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Exposed blade pups

Ironfingers

Ironfingers

Dec 3, 2010
223
3
Woodbridge, VA
#1
I like the look of the Joe Barden pups and think they would look good on my current build. I was just wondering if anyone else makes pups with exposed blades. I've had little luck searching. Nothing against JB just wanted to see if there were any other options out there.

Lace Bassbars look kinda cool too, but seems there are mixed reviews with them.
 
#2
Pete Biltoft at Vintage Vibe does exposed blade style pickups. I don't think he has any pic's on his site but if you ping him he can fill you in. He is [email protected]

I have one of his exposed blade P90's built to look like a Charlie Christian in the neck position of my Tele 6 stringer. Looks cool and sounds sweet - that is typical of what I get from Pete. He is an awesome builder.

All Pete's stuff is made to order. It is fully custom which gives you a lot of options to explore. Tortise shell or Abalone covers ? Smaller wire, larger wire ? Alnico 3 or 5 or Neo or Ferrite mags ? No problem... Want to get an idea of what that means sonically ? Email...

I dig agressive amps GK, Music Man... And so a little softer attack from the pickup works well for me. I usually spec Alnico 3 and a slight overwind for a nice warm, articulate sound... Cool thing is that for the price of off the shelf, you can get full on custom...
 
#3
I am thinking about getting a set of there for my next build.
bassbar_CHR.jpg


http://www.lacemusic.com/Bassbar.php

Have not read many reviews yet, but i like how they look.
 
#4
The Lace Alumitone pickups definitely look cool, but they have a very unique sound which doesn't suit everyone.

I just sold a Lace Helix bass two months ago, the neck-through model. The pickup sound is... unique. I certainly wouldn't say they sound bad, but VERY different from normal passive pups. A bit more compressed and squashed sounding. You will either love it or hate it.

Joe Bardens are damn good pups IMO. But it's all a matter of taste.
 
#6
Ok thanks guys. After looking at this more, I'm either going with JBE or bagging the exposed blades and going Nordstrands.

The Lace's look very interesting, but since I keep reading the same things about them (unique, unusual), I think I would have to hear them in person before I could decide.
 

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