emmons single coils... what do you think?

Norbert Dengler · From: germany

how about those? seller doesn`t know the resistance, they`re 78`s
i think about getting me a sharper sounding pickup than my truetone.
any thoughts?

http://www.ebay.de/itm/172440544200?ul_noapp=true

David Higginbotham · From: Lake Charles, Louisiana, USA

Emmons made the best single coils, in my opinion. They have very little hum and have a crystal clear and crisp tone. I've used the earlier models wound about 15K and they were a little bright for my taste. But the later models wounds from 19K to 20K were great.
Dave

Erv Niehaus · From: Litchfield, MN, USA

There isn't a lot of difference between the Emmons single coil and the TruTones.
Not enough to bother changing from one to the other.

James Marlowe · From: Florida, USA

In my Zum I have an Emmons single coil rewound ( or should say unwound) from 20k to 17.8k. I love it. I tried a TrueTone but wasn't happy with it. Not as quiet and not as sweet sounding as the Emmons. Just my opinion.
_________________
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Life has many choices. Eternity has TWO. I choose Heaven.
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NRA Life member

Dave Mudgett · From: Central Pennsylvania and Gallatin, Tennessee

We all hear things differently, but I'm with Erv - I can't tell much difference between any of the mainstream single-coil pickups - e.g., Emmons, Truetone, Zum, original Franklin single-coils - wound the same way. I think more or less winds has more effect than different brands in the ones I have used, at least for the "typical" single coil type of design.

For what I term the 'classic' single-coil pedal steel sound, I like around 17.5K Ohms. I have Emmons, Truetone, Zum, and original Franklin pickups in that range, and they all sound great to me. I like them less wound too, but not more. To me, they tend to get midrangey. I also find more windings tend to have a higher quiescent noise level. That makes sense from a physical point of view.

But of course there are other variables besides the pickups, so it should not be expected that every guitar will sound the same with the same pickups. And even with pickups, there are other relevant variables besides winding resistance - e.g., magnet material/strength and others. And of course, there are totally different approaches to winding pickups - e.g., Lawrence and others.

I don't know any exact way to tell whether or not I'm gonna like a pickup without putting it on there and listening for myself.

Clyde Mattocks · From: Kinston, North Carolina, USA

I have two identical Emmons LGIIs. One has stock single coils and one has Trutones. If you you were to blindfold me, I couldn't tell which I was playing. I use the same amp settings for both guitars.
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Norbert Dengler · From: germany

thanks friends, my truetone has 18,5 k ohms, the owner of the emmons pickups doesn`t know but guesses around 12,5
for i like defined sparkling highs i`m tempted to try em...

so is 12,5 a realistic resistance for 78`s ?

Jerry Overstreet · From: Louisville Ky

DC Resistance is not all that hard to check. A cheap dvom with a 20K ohms setting will work. Maybe they can borrow one. You can plug a short 1/4" guitar cable into the guitar jack and measure across the tip and the shield to at least get very close.

If it were me, I'd like to know what the impedance is, rather than a wild guess before buying them.

12.5 is very light and will be very keen on the high end. Too light for me.

Brett Lanier · From: Madison, TN

I could be wrong but I think Emmons single coils are unique to all others in that there is a figure eight type pattern at the beginning of the wind between the magnets.

I like a lighter wound pickup too but I think it requires a little more picking control to keep those high frequencies from getting overboard. You can really hear the presence in the lower notes though.

Bill C. Buntin · Posted 30 Dec 2016 3:20 pm

I've always loved them. Unfortunately they don't play nice with substandard building wiring or neon transformers nearby. For that reason I use humbuckers bl or geo l. At home or in clean wiring environment I prefer the single coil.

Jeff Metz Jr. · From: York, Pennsylvania, USA

Another great choice are the Mullen Single coils! I had a few different single coils and I prefer the stock mullens the best. Thanks
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Bob Hoffnar · From: Austin, Tx

Don't make assumptions about how a pickup sounds based on its resistance number.

So much depends on the thickness of the wire used in the coil.

My 67 Emmons has the original pickups wound at about 14.8K. They are as rich and full as any pickup. Not piercing or too bright at all. The mass of the magnet makes a big difference also that will not show up if you are measuring resistance.

I am happy with the original pickups in my Emmons steels. I did change out one guitar to some humbuckers I made for situations where hum is an issue.

You might like the 78 Emmons pickups better. You can always sell them if you don't.

What guitar are you putting them in ?
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Bob

Norbert Dengler · From: germany

Norbert Dengler · From: germany

it`s a swiss made schild.
a phantastic guitar. unbelieavably well made.
plays like a dream...
just thinking about getting a little brighter tone.
it used to have an E 66 on it, as far as i remember was a little brighter at 17,5
might try that one first again..

Henry Matthews · From: Texarkana, Ark USA

BL 710's are my choice for a bright full sounding pickup, I do like single coils better but if using hum buckets, would use these, just my 2 cents
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Henry Matthews

D-10 Magnum, 8 &5, dark rose color
D-10 1974 Emmons cut tail, fat back,rosewood, 8&5
Nashville 112 amp, Fishman Loudbox Performer amp, Hilton pedal, Goodrich pedal,BJS bar, Kyser picks, Live steel Strings. No effects, doodads or stomp boxes.

Dale Rottacker · From: Walla Walla Washington, USA

Philipp Friedrich · From: Germany

Hello Norbert,
what is it you don`t like about the George L E-66 pickup in your guitar? I have a Jagiella S-10 with exactly the same pickup as you have it, and after some trials I am very satisfied with it. Maybe you can give
me a call at one of the evenings of this week and we can discuss your problem. My number is: 0651-7105324,
I am usually there between 8 and 9:30 pm.

Greetings from Trier and a Happy New Year to all forum members.

Sincerely
Philipp Friedrich

Norbert Dengler · From: germany

hi phillipp,
i actually put te E66 in the guitar today and it seems to be the right choice!
better string seperation and more sustain up the neck, just more clarity,
maybe it`s because my guitar has a wooden neck...
i do like the E 66 a lot, propably just swapped it for the truetone because i was
thinking a singlecoil is the better option.
really happy, played all day ... Smile

where do you live in germany?

Philipp Friedrich · From: Germany

Hello Norbert,

I am living in Trier, that is close to the border of Luxemburg in the beautifull mosel valley.

Sincerely
Philipp Friedrich

Norbert Dengler · From: germany

so you hopefully play in a band
got a website?

Philipp Friedrich · From: Germany

Hello Norbert,

sorry no band here in my area and no website either. Just oldfashioned phone.

Greetings
Philipp Friedrich

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