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David Allen P Pick Ups

Discussion in 'Pickups & Electronics [BG]' started by adivin, Jul 11, 2013.

  1. Jul 11, 2013 #1
    adivin

    adivin

    Jul 9, 2009
    New Orleans, LA
    I'm looking for some feedback on David Allen P pickups. How do they compare to Fralin or Bill Lawrence? I don't want something too polite. I use Roto 66 strings. This would be for a new G&L LB 100.
     
  2. Jul 11, 2013 #2
    SoLongJake

    SoLongJake Supporting Member

    Jul 1, 2007
    Des Moines, Iowa
    The David Allen P pickup set is fantastic! It's hot enough that it'll drive tubes into overdrive and feedback if you want. I haven't played one of the G&L LB 100s yet, but I did play a legacy with the G&L p style pickups and they were about the most aggressive sounding P pickup I've heard. The David Allen set sounds a lot more traditional and vintage than the G&L set, it's got a very pronounced low mid growl and a defined high end that doesn't get brittle at all.
     
  3. Jul 11, 2013 #3
    adivin

    adivin

    Jul 9, 2009
    New Orleans, LA
    If my LB 100 has the same pickup, I may be better keeping it. Did that legacy have the MFD or Alnicos?
     
  4. Jul 11, 2013 #4
    SoLongJake

    SoLongJake Supporting Member

    Jul 1, 2007
    Des Moines, Iowa
    MFDs. Polite would be the very last word I'd ever use in regards to the G&L mfd pick-ups.
     
  5. Jul 11, 2013 #5
    adivin

    adivin

    Jul 9, 2009
    New Orleans, LA
    Agreed. The LB100 has alnicos which are more traditional sounding.
     
  6. Jul 11, 2013 #6
    Lucky Strike

    Lucky Strike

    Nov 4, 2008
    San Diego
    I've had a Bluesman Vintage P-bass that had the David Allen pickup, it did have that vintage sound. I'm now playing a new 2013 G&L LB-100 with factory pup and I like it a bit more than the Bluesman in tone, but I really think it has more to do with the construction of the LB's design, than the pickup.

    I've never heard of MFD's, whats the scoop on those?
     
  7. Jul 13, 2013 #7
    adivin

    adivin

    Jul 9, 2009
    New Orleans, LA
    The G&L Magnetic Field Design® pickups use a ceramic bar magnet installed underneath each coil, with soft iron adjustable pole pieces to transfer the magnetic field to the top of the pickup. By contrast, traditional Alnico type pickups, such as used in the Legacy model, use non-adjustable Alnico pole pieces leaving the only adjustment being pickup height. The Magnetic Field Design has this adjustment, but further offers individual adjustment of each pole piece, letting the player effectively adjust the output of each string on each pickup. Magnetic Field Design yield about twice the output per wind, making the pickup quieter while allowing a greater overall output. The sound of Magnetic Field pickups is slightly warmer with a broader frequency response.