1 Topic by havoc41 (edited by havoc41 2011-02-23 10:28:26)

  • From: NH - USA
  • Registered: 2010-11-08
  • Posts: 149

Topic: Hand Wound Pickups

I'm wondering what folks favorite hand wound pickups are: maker and model, and why. I know this is highly subjective and all relative to the resonance of the guitar, the amp(s), the musical style, the player and so on... but as I'm posting in the JB forum i suspect you all know where I'm coming from...  smile

Been looking around and have tried Lollars Imperials myself, which were are great... but have never tried WCR, Bareknuckle, or Fralin (to name a few). The Pups would be going into a 2001 Les Paul and I've already upgraded the pots and caps. What other Pickup Manufacturers/Models are out there that are worth considering? What do you like?

Thanks

havoc41's Website

2 Reply by NPB_EST.1979 (edited by NPB_EST.1979 2011-02-23 10:29:39)

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Hand Wound Pickups

I have some Fralins Alnico 4 humbuckers in a les paul classic, and a guy from Nashville called Smity http://www.smitspickups.com/ for my parts-built strat.

Got into them because I got sick of everyone talking about "Pearly Gates" and "Texas Specials"

I got my own pickup winder a while back and now experimenting with my own single coils and humbuckers. The strat pickups I tried are awesome! The humbuckers are still in process... they take a bit more assembly.

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool

3 Reply by Sonicboom (edited by Sonicboom 2011-02-23 20:09:33)

  • Registered: 2010-07-09
  • Posts: 122

Re: Hand Wound Pickups

I have a Bett Set from WCR, who also would me a bridge pickup from his American Steel set.  Very nice sounding pickups - clean, clear, and they certainly will get you a Dickey Betts tone.

I alos like the Bare Knuckle Mules.  Here is a link to a guy playing with one in the bridge.  He certainly gets some bluesy tone out of that Park 45.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1OYzH0Teo8

Guitars: '79 LP Custom, '01 Dickey Betts Goldie - 80 of 114, '00 Chandler Lectraslide
Amps: '00 Marshall 1987x, '70 Marshall 1959 SL, 4x12 JBL D120s
'64 Vibroverb - JBL D130, '66 Super Reverb - CTS Alnicos
'77 Peavey Deuce (great for melting stubborn ear wax)
  • Registered: 2009-12-19
  • Posts: 13

Re: Hand Wound Pickups

Bare Knuckle Stormy Mondays and Mules should suit your Lester nicely cool

GTRS;Gibson 1988 Les Paul Reissue GT/'09 Les Paul Axcess Std/'88 SG '62 Reissue, Squier CV Tele-mongrel.AMPS; Blackstar HT-60S, Fender HRD. UNDERFOOT;Paul Cochrane TIM, Monkey FX Valvesporker,Sonic Research ST-200,Ernie Ball Volume and Wah,TC Flashback Other pedals by Lehle,BBE,Guyatone,MXR.Strings by D'Addario,Jacks by George L's and Neutrik,Straps by Levy's,hair by Mr Topper wink
  • From: Ridgeland, MS
  • Registered: 2009-08-12
  • Posts: 1,248

Re: Hand Wound Pickups

Hard to beat Jim Rolph's pickups. A very entertaining and knowledgeable guy to talk to on the phone. He has wound pickups for a LOT of big name guys (including Robben Ford).