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Topic: Mystery Pickups on a ShoBud |
Eric Dahlhoff
From:
Point Arena, California
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Posted 14 Mar 2015 5:36 pm |
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These are hum-bucking pickups. They are seriously LOW impedance. They read about 320 ohms. There is a tiny transformer soldered to the output jack. (Stancor PCT-17)It is 1K:200K (printed on the side) Google tells me that it was commonly used with bass guitar pickups.
Interesting - the low impedance really kills any noise. And they sound really nice (and would be much nicer with someone else playing, I'm sure...)
I have not found any relevant info searching here on the forum, and was hoping someone might have some ideas as to the manufacture or brand.
They look similar to the ones in this thread...
http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=254466
Thanks in advance for any info.
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"To live outside the law you must be honest." (Bob Dylan) |
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Craig Baker
From:
Eatonton, Georgia, USA - R.I.P.
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Posted 14 Mar 2015 10:04 pm
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Hi Eric,
Pickups aside, from what I can see of your Sho~Bud, it's a beautiful guitar.
Les Paul realized the advantages of a low impedance guitar system. In one system, he used low impedance pickups which have a low output level by their nature. Then, at the amplifier's input, Paul used a step-up transformer, similar to what you describe, to provide the higher signal level needed for a guitar amplifier.
You may have better results by relocating that transformer in a small metal case as close to the next device's input as possible. You'll probably have the cleanest sound on the planet, and you won't have to buy a buffer. If you're using one of the active volume pedals out there, your sound will most likely be remarkable. Don't know who did the pickups, but they were on target for a great sound!
All the best,
Craig Baker 706-485-8792
cmbakerelectronics@gmail.com
C.M. Baker Electronics
P.O. Box 3965
Eatonton, GA 31024
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"Make America Great Again". . . The Only Country With Dream After Its Name. |
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Eric Dahlhoff
From:
Point Arena, California
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Posted 15 Mar 2015 8:54 am
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Thanks for the reply Craig.
This Sho~Bud was pretty well frozen up when I got it. It's currently disassembled & getting put back together.
I have never seen low-Z guitar pickups with transformer before. Obviously it's the standard for most microphones. I sort of wish I could get some for my Strat! 
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"To live outside the law you must be honest." (Bob Dylan) |
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Eric Dahlhoff
From:
Point Arena, California
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Posted 16 Mar 2015 10:31 pm ShoBud pickups??
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Anybody else have an idea who made these pickups?
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"To live outside the law you must be honest." (Bob Dylan) |
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Tommy White
From:
Nashville
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Posted 17 Mar 2015 12:09 pm
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Eric,
Those are indeed very rare experimental pickups made by Sho-Bud, actually wound by Shot Jackson. I believe very few of these were made in the early 1970s. Shot Jackson installed these on my guitar, my dad's guitar, and if I remember correctly, Lloyd Green, Hal Rugg and maybe a few other professionals tried them. The transformer would blow, so, Sho-Bud re-installed the original dual tap single coils in my guitar.. The very first recording session I played on in 1971 or 1972 was using those pickups. I thought they sounded fabulous. |
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Craig Baker
From:
Eatonton, Georgia, USA - R.I.P.
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Posted 17 Mar 2015 1:45 pm
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Eric,
There you go !!!
When it comes to tone, who could tell you more about "fabulous" than Tommy White.
Craig
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"Make America Great Again". . . The Only Country With Dream After Its Name. |
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Eric Dahlhoff
From:
Point Arena, California
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Posted 17 Mar 2015 2:01 pm
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Well...THANK YOU Tommy for the info!
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"To live outside the law you must be honest." (Bob Dylan) |
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