Tell me about the SD Allan Holdsworth pickup!

[Anthem]

Apparently SD can still make these on request. Did a little research and looks like Jake E Lee used them as well. I understand both bobbins have screw pole pieces, how does this contribute to the tone and dynamics? Is it a higher output pickup? How is it distorted?

[the guy who invented fire]

Apparently SD can still make these on request. Did a little research and looks like Jake E Lee used them as well. I understand both bobbins have screw pole pieces, how does this contribute to the tone and dynamics? Is it a higher output pickup? How is it distorted?

The Duncan Allen Holdsworth is a JB with 2 rows of screws and an Alnico II magnet

[Faraday]

The Duncan Allen Holdsworth is a JB with 2 rows of screws and an Alnico II magnet

Actually its Alnico 5 (gauss measured much higher than any A2), and it states A5 also on the packaging. The screws make it a bit brighter. It is around 15K. It also has way too much upper mids for the Holdsy tone. Allan never ever used it. He actually uses a custom shop that is closest to a '59 neck, but uses it in the bridge position. If you are in search of his tone get a '59 neck model and drop it in the bridge. I love Jake E Lee's tone as well and use the Holdsworth model to nail Jakee's tone through a Univalve.

[Anthem]

Cool, cool....thanks for the info guys. I'm beginning to wonder if a Custom Custom will get me in that ballpark. It seems to be *the* bridge pickup for fattening up alder bodied guitars. I don't want his exact tone but definitely in that arena, nice and fat.

[superpete]

Cool, cool....thanks for the info guys. I'm beginning to wonder if a Custom Custom will get me in that ballpark. It seems to be *the* bridge pickup for fattening up alder bodied guitars. I don't want his exact tone but definitely in that arena, nice and fat.

Get a JB, I hear it is remarkably similar to the Holdsworth...

[JeffB]

Get a JB, I hear it is remarkably similar to the Holdsworth...

Jake used the AH with Ozzy in his Charvels, but his Badlands stuff was recorded with a JB.

The AH may be a little clearer/more articulate but the tones from the Badlands CD's are much better to my ears...a bit warmer, and "sing" a little better.

In a bolt on neck strat style guitar, a JB is hard to beat for hard rock.

[WICKED LESTER]

allan had seymour make a "smoother" version of the JB for his legato,fluid style.
the JB with a alnico II is not a AH-!

[superpete]

allan had seymour make a "smoother" version of the JB for his legato,fluid style.
the JB with a alnico II is not a AH-!

I had always heard that the AH pickup was a JB with something instead of the screws (hex poles?) I don't have any info, but I didn;t think the AH had an A2 in it. I'd be interested to see what it really was.

[WICKED LESTER]

I had always heard that the AH pickup was a JB with something instead of the screws (hex poles?) I don't have any info, but I didn;t think the AH had an A2 in it. I'd be interested to see what it really was.

The AH-1 uses a alnico 5?
A bud of mine has one that he got through the custom shop

[Faraday]

The AH-1 uses a alnico 5?
A bud of mine has one that he got through the custom shop

Actually its Alnico 5 (gauss measured much higher than any A2), and it states A5 also on the packaging. The screws make it a bit brighter. It is around 15K. It also has way too much upper mids for the Holdsy tone. Allan never ever used it.

[TheArchitect]

Actually its Alnico 5 (gauss measured much higher than any A2), and it states A5 also on the packaging. The screws make it a bit brighter. It is around 15K. It also has way too much upper mids for the Holdsy tone. Allan never ever used it.

I have no idea what Holdsworth used but you say that like you are his best friend. How does one come upon such intimate knowledge?

[Faraday]

I have no idea what Holdsworth used but you say that like you are his best friend. How does one come upon such intimate knowledge?

I asked him. I talk to him before or after gigs.

[Anthem]

Hmmm...that's strange...wonder why he'd let SD use his name if he didn't even use the pickup.

[TheArchitect]

Hmmm...that's strange...wonder why he'd let SD use his name if he didn't even use the pickup.

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[DeanSweden]

Jake used the AH with Ozzy in his Charvels, but his Badlands stuff was recorded with a JB.

The white Charvelised strat was a AH-proto one, but all others were JB !

[ES350]

Any idea what was the rig he used on the Tony Williams "Believe It" album? I saw that band around that time and Holdsworth was incredible...a Marshall and some kind of Charvel Strat w/ HB...