User Group Pickup Specs Poll #3... Third Time's the Charm!

[KeeperOS]

My preference in the double PA was because of the lessened string pull, after all, the neck pu is at a much more crucial point than the bridge (hence why it is substantially lower).

However I do agree that to a neck pu, adjustability is key.

A Blade design doesn't really allow itself to that which is why it's more often used in a bridge pu.

I am not gonna shoot it down before it's done though, the Crazy 8 started as a combination of crazy specs (hence the name) and turned out to be one of my most favorite pus to date.

This pu is not going in that Strat though (she's HSS) so I am interested in being suited to a Mahogany or Alder bodied Superstrat...

[CountFunkula]

At least you stated what you want out of it, but is this the general concensus? Does everybody want a medium output humbucker that's versatile for shred and articulate cleans, or would some prefer something made for the blues, or a gain monster?

Speaking for myself, I want a smooth modern neck pickup. Articulate, liquidy tone with drive. The clean sound be smooth and deep, but extra-clear. I think a Parallel Axis pickup with underwound 43AWG would do the job AWESOMELY.

[King IzzO)))]

Works for me, one issue with the PA design is the wider spacing, how will it line up as a neck pickup in a non trem guitar? There's also the non adjustability issue, even though prevailing opinion is that the PA design doesn't require much adjustment.

[Mr 9finger]

Works for me, one issue with the PA design is the wider spacing, how will it line up as a neck pickup in a non trem guitar? There's also the non adjustability issue, even though prevailing opinion is that the PA design doesn't require much adjustment.

They have neck spacing available for the axis poles. That won't be a problem. FWIW to all those worried about adjust-ability for something like this, it's really a none issue. Having used many of the Duncan single sized rails pickups as well as being a long time avid user of Bill Lawrence pickups, few of which are adjustable, it's really no different than adjusting any other pickup.

[misterwhizzy]

Speaking for myself, I want a smooth modern neck pickup. Articulate, liquidy tone with drive. The clean sound be smooth and deep, but extra-clear. I think a Parallel Axis pickup with underwound 43AWG would do the job AWESOMELY.

This sounds like a great idea.

And for what it's worth, I'm with all the people asking why everyone is voting this way. No one has come along and said, "I want a parallel axis/blade combo because..." At least no one's given a good reason. So far, it seems like everyone's never seen one before, so it must be a good idea. Usually, things like that haven't been seen for a reason. And that reason is usually because it's a bad idea.

I also haven't voted.

[pinto79]

This sounds like a great idea.

And for what it's worth, I'm with all the people asking why everyone is voting this way. No one has come along and said, "I want a parallel axis/blade combo because..." At least no one's given a good reason. So far, it seems like everyone's never seen one before, so it must be a good idea. Usually, things like that haven't been seen for a reason. And that reason is usually because it's a bad idea.

I also haven't voted.

My reason for voting for it is two-fold. One is I am a fan of the old DiMarzio Mega Drive, which is one coil from an X2N and one from a PAF Pro. It's a great bridge pickup, and I think a similar design could be great in the neck, where I like the tone to be bright but not weak. The PA poles would help keep the magnetic power under control and the blade will keep my bends from dropping out.

Second, I think it would be a great looking pickup that would pair well with a PA type or Blade type bridge pickup.

[Mr 9finger]

OK, you want some reasons why a blade/axis pickup would be good? Blades are usually more articulate than screws or slugs. Every blade style I've used in the neck have more clarity and articulation compared to the usual flub standard pickups have. I've never had one turn to mush under gain like their PAFish counterparts. String to string balance is usually better depending on the pickup. Dropoff from bending is none existent.

I've never used an Axis in the neck, but they share some of the characteristics of a blade a long with a more open sound. Each string seems a little more focused. I can see the 2 blending nicely.

It's never been done before because the Axis line gets shunned because of cosmetics, but if you've ever used one, you'll know they are superior pickups. Dimarzio has done a blade and screw poles before, but they can't use the axis poles because of patents. Duncan hasn't done it because bladed humbuckers and the axis pickups aren't big sellers for them because of the cosmetics.

As for wind? Who the hell cares. Leave that **** up to MJ. She's had years of experience doing this. Between her and Seymour, they've got a lifetime of experience to use compared to 1% of their buying populace that like to make their own SD humbuckers out of a few coils. It's great that you like to experiment with mags and coil swapping and all that, but when it comes to actually designing and winding pickups, There's a total of 2 people on here that I'd actually trust to be making calls like that. And they're not some of the people spouting off in this thread.

[misterwhizzy]

OK, you want some reasons why a blade/axis pickup would be good? Blades are usually more articulate than screws or slugs. Every blade style I've used in the neck have more clarity and articulation compared to the usual flub standard pickups have. I've never had one turn to mush under gain like their PAFish counterparts. String to string balance is usually better depending on the pickup. Dropoff from bending is none existent.

