What happened with love for Villex pickups?

[gricko]

10ish years ago villex pickups were all the hype around here. based on that info i've ordered a pair, for a build that was supposed to start around that time, but [unfortunately] was not finished utill this summer, and pickups were not used all that time. was very surprised when that bass was tested/amplified/recorded recorded for the first time, few weeks ago.

anyway.... pure bliss... clean, loud, super defined... every detail clear. full of harmonics. super rich... both dry and through pedals and effects.
compared to stock warwick thumb and tobias growler with nordstrand big splitman.
difference is not huge, but is quite palpable. thumb and growler are probably going to be sold.
all three basses are four string, tuned BEAD with kalium [circle K] strings.

based on that experience, was wondering where did all that love for villex disappear?

pickups sound great. come in any shell/format/size available. communication with mr. villex was very clear, simple and drama free. was super helpfull with any-and-all questions i had, and i had quite a few.

at least from my point of view, they are all i could wish for....

 

[Mrmatt1972]

Bump

I just checked out the website. Cool concept!

 

[Papazita]

I thought Villex went out of business?

 

[Mrmatt1972]

I thought Villex went out of business?

I got an email back very quickly when I inquired.

 

[lowdown64]

I have a J set on order to put in a 90's MIM Fender Stu Hamm Urge bass. Special request, needed both p'ups to be the short dimension. Have been waiting a long time for these to arrive...not here yet.

 

[superheavyfunk]

I've never heard of the company but I imagine it went the way of all the hyped gear on forums... Some lucky builder wins the popularity lottery and everyone starts buying and hoarding all their gear for a while, until the next "game changer" comes around. It happens especially often with effects pedals, but I'm sure we've all seen it with bass builders and amp designers too.

 

[superheavyfunk]

I just checked out the website. Cool concept!

Geez. I don't think that website has been updated at all in the last 10 years. It looks like it was made in notepad on Win97!

 

[lowdown64]

Received an email reply, W.V. is completing the pickups this week. Fingers crossed...

 

[lowdown64]

Pickups arrived Tuesday, looking good!
William included a B100K potentiometer and I am going to use the installation docs on his website. The diagrams show a A50K potentiometer, but I'll go with the one he sent.7

 

[BunchyMutt]

Pickups arrived Tuesday, looking good!
William included a B100K potentiometer and I am going to use the installation docs on his website. The diagrams show a A50K potentiometer, but I'll go with the one he sent.7

reviving this thread because I'm curious how it turned out

 

[MarkA]

I remember looking into these pickups (and the passive, Villex "boost"/tone/EQ circuit -- don't remember what it's called) some years back and being very interested. I never did get a set, but I'd be curious to hear others' experiences with them.

And, yeah, it's weird how fickle we can be.

 

[Jett Litt]

Had a PJ set a few years back and didn't care for them. Sounded unnatural and dull with low output even when using the boost. Tried many different wiring schemes and pot values, ended up selling them.

 

[MarkA]

Had a PJ set a few years back and didn't care for them. Sounded unnatural and dull with low output even when using the boost. Tried many different wiring schemes and pot values, ended up selling them.

Interesting... your experience seems to have been the opposite of @gricko's. I'm not discounting either, just noting.

 

[gricko]

Interesting... your experience seems to have been the opposite of @gricko's. I'm not discounting either, just noting.

villex pickups are known for high output and clear and defined signal across the range. did not have @Jig Man's set in my hands and can not claim anything, just that it is kind of weird, based on my experience. could be bad product, could be bad wiring....

Tried many different wiring schemes and pot values,

villex pickups have their own wiring scheme, with "special" mid-range pot that is supplied with pickups.

 

[Jett Litt]

I bought mine used, so it could very well be the set was damaged or something else. I did use a meter on them, (don't recall the reading) but I didn't know at the time what the number should be. So take that into account.

I followed the wiring scheme and used the proper pot values initially. I then experimented to try and find a useable sound.

Although I've installed many different pickup sets with complicated wiring in the past, and never had a problem.

 

[gricko]

....I did use a meter on them...

meter, resistance etc does have no meaning w/ villex pickups. their construction is not the same as a standard pickup. think of alumitone line of pickups.

 

[PaPaVB20]

Hello! How are you people? I am just curious, does anyone had ant luck contacting Villex pickups in the last year or so? Had good communication years ago and since late 2019 got no answer to my emails at all, just checking if they are alright and still making business. Thanks!

 

[sears]

I tried to order one of his MM style pickups a couple of months ago. He said he couldn't make it. I think it was that he couldn't get the parts, but don't quote me on that. I still haven't ordered another brand, so if he were making them again I'd contact him again.

 

[PaPaVB20]

That’s good to know, I had no response from him, I an glad he is fine, maybe I’ll try to contact again and see. Thanks!

I tried to order one of his MM style pickups a couple of months ago. He said he couldn't make it. I think it was that he couldn't get the parts, but don't quote me on that. I still haven't ordered another brand, so if he were making them again I'd contact him again.

 

[A9X]

I have 2 sets, both new and unused from somewhen in the early part of the century. A PJ set and some (IIRC) single coils potted into custom rosewood P2 sized housings. Still yet to find a project for either pair.