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Humbuckers.....

Posted by Mark Werner on August 2, 2013 at 10:59am in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts
So, I have it in mind to build a "jazz" 4-string. Nice low action, real frets... I just got a very nice large box. I'm wanting to put a humbucker in, something a bit more on the mellow side. Anyone used a full 6-pole pickup? Do you just position them to line up with 4 poles? Or... I see "Gitty" sells 4-pole humbuckers intended for basses.... Anyone have any experience with these? A bit too mellow, perhaps?

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Replies

  • Kentucky Mojo August 6, 2013 at 2:22pm
    For Jazz you may want to go single coil if you are looking for a more "mellow sound". Humbuckers give more umph... more power, usually more of a harsher vibe than mellow IMHO. But its in the ear of the beholder. I'm doing a telecaster cbg to get a nice bluesy tone and using Fender Texas Specials (What I have in my 2 stratocasters) to get that tone.
    • The Phrygian Kid > Kentucky Mojo August 6, 2013 at 9:24pm
      Don't know about that, while buckers are real popular with the hard rock crowd, they're real popular on jazz boxes too. Which come to think of it is what they were invented for :)

      The Texas specials are great eh
  • Diglydog August 4, 2013 at 8:40am

    Artec, and probably other manufacturers, make humbuckers with fully enclosed tops or 'toaster' designs.  That way, there's no pole pieces to line up.  Here's a couple of examples off eBay.

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/Artec-ceramic-Mini-humbucker-pickups-P58-/1...

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/Artec-ceramic-Mini-humbucker-pickups-/14074...

  • The Phrygian Kid August 2, 2013 at 5:56pm
    There are also a number of guys around here that will make you a custom four string bucker for the right price. Ted Crocker, skee6, juju aka soundssogood, bob Harrison, me....

    There's ways of making a 'dummy pole piece extender' or 'fakey bobbin top' over your regular six string pickup so it looks like a four pole pickup from the top..

    Have fun with it
  • David McQueen August 2, 2013 at 3:28pm
    I used a Gitty 4 pole single coil pickup in one build and I am really pleased with the sound. It seems to have a decent impedance.

    https://www.cbgitty.com/cubecart/guitar-electronics/pickups/black-e...
  • Clock The Wolf August 2, 2013 at 2:33pm

    Either will work just fine. I've got multiple 3 and 4 stringers that use both...

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