blackburncustomguitars

I do not care the cost, what pickups do you feel are the "Best of the Best"? I play rock and metal, fast and slow. Looking to find what sounds the best for great harmonics and a clear signal. I can distort at the far end when needed. And I could have a good clear signal for solos and rhythm work.

Let me first say what configurations and guitar details. I am building a custom Ibanez JEM with a new Prestige RG 24 fret neck. The body will be made of Swamp Ash and the Pickups will be the Ibanez standard config of Humbucker-Single-Humbucker (2-1-2).

(Edited) I will be looking at amps soon. But I would probably buy a Marshall AVT275X combo amp for practice.

So with that being said what pickups would you use?

P.S. has anyone ever used Q-tuner pickups? Has anyone ever used Bare Knuckle Pickups? Are DiMarzio pickups worth it? What about Seymour Duncan? What about EMG?

Again looking for the "Best of the Best" in your opinion.

Thanks :o)

ROCK ON!!!

I've used a lot of "great" pickups in my guitars. I would have to say that for what you're describing, Bare Knuckle would be the way to go. They make several different types of Hums and singles, and you can hear them on their site. I've used Mississippi Queens, Irish Tours, EVII's and Rebel Yell's and been extremely impressed each time.

Good Luck in your search,

Dave

Hi,

Another option is Jamerson Guitars, Jamco custom Shop, customwoods, the same company in New Jersey.. Good stuff.

Peace,

Dave

My first post

tjek out http://www.allaboutpicks.com

Go AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I agree with Mickguard. If you want to advertise there are rules for it and such announcements go under another topic. Several individuals have joined the forum to pick up biz and are met with the same response.

+1

Hello guys,

I was wondering if an unbranded pickup, say 3 unbranded pickups in a strat.

be good, decent enough to use at a professional level or even playing at church?

What do the manufacturers mean by 'unbranded'?

Could it be that the pickup sound will be different/original/uncommon?

Are there great unbranded pickups in the market that sound better than

the branded ones like Dimarzio, EMG etc.

Please hurry cause am confused on this issue.

Thanks in advance.

J

Hi,

There are SO many variables in this equation. If the woods, pots, wiring, amp, etc. etc. are in perfect harmony with those pickups, yes, they will sound great. HOWEVER, from my experience, you improve your odds of achieving perfect harmony if you have great pickups from a known and respected builder. If this sounds elitist, so be it. I can only speak from 42 years of experience.

Peace,

Dave

i hav 3 new humbuckers and i was wondering if there is a simple way to install them. like w/o using tone pots or anything like that.

Hi,

Well, if you know what you are doing, you can wire all of them to the hot and ground sides of the output jack. DON'T forget to ground everything properly to the part (s) of the bridge that touch the string and come into contact with your fingers.

Peace,

Dave

Hi- I am new to the forum so I thought I would give it a shot. I have a Jay Turser Les Paul Clone I am upgrading and I am trying to find pickup rings to fit it. I bought a set of Gibson style and they are a tiny bit to small. I am trying to get parts through Turser no luck so far. They are for a curver top on the Les Paul. I would rather buy the right one and not have to modify something. Any ideas. Thanks in advance for your help.

Hi,

Grizzly Tools has some curved plastic humbucker rings that are very inexpensive. If they don't work, at least you wan't be out much money. Because they are plastic, you also might be able to modify them somewhat. They also have a very thin metal ring that you could probably curve to shape.

Peace and good luck,

Dave :

...when we plug the guitar into the amp for testing, we get an ungodly buzz when we touch any metal part of the guitar. ...

hi Sean,

this is a classic symptom of a classic mistake.

you have the connections swapped at the output jack. you have the ground connected to the tip connector, and the hot connected to the sleeve.

don't feel bad, you don't have to be a newbie to make that mistake.

cheers,

unk

Hi, +1 If reversing them doesn't work, I'd be surprised.

Peace,

Dave

on some humbuckers it says they are bridge or neck but on these http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Electronics,_p...For_Guitar.html it doesnt specify, if i bought two could i put one in bridge and one in neck

The reason that some humbuckers say bridge vs. neck is because the strings have more movement over the neck pickup than they do over the bridge pickup. Thus, for a more-or-less matched up sound, you want a more powerful pickup in the bridge position (i.e. more windings, more DC resistance, etc). So if you buy a pair of pickups for a guitar that are meant to be paired up in a guitar, the bridge one will have more windings and be a "hotter" pickup (generally). I don't know anything about the EMG select pickups, maybe they think you can get away with two of the same one.

Hi,

You can probably get away with them as long as you put the bridge one closer to the strings. Try to balance out the volume as much as possible with height adjustment. At 8k, these are used in modern guitars at the neck. Older hums had this much at the bridge.

Peace,

Dave

+1

hit the nail on the head. The locking nut here is just to lock the strings off, a standard LP nut *should* just drop right in there.

Hi,

Or if you wanted something a little fancier, you could check out StewMac's pre-slotted Gibby-style nuts.

