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Topic: Pickup Idea |
Jeff Metz Jr.
From:
York, Pennsylvania, USA
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Posted 15 Sep 2016 3:03 pm |
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Okay, SO we all know that MSA and Sierra have both used a Modular pickup design. Now imagine if instead of the pickup sliding in and out to install it, It would slide forward and backwards to change its relativity to the changer. It would be like have a neck pickup, bridge pickup and everything in between. Has anybody done this before? Thanks
Seems like a very simple idea. Someone should jump on it if it hasn't happened yet.
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Mullen G2 SD10 , Lil Izzy Buffer, Goodrich 120 volume pedal, Boss DD-7, Peterson Strobo flip, Peavey Nashville 112 |
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Tim Russell
From:
Pennsylvania, USA
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Posted 15 Sep 2016 3:20 pm
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I've seen this on a Gibson Grabber bass. It slid maybe 3", & in my opinion the sound didn't change at all. Maybe it was a concept before its time.
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Sierra Crown D-10 |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 15 Sep 2016 4:07 pm
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I've brought up the idea of a sliding pickup here several times, but the idea never got much traction. I write that off as most players just not being interested in anything but one boring sound and one tone. After all, pedal steelers aren't known as being the most imaginative guys on the planet!  |
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Rick Kreuziger
From:
Merrillan, Wisconsin
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Posted 15 Sep 2016 4:13 pm
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| Jackson has done it on some guitars... I think it's a great idea. |
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Bob Hoffnar
From:
Austin, Tx
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Posted 15 Sep 2016 5:30 pm
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Jon Light made a pickup that can be moved. Pretty cool idea. I'm not sure how many he sold though.
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Bob |
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Charlie Hansen
From:
Halifax, NS Canada and Various Southern Towns.
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Posted 15 Sep 2016 6:07 pm
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| Framus made a guitar back in the 50s or very early 60s with a sliding pickup that actually did change the tone . It slide from the bridge to the base of the neck. |
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Ian Rae
From:
Redditch, England
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Posted 16 Sep 2016 9:08 am
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I'm not surprised if it didn't make much difference on that Gibson bass - 3" hardly seems worth the trouble.
_________________
Make sleeping dogs tell the truth!
Homebuilt keyless U12 7x5, Excel keyless U12 8x8, Williams keyless U12 7x8, Telonics rack and 15" cabs |
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Edward Rhea
From:
Medford Oklahoma, USA
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Ian Rae
From:
Redditch, England
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Posted 16 Sep 2016 1:32 pm
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Wow! I want one! But then they don't exactly seem to have taken the world by storm, so maybe not.
The reviewer reckoned it played well, so maybe it's just down to conservatism.
_________________
Make sleeping dogs tell the truth!
Homebuilt keyless U12 7x5, Excel keyless U12 8x8, Williams keyless U12 7x8, Telonics rack and 15" cabs |
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Cartwright Thompson
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Posted 17 Sep 2016 5:20 am
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Dan Armstrong made a few guitars with sliders.
Last edited by Cartwright Thompson on 17 Sep 2016 11:37 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Georg Sørtun
From:
Mandal, Agder, Norway
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Posted 17 Sep 2016 5:43 am
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I've had a sliding PU on my converted Dekley S10 for a couple of decades now. Slightly less than an inch movable range makes quite a difference...
Have test-played a Jackson PSG with movable PU at the TSGA Jamboree once. Had too loosen screws to move the PU ... unlike on mine where I can slide it even while playing. |
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Rich Peterson
From:
Moorhead, MN
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Posted 17 Sep 2016 5:24 pm
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The first models of the Ibanez Iceman guitars included a sliding pickup model.
http://avhguitarrepair.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_1257.jpg
Moving the pickup just a little can make a lot of difference. On my Carvin 6-string, I can tap either coil of the bridge humbucker. The coil closest to the bridge sounds like a Strat; the other sounds like a Tele.
Difficulty doing t on a PSG comes from the pickup being mounted in the massive block holding the changer. Hollowing that out might increase cabinet drop. |
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Jim Pitman
From:
Waterbury Ctr. VT 05677 USA
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Posted 22 Sep 2016 10:57 am
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This thread begs the question - What is the optimal position for a pickup in a given guitar?
I wonder if makers experimented with this in the development stage or just said 'this looks like a good place for it". |
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James Mayer
From:
back in Portland Oregon, USA (via Arkansas and London, UK)
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Gordon Hartin
From:
Durham, NC
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Posted 22 Sep 2016 12:11 pm
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Jackson was doing it on some of their models
Gordon |
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Jim Sliff
From:
Lawndale California, USA
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Posted 22 Sep 2016 1:10 pm
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I've tried it on one of my Fenders (using an Alumitone) it was OK, but IMO you get FAR more tonal variation in the same space installing TWO pickups, a blend control, a volume control and tone control.
The blend with TWO pickups gives you close to the same tones as a "slider", but with more punch and subtle variations.
And why steel manufacturers stopped installing volume and tone controls (thinking a volume pedal and amp controls would do the job - which they don't as they operate in a totally different way) makes absolutely no sense to me. When I had my MSA, ShoBud, ZB and a few others I always plugged a passive volume/tone circuit mounted in a small effects box into the output jack. eliminates icepick tones and annoying high-pitched whine..
IMO controls are the most cost-effective add-on you can do (and costs about $10 to build) - two pickups can be tricky depending on construction, but if I was going to buy a single-pickup steel without a wood top I'd hire a steel tech to open a slot to fit a second pickup, mount a blend underneath and use the same outboard volume/tone box mentioned.
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No chops, but great tone
1930's/40's Rickenbacher/Rickenbacker 6&8 string lap steels
1921 Weissenborn Style 2; Hilo&Schireson hollownecks
Appalachian, Regal & Dobro squarenecks
1959 Fender 400 9+2 B6;1960's Fender 800 3+3+2; 1948 Fender Dual-8 Professional |
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