Bulldog Pickups & Matamp

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Van_HaydenVan_Hayden Frets: 437
edited March 2017 in Made in the UK
So - I've been here on and off the forum for over a decade, right back to the old pre-Music Radar days. I've met many of you, many of you are customers and at last weeks Guitar Show @TTony convinced me it was OK to promote what I get up to....here goes. I hate promoting what I do....

I have multiple hats, all as a means of avoiding a Proper Job. I've been quite successful avoiding a Proper Job. The last one was running the recording studios at the University of Leeds many many moons ago. 

Around 2002 I got involved with the UKs most reclusive amp brand Matamp. We had a university student on work experience at the factory, when the uni called to see if she was OK she got a rather grumpy reception from Dave & I was dispatched to check she was still alive. 

All turned out fine, and after a couple of visits I became the test/demo guitarist. We began on new R&D which resulted in a shift away from the 140w amp Dave was working on (GTX) to the 28w design that went on to become the R28/V28 and eventually 1224. Two Guitarist Gold Awards later Matamp was back, turns out Dave and I worked quite well together.

So I then got into pickups.....2003 around the first Gold Award a new company got in touch with Matamp to use Jeff's cabinet skills and construct some exhibition cabinets. That company was Bare Knuckle Pickups. At the time I was pretty happy with my Fralins, and here was this guy telling me hand wound was better. Turns out he was right, I worked on and off with Bare Knuckle, testing and demoing at shows that kind if thing from 2003-2005. At the end of 2005 I left the uni and went to work for them full time. Things didn't go to plan financially for Bare Knuckle (working a remote workshop in Yorkshire while moving the company south to Cornwall from Devon, coupled with a dip in demand was the catalyst)  and in mid 2006 I was made redundant. Off I went to spend more time at Matamp and figured it was time to make my own pickups as it's pretty addictive once you start!

The plan was to go full time on Bulldog Pickups, avoiding the Proper Job for as long as possible. I expanded quickly with the help of the old forum and people like @Clarky, ;;;;Neil Morgan & Nigel Crinson plus Jeff at Matamp and an enigmatic violin specialist from Lincoln, I'm thankful to them all.

All went well until 2007 when Dave left Matamp, I'm not going into that story here but I think a few know on the forum. We went through numerous engineers, the best one was Martin at MJW but he left! So it got to the point where I decided to do all of the R&D myself. A crash course filling in gaps in my electronics knowledge followed & the results of which you can find at www.matamp.co.uk  the new range is quite a bit different from the Matamp amps of old.

Along side I still make lots of pickups - you can access the flash site here (I know...it will be changed soon) and the shop here 

I only make pickups I use - I'm not a lover of gold foils, Jaguars and Jazzmasters so I'm not jumping on the band wagon pretending to be an expert! 

I have worked with quite a few guitar builders over the years, some haven't survived but the best include Damian Probett, both Patrick Eggles, Gordon Smith, Morgan Guitars and Crinson.

It's been fun - I'll drop by now and again and let you have a look at some of the Matamp and Bulldog Pickups news & updates & try and keep avoiding the Proper Job for as long as possible.

cheers
Hayden


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Comments

  • TTonyTTony Frets: 27345
    Welcome back @Van_Hayden ;
    :)

    Good to meet you (finally) at the show and hope you'll share some of your work here - I'm expecting a lot of interest.
    Having trouble posting images here?  This might help.
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  • Van_HaydenVan_Hayden Frets: 437
    Thanks @ttony will do!
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  • streethawkstreethawk Frets: 1631
    Good to learn more of the man behind the myth!

    Hayden transformed a set of Casino p90's for me and I would recommend his work without hesitation. I believe Bulldog Cool PAFs are perfect for ES models, might have to try them out.
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  • Van_HaydenVan_Hayden Frets: 437
    Thanks @streethawk Cool PAFs are indeed a good choice!
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  • dindudedindude Frets: 8534
    Nice intro. Love the look of the new Matamp Mini btw, could well be interested in trying one of these down the line.
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  • ClarkyClarky Frets: 3261
    great story..
    and hand on heart, I still maintain that Bulldog are the best pups around without any shadow of doubt..
    play every note as if it were your first
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  • Van_HaydenVan_Hayden Frets: 437
    @dindude  you'd be most welcome at the factory anytime! 