Peace,

Dave

Do it like two regular guitars, but instead of going to the output jack, go to a 3rd 3 way switch which activates 12string, 6string, or both.

Hi,

Yes, that's what I've decided to do. I'll keep everything compartmentalized in the guitar ( and my head) and I'm sure it'll turn out all right. By the way, I'm using a splittable Chubtone humbucker on the bridge of the 12 and a Bartolini 51 on the neck. The 6 side will have a set of Van Zandt Blues Special Strat pickups. It should be interesting!

Peace, and thanks to all,

Dave

Hi, might as well make my first post on the forum a dumb one. I'm going back and forth between the Tone Pros TOM and the intonatable wraparound bridge for my project. Is there any difference in tone or sustain or is it purely athestetic? Thanks for any help!

This is my opinion. No facts or research to back it up, just what's spilling out of my head (or other body part if you like).

Gibson has used the TOM for decades. PRS uses a compensated wraparound. The "tone" and "sustain" of a Les Paul vs a Custom 24 is (arguably) similar, if nothing else. As long as the bridge you use is installed correctly and intonates properly (and the guitar is set up well), there will be no discernable difference in sustain and tone.

I say use what works with the design of the guitar, complete the build, then let your own ear be the judge.

+1!

Of course, there will be other opinions.

Hahahaha, this is too funny. I too bought an SG body from that seller as well as a neck and some other parts. Everything came and other than the neck bolting to the body, nothing else went together right. Bridge wouldnt fit, pickup routs were a mess, etc.. Long story short, I thought "I can do better than this", relisted the stuff and bought my first body blank and router with the $$$. True story.

Hi,

I've used a LOT of cherry to make many guitars. It will work ok as a neck blank but not fretboard. It is fantastic as a body tonewood as well. e-mail me at dlblackburn2@msn.com for some pics of some projects. Good luck!

Peace,

Dave

I have some Cherry around after making some household projects.......(wife won't let me just build guitars, I have to share the wealth)....anyone use this as a tone wood? I have a piece big enough to use as a neck blank, but I was not sure it would hold up like maple.

Hello all,

I'm planning a tele build and I think I have all the parts figured out except for the pickups. I'm really confused here on which ones to get. To narrow my search so far, I've only been looking at Fender, but I'd be open to other companies as well.

What sound am I looking for you might ask? Well... vintage country twaing for sure! It would also be nice if it had a nice overdriven rock/blues sound.

I played some teles at the music store and I liked the Texas Special pickups, but I'm not sure how vintage they are. If I had to pick today, I'd probably go with the OV although I've never actually heard them. Just basing that on what I've read.

Few other details that might help. One piece swamp ash body, Wilkinson adjustable compensated vintage (3 saddle) bridge, 25.5" scale length, maple neck and fingerboard. Oh... G-dec practice amp.

I've read a ton here and you guys have been a great help. I just need a little guidance on this one. I realize this is probably the single most important decision for getting the right sound, and I don't want to mess it up.

Thanks!

Jarrod

Hi

As someone who builds a LOT of this style, I can confidently recommend Fender Custom Shop Nocasters, Harmonic Design Vintage Plus, and John Suhr pickups. These are all unbelieveable choices!!!

Peace,

Dave

sorry,

i somehow missed there was more info asked for on this thread.

so, if you want to use a mini-toggle DPDT on-on-on switch, start with this drawing:

http://projectguitar.ibforums.com/index.ph...&pid=304408

the output of the volume control of one neck goes where pickup 1 is indicated in the drawing.

the output of the volume control of the other neck goes where pickup 2 is indicated in the drawing.

the black wire from the center terminals of the switch connect to the tip of the output jack.

if you want to use a full size switch, like a LP selector,

start with this drawing:

http://static.zoovy.com/img/guitarelectron...u_hh3t22_01.jpg

it's just like the wiring will be in your doubleneck, except what comes before the volume controls.

cheers,

unk

Thanks so much for the info. I'll let you know how it all turns out!

Peace,

Dave

Doi! Of course, sorry. I would like to go with a three position switch - a - b or both on at once.

Thanks in advance!

Dave

...I guess I'm asking what kind of switch I need to switch between the two necks (guitars) and how to wire that switch and how to take it from there to the output jack....

the only question that needs to be answered first is:

do you want a 3 position switch -- neck "a" / both necks / neck "b".

or a 2 position switch -- neck "a" / neck "b"?

.

"Use the Search, Luke!"

The Answer, not but a day old...

Hi,Thanks for the help, but electronics are the very least of whatever skills I have. I guess I'm asking what kind of switch I need to switch between the two necks (guitars) and how to wire that switch and how to take it from there to the output jack. In advance, thanks for your patience and help.

Peace,

Dave

Hi everyone and happy holidays!

I'm building a double-neck guitar. 12 string with two humbuckers and a three way switch, 1 vol, 1 tone: and the other neck a strat with the usual 5-way and three pots. I need to know how to switch between the two necks. Can anyone supply me with a diagram?

