Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Fergus Morris on October 21, 2009 at 10:38am

If you get a precision bass pickup, (those bass pickups that come in two parts) you can cut the cable connecting the two pieces and have two pickups for the price of one! Maybe put one in the neck position and one by the bridge, or save one for the next build. I have never actually done this but know that some people have and that it isn't tricky.

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Permalink Reply by Dale Goble on October 21, 2009 at 10:47am

Ok, Stupid Question :
What kind of tone from the bass pickup ?
Does the tone come from the instrument or the pickup or both ?

Naz Nomad said:

Bass pickup?

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Permalink Reply by Fergus Morris on October 21, 2009 at 11:09am

This is a clip of a 4 string guitar with a bass pickup. http://www.cigarboxnation.com/video/more-from-the-uk-festival-2009 It was made by Randy Rooster (ben). It sounded even better in real life (I was there).

Dale Goble said:

Ok, Stupid Question :
What kind of tone from the bass pickup ?
Does the tone come from the instrument or the pickup or both ?

Naz Nomad said:

Bass pickup?

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Permalink Reply by Tres Seaver on October 21, 2009 at 11:19am

Talk with Ted Crocker about your needs -- I bet he can get you a variation on the 4-pole Stonehenge which fits your design.

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Permalink Reply by Dale Goble on October 21, 2009 at 11:28am

Thanks Tres
I like the stonehedge sound from the vids i have seen
but I want a more of modern look for Aluminum body one.
I ordered a stonehedge for another build , have not received it yet.

Tres Seaver said:

Talk with Ted Crocker about your needs -- I bet he can get you a variation on the 4-pole Stonehenge which fits your design.

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Permalink Reply by Tim on October 21, 2009 at 12:32pm

make a pickup.
i just used a standard humbucker in my first build but thats only because i had a couple laying around so it was actualy cheaper.

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Permalink Reply by Nathan King on October 21, 2009 at 2:36pm

I think I just fell in love with an unwound pickup. Ted, that is incredible. You really are a mad scientist of cigar box goodness!
Ted Crocker said:

Funny you should mention aluminum

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Permalink Reply by Michael Gajeski on October 21, 2009 at 6:02pm

if you're already fabricating a box out of aluminum, you could also fabricate a cover to fit whatever cheap parts you can find.

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Permalink Reply by Roosterman on October 21, 2009 at 10:00pm

Hi, and welcome onboard!

Wow! How nice are those ali pups from Ted?? Id be having one of them if I had the budget.

As a second choice though, I agree with Fergus. Buy a Precission bass type pickup, cut the joining wire and wire her up. As a bonus, you therefore get 2 pickups out of it!! Or if you fancy, leave them wired together but place them like you would on a les paul.

I am a huge fan of using bass pups - that video link is a poor example of the tone Im afraid as my camera doesnt 'do' sound very well. Im sure the other folk at the show who heard it being played though would agree - the tone is KILLER.

Plus, theres a ready supply of smooth covers for them in various colours.

As another option, why not make your own covers, or how about mounting the pup flush with the box top, then plating over with your chosen material? The pup will work fine if the metal cover plate is in contact with the pole tops.

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Permalink Reply by Skeesix on October 21, 2009 at 10:42pm

Like the others are saying, either use a bass pickup, or any type of pickup with a bar magnet in it. That would be any type of pickup that is short and wide and without polepieces or screws. A jazz humbucker would fit the bill. If you are a metal fabricator, you may be able to make your own pickup cover - any non ferrous material is fine - that would include aluminum.

Skeesix
--
http://skeesixcbgs.com/
Making your cigar box guitar rock!

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Permalink Reply by Dale Goble on October 21, 2009 at 11:35pm

Ted : Could I make an Aluminum thin cover and put over your Stonhenge ? What kind of spacing from the strings to the poles is needed ? Would the cover effect this ?
Ted Crocker said:

Funny you should mention aluminum

I've been saving this hoping to get it in a special project started a couple of years ago. One of these days I'll get around to it...

Dale, thanks for your awesome order! As you may know I just moved my shop and home and I'm behind on getting orders out as fast as I usually do. I should be caught up the beginning of next week.

A P Bass pickup will work, the tone is in the difference between guitar and bass strings. That's the simple answer. You can even try a rail pickup, which has a bar sideways across. That'll pick up any strings it's placed under.

I enjoy a challenge - got something specific in mind?

Ted
@tedcrocker dotcom

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