Hi all,
I am thinking of putting together a single-pickup Cabronita style build. The neck will be a one-piece Warmoth roasted maple with stainless frets, with their 10-16" compound radius. The body will be homemade from old pine.
I think I want a slightly overwound pickup. I don't play completely clean at all... mostly light - med crunch. Rhythm in a rock band with another guitarist. Always rehearsals or live, hence slightly hotter than the typical 5K bridge, to give more mids. I still want the dynamics and typical twang. Definition in the lower strings - not muddy.
Fender 52-53mm spacing with a very flat radius (18" ish) by the time it gets to the bridge.
Has anyone had experience with Creamery Black Cats, MojoTrons or CowTRons?
Questions:
Is there much tonal difference between TV Jones-sized pickups and full humbucker versions?
The Supertron blade style ones are supposed to be more balanced and slightly warmer. Are there any downsides? I would need to check with the builders whether the blades have a radius. They seem more popular in the neck position, not sure why....
Is there anything I am overlooking? Any advice/recommendations welcome!
Cheers
Comments
I had another one, but a friend of mine liked it so much he 'stole' it for his ash bodied telecaster build, where it sounds utterly fantastic.
Low string definition is critical to me, and these excel at it, truly brilliant pickups.
As far as the other details are concerned, contact Oil City, they can pretty much do whatever you want.
If if you want Filtertrons, but proper Filtertrons. TV Jones or Gretsch HS. I even love the Blacktop Filtertrons, they sound excellent with gain when dialled in ‘just so’.
Looks like he's swamped again at the moment, but it'll give you a feel for what Marc makes.
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Fletcher Pickups is another UK alternative, demo here. Got two guitars with these. He's also got a set halfway between the trad and classic+ type DCR now.
Despite the low DCR the trad winds have decent output because of the big fat mag. The 8k-ish winds are great though in the bridge especially, more meat more mids but can still do the chimey thing.
I like Blacktops too, tighter bass, nice with drive. Modern ones are alnico despite what you often read, the old ones might've been ceramic but the re-made versions aren't.
If I was buying again, I'd stick with Oil City or Mojo, purely on price alone. Oil City are a smidge more bright than the TV Jones. When I had the TV Jones and Mojo at the same time, there wasn't a huge difference between them, but they were in different guitars.
I am confident that Mojo, Creamery and Oil City will all produce an equally-excellent product.
Any more thoughts on HB vs vintage sizing? Or blades vs polepieces?
Thanks.
I have 3 variants from mojo ready to wire up - but obviously I can't comment on how they sound just yet
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Looks like the Gretsch-sized ones only come in 51mm spacing for the bridge. A bit narrower than my 53mm hardtail bridge spacing. Not sure if that would make much difference.
Actually, two questions. What's the string spacing on the classic version? (E to E, centre of polepieces)
Do the blades have a radius on top? Or are they flat?
The blade has a radius on top - adds a bit of height to the pickup
I have not actually checked the specs as i didn't order these.... not sure if its the 4k versions or 8k
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Cheers
I had a guitar with Mojo Filterfoils, absolutely loved them.
In my opinion, I prefer Supertrons in the neck, and Filtertrons in the bridge or neck. Supertrons are smoother and slightly jazzy, Filtertrons are punchy and sparkly/chimey. All are SUPER sensitive to pickup height adjustment.
Haha, Guns and Guitars. Only in America!
I agree, based on that video the Classic and Powertrons both sounded livelier than the Supers in the bridge.
Thanks for that - helpful!
Those sound really good. Which of the 3 versions are they? It's hard to find much info on Fletcher, and the prices are MUCH cheaper than others which (stupidly?) causes me to doubt a bit. Any comments on quality etc. very welcome. I wonder if he uses correct 1/4" magnets.
Thanks.
The Fletchers I have are trad and the Classic plus 8k-ish equivs, they do have the right mags, I've had covers off. He's not so well known but mine are as good as the TVJs I've had. They have the similar smoothness vs the Gretsch ones which are a little more raw I guess, not that that's a bad thing just a different thing.
The price thing, I know what you mean plus he doesn't have the name/brand thing going on and the forum rep of Mojo & Oil City and Creamery, but TBH I think once you're into hand-wounds almost anything is good and likely better than factory. At this point it's morey about differences in flavour imho. There are other great pickups for notalot like Pribora, Jess Loureiro. But yes I felt uncertain as well, they were even cheaper when I got my first ones.