New -- The 8 Bird! Alnico 8 Strat Pickup
Looks like a traditional construction Strat pickup, and, well...it is. But how many have you played with Alnico 8 rod magnets? No, that is not a typo, Alnico EIGHT -- as in right between 7 and 9.
I did the prototype on a whim - having no idea how it would sound. I thought it would sound like a beefier Alnico 2 but though it's definitely louder and a bit thicker, it didn't make me think of a Fender tone at all. Yes, thicker but tons of twang and snap -- not a Strat or Tele twang but familiar. What does it remind me of? Wow, there's no getting around it, it sounds almost exactly like a vintage Firebird!
The pictured prototype was wound to 7.2k with 42 PE, flatpole, and intended for the bridge position.
I also tried it in the neck position and while you would need to be careful with height adjustments to avoid the dreaded Strat-itis because A8 has a lot more string pull than A2/3/4/5, it also sounded very much like a vintage Firebird in the neck
Should you decide you want a whole set, beware of the Strat-itis problem in the middle and neck. It's not nearly as bad as I thought it would be but it's there and it will also vary according your string gauge and tension.
Specific models different from the prototype specs are yet to be determined but with what you read here in mind, give me a buzz and let me know how you'd like a custom one tweaked.
I did the prototype on a whim - having no idea how it would sound. I thought it would sound like a beefier Alnico 2 but though it's definitely louder and a bit thicker, it didn't make me think of a Fender tone at all. Yes, thicker but tons of twang and snap -- not a Strat or Tele twang but familiar. What does it remind me of? Wow, there's no getting around it, it sounds almost exactly like a vintage Firebird!
The pictured prototype was wound to 7.2k with 42 PE, flatpole, and intended for the bridge position.
I also tried it in the neck position and while you would need to be careful with height adjustments to avoid the dreaded Strat-itis because A8 has a lot more string pull than A2/3/4/5, it also sounded very much like a vintage Firebird in the neck
Should you decide you want a whole set, beware of the Strat-itis problem in the middle and neck. It's not nearly as bad as I thought it would be but it's there and it will also vary according your string gauge and tension.
Specific models different from the prototype specs are yet to be determined but with what you read here in mind, give me a buzz and let me know how you'd like a custom one tweaked.
NOTE: Please click directly on "Strat* Singles" at left for pricing and options -- scroll down a little.