I've never used an Axis in the neck, but they share some of the characteristics of a blade a long with a more open sound. Each string seems a little more focused. I can see the 2 blending nicely.

It's never been done before because the Axis line gets shunned because of cosmetics, but if you've ever used one, you'll know they are superior pickups. Dimarzio has done a blade and screw poles before, but they can't use the axis poles because of patents. Duncan hasn't done it because bladed humbuckers and the axis pickups aren't big sellers for them because of the cosmetics.

As for wind? Who the hell cares. Leave that **** up to MJ. She's had years of experience doing this. Between her and Seymour, they've got a lifetime of experience to use compared to 1% of their buying populace that like to make their own SD humbuckers out of a few coils. It's great that you like to experiment with mags and coil swapping and all that, but when it comes to actually designing and winding pickups, There's a total of 2 people on here that I'd actually trust to be making calls like that. And they're not some of the people spouting off in this thread.

See, that's a great answer. Let me ask you this, though. Why so angry?

Anyways, I have a Crazy 8 in the bridge of my PRS, and I agree with everything you say. The cosmetics don't bother me in the slightest, and it's the most dynamic pickup I've ever played, especially with regards to the change in tone at the roll of the volume knob. I'm all for the parallel axis stuff, because it sounds and responds wonderfully.

But most of the posts in this thread are just, "That would be cool!" with no reason why. I think reasons like what you just gave are exactly what a thread containing a design discussion should contain.

[DarkMatter]

I think now I understand why most countries have only 2 or 3 viable political parties.

[Mr 9finger]

See, that's a great answer. Let me ask you this, though. Why so angry?

Anyways, I have a Crazy 8 in the bridge of my PRS, and I agree with everything you say. The cosmetics don't bother me in the slightest, and it's the most dynamic pickup I've ever played, especially with regards to the change in tone at the roll of the volume knob. I'm all for the parallel axis stuff, because it sounds and responds wonderfully.

But most of the posts in this thread are just, "That would be cool!" with no reason why. I think reasons like what you just gave are exactly what a thread containing a design discussion should contain.

No anger here bro. Just very much to the point. Sorry if it came off that way.

[King IzzO)))]

You came off kinda dickish, but I get what you're saying. As for the comment about the 1% slapping a couple coils together comment, you'd probably be surprised at what you can learn by doing it. When I'm talking about the pickups I've made I'm just using it as a example, I fully expect to go with what MJ says regardless of what I've had success with. Fair enough?

[misterwhizzy]

No anger here bro. Just very much to the point. Sorry if it came off that way.

Cool. I just wanted more posts like yours so we could have some fruitful discussion.

[Mr 9finger]

You came off kinda dickish, but I get what you're saying. As for the comment about the 1% slapping a couple coils together comment, you'd probably be surprised at what you can learn by doing it. When I'm talking about the pickups I've made I'm just using it as a example, I fully expect to go with what MJ says regardless of what I've had success with. Fair enough?

No anger or offense intended man. Again, I apologize if it came off that way. I'm not questioning anyone's intelligence, there's just very few people that have actually enough winding experience to where I would trust their judgement. Just to be fair and so you don't think I'm blowing wind, I've made several hybrids, have tried the magnet swaps etc...I'll also to be the first to tell you that a PATB-3/with the hex coil of a Demon hybrid and an UOA5 mag will blow your freaking mind. It's ugly as hell, but it's a mind blowing pickup!

[King IzzO)))]

Haha, that sounds epic!

[GilmourD]

I'd like something that is a cross between a Jazz coil and something that has a Dimebucker-style rail but a wind that would be a better HYBRID match to the Jazz coil.

[ItsaBass]

Let's go, double screw! Push 'em back, push 'em back!

[Jocelyn]

Speaking for myself, I want a smooth modern neck pickup. Articulate, liquidy tone with drive. The clean sound be smooth and deep, but extra-clear. I think a Parallel Axis pickup with underwound 43AWG would do the job AWESOMELY.

This is what I want to see. I honestly dont care what the pole pieces are.

[King IzzO)))]

I only care because I'm a tweaker, and I guess I'd like something that looks sort of traditional, but maybe a non-adjustable arrangement means less setup and dorking around time for me, so I'm not against it.

[youngthrasher9]

I think it would be awesome to have the pup be a alt. 8 coil on the blade side, and have a jazz coil on the side with the PA poles. That would make a b!tchin' neck pickup, because of the warm, smoothness of the alt. 8, and the singing, sweet sound of the jazz. I would guess that the difference in DCR would create a lot of mids to make it stand out too.

[pinto79]

All of your help is needed. See the next Spec thread!