Free pickup time!!

[scottosan]

As I promised last month, I will be doing regular pickup giveaways. As I’ve been preparing to open up shop, I have a ton of prototypes plus a few “blems”. I’m not giving away any “turds”. Bad pickups are simply discarded. A lot of these are simply testing repeatable build processes using part from the handful of suppliers as to get my preferred parts lists nailed down. These would have been installed and demoed.

First up is one of my Frank’E prototypes. Obviously a take on the hotter EVH pickup but wide spaced 53mm. All of the EVH branded are standard spaced and I have to agree I like the standard spacing better and even a 52mm bobbin over 53mm bobbins for this design. Because of this one being a wider bobbin, it has a little higher DCR at 15.1k. Same amount of winds and the normal spaced which comes in at 14.4K. The amount of winds and inductance decides the output along with the magnet, not DCR. Wound with 43awg plain enamel wire and a rough cast A2. Slightly different than my production specs but a solid pickup none the less

My ask again. Please intend to use it in the near term, not sit on a shelf. Communicate likes or dislikes although these prototypes are simply that. I ended up with slightly different spec for production specs but interesting to know what your ears hear as well. As such, not looking for any product plugs and spamming from you, no strings attached, just honest feedback via DMs. I prefer this goes to some one that’s 80s rock to hard rock and has a general sense of pickup specs they tend to gravitate to. Again, matching the pickup to the player.

This isn’t a first on in deal. I know some of you better than others and music tastes so some preference may be given as such. Feel free to hit me up via PM on through the post. I will choose someone today so I can ship tomorrow. I will do one a week for the next month

 

[japetus]

This sounds right up my alley tonewise. I go for that APC/Kings X tone for rock right now and I have a Jackson ready to put it in. I would be more than happy to give my honest review.

 

[scottosan]

This sounds right up my alley tonewise. I go for that APC/Kings X tone for rock right now and I have a Jackson ready to put it in. I would be more than happy to give my honest review.

Correction. It’s a polished A2 not rough cast. Anyway, it’s yours. PM me your address

 

[DanTravis62]

Nice! Sounds like japetus would be a great reviewer!

If theres an A5 medium output humbucker in the coming weeks, I could give it a test ride. That's almost entirely what is in all of my guitars, and I could compare and contrast to my sh14s, and various WCRs.

 

[scottosan]

Nice! Sounds like japetus would be a great reviewer!

If theres an A5 medium output humbucker in the coming weeks, I could give it a test ride. That's almost entirely what is in all of my guitars, and I could compare and contrast to my sh14s, and various WCRs.

Define medium output. There is higher misconception regarding output. In the traditional sense people like to use resistance as a measure when it’s really the number of winds and magnet. I’ve wound a PAF at 10.3k with 42awg that’s hotter than a pickup wound to 12.5k with 43awg If you can give me an example of a pickup you consider medium output I could let you know. As far as magnets, I pretty much have everything.

 

[DanTravis62]

Define medium output. There is higher misconception regarding output. In the traditional sense people like to use resistance as a measure when it’s really the number of winds and magnet. I’ve wound a PAF at 10.3k with 42awg that’s hotter than a pickup wound to 12.5k with 43awg If you can give me an example of a pickup you consider medium output I could let you know. As far as magnets, I pretty much have everything.

By medium output I mean hotter in how it reacts to the preamp of an amp than a traditional PAF but nowhere near as hot as most "modern" ceramics.

And examples would be both of the pickups I listed above, the Duncan sh-14/custom 5, and the Wagner Godwood, Wagner Icebucker, and Wagner American Steele. All medium resistance/output alnico 5 magnet humbuckers.

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

I'd love one and will put it in right away if you want to send it. Roughcast A2? Drool! In Canada but will pay shipping. I'm ready to rock AND roll. That's a double guarantee. Is anyone else this ready?? .. didn't think so.

Saw that it is taken.. and polished. Either way if you want to send me anything, I'll put it in one of my guitars. That thing is a whore and will take just about anything!

 

[scottosan]

By medium output I mean hotter in how it reacts to the preamp of an amp than a traditional PAF but nowhere near as hot as most "modern" ceramics.

