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What's a good shallow pickup to use? (not too tall)

So I've used a few of Dan's really nice ultra thin "Humidor" humbuckers, and they really solve the height problem so I don't have to notch into the neck (or I onlky have to notch a tiny bit).

But I'd like to try a few other options for both variety and economy. I have inquired at Gitty about the heights of their pickups but never got a response. I'll ask again over there, but I thought I'd like to ask here too.

So what is a decent pickup that is affordable and is not tool tall? Typical mag pups get up to 1/2" tall or more, which seems too much to notch into the neck. Obviously the taller the pickup, the deeper the notch required in the neck, and I still want to keep the action nice and low.

Thanx in advance,

/Mark

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Permalink Reply by Monterey on August 23, 2015 at 3:37pm

I just bought an Elmar flatpup for the electric Appalachian Mountain Dulcimer I'm building- totally awesome- check them out! http://www.cigarboxnation.com/profile/ElmarZeilhofer

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Permalink Reply by Mark Jeghers on August 23, 2015 at 4:51pm

The Elmar's seem the same as the Humidors.But he has a discount thru August, so maybe I should grab one.

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Permalink Reply by Ron "Oily" Sprague on August 23, 2015 at 4:00pm

Nope, around 1/2" is pretty standard for mag pup height. Most people notch the neck, add wings to support the adjustment screws, and often add another piece of wood beneath the neck to strengthen that area. That's how Dan did his before the Thinbucker, but I can't seem to find the pic.

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Permalink Reply by sparky37 on August 23, 2015 at 4:59pm

I suggest the surface mounted Lowrider Vintage Gold Foil Standard Pickups they are claiming 5/16" height. The two I used on my new three string are more like 3/8" height and sound great! Please see website https://reverb.com/item/259424-lowrider-vintage-gold-foil-standard-... Not real cheap but they are the thinnest I have found.

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Permalink Reply by darryl kernaghan on August 23, 2015 at 6:28pm

Coupla things,as Ron says/under 1/2 inch is getting down to speciality areas,particularly under 1/4.Imake a lot of my own pups now,more as a challenge than a search for 'the' pup,thinner without specialised equipment relates to higher cost per unit,i've made copies of Elmars' and it's a bit more fiddly work than a standard type pup/the quality of Dan and Elmar's pups[essentially identical]warrants there pricing.An ultra thin humbucking pup ready to throw into your git is worth a couple of extra bucks i feel,plus it keeps the money circulating in the community

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Permalink Reply by John Sawyer on August 23, 2015 at 6:37pm

The other option is to raise the action a bit so the neck-notch isn't very deep. If you skip the springs, and have the pickup pulled all the way up, a thin notch and brace is all you should need. I use fretboard scraps for heel stock. a 1/4" piece of good hardwood would be plenty to reinforce a notched neck.

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Permalink Reply by Kevin on August 24, 2015 at 1:38pm

Have you checked out " Cross Road Blues" pick ups? I have one and it is very thin and sounds great. They are really cool looking too but they are $60.00