DarkStar Pick Ups

[jumbodbassman]

I got the magnets, and they are the proper AlNiCo not ceramic. I also got in the correct terminal strip that Hagstrom used. Here are some pics showing the completed pickup.
curtis

SWEET. Looks very deep like the originals that went in starfires. How deep is it and can you move the wire thing so a solid body installation is possible?

 

[jumbodbassman]

The whole pickup assembly is wild and incredible, but the contacts are really excellent. That should make wiring it in a lot easier.

Curtis, will all your pickups have a common cold/GND contact or will you make some that have three contacts (hot/cold/GND) for those brave souls who want to try two DarkNovas in series?

I was able to wire the darkripper 2 wire pups in a jbass vvt with a series/par switch

 

[spiritbass]

QUOTE]

Beautiful work, Curtis!

 

[SGD Lutherie]

Curtis, they look great! They should sell like hotcakes.

My apologies for derailing the thread.

 

[Curtis Novak]

Thanks for the kind words I appreciate it. I have spent a few years and A LOT of money to get this done up right. It is a great pickup and a great design I did not want to just do another knock off.

Yeah it has been demoed out and it really plays well as it should. I have repaired many of these over the years so I have all the necessary info to make it correct.

Yeah took a little bit of searching I was stoked to find the terminal strip for vintage correct. If you are not familiar with me I dont have one design or spec that I try to convince you is the "correct" one. I can do it either way with an isolated ground or attached. I can also wind it RWRP and to what ever spec you would like.

With the terminal strip as pictured it is 39.17mm tall, but I can bend it down flat or use another method. to secure the wires that is low profile.

David thank you so much for the apology I appreciate it, it is very rare that you get a sincere apology on the net these days. I do hope I can sell a few of these as you can probably imagine I spend a fortune getting this produced.


Thanks,
curtis

 

[midichlorine]

ill be ordering one soon curtis!!

 

[JoeWPgh]

.........With the terminal strip as pictured it is 39.17mm tall, but I can bend it down flat or use another method. to secure the wires that is low profile.

Is that the total height, or from where the chrome plate mounts to the body? And along that same line, do you recommend that these mount directly to the body, or would they sit better with a spacer?
Thanks

 

[Curtis Novak]

That measurement was from the top of the bobbin to the bottom of the terminal. It is about 32.3mm from the base of the mounting ring to the top of the terminal, and it is about 26.5mm with the adjusting screws and the base of the nickel ring.
As for to use a spacer or not kind of depends more on your string height, so you can get the pickup up to the strings if there is pretty high action.

 

[jumbodbassman]

I will be ordering soon....

I have a dearmond starfire reiisue that needs some real pickup help.

 

[JoeWPgh]

Thanks Curtis. I'm guessing that the terminal bent 90 would be more solid body friendly?

 

[Curtis Novak]

yeah that is what I figured as well.

 

[andertone]

Hi:

I have a 69 Starfire II that has had original bisonics, bisonics rewound by Seymour Duncan, Stars Guitars (Alembic) HB's, and lastly EMG HB's.

I want to go back to the bisonics. I have another bass with Fred Hammon's excellent DS-3s which I love, and Noll two band preamp with passive defeat which is also very cool.

What preamps would you consider putting in a Starfire?
I've gone the Aguilar OP-1, and while it sounded good, was a bit too much

Any suggestions appreciated, so glad this project is going forward!!!!

 

[edwinhurwitz]

Hi:

I have a 69 Starfire II that has had original bisonics, bisonics rewound by Seymour Duncan, Stars Guitars (Alembic) HB's, and lastly EMG HB's.

I want to go back to the bisonics. I have another bass with Fred Hammon's excellent DS-3s which I love, and Noll two band preamp with passive defeat which is also very cool.

What preamps would you consider putting in a Starfire?
I've gone the Aguilar OP-1, and while it sounded good, was a bit too much

Any suggestions appreciated, so glad this project is going forward!!!!

ACG EQ01!

 

[JoeWPgh]

Looking at the pics, then glancing at the Jazz Bass awaiting them, those pics are pure porn! More please!

 

[BassManPatsFan]

Curtis, those look beautiful. I have a '69 Starfire with aftermarket pickups sitting next to me that's jonesing for a set of these. Once you get them up on your site, write me down for 2.

 

[Funkfaker]

Gorgeous. I can't wait to get for the 5 string version. I'd love to get two of these in a short scale.

 

[Mungi]

Looks truly fantastic, Curtis!!!!

I understand that this is your own take of the bisonic. Soundwise, would you say it is more like the Darkstar or more like the Hagström bisonic?

 

[Curtis Novak]

As I said in an earlier post, if you do not know much about my philosophy and work. Unlike most people I am not one that believes there is one "perfect" pickup spec that I wind all my pickups to and spend my time trying to convince you is the best or holy grail tone. I do not believe there is single a good or bad pickup spec that everyone will agree on. Tone is so subjective and very personal. I say I have based my pickup on the original Hagstrom Bisonic mainly b/c that is the original spec. I also have worked on many Darkstar pickups which were also based on the Bisonic. I can wind them to either of those specs, or something custom what ever meets your needs.
curtis

 

[Mungi]

That sounds great! The reason I asked was because you said you use alnico magnets (like the DS) but the bisonic has ceramic magnets. But then again, magnets are of course not all there is to a pickup.

 

[Curtis Novak]

I have seen many Hagstroms that had AlNiCo magnets as well. But I can do ceramic if you want.