Pickup discussion - fresh recordings

[dave robinson]

I've been in deep discussion over the past week or so about pickups and do we need to spend a fortune.

I recorded this on my Jap Strat, a CIJ that I bought in 2003. It's never been altered inane way and this is how it sounds through my Gemini III pedal int the Hall & Collins.
hen into the Katana and DI into my computer. No reverb or EQ added in the mix.
I shall post a few more using different gear and pickups for comparison.

PEACE PIPE

https://soundcloud.com/dave-robinson-85 ... pe-cij-mp3 With Japanese Strat

APACHE

https://soundcloud.com/dave-robinson-85 ... -betty-mp3 WITH USA DeLuxe Strat with Sliders pickups

WONDERFUL LAND

https://soundcloud.com/dave-robinson-85 ... cij-hc-mp3 Again the Japanese Strat.

[abel]

Hi Dave,

You have achieved incredible sounds on the 3 tunes.
Apache feels just like the real thing!
The USA DeLuxe Strat with Sliders pickups seems to be the best combination (was it fit with flatwounds?).
I was really impressed, Bravo!

Blessings,
Abel

[dave robinson]

Thank Abel, no flatwounds, just Ernie Ball 10/46 on that guitar, the CIJ 62 Reissue has 9/46 fitted.
I fear the compression added by Soundcloud has slightly differed the sound though and there's not a lot that can be done to cure that.
I did these recordings to show that anyone can get in the 'ball park' and no special gear is needed.
I will be doing more, using a 1960 Echo machine through a 1960 amplifier which sound amazing live. Getting it recorded and up there on Soundcloud to demonstrate how good it is may prove difficult because of the constraints of file size.
At some point when I can get to it, I'll record the Vox AC30/4 (it's buried under gear at the moment) and compare with everyday gear that most of us have. It will be more accurate, but how many will be able to hear the difference ?
My Katana was voiced from comparing A/B side by side with my Mesa Boogie, so it's a good 'ball park' sound.

[dave robinson]

Here's Wonderful Land but this time with my 1960 Klemt Echolette and a different guitar with different pickups.
I'd be interested in opinions here.

https://soundcloud.com/dave-robinson-85 ... okai-strat

[Uncle Fiesta]

All those recordings sound perfect to me; the last one is slightly different - but to my old ears, still sounds good.

[Tab]

I, personally, have always favoured CS54s. I know Dave doesn't like them but I think they produce that vintage bark.

I fitted CS54's to my Mexican Classic 50's Strat strung with DR 12-52s to produce the sound linked here. The pickups were purchased second hand for a reasonable price.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/g0lbq310hbaq4 ... E.mp3?dl=0

[dave robinson]

I, personally, have always favoured CS54s. I know Dave doesn't like them but I think they produce that vintage bark.

I fitted CS54's to my Mexican Classic 50's Strat strung with DR 12-52s to produce the sound linked here. The pickups were purchased second hand for a reasonable price.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/g0lbq310hbaq4 ... E.mp3?dl=0

This sounds good Terry, very much in the ballpark and comparing to Hank's original only very slightly different, it's in the 'bark' to my ears where the difference lay.
My experience of CS54s is that they were very toppy, but I have had my ears sorted out since then and need to re-visit them.

[dave robinson]

I just finished MIDNIGHT using 'old school' kit. This is the Klemt Echolette through my Watkins Dominator, both 1960 models.
The Strat is my USA DeLuxe but has Sliders Vintage pickups, the one I used for Apache. I miked the amp with an SM58 into the computer.

https://soundcloud.com/dave-robinson-856744616/midnight

[Tab]

You've managed to capture that top end tone with lots of 'halo' around the notes as per the original. Most people tend to play this with a much more mellow sound which the tune does lend itself to, but is not authentic if one is trying to reproduce the recorded article.

Good sound, Dave.

[dave robinson]

You've managed to capture that top end tone with lots of 'halo' around the notes as per the original. Most people tend to play this with a much more mellow sound which the tune does lend itself to, but is not authentic if one is trying to reproduce the recorded article.

Good sound, Dave.

Hi Terry, I have just plugged in and played the kit for what it is, m not trying to emulate anything, rather just show what the gear does without any tricks.
Having my hearing back has made a difference to my music, I didn't know it was so bad until after the chemo and I went for tests. At least something good came from my illness.
That said, now I have my enthusiasm back, I'm looking forward to trying Charlie's new pedal when it comes out, his demoes are incredibly good.