SGD Lutherie Pickups

[luknfur]

Originally Posted by DavidRavenMoon

...

Here's a clip of a slightly newer designed bridge pickup directly to the HiZ input on the Roland, also bypassing the buffer. (just me making up something on the spot)

No Buffer Dry

Now here's the same recording run through an IK Multimedia Ampeg SVX plugin. It was set for an SVT-4 Pro with 4X10 cab. This might give an indication of an amped tone.

No Buffer Amp

Thanks for all the feedback though. This is what I'm after.

Now you're getting there. Fred Hammon defined a pod model he'd used in a clip and I started to mention that previously but try to stick to the point to minimize verbiage. Using something common players probably have, have had, or likely have access to is probably a good approach for a clip; as is a stripped down version and one more real world guys are more used to hearing.

I don't remember any harmonics in the earlier clips and was wondering why you hadn't tossed a few in given the extended range plug, pinch harmonics in particular. The range of the pup was much more apparent in the SVT clip as was the freqeuncy balance of the pup.

These are active or low impedance passive pups?

[DavidRavenMoon]

Originally Posted by luknfur

Now you're getting there. Fred Hammon defined a pod model he'd used in a clip and I started to mention that previously but try to stick to the point to minimize verbiage. Using something common players probably have, have had, or likely have access to is probably a good approach for a clip; as is a stripped down version and one more real world guys are more used to hearing.

I'll keep that in mind!

Originally Posted by luknfur

I don't remember any harmonics in the earlier clips and was wondering why you hadn't tossed a few in given the extended range plug, pinch harmonics in particular. The range of the pup was much more apparent in the SVT clip as was the freqeuncy balance of the pup.

I have a few different clips around, some with harmonics. To me the SVT clip sounds very muddy, but I guess every one's ears are different. Mine are old lol It does have a nice growl.

Originally Posted by luknfur

These are active or low impedance passive pups?

These are low, or probably more accurately medium impedance passive pickups. But since the output is very low, they need a buffer/booster. So that makes them active. Only the buffer is not in the pickup.

They also have 4 conductor cable for series/parallel/single wiring. You would do that before the buffer of course.

[luknfur]

Originally Posted by DavidRavenMoon

I'll keep that in mind!



I have a few different clips around, some with harmonics. To me the SVT clip sounds very muddy, but I guess every one's ears are different. Mine are old lol It does have a nice growl.



These are low, or probably more accurately medium impedance passive pickups. But since the output is very low, they need a buffer/booster. So that makes them active. Only the buffer is not in the pickup.

They also have 4 conductor cable for series/parallel/single wiring. You would do that before the buffer of course.

This project is sounding better all the time.

Yep comparatively muddy but there are different kinds of mud and not placed in a tune hard to say but in recall (dangerous ground) there was still defintion in the tone in that SVT clip even at the worst of it. Communicating in words about sound is a tough go.

Here's an excerpt I pulled from a DS review I did and, although compressed in timeframe, this is more my approach to playing:

-----
Using the Bassman amp model I evened up bass/mid/treble then cut mids a bit and a very P-like hollowbody emerged - pretty thumpy, a warmer pup when darkend up and good for some VMorrison. Hit the shape button for some Reggae. Then released the shape button cut bass/boost mids/cut treble half bass cut and got a nice J-like hollowbody tone with some growl for Buffett. I took that same tone and applied it to a number of tunes that would normally call for a P-like tone (like Pickett’s Midnight Hour) and it threw a complimentary harmonic quality on top of the tune without losing the bottom end - didn’t have the fat bottom but it wasn’t really missed. I was a bit surprised at how well it worked. Most pups that could produce a similar P tone would be incompatibly on the treble side if done the same.
-----

I can play a good tone for about a week max and after that it literally drives me nuts to hear the same sound coming out of my amp no matter how good it is.

Oops: DS being Dark Star

[DavidRavenMoon]

My whole thing lately is if I start to get a blurry or mushy tone, unless I'm trying to sound that way, it makes me nuts.

I like to get a thicker growl from the neck pickup, and a hollowish airy P bass type tone from the neck pickup. So I tend to wind the neck pickup brighter. I mostly slap with the neck pickup. Then of course I blend the two.