    And thanks @Clarky ;
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  • Van_HaydenVan_Hayden Frets: 437
    @dindude the Minimat in the hands of Nik Harrison (another former forumite) with his @StormshadowGuitars  DBS-P

    https://www.facebook.com/bulldogpickups/videos/1333494473404024/
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  • dindudedindude Frets: 8534
    @dindude  you'd be most welcome at the factory anytime! 

    And thanks @Clarky ;
    Well it turns out the factory is about 10 miles from my brothers house, so next time I visit I will make it my mission!
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  • SporkySporky Frets: 27582
    Wotcher chief - the Bulldogs in my 7-string JM have served it very well.
    "[Sporky] brings a certain vibe and dignity to the forum."
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  • Van_HaydenVan_Hayden Frets: 437
    @Sporky glad to hear it!

    @dindude no excuse now - I'll get the kettle on. 
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  • ClarkyClarky Frets: 3261
    @dindude  you'd be most welcome at the factory anytime! 

    And thanks @Clarky ;
    no probs matey…
    they've made their significant tonal contribution on 3 albums and a great many sessions [prog rock, metal, funk, 80's metal, classic rock], and several movie trailers for EMI.
    they've toured and gigged with the DC Band more times than I can remember now..
    and gigged with a funk band [yup… the V6's playing funk and out-Strat'ing my Strat]

    they're lil' claim to fame is performing with David Cross [King Crimson], David Jackson [Van der Graaf Generator], Craig Blundell [Steve Wilson Band / Frost] and Matt Bissionette [Elton John / Satriani / loads of famous bands]

    they've proper been round the block…
    and now I refuse to use anything else..

    I'm considering getting a pair of super-Strats either next year or the year after.. 
    if I do, you'll be getting a call..
    cos if they're custom guitars, Bulldogs will get fitted day 1
    if they're factory guitars, the stock pups will only be of use until the Bulldogs arrive, then they will live the rest of their days in a black bin bag..
    play every note as if it were your first
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  • samzadgansamzadgan Frets: 1471
    thats a great story...and good to get insight into how you got to where you are.

    as an owner of a Hayden made Matamp...i can say that its best amp i've ever heard or owned...haven't tried your pickups yet...but there's always time!
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  • Moe_ZambeekMoe_Zambeek Frets: 3419
    I think you are probably responsible for introducing some actual QC to Matamp too, Hayden. I've had lots of Matamps, quite a few (great fun) trips to the factory, but also quite a few amps delivered with niggly faults or doa out the box, prior to your increased involvement. Afterwards things were noticeably improved. Glad to see that the terrible interactive EQ is a thing of the past too!
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  • TonesTones Frets: 7
    The pickups Hayden fitted to my HSS Japanese Strat transformed the guitar - the best pickups I have ever had fitted and I will all being well enquiring whether he can do some for my bass soon.
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  • martinwmartinw Frets: 2149
    tFB Trader


    All went well until 2007 when Dave left Matamp, I'm not going into that story here but I think a few know on the forum. We went through numerous engineers, the best one was Martin at MJW but he left!



    cheers
    Hayden


    Aww, thanks! :)

    Happy days, them was, with a few stories to tell!

    Will have to pop over for one of your excellent brews before I disappear to the frozen North.

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  • blobbblobb Frets: 2914
    Would you have had anything to do with my King St? [Yes, with interactive EQ, but quite like it in a weird sort of way]

    Transformers are dated Sep 2005.
    Feelin' Reelin' & Squeelin'
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  • ClarkyClarky Frets: 3261
    Tones said:
    The pickups Hayden fitted to my HSS Japanese Strat transformed the guitar - the best pickups I have ever had fitted and I will all being well enquiring whether he can do some for my bass soon.
    This is as awesome as it is unsurprising 
    play every note as if it were your first
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  • martinwmartinw Frets: 2149
    tFB Trader
    blobb said:
    Would you have had anything to do with my King St? [Yes, with interactive EQ, but quite like it in a weird sort of way]

    Transformers are dated Sep 2005.

    If you meant me, that would have been before my time, assuming those trannies were used round about when they were built. The would have been built by Dave and tested by Hayden at a guess.
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  • Dave_VaderDave_Vader Frets: 359
    I've had a set of Bulldog Texas Floods in my strat for the last 7 years, still the best sounding pickups I've ever had.
    Thank you for making them exist. 
    :)
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