Lakland Chi-Sonics are in the ballpark. The Curtis Novak Bi-Sonic pickups have a slightly different vibe but can also be wound as Darkstars or with the BS/DS switch for both options.
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- Jun 30, 2010
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- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
Tom, I didn't know you were up to 3! You're a man who knows what he wants.
I’m down to just one. The LEFRC (Low End Federal Regulatory Commission) declared that it was dangerous to have so much concentrated tone in one place and I was forced to break up the trio.
To those, I'd add the current Guild Bi-sonics (and of course the originals).
I'd have a look also at Serek B90 pickups. In many ways a BS is essentially a P90 modded for bass. Not a precise BS sound but as close as Chi-Sonic single coils IMHO.
- Jun 30, 2010
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- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
For clarification, are you implying there is a difference between Darkstar and Bi-Sonic? Isn't this single-coil pu called a Darkstar/Bi-sonic?
Fred Hammon made the Darkstar based on a specific Bisonic pickup he was trying to recreate. These are no longer in production.
Curtis Novak later made his own Bisonic pickup recreation from an original Bisonic that measured differently than the one Fred Hammon used. Novak offers his spec, a Darkstar matching spec, and a BS/DS switch that allows you to toggle from one to the other.
- Jun 30, 2010
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- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
Thanks!
Got it - did not know this. Can you describe (I know, it would be hard) how the 2 sound different? I've used a number of the Novaks and the Guild RI and love them both. I use the Guild on tight spacing necks and the Novaks for Fender spacing. I know he offers both but the Guild is less expensive and to my ears sounds really good. (if not as good as the Novak)I've never AB'd different kinds of BiSonics in basses that were similar enough to come to any real informed comparison.
I will say that I love my DS's. This set has been in three different basses now and sounded good in every one. Also, none of the several Sereks I've played with new Guild DS's lacked anything in the tone department.
The Novaks might be the only true BS design currently produced in wider string spacings.
I will say that I love my DS's. This set has been in three different basses now and sounded good in every one. Also, none of the several Sereks I've played with new Guild DS's lacked anything in the tone department.
The Novaks might be the only true BS design currently produced in wider string spacings.
- Jun 30, 2010
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- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
I'm with you - once I heard them, they've become my go-to pu's. I'm really glad Guild RI'd them as they are more affordable and sound great! I used this bass (Epi T-bird neck) on this song -
Curtis will put in a tap so you can get both Dark Star and Bisonic sounds, my understanding is
Fred's weren't wound as hot, please correct me if I'm wrong.
Fred's weren't wound as hot, please correct me if I'm wrong.
robbietick
Commercial User
robbietick
Commercial User
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,610
- 222,091
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- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
Having never seen them in person, can any of the dark stars out there (especially the Novak BS/DS) be mounted with custom wooden mounting rings? I emailed Novak and he only offers chrome and gold. I’d like black or wood. If I’m having Cliff Bordwell build this thing, will cliff be able to replace the chrome trim with wooden ones he makes?
- Apr 18, 2008
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- I'm highly opinionated and extremely self-assured
Sure, it’s pretty straightforward. The outer and the inner perimeters are just rounded rectangles.