Between mixing pickups, and adjust the EQ on the bass, I get most of the sounds I need.

[DavidRavenMoon]

Here's my new neo pickup design...

Bridge Pickup

I'm still tweaking it, but this is the direction the pickups are going in.

[cybersnyder]

Yummy! I like that pickup sound. Do you have any neck samples and blended samples?

[DavidRavenMoon]

Originally Posted by cybersnyder

Yummy! I like that pickup sound. Do you have any neck samples and blended samples?

Glad you like it! I'm real happy with the pickup.

Currently the neck pickup still has ceramic magnets. I can do a blend that way. I haven't made a neck pickup yet with the neos, but that's the next step. I might like the neck using ceramics, as it gives two different tones, but I was really surprised with the difference the neos made, so I will try it.

This bridge pickup was a slightly new design that had ceramics in it, but I felt it needed more oomph. The neos give more of everything... bottom, top and mids.

I'm finishing up a set of neo mini humbuckers for a customer (with wooden covers). As soon I get those out of the way I'm going to work on some finial versions of the neos.

[cybersnyder]

Are they passive or active like your previous pickups?

[GlennW]

David, it sounds good...real good.

Did Sam Lee Guy help?

[DavidRavenMoon]

Originally Posted by cybersnyder

Are they passive or active like your previous pickups?

Same as the other pickups... actually passive with an external preamp, which of course makes them active.

I'm working on a passive design. Actually a few designs... I have more ideas than time...

Originally Posted by GlennW

David, it sounds good...real good.

Did Sam Lee Guy help?

Thanks! Yes, Sam Lee Guy gave me magic wall paper shavings from Chris Squire's bass to sprinkle on my coils!

(for everyone else that's an inside joke from the pickup makers forum)

[GlennW]

LOL I love it.

[ihateusernames]

the tone you're working with keeps getting better and better. definately my self x-mas present.

[DavidRavenMoon]

Originally Posted by ihateusernames

the tone you're working with keeps getting better and better. definately my self x-mas present.

Thanks!

This makes me want to go and wind some new pickups! My basic plan is winding them to get a more passive tone, which staying clear. I'm working on warming them up.

Next up will be a totally passive design with full range tone, for those who hate batteries.

[ihateusernames]

Warmer with a scoch more low mid rumble, or growl if you prefer, sounds like a great target. If you can imagine the combination of a 'typical' Warwick and MTD535 perhaps. And that's really being nitpicky, this last clip is my favorite yet from what I've heard of your designs.

[cybersnyder]

Originally Posted by DavidRavenMoon

Next up will be a totally passive design with full range tone, for those who hate batteries.

I'll be watching, but if I miss the results, shoot me a PM/email when the passive design is ready. Extremely interested in those.

[Searcy]

As one of the privileged few that has had a glimpse of what Dave does inside one of his pickups I can tell you that the guy is a mad genius! His design is brilliant, adaptable and unique. There is a lot of thinking and design going on in there.

Oh... and they sound great too!

[DavidRavenMoon]

Hey thanks Clint! And I thought you were the mad genius!

I've actually got much wilder design ideas.... now I just have to get the time to try them out.

[DavidRavenMoon]

New song... showing off slapping on a ceramic neck and the neo bridge.

Bass Head

First the neck, then both, then the bridge....

(That's me on guitar too)

[A9X]

Originally Posted by 12bass

In case I wasn't clear, I've replaced the LF442 that originally came in the EMG BTS with an LT1352. It's a chip that was recommended by Jim Williams of Audio Upgrades and aworthwhile improvement for the BTC/BTS IMO. I thought the preamp degraded the tone with the stock LF442. The active tone is definitely more enjoyable with the LT1352 - now not so much worse as just different than the passive sound - clearer, but a bit less natural sounding. While the BTS sounds better with the new op amp, I still prefer passive for overall purity of tone.

I'm late with this, but thanks for the tip. That's one opamp that slid under my radar. Been using discrete JFETs in my own stuff lately.

[12bass]

BTW, IIRC, the LT1352 is bipolar, so that might be a bit of a concern regarding input impedance.

Also, (David) I've been meaning to measure the DCR of my Lane Poor M3.5Ws for you. Will do so soon....