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Topic: Multi-pickup PSG sound clips? |
Ben Thomas
From:
North Carolina, USA
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Posted 9 Feb 2022 1:10 pm |
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I've seen the older Mullen PSGs with two pickups on each neck, and I think I've also seen a Franklin with this setup, but I can't seem to find any sound clips of someone playing both pickups together or switching between the pickups. I believe Dale Rottacker used to have one of those very Mullen guitars. Does anyone have a video or sound clip of this type of setup? I have searched the forum and while I find folks talking about this topic I can't find examples to listen to.
Thanks! |
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John McClung
From:
Olympia WA, USA
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Posted 9 Feb 2022 1:32 pm
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Check in with my neighbor Dan Tyack. He plays Desert Rose guitars with multiple pickups to craft his rocky Sacred steel tone. He's on the forum I'm pretty sure.
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Ben Thomas
From:
North Carolina, USA
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Posted 9 Feb 2022 4:08 pm
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| Thanks John, I will check that out. I guess if this two (or three) pickup idea worked for PSG there’d be more info on it out there. I converted a Tele Strat hybrid to lap steel with palm benders and I loved the tones of the Albert Lee position (bridge and middle). |
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Lee Gauthier
From:
Victoria, BC, Canada
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Ben Thomas
From:
North Carolina, USA
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Posted 10 Feb 2022 3:48 am
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Thanks for sharing that, Lee! Russ’ setup is pretty interesting and works well for his style, and can have a distinct sound.
Thanks again John for the info as I also found some cool different pickup tones from Dan on YouTube, with the Buckaroosters.
Still hoping someone will have an example of the 2 pickup neck Mullen. |
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Jon Light
From:
Saugerties, NY
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Posted 10 Feb 2022 6:23 am
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This was quite a few years ago. While I'm not thrilled to post the audio, given the choice of protecting my pride or posting this for informational purposes, I've posted it. I regret that it isn't as informative as it could/should have been.
My first production unit went to Dan Tyack to aid his quest to bring his Franklin into his Desert Rose two pickup config. He went on to get Jason Lollar to make a (better, of course....Lollar!) rig.
I have no intention of returning to this project and making more.
Context:
https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=232778
The audio:
https://youtu.be/5iemP5Ikpw4
The audio summary---
This begins with the permanent pickup--a BL 912--and I proceed to run through different switch positions. ABY switch with a phase reverser.
The take away? The Lace pickup position at fret 24 makes it much broader spectrum, high fidelity with a deeper bottom. You can really hear it with the wide grip playing. And the reversed polarity A&B sounds somewhat thin single coil with a bite. This position really shines in an overdriving situation as I hope to demonstrate in the future. (oh well, I guess I never got back to it....) |
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Bob Carlucci
From:
Candor, New York, USA
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Posted 10 Feb 2022 8:13 am Re: Multi-pickup PSG sound clips?
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| Ben Thomas wrote: |
I've seen the older Mullen PSGs with two pickups on each neck, and I think I've also seen a Franklin with this setup, but I can't seem to find any sound clips of someone playing both pickups together or switching between the pickups. I believe Dale Rottacker used to have one of those very Mullen guitars. Does anyone have a video or sound clip of this type of setup? I have searched the forum and while I find folks talking about this topic I can't find examples to listen to.
Thanks! |
Ben... I used a 3 pickup pedal steel guitar for probably 20 years.. A GeorgeL 10-5, a Sho bud w/ coil tap, and the stock MSA all on the same guitar, with a bewildering array of switches.. I don't have any sound clips on hand to share here, but can direct you to many on youtube and other sites of recorded music made on that guitar,,, The guitar sounds quite different each recording in many of those instances so you can get a gauge of the variety and range of different tonalities, but its all studio recordings over other instruments and vocals.. Not as exact as a clear recording of each individual pickup and pickup combination with no other competing sounds, but you still hear a lot of good tonal variation when using a multi pickup guitar... bob
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I'm over the hill and hittin'rocks on the way down!
no gear list for me.. you don't have the time...... |
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Ben Thomas
From:
North Carolina, USA
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Posted 10 Feb 2022 9:05 am
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Jon, that is a very interesting concept, and I think the sound clips in that video give a good idea of the diversity of tones available with this setup. Thanks so much for sharing that info and the links! I wonder if the pickup placement at fret 24, thus taking away the fret markers beyond 24, is one reason that folks shy away from this type of setup? I like Rick Schmidt's point of view, that "more is more" when talking about pedal steel. 
Bob, I will be on the lookout for those videos on youtube. I did see the great demo you did of the Fender on what I think is your own youtube channel from 9 years ago. Very cool tone, and you played great!
A side note that I noticed this morning while going back and looking at the "Live is Basel" Dire Straits concert videos on youtube is that Paul's D-10 Franklin has two pickups on each neck, but after listening closely to that whole concert tour from the "On the Night" album I don't believe he ever engages anything beyond the standard position pickup on either E9 or C6.
Thanks all for the continued interesting discussion! |
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