra with the slot in the front, you can use 10- or 12-string pickups.

------------------

Bobby Lee - email: quasar@b0b.com - gigs - CDs
Sierra Session 12 (E9), Williams 400X (Emaj9, D6), Sierra Olympic 12 (F Diatonic) Sierra Laptop 8 (D13), Fender Stringmaster (E13, A6)

Dr. Hugh Jeffreys · From: Southaven, MS, USA

I have never changed one on either of my Sierra guitars. One complaint: My top string is Ab and I must use a .010 or .011 to get up there, however, the string does not have enough density at that size to produce a sound as loud as the others.

Bob Bowden · From: Vancouver, BC, Canada * R.I.P.

I just use the Danny Shields pickup that came with the guitar. The three position tap switch does the job for tone and output changes.

b0b · From: Cloverdale, CA, USA

Whoa! This topic is over 7 years old!

Dr. Hugh, the old Danny Shields pickups or the new Tonealigners have adjustable pole pieces on each string. That's very useful for bringing out the sound of the high G#.

Also, Jagwire's .0115 gauge is louder than the .011 you've been using, and it works well on almost any pedal steel without breaking. See http://pedalsteelmusic.com/strings/singles.html
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Gary Cosden · From: Florida, USA

I have experimented mostly with TrueTone pick ups of various "k"s on my session model and I find I like my 15.5K the best. b0b is correct about using an .0115. I used a .012 once in a pinch and it worked just fine for about a month when I changed it.
Also I have a Dimarzio pick up that came with mine and it also has adjustable pole pieces.

Dr. Hugh Jeffreys · From: Southaven, MS, USA

Both of my guitars have George L's. The last time I ordered strings from the 4um, Jagwire was not available; I've never heard of the 0115 gauge. My pickups can be adjusted on each end only.

Tom Campbell · From: Houston, Texas, USA

I think one of the biggest features of the Sierra is the ability to switch out pickups...I do it all the time. I can't imagine why other mfg. haven't adopted this feature (except MSA)...guess they don't think it that popular a concept. Then again, when you look at our steel community as a whole, we're a pretty...(guess I better not go there)! Winking

Bo Legg · Posted 17 Jun 2009 8:31 am

Yeah them slide in PUs sure are great.
I really like the little bitty toggle switch stuck in the front end of it that sooner or later it will get bumped and break.
Or always having to show other players who think that's the neatest thing they've ever seen how the PUs slide in and out.

KENNY KRUPNICK · From: Columbus, Ohio

The stock Tri-Pole pickups sound Greeeeeeeeeeat!!!! Very Happy

Craig Schwartz · From: McHenry IL

cool thread , After hearing Dicky Overbee at the ISGC 2010 show,and scotty letting everybody know The E-66 pickup growling away like a bobcat getting petted , woke everybody up, I want an e-66 that slides in the pocket for my sierra , Though Dicky was playin an emmons with the e-66
Very cool to see this thread , where can I get an interchangable e-66 to fit this guitar slot?
I hope I didnt veer off to far here...
Craig
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b0b · From: Cloverdale, CA, USA

I didn't like the E-66 in my Sierra Session SD-12. It didn't seem to be a good match for the guitar. It sounded too thin.

This topic is 9 years old!!
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Craig Schwartz · From: McHenry IL

Thanks Bob, I hear what you mean on thin , It seems thats what I`ve got now and I dont like it either, when I bought this guitar it also sounded way to bright, I was told the pups are crap traps ??? I`ll be shootin in the dark if I ever find one that fits this machine , Bob Thanks for the opinion
Craig
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b0b · From: Cloverdale, CA, USA

FWIW, the Bill Larence 712 and the George L's 12-1 were my favorite pickups with that guitar. I could use either of them all night.
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Jerry Knapper · From: Lakeland, Florida , USA

On my Sierra S12, I switch between the GeorgeL and a Wallace pickup, depending on the type of song. The Wallace is definately brighter for more of a Mooney sound.
My D10 is the 5th one I have had and I switch between a Sierra 1 and Sierra 2 GeorgeL pickup on it for song types and E9th vs C6th emphasis. I don't know why, but the Sierra 2 seems to be hotter and brighter than the Sierra 1, which is not how my previously 1 & 2's sounded.
This is a great feature and, to me, certainly more than "just for show".

chris ivey · From: california (deceased)

i do think modern steel builders should incorporate a connector on pickup wires. the cutting/soldering could be avoided.

John Polstra · From: Lopez Island, WA, USA

Since this thread has come back alive . . . Is this the Danny Shields pickup you guys have mentioned? It came with my used Crown series uni, and until now I haven't had any idea what it is.

John

b0b · From: Cloverdale, CA, USA

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