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I have a floating Charlie Christian pickup on my Godin 5th Avenue. It's made by Pete Biltoft. I'm extremely happy with it. So the floater on the acoustic is a winner in my case.
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09-28-2014 08:49 PM
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Great! I'm afraid the CC will yeld the same tonal problems a P90 does though.. it needs to be an humbucker - just not sure if a PAF or a KA floater.
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What about a noiseless p90, like a Kinman?
The p90's kind of a big part of the kingpin's "vibe," as far as I'm concerned. Badass little guitars.
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Hi Jeff, really appreciate your input! The reason is pick attack.. P90s have too much of that. I agree, amazing guitars!
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I dig. I wouldn't go floating...I know some folks like the sound, but I've never heard a floating pickup I liked as much as a good old set in humbucker.
My 3 year old refers to my Kingpin as "Daddy's best guitar." I'm not sure why, but he loves it. Gotta mean something.
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Call Pete Biltoft! He literally answers his own phone, and he is VERY easy to talk to. He knows practically everything there is to know about pickups, AND he knows how to translate whatever you want to an actual pickup build. I'd be surprised if Pete Biltoft could not do exactly what you want.
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Jeff - Pete solved the problem mentioning he only makes a regular humbucker in that format. So paf will be!
Robert - Portugal US calls are expensive
But yes he'll be able to do what I want!
I will report when I have it (2015 only probably)Last edited by jorgemg1984; 09-29-2014 at 07:06 AM.
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My apologies - I didn't realize you are located so far. But you should be very happy with Pete Biltoft's solution, and please keep us informed as to how it works out. Two advantages to Pete Biltoft's work - it has been measurably less expensive than many other boutique pickup makes, and Pete's exchangeable magnet system will allow you to experiment with many different kinds of sounds. Best wishes!
Originally Posted by jorgemg1984
Jeff - Pete solved the problem mentioning he only makes a regular humbucker in that format. So paf will be!
Robert - Portugal US calls are expensive But yes he'll be able to do what I want!
I will report when I have it (2015 only probably)
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Jorge, I'm interested to know why your tech says modding to hum buckers is impossible. If the guitar top is routed for
P90s, then HBs can usually be fitted, using a larger-than-standard mounting ring. Any tech could make these out of ebony, or stained maple. Even I have done this...
Chris
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Hi Chris - now you caught me because I don't know the English word to give you the right explanation. Maybe it's "bracing"? Anyway he told me you would have to cut wood inside the guitar - which is very unusual but it's how Godin designed this guitars. He was very surprised too - and he's the kind of guy who's not afraid of any work! I will ask him for the correct English term when I meet him so I can give you the correct explanation. Originally Posted by Franz 1997
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Interesting...Godin does make versions of the cutaway model with a set humbucker...their process is so utilitarian, I find it hard to believe the bracing is different on these guitars...
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Yes I can understand if he has to cut the bracing Jorge, never a good idea - but looking at Jeff's post, maybe it's not necessary. There might be some minor woodwork, but I have covered P90 holes with oversize ebony rings, and they look quite good and work well.
Just a thought..
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You could try a cheaper solution: Soap Bar | DiMarzio
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They all use ceramic magnets... I wish they did an Alnico 5 low ouput version, it would be for sure my first choice.
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What about a mini-humbucker in an adapter ring? It's the original solution.
I prefer p90's and dislike humbuckers for exactly the same reasons you dislike and like -- the squished tone of humbuckers makes me itchy while the dynamic attack of p90s makes me smile
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The P90 is a dogear style. Mini humbucker implied adapter and mouting ring etc... I just want a direct replacement. Originally Posted by D.G.
What about a mini-humbucker in an adapter ring? It's the original solution.
I prefer p90's and dislike humbuckers for exactly the same reasons you dislike and like -- the squished tone of humbuckers makes me itchy while the dynamic attack of p90s makes me smile
Yeah I get why people love P90s, don'get me wrong, just nor for me
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What I'm recommending is that it might be more flexible to have an adapter ring made (your local repair shop should be able to modify a dogear cover) and then you'll have a wider variety of after-market mini-humbuckers to choose from rather than have a special pickup made. Originally Posted by jorgemg1984
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Jorge I agree, that hollow body HB pickup seems very interesting.
I have been using old 70s gibson HB's recently in my guitars, and they tend to be about 7k, and the magnets have aged nicely - so you do get lower output. I know there is a lot of BS talked about ' magic' pickups, but I find a lower output pickup a bit more useful and flexible - and cleaner. Older Gibson HBs do tend to sound nice, and they are a good starting point, so maybe there is no need to reinvent the wheel too much as far as HBs are concerned….
Original Guild HB1 pickups are extremely clean, with less midrange than Gibson HBs, and wound to around 6.5 k- I have a feeling the Creamery pickup might have these in mind.
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Yeah I am happy with my BK Stormy Monday and I am trying the Di Marzio 36th soon. The VV PAF in a P90 shape and the Creamery Hollow Body would fill the bill perfectly!
I have realized what I like is a low output PAF but a little more open less muddy than some humbuckers. I agree there's too much hype about pickups but I have found quite a difference between a Classic 57 and the Stormy Monday!Last edited by jorgemg1984; 09-29-2014 at 03:44 PM.
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I've thought about going the other way, replacing the mini-humbuckers on my Sorrento with p-90s that fit in a the min-hum ring
I know Pete Biltoft can make some, but I've still been hesitant to go down that route. The Fralin Big Singles look pretty appealing...
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Ordered a Creamery Fat Humbucker Alnico 5. Should take a month, will report when it arrives. Stay tuned.
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Got it. Excellent service by Jaime. Sounds very good although not like a full size PAF which was expected. Sounds like a very good mini humbucker and that's what I wanted given the circumstances - had a gig yesterday and liked my sound a lot more. Added a coil tap option so I can get still a decent single coil sound if needed.
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So another update if anyone still cares. The pickup / guitar combination works very differently from what I use with my X-500 - a stock blackface sound (Barber Barb EQ with mids at zero) and a Jensen 12CN impulse response give me a sound very close to my Guild, which was my goal all the time.
I still think this guitar is wonderful for the price and sounds really good with the stock P90, I just needed a PAF sound.
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Bom dia Jorge
I am wondering about buying the 5th avenue but i have read some bad comments about stock picks.
Was it difficult to change the stock pickup?
Did you do it yourself or did you ask a guitar tech ?
many thanks !
D.
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Nice portuguese Doug
My experience with the stock pickup was short but I remember it being just fine - I upgraded to a BK Half-Note only because I sold the stock pickup at a nice price so it was a cheap upgrade and I love BK pickups.
This time I upgrade because I wanted a PAF sound, simple as that.
My luthier did the work, I am terrible with that stuff. According to him change is easy if the shape is the same (p90 dogear) and impossible without heavy mods to thr guitar if going to a full size PAF.
Hope this helps...
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