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Topic: Valco string-through pickup for 8 strings? |
Noah Miller
From:
Rocky Hill, CT
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Posted 5 Sep 2018 4:32 am |
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I know the originals were only built for 6 strings. Actually, the first-generation string-through unit (with separate staggered coils for each string) was built for at least 7, but I'm talking about the classic two-coil, 3X3 pole type that was built for many years.
Does anyone make a version for 8 strings? I assume there's no technical reason why it can't be done, but if I'm wrong, I'd be interested to know. |
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Bill Sinclair
From:
Waynesboro, PA, USA
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Noah Miller
From:
Rocky Hill, CT
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Posted 5 Sep 2018 6:56 am
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Those are the first-generation ones with separate coils for each string; they have a different sound from the more common 2-coil pickups.
I saw that Lollar makes a 6-string version, but I haven't asked them yet. I may go that route if nobody is already set up to make them. |
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Bill Sinclair
From:
Waynesboro, PA, USA
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Posted 5 Sep 2018 7:13 am
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| Noah Miller wrote: |
Those are the first-generation ones with separate coils for each string; they have a different sound from the more common 2-coil pickups.
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Noah,
I know you've owned at least one National with the staggered 7-string pickup, How would you describe the difference in sound? "Growl" seems to be the word most frequently applied to the Valco 3X3 string-throughs. |
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Noah Miller
From:
Rocky Hill, CT
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Posted 5 Sep 2018 8:49 am
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| The staggered ones have similarly high output, but the tone is darker. The mid-range is fuller and there isn't as much "bite" in the treble. |
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Ian McLatchie
From:
Sechelt, British Columbia
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Posted 5 Sep 2018 7:31 pm
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| There was also an eight string version of the two-coil pickup. It was on the Supro Console and a similar National model. Not sure if anyone makes one today. |
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Noah Miller
From:
Rocky Hill, CT
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Posted 6 Sep 2018 3:05 am
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| No, all 8-string Supro and National consoles either the "hidden" pickups in the '30s, the first-generation string-through in the early '40s, or one of several under-string pickups after that. There was never an 8-string two-coil pickup. |
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Bill Sinclair
From:
Waynesboro, PA, USA
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Posted 6 Sep 2018 3:29 am
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Maybe Ian is referring to these two single coils? Not the string-through that you're looking for but a good sounding setup. Yeah, the only Valco string-through eights I've seen are those very early individually staggered ones and those seem to be pretty rare.
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Keith Cary
From:
California, USA
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Posted 4 May 2019 1:33 pm
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| I wonder if a Fender P-bass pickup would work? |
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