And examples would be both of the pickups I listed above, the Duncan sh-14/custom 5, and the Wagner Godwood, Wagner Icebucker, and Wagner American Steele. All medium resistance/output alnico 5 magnet humbuckers.

The Frank’E that I will be pushing. Is basically right there in output compared the any of the Duncan Custom, Custom 5 and Custom Custom @ 14k+. Those are all the same pickups just different magnets.

Interestingly, before I started winding, I had my own magnet preferences, based on many of the production options out there. Since I started winding, I’ve completely rethought my preferences. Being hand wound and being wax soaked will be tonally different than the machine wound and vacuum wax potted such as many of the big makers. That said, PAFs, JBs, and a lot of the iconic pickups of all time weren’t hand wound. I hand wind, but use measured and controlled tension and time my turns per wire layers as to get predictable and repeatable results by using set speeds and a metronome to time my traverse back and forth across the bobbins. Generally the result is clearer and more balanced pickup. For the 14k range I actually prefer a short rough cast A5 magnet, which I comment on some EVH posts suspect that was the magnet in his Franky since that pickup was a PAF pulled from a 61 ES335 which would have been a short A5. Since everyone is offering their EVH with an A2, I’m going against the grain and anyone who’s tried it really likes it.

I think I do have a couple but they are standard width 2 conductor. This is a case in which I feel the standard width pickup is better than the wide spaced equivalent regardless of your bridge type.

 

[japetus]

The Frank’E that I will be pushing. Is basically right there in output compared the any of the Duncan Custom, Custom 5 and Custom Custom @ 14k+. Those are all the same pickups just different magnets.

This is great because it's exactly what I am hoping for, but maybe even more a prounced mid hump. Can't wait.

 

[scottosan]

This is great because it's exactly what I am hoping for, but maybe even more a prounced mid hump. Can't wait.

Yours has an A2. If you prefer more mids and and a not so spongy compressed low end, I could put in a short A5. It just depends on your preference of magnets. Keep in mind a short A5 doesn’t sound like a standard long A5

 

[japetus]

Yours has an A2. If you prefer more mids and and a not so spongy compressed low end, I could put in a short A5. It just depends on your preference of magnets. Keep in mind a short A5 doesn’t sound like a standard long A5

A5 long unoriented IL sounds my speed but I want to try what you have in mind!

 

[scottosan]

I plan on going over to another forum member house to listen to the Godwood and get a baseline. From what I read it’s a overwound PAF at 10k

 

[scottosan]

A5 long unoriented IL sounds my speed but I want to try what you have in mind!

I don’t have the IL. The descriptions were lifted for Throbaks site

 

[scottosan]

A5 long unoriented IL sounds my speed but I want to try what you have in mind!

I would go A2 or short A5. Just a matter of your preference. At least to me, an A2 has a spongy, sluggish low end and slightly scooped mods that can sound thick isolated and good feel for leads. The short A5 is a more immediate pick attack but not as harsh as a long A5 and is a different feel. I like it better for rhythm.

 

[japetus]

I would go A2 or short A5. Just a matter of your preference. At least to me, an A2 has a spongy, sluggish low end and slightly scooped mods that can sound thick isolated and good feel for leads. The short A5 is a more immediate pick attack but not as harsh as a long A5 and is a different feel. I like it better for rhythm.

send you a pm

 

[DanTravis62]

The Frank’E that I will be pushing. Is basically right there in output compared the any of the Duncan Custom, Custom 5 and Custom Custom @ 14k+. Those are all the same pickups just different magnets.

Interestingly, before I started winding, I had my own magnet preferences, based on many of the production options out there. Since I started winding, I’ve completely rethought my preferences. Being hand wound and being wax soaked will be tonally different than the machine wound and vacuum wax potted such as many of the big makers. That said, PAFs, JBs, and a lot of the iconic pickups of all time weren’t hand wound. I hand wind, but use measured and controlled tension and time my turns per wire layers as to get predictable and repeatable results by using set speeds and a metronome to time my traverse back and forth across the bobbins. Generally the result is clearer and more balanced pickup. For the 14k range I actually prefer a short rough cast A5 magnet, which I comment on some EVH posts suspect that was the magnet in his Franky since that pickup was a PAF pulled from a 61 ES335 which would have been a short A5. Since everyone is offering their EVH with an A2, I’m going against the grain and anyone who’s tried it really likes it.

