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Topic: Steeltronics Z pickup |
Ken Metcalf
From:
San Antonio Texas USA
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Posted 4 Jan 2022 7:14 am |
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I played my 1st gig New Years Eve with my ZB style pickup from Steeltronics last weekend.
My MSA U-12 has the quick change pickup system.
My impression was that the lower strings have very noticeable improvement in clarity and crispness.
The over all sound of the P.U. is very good and has a decidedly vintage country tone.
Customer service at Steetronics is far above the norm.
https://www.steeltronics.com/
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MSA 12 String E9th/B6th Universal.
Little Walter PF-89.
Bunch of stomp boxes |
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Jim Cooley
From:
The 'Ville, Texas, USA
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Posted 4 Jan 2022 11:49 am
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| Ken - Thank you for posting this. I've been toying with the idea of trying a Steeltronics in my MSA. What was necessary to modify the Steeltronics for MSA's quick change mount? Thanks. |
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Ken Metcalf
From:
San Antonio Texas USA
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Posted 4 Jan 2022 12:59 pm
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No modification necessary. Popped right in.
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MSA 12 String E9th/B6th Universal.
Little Walter PF-89.
Bunch of stomp boxes |
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Jim Cooley
From:
The 'Ville, Texas, USA
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Posted 4 Jan 2022 4:47 pm
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| That's good news. Thanks again. |
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David Higginbotham
From:
Lake Charles, Louisiana, USA
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Posted 5 Jan 2022 8:35 am
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Hey Ken,
I’ve been on the fence about getting these for my GFI as the vintage ZB “bite” tone was always my favorite. Scott’s site has plenty of info regarding installation and adjustments including the option to add a resistor on the input jack for better tone control in the higher frequencies. Scott did send me some measurements for installation.
I’m using a Telonics pedal. Did you make any major adjustments for your MSA? Are you using passive or active volume pedal? I’ve settled on reissue 705’s for years now after using many pickups previously including original 705’s. Emmons single coils were my favorite prior to my current setup. Any info regarding these specifics would be greatly appreciated.
Dave 🙂 |
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Ken Metcalf
From:
San Antonio Texas USA
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Posted 5 Jan 2022 11:46 am
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A Telonics volume pedal is what I use.
There is a tone control on my MSA that I use quit a bit.
Scotts Z P.U. doesn't seem to me to be overly bright on the high end, but I like a pretty bright tone.
I like the single coil for traditional sound and a humbucker (XR-16) if I want more effects like distortion.
_________________
MSA 12 String E9th/B6th Universal.
Little Walter PF-89.
Bunch of stomp boxes |
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George Macdonald
From:
Vancouver Island BC Canada
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Posted 5 Jan 2022 12:08 pm Z pickup
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| Ken, How does the tone of the Z pickup compare to the traditional single coil? Is there less hum with the Z? Thanks, George |
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Ken Metcalf
From:
San Antonio Texas USA
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Posted 5 Jan 2022 12:55 pm
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The Z is a little more micro-phonic which is part of the charm.
I am not a tech whiz on this stuff but guessing the ZB style P.U. has less windings and possibly more hum? Not for sure.
The True Tone wound to, and I am guessing 17,000 - 18,000 has more punch or volume and less clarity on the low strings.
Scott would be the guy to ask on this and he is very friendly and helpful.
https://www.steeltronics.com/
_________________
MSA 12 String E9th/B6th Universal.
Little Walter PF-89.
Bunch of stomp boxes |
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Dave Zirbel
From:
Sebastopol, CA USA
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Posted 5 Jan 2022 1:27 pm
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I have the Z pickup on a couple of guitars. I like them.
| Quote: |
| I am not a tech whiz on this stuff but guessing the ZB style P.U. has less windings and possibly more hum? |
They are wound around 14k or 14.5K but the ZB originals and Scotts Z pickups have an outer row of magnets outside of the coil, plus a metal plate underneath which helps reduce single coil hum and boosts the signal a bit.....I think...
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Dave Zirbel-
Sierra S-10 (Built by Ross Shafer),ZB, Fender 400 guitars, various tube and SS amps |
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Marc Jenkins
From:
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
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Posted 5 Jan 2022 2:50 pm
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| I have a Z in my Show Pro. Less hum than a Truetone for sure! By design. |
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Dean Holman
From:
Branson MO
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Posted 6 Jan 2022 7:04 pm
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| Eddie Dunlap has a couple of YouTube clips playing one of his ShowPros’ with this pickup. |
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Ken Metcalf
From:
San Antonio Texas USA
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Posted 7 Jan 2022 7:01 am
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Thanks Dean
| Quote: |
Eddie Dunlap has a couple of YouTube clips playing one of his ShowPros’ with this pickup. |
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_h-rpaa8zY
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MSA 12 String E9th/B6th Universal.
Little Walter PF-89.
Bunch of stomp boxes |
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Olli Haavisto
From:
Jarvenpaa,Finland
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Posted 8 Jan 2022 9:09 am
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Ken, did you send it to MSA for the quick change base installation?
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Olli Haavisto
Finland |
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Ken Metcalf
From:
San Antonio Texas USA
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Posted 8 Jan 2022 9:24 am
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No Scott made it for me at Steeltronics.
https://www.steeltronics.com/
_________________
MSA 12 String E9th/B6th Universal.
Little Walter PF-89.
Bunch of stomp boxes |
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Olli Haavisto
From:
Jarvenpaa,Finland
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Posted 8 Jan 2022 9:27 am
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That sounds great. How much extra?
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Olli Haavisto
Finland |
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Scott Swartz
From:
St. Louis, MO
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Posted 8 Jan 2022 10:12 am
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Olli I sent you an email on it.
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Scott Swartz
Steeltronics - Steel Guitar Pickups
www.steeltronics.com |
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