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WHICH PUP MANUFACTURER MOST CLOSELY DUPLICATES VELVET HAMMER PUPS

P

P-BASS BILL

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Apr 27, 2015
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#1
I have need for a set of Red Rhodes VELVET HAMMER pups for a P Bass build I'm looking into.

Now, my first choice would be to find a set, NOS or used ... PERFECT!!!

Failing that, which if any of the currently available manufacturers makes a pup that most closely duplicates Red's beauties?
 
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#4
P-BASS BILL said:
I have need for a set of Red Rhodes VELVET HAMMER pups for a P Bass build I'm looking into.

Now, my first choice would be to find a set, NOS or used ... PERFECT!!!

Failing that, which if any of the currently available manufacturers makes a pup that most closely duplicates Red's beauties?
Click to expand...

Bill, I am going to guess that you mean "approximates" rather than "duplicates". My thinking is that unless the pickup maker already owns a Velvet Hammer P pickup, or has intimate knowledge of those pickups, they could not know how to duplicate one.

If true, then your best bets will be finding a player who either
  1. will lend their Velvet Hammer P pickup to a maker to study and try to duplicate, or

  2. knows the Velvet Hammer P pickup well enough to compare it to other makes/models they played, and can suggest to you another model that they think approximates the Velvet Hammer.
That's pretty specific requirement you have there. :D Good Luck!
 
#5
Snaxster said:
Bill, I am going to guess that you mean "approximates" rather than "duplicates". My thinking is that unless the pickup maker already owns a Velvet Hammer P pickup, or has intimate knowledge of those pickups, they could not know how to duplicate one.

If true, then your best bets will be finding a player who either
  1. will lend their Velvet Hammer P pickup to a maker to study and try to duplicate, or

  2. knows the Velvet Hammer P pickup well enough to compare it to other makes/models they played, and can suggest to you another model that they think approximates the Velvet Hammer.
That's pretty specific requirement you have there. :D Good Luck!
Click to expand...


Snaxter ... you hit the nail on the head ... APPROXIMATES is a more accurate word. If you don't mind, what did they finally go for? $175-200? The reason I asked about a "close to Velvet Hammer pickup" from a current supplier was mostly based on the extreme unlikelihood of finding a set for sale. Hopefully more will be reading my post and be able to offer an opinion.

Yes, it is a pretty specific requirement ... "only the heart knows what it desires". Other than "because I want it" ... there is absolutely no reason for this "Quest for the Holy Grail" I've embarked upon. I've lived with standard, Fender pups since I switched from guitar to bass in 1966. Why I have this "wild hair" at nearly 71 years old is beyond comprehension. LOL

Thanks!
 
#6
P-BASS BILL said:
Snaxter ... you hit the nail on the head ... APPROXIMATES is a more accurate word. If you don't mind, what did they finally go for? $175-200? The reason I asked about a "close to Velvet Hammer pickup" from a current supplier was mostly based on the extreme unlikelihood of finding a set for sale. Hopefully more will be reading my post and be able to offer an opinion.

Yes, it is a pretty specific requirement ... "only the heart knows what it desires". Other than "because I want it" ... there is absolutely no reason for this "Quest for the Holy Grail" I've embarked upon. I've lived with standard, Fender pups since I switched from guitar to bass in 1966. Why I have this "wild hair" at nearly 71 years old is beyond comprehension. LOL

Thanks!
Click to expand...

My pleasure, Bill. I'm glad I got it right the first time. :) May I say that your motives are valid and your reasoning is sound. Now all you need is a bass pickup.

Though I don't remember for sure and did not document it, I think the Velvet Hammer bass pickup I missed sold for a bit over $200. A bargain for a collector.

My recollection is that the photos of the Velvet Hammer P pickup reminded me of the Invalid Link Removed. Maybe you should start by asking Curt if he can make a pickup for you. If he doesn't have the reference material, he may know someone who does.

Go for it!
 

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