The Steel Guitar Forum Store 

Post new topic 12 string pickups
Reply to topic
Author Topic:  12 string pickups
Steve Mueller

 

From:
Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
Post  Posted 21 Mar 2018 11:18 am    
Reply with quote

I'm thinking of changing out the pickups in one of my D12 Williams for something new. Who makes the best humbucking 12 string pickups? I currently have Telonics with individually adjustable poles. String spacing on a Williams 700 series is about 9% narrower than most steels so bar type vs individual poles would probably work best since the poles won't consistently align with the strings.
_________________
2016 Williams D12 8 x 8, 2015 Williams D12 8 x 8, 2023 Williams S12 4 x 5, Milkman Amps, 1974 Gibson Byrdland
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Ian Rae


From:
Redditch, England
Post  Posted 21 Mar 2018 11:40 am     Re: 12 string pickups
Reply with quote

Steve Mueller wrote:
String spacing on a Williams 700 series is about 9% narrower than most steels.

Steve, what do you take as "most steels"? I've always believed the traditional (note that I don't say "standard") spacing is 11/32". 91% of that works out at 5/16", which seems pretty narrow. I've never heard that said of the Williams so far. Just wondering as I'm planning to get one.
_________________
Make sleeping dogs tell the truth!
Homebuilt keyless U12 7x5, Excel keyless U12 8x8, Williams keyless U12 7x8, Telonics rack and 15" cabs
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

Mike Perlowin


From:
Los Angeles CA
Post  Posted 21 Mar 2018 1:47 pm    
Reply with quote

You might want to try a Lace Alumitone.
_________________
Please visit my web site and Soundcloud page and listen to the music posted there.
http://www.mikeperlowin.com http://soundcloud.com/mike-perlowin
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

John McClung


From:
Olympia WA, USA
Post  Posted 21 Mar 2018 2:22 pm    
Reply with quote

What Perlowin said. I really like the way Alumitones sound in 12-string steels I've played. I did a test of about 6 interchangeable pickups on Jim Palenscar's personal steel several years, and I liked what to my ears sounded like single-coil growl of the Alumitone. Others sounded good as well, but the Alumitone spoke to me. My E9 currently has a Lawrence 9-12 humbucker, I like it a lot.
_________________
E9 INSTRUCTION
▪️ If you want to have an ongoing discussion, please email me, don't use the Forum messaging which I detest! steelguitarlessons@earthlink.net
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

Steve Mueller

 

From:
Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
Post  Posted 21 Mar 2018 8:40 pm    
Reply with quote

Ian, measured with a micrometer the spacing on most steels according to Buck Reid is about 340. Williams series 700 is about 310. It's not a knock on the guitar. I've had Bill Rudolph build me 3 series 700 steels, and they're wonderful guitars.
_________________
2016 Williams D12 8 x 8, 2015 Williams D12 8 x 8, 2023 Williams S12 4 x 5, Milkman Amps, 1974 Gibson Byrdland
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Jim Palenscar

 

From:
Oceanside, Calif, USA
Post  Posted 22 Mar 2018 8:06 am    
Reply with quote

Typical spacing is 11/32" (.343")
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

Mike Perlowin


From:
Los Angeles CA
Post  Posted 22 Mar 2018 9:28 am    
Reply with quote

Again I Recommend the Alumitone, not just because I like the tone, but because being a blade pickup, its magnetic field covers the entire length of the pickup and is not affected by string spacing.

The Alumitone sounds like a single coil, but without the hum. If you like the sound of a single coil, you should try one.
_________________
Please visit my web site and Soundcloud page and listen to the music posted there.
http://www.mikeperlowin.com http://soundcloud.com/mike-perlowin
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

Lee Baucum


From:
McAllen, Texas (Extreme South) The Final Frontier
Post  Posted 22 Mar 2018 9:36 am    
Reply with quote

+1 on the Alumitone.

I had one on my Mullen pre-RP U-12. It sounded great.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Slim Heilpern


From:
Aptos California, USA
Post  Posted 22 Mar 2018 9:50 am    
Reply with quote

My U12 Willy 700 came with an Alumitone and I love it. Records beautifully and looks cool too!

- Slim.
_________________
Chromatic Harmonica, Guitar, and Pedal Steel (Williams U12 Series 700, Emmons lap)
http://slimandpenny.com
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

Mike Perlowin


From:
Los Angeles CA
Post  Posted 22 Mar 2018 10:23 am    
Reply with quote

Lee Baucum wrote:
+1 on the Alumitone.

I had one on my Mullen pre-RP U-12. It sounded great.


Hi Lee. Is that the one you sold me?
_________________
Please visit my web site and Soundcloud page and listen to the music posted there.
http://www.mikeperlowin.com http://soundcloud.com/mike-perlowin
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

Len Amaral

 

From:
Rehoboth,MA 02769
Post  Posted 26 Mar 2018 4:12 pm    
Reply with quote

I have a George L Model E-66 on my Williams Keyless. I am enjoying the vibe.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Ken Metcalf


From:
San Antonio Texas USA
Post  Posted 26 Mar 2018 4:24 pm    
Reply with quote

True tone here.
Tone aligner
Alumitone
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

Larry Robertson

 

From:
Denver, Colorado, USA
Post  Posted 26 Mar 2018 9:42 pm    
Reply with quote

Alumitone sounds great on my Fessenden u12.
_________________
Website: www.Music2myEars.net
MSA D-10, Carter U12, Fessy SDU-12,Emmons P/P D-10, Emmons P/P U-12,Emmons S-10 ShoBud SuperPro, Lap steel, keyboards, 6-string Guitars.. too many
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail


All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Jump to:  

Our Online Catalog
Strings, CDs, instruction,
steel guitars & accessories

www.SteelGuitarShopper.com

Please review our Forum Rules and Policies

Steel Guitar Forum LLC
PO Box 237
Mount Horeb, WI 53572 USA


Click Here to Send a Donation

Email admin@steelguitarforum.com for technical support.


BIAB Styles
Ray Price Shuffles for
Band-in-a-Box

by Jim Baron
HTTP