Thanks in advance,

Dave

Is it necessary to shield pick-up cavity? I saw some cavity with dielectrical paint, is that a necessity if the pickup are urethane potted?

thank!

Philippe

Hi,

A nice option that I often use is Cu-Pro-Cote, which is a water-based copper paint. I have found it really works well, is easy to apply, but a little expensive.

Peace,

Dave

Now back to my question,

I want a proper blues sounding guitar which will give me a cross-sound between Jimi Hendrix, Gary Moore, and John Mayer. (and possibly even David Gilmour), that warmish blues sound you know..

So what pick-ups to you guys recommend?

(Have o fit a Tele remember)

Ok, back to your question. Hendrix played a Strat most of the time, Gary Moore plays a Les Paul most of the time, John Mayer plays a Strat most of the time (when he's not wanking on that First Act on the commercial), and Gilmour uses the EMGs. A Tele won't ever sound exactly like any of them, much less a combination.

That said, I like the Texas Special Tele set. OR, you could contact Curtis Novak, tell him what you're looking for, and he will tell you if he can wind it.

Thanks guys,

I mentioned those artists because they are the sound i would like,

I cannot afford to just use this tele for blues,

I know that both Gilmour and Hendrix used strats (and Hendrix sometimes also used Flying-V) and that they alll have their individual tone.

Anyways,

I am between two minds wheter to go for Fender Noisless pups, Tex-mex /or Texas Specials.

I might opt for a Dimarzio but i think i would prefer the Fender sound.

Hi,

Another VERY useful set of pups for a "blues" sound in the tele is made by Jason lollar. Check those babies out. I've also used Harmonic Designs. Very rich, full sounds. Larry MacCray is using two of my builds with Harmonic Designs in them.

Peace,

Dave

I thought I read this a while back but can't find a thread.

Anyone have any techniques to remove surface scratches or otherwise clean up the top of a black humbucker?

I've used Menzerna and 3M polishing compounds - one for a little rough cut and one for fine cut. Then use some scratch and swirl remover. This also cleans up the pole piece tops!

Peace,

Dave

Walnut tends to be good for a more bassy sound. Thus the reason you'll see it on a lot more basses than guitars as a solid body. If you are okay with a deep sound, then it is fine for a body. I have actually been kicking around a solid walnut Tele with a neck through design just to see what I could get it too sound like. Possibly even a thinline model.

Hi,

If I could figure out how to put a pic on here, I'd show you two recent builds of mine. One is a neck-thru 12-string with walnut chambered wings, and the other is a "jazz" tele of chambered walnut and northern ash with a Lollar Charlie Christian pickups in the neck and a Harmonic Design in the bridge.

Peace,

Dave

Walnut tends to be good for a more bassy sound. Thus the reason you'll see it on a lot more basses than guitars as a solid body. If you are okay with a deep sound, then it is fine for a body. I have actually been kicking around a solid walnut Tele with a neck through design just to see what I could get it too sound like. Possibly even a thinline model.

Hi,

If I could figure out how to put a pic on here, I'd show you two recent builds of mine. One is a neck-thru 12-string with walnut chambered wings, and the other is a "jazz" tele of chambered walnut and northern ash with a Lollar Charlie Christian pickups in the neck and a Harmonic Design in the bridge.

Peace,

Dave

Walnut tends to be good for a more bassy sound. Thus the reason you'll see it on a lot more basses than guitars as a solid body. If you are okay with a deep sound, then it is fine for a body. I have actually been kicking around a solid walnut Tele with a neck through design just to see what I could get it too sound like. Possibly even a thinline model.

Hi,

If I could figure out how to put a pic on here, I'd show you two recent builds of mine. One is a neck-thru 12-string with walnut chambered wings, and the other is a "jazz" tele of chambered walnut and northern ash with a Lollar Charlie Christian pickups in the neck and a Harmonic Design in the bridge.

Peace,

Dave

I agree 100% with Drak(frightens me every time I say that ). The actual reflectance that gives quilt its illusion of depth and shadow is only going to be taken away from with anything other than clears. Any pigment used will block the actual material. Quilt that has deep strong figure really looks best to me with little or no color added. If you are very good with the sandback technique. You can certainly enhance weaker figure and still maintain a good bit of the natural effect. If you over do it you get a painted on look that looks painted on and very two dimensional. It is all about getting a good looking smooth gradient between the caps and bottom of the curls. If you have a piece with poor figure to begin with the best you can hope for is lipstick on a pig , but if it is a nice piece it will look great from the get go (it is up to you not to kill the look).

P.S. For what its worth I am a natural figure nut (that is reflected of course in my biased opinion) .

Peace,Rich

Hi!

FWIW, I've used amber/tung oil mix on heavily quilted/flamed maple to accentuate the figure. I'm not looking to be confrontational, but it really does seem to accentuate the figure. After a suitable drying/curing time, I steel wool and then shoot the nitro. Lovely.

Peace,

Dave