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Fidelitron pickups on a Coronado

wesonbass

wesonbass

Nov 26, 2012
1,663
6,599
Graniteville SC
#1
I have a 67 fender Coronado. Had it since 1970. Ordered a fidelitron pickup that was made to replace the original. Then I found an original 67 pickup. Put in the original to keep it that way. Sounds ok. Plays like a dream. Anyone know if the fidelitron will sound better? Here is a pic of it. 15363523718871100714970.jpg
 
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#2
I have a 67 Coronado II and the bridge pup went out years ago. So I sent it somewhere in California to be re-wired but never like the sound.
Years later I sent it to Lindy Fralin to redo the mess that the Cali guy made, and I'm in love again.

I can't speak for the Tron but I would NOT put in on that beautiful vintage instrument!!!

Many TBers don't like the Coronado, and for the life on me, I don't know why, because I love mine. I own many basses but my CII is, and
has been since I was a kid, my favorite.

057912
 
#3
Glad to hear from someone who has one of these beauties. I've had it since I was a kid and love it. . Mine is a bass 1 . In all my years playing ,I've never seen another one or talked to anybody who had one. I'm gonna leave it like it is. Sounds great but the G string just kinda fizzles out.I've adjusted the pole but it's just not "cooking "like the other 3 strings. Many years ago an old gentleman that repaired amps and such rewired the pickup and it sounded amazing for years. Sadly it was stolen from my church. Found it about a year later in a pawn shop window in Augusta Ga. My grandmother had written the serial number down in her bible so I was able to get it back for $35 .that's what the thief pawned it for. Gonna leave this pickup in.I think I just need to get it rewired again. May check out your gal,Linda . Thanks for replying. Maybe you could post a pic of yours
 
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#6
Glad you got yours back.

I don't understand how wiring would cause the weak G.
Is it possible that you need the pup rewound?

A guy name Tom who worked for Lindy Fralin at that time redid mine and I was very satisfied.
I think his TB user is tomatmojotone or here: Invalid Link Removed

Also John Benson did a custom pup for a mod I did, and it’s off the chain.
https://www.bensoncustom.com/

I'm sure there are other pup builders will also do a good job, BUT, the first time I had it done years ago, I got crap back.
So I’d ask around first. But I would have rewound instead of buying a Tron.


057912
 
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#7
I already have the tron, brand new that my brother gave me. It had Coronado replacement written on the package that it came in. It's thicker and somewhat heavier than the original. I may see how it sounds while I get a rewound done. Thanks for the info. I'll contact Linda and maybe one of the other suggestions too. I don't want to send it off and get junk back like your California deal. I'm not in a big hurry so I'll do all the research I can. Glad to hear yours works well for you. Their such a joy to play. I've never played a more comfortable neck. I'll let you know how it sounds. Thanks
 
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#8
Ya Know, on second thought, I'm curious to know how the Tron would sound too.
And since it's a drop-in w/o destroying the bass, I think that's a wise decision.

The original pup is either a DeArmand or Rowe (mine is Rowe), both are probably
not as good as a Tron (depending on what good means of course).

And +1 on: "I've never played a more comfortable neck."

BTW, Who is Linda?
 
#12
ejaggers said:
Wow!!! I've never heard that.

Most complaints I've heard was about the feedback, which never was a problem for me, and I've had mine since 1967.
Click to expand...

Yeah, the whole Coronado line, guitars and basses, was pretty fragile. The 12 string guitars and the basses had a lot of necks go bad.

But like I said, the ones that survived past the first few years are good to go. Whether people like the tone is subjective.
 

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