Mike Lull T-Bird Pickup

micahbell · #1 02-04-2009, 07:49 PM

http://www.mikelull.com/Test_web/sto...store_home.htm

Anybody know about this?
I have heard good, but I want to double check something and didn't want to send a message to the company and come off insulting...
"Mike Lull T-Bass Pickup $289.00"
Do they mean for a pickup set? Or is it honestly $300 for one freaking pickup?

I would be very interested to try these out...but not at $600 for a pair...

EDIT:
Whoops, meant to do this in pickup section. My bad.

Johnny Alien · #2 02-04-2009, 08:23 PM

That looks like one pickup to me. If it's not they should improve their web copy.

joeyl · #3 02-04-2009, 09:12 PM

that's one expensive pickup, but not much more expensive than a Darkstar. I don't think I ever paid more than 200 for a good pair.

TBird1958 · #4 02-04-2009, 09:29 PM

It's an EXACT replica of a 1964 Thunderbird pick up, handmade by a rather well known, but small manufacturer. The covers are made by the same company Gibson used for the original as well............Even N.O.S. Gibson pick ups for 70's models sell for more, I paid 300.00 for one.
Here's a shot I took at Mike's shop about a month ago.

micahbell · #5 02-04-2009, 09:58 PM

joeyl - well, for a pair it is an extra $200 after taxes for the pair of Lulls.

TBird1958 - I realize it is hand made by a small company, but I still don't understand what makes this pickup so expensive other then "its an exact replica so you will pay the price I set to get that tone"?
This is an honest question - what makes this pickup cost so much money?

Ampeg SVT · #6 02-04-2009, 10:02 PM

I thought Lindy Fralin made them?

micahbell · #7 02-04-2009, 10:08 PM

T-bird pickups? Nope.
I actually did contact him tonight about seeing if he would make me some tho...I'm awaiting his reply...

TBird1958 · #8 02-04-2009, 10:25 PM

It's a good question

Best thing I can say is that 60's "Bird pick ups aren't like any others, it's a humbucker but of a different design than 70's or later types. It has a bobbin of a specific shape and after its wound the pick up gets a metal plate attached to it and is solder together to help focus the sound, its a complicated design......No doubt the reason Gibson quit making it!
Up until now there was no one that had even come close to this pick up design, and it's widely known to be the best Bird pick up - One fellow made the covers, just the covers! as a labor of love and sold a few here and there to those of us that really needed them, at over $150.00 each, and considering his costs the price was fair. Nothing is cheap when you're looking for T Bird parts......
Lindy Fralin didn't do the work, tho Mike did contact him about it.
Hope that helps a little, my knowledge of pick up construction could be better, for that I apologize, I'm certain you wouldn't be disappointed in them as a retro fit to a contemporary Gibson........a modifcation I'm aready working on

Quote:

Originally Posted by micahbell

joeyl - well, for a pair it is an extra $200 after taxes for the pair of Lulls.

TBird1958 - I realize it is hand made by a small company, but I still don't understand what makes this pickup so expensive other then "its an exact replica so you will pay the price I set to get that tone"?
This is an honest question - what makes this pickup cost so much money?

Ampeg SVT · #9 02-04-2009, 10:31 PM

Ah alright, I heard that Lindy Fralin was going to start making old 70's style T-Bird pickups.
My only other guess would be Lollar since they are local and make some killer pickups.

I would love to try one of those T-Birds.

TBird1958 · #10 02-04-2009, 10:43 PM

They're at the shop! Roger sent me a note to come up and try them out - I haven't had a day off to go up for a visit yet.........Go for it

Ampeg SVT · #11 02-04-2009, 10:52 PM

How much are they again? List was about $4200 for the single H right? is the street about the same?

TBird1958 · #12 02-04-2009, 10:56 PM

Yup $4200 for a single.........mines still 3 weeks out

You might ask Evan @ BassNW about street $$$, I haven't had the chance to talk to him either! I need to get out more............

Ampeg SVT · #13 02-04-2009, 11:41 PM

Ill probably shoot Evan an email then, getting one of those birds will take a while to save up for. I am already trying to save for a Mesa BB750, maybe next year I guess.

Barkless Dog · #14 02-05-2009, 06:44 AM

They could have them made overseas for a third of that amount I bet.

cosmicevan · #15 02-15-2009, 08:14 PM

has anyone played one of these yet? if so, how are they in general? how do they compare to the bass they are modeled after? so intriguing and i LOVE lull's work.

micahbell · #16 03-09-2011, 12:57 PM

Two years after I made the original post, I have decided to buy one...

I'm throwing one of these into a Musicmaster I'm fixing up.

*sigh*

I'll most likely order it next Friday

aquateen · #17 03-10-2011, 04:15 AM

the costs of tooling and the time for design/reverse engineering drive the prices up. it takes a lot of work to get a product on the shelf and people want to be paid for their work.

Rob Martinez · #18 03-10-2011, 05:37 AM

Add to that how available original T Bird PUs are. Not very. And when you see them, they are pricey. I put Lull T Bird PUs in my Gibson Thunderbird Studio bass and love the tone. Deep, but clear with nice high end. Not muddy or TOO hot. I ordered two more for my white Gibson T Bird IV I am chroming out. They should be here any day!

stiles72 · #19 03-10-2011, 10:07 AM

I placed an order with Mike which will go in my Epiphone "1964" Thunderbird project. Should be arriving any day now. They are pricey - but as others have mentioned, when you factor in the cost and headache of tracking down originals or alternatives - it just makes sense. Hell, I paid $300 for a kick drum mic to use with my band. Why not spend the same on myself! LOL

stiles72 · #20 03-10-2011, 05:04 PM

Guess what showed up today?!?