I think I do have a couple but they are standard width 2 conductor. This is a case in which I feel the standard width pickup is better than the wide spaced equivalent regardless of your bridge type.

The guitars that they would go in are all TOM type bridges and either explorer-ish or Les Paul bodies, so standard spacing would actually be preferred. I don't play superstrats.

Interestingly, I'm not an EVH devotee in the least. I do more "classic thrash" and power/classic metal stuff, ala Helloween, Priest, Maiden, Iced Earth, Accept, etc.

I just prefer the "openness" of those A5 style pickups, and the relative lack of "compression" (often observed in emgs and super high output ceramics) because it highlights the ultra staccato rhythm guitar technique I've spent 2 decades working on.

If you're willing to send them, I'm willing to put them in one of my Les Pauls or my Carlino for a test drive and in-depth review.

 

[DanTravis62]

I plan on going over to another forum member house to listen to the Godwood and get a baseline. From what I read it’s a overwound PAF at 10k

Yep, that is correct. they're a fantastic pickup.

Super clear and crisp midrange, less honk than a JB, retains tight low end.

 

[scottosan]

The guitars that they would go in are all TOM type bridges and either explorer-ish or Les Paul bodies, so standard spacing would actually be preferred. I don't play superstrats.

Interestingly, I'm not an EVH devotee in the least. I do more "classic thrash" and power/classic metal stuff, ala Helloween, Priest, Maiden, Iced Earth, Accept, etc.

I just prefer the "openness" of those A5 style pickups, and the relative lack of "compression" (often observed in emgs and super high output ceramics) because it highlights the ultra staccato rhythm guitar technique I've spent 2 decades working on.

If you're willing to send them, I'm willing to put them in one of my Les Pauls or my Carlino for a test drive and in-depth review.

Let me do some playing around. I have 2 Les Pauls that I e been using to prototype PAFs and have done at least 30 pickup swaps in the last month not counting magnet swaps with the strings off. I’ve been using my Charvels to prototype the higher output stuff. I want to throw one of these into my Les Paul and compare the short A5 to the standard A5. If it’s something I think works maybe I’ll send one. Actually I think of the 2 I have sitting here, 1 is cream and standard width short leg and the other is a 52mm black short leg. If you TOM is ABR you’d want standard but Nashville bridge is a little wider. Honest, both would be fine with 52mm

 

[DanTravis62]

Let me do some playing around. I have 2 Les Pauls that I e been using to prototype PAFs and have done at least 30 pickup swaps in the last month not counting magnet swaps with the strings off. I’ve been using my Charvels to prototype the higher output stuff. I want to throw one of these into my Les Paul and compare the short A5 to the standard A5. If it’s something I think works maybe I’ll send one. Actually I think of the 2 I have sitting here, 1 is cream and standard width short leg and the other is a 52mm black short leg. If you TOM is ABR you’d want standard but Nashville bridge is a little wider. Honest, both would be fine with 52mm

All of my TOMs are ABRs.

Do whatever playing around you need to do, and if you figure out something that feels right, I'll 100% give it a go.

I do a lot of home recording and demos, and can do some clips to compare and contrast pickups with some of my amps.

 

[scottosan]

All of my TOMs are ABRs.

Do whatever playing around you need to do, and if you figure out something that feels right, I'll 100% give it a go.

I do a lot of home recording and demos, and can do some clips to compare and contrast pickups with some of my amps.

I just tried it in my Greco Les Paul. I actually like it a lot. I typically don’t like hot pickups in a Les Paul. I bought a portable recording set up specifically to get some respectable clips from other people playing as I won’t sell crap with my playing. I told though try to get a quick recording. These are G12-65s so they’re really hard to mic without sounding dark due to the large dust cover. Also I never drop D so bear with my laughable attempt here guys