Passive pickup quick connects

[MDV]

Stolen off HC.

http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2288718

I'm DVaz in there - a bit of a naysayer, but I think that Tim is one of the few people that might listen to this, if theres some demand for it.

Obviously anyone that really wants to can get appropriate connectors and rig their guitar for quick pickup change, but does anyone think theres a real use for this? Would you go for it?

I might try it. Cant hurt.

[MDV]

I voted meh, to see the results. It may or may not be what I think. Its basically a way to solder pickups in a only once (i.e solder the connectors in), and change ad infinitum, which has some  merit, I think, but not a tremendous amount. Depends how often you change pickups.

[juansolo]

Personally I like 'em as it makes swapping pups around dead easy. I suppose it's only really an advantage if you dick around with the configs of your guitars a lot... Which I do.

[ailean]

We have a Gibson LP 2008 which has this type of pickup connector in it. We thought great, all we have to do is buy some connectors, put them on some BK's and away we go.

The connectors end up costing around £10 for 10 sets, so no biggie there.

The crimping tool to connect them? £180 + VAT + shiping.

We decided not to do that.

(And before you ask, no you can't use another tool, the pin designs are very specific and small).

For someone like Tim that kind of cost might not be too bad if he only had to buy 1 kind of tool, but he wouldn't, because the Gibson connector is 2 pin only, no split coil option there. Fender will use something else, EMG another, and someone will bring out a proprietry brand too (probably several).

It's a great idea, and seeing it in action in the Gibson, yes it works. But in the real world it will take a long time before everyone agrees a standard.

[psy]

The BC Rich stock pickups I swapped out of a Mockingbird had a little connector on the end of a lead (not on the back of the pickup it self like EMG).  And then another little connector was attached to the controls.  I thought that was quite a good set up.  Still give you the option of snipping the connectors off & wiring it up how ever you like if you really wanted to.

[Philly Q]

It's not a bad idea, but I tend to think it's a bit pointless.... because at least in theory pickup changes aren't something you need to do very often.  There are 50-year-old guitars out there which have never had a pickup change.

Having said all that, I would quite like to have a mahogany set-neck and an alder bolt-on which I could quickly swap pickups in and out of, as "tester" guitars.  But that would be a luxury, not a necessity.

[Elliot]

Can you use the small size Maplin spade connectors - like the one on speakers, but the smaller size - and solder one set of connectors to some jumper wire soldered onto your guitar pots?

[AndyR]

I personally don't believe they'd be reliable enough in use.

I've got several Line 6 Variax guitars/bass, and do you know what the weak point is? (aside from the tones when you compare them side-by-side with real guitars with decent pickups :lol:)

... It's connectors like these inside them... :(

Don't play the beast for a few months, and then it starts cutting out, behaving strangely... Just like jack sockets treated the same way (ie not used for a while). Eventually you go "Ok then" and take the beast to bits, clean and reseat all the connectors, and you're ready to rock again...

Mechanical electrical contacts deteriorate, especially little weeny ones, good solder joints are much more reliable.

So I vote "meh" - don't know what it means, but it sounds about right :lol:

[MDV]

A little less than 40% for, among the pickup enthusiasts. I wouldnt go for it if I ran a pickup company. Screw it, shant waste tims time with it.

[FELINEGUITARS]

I personally don't believe they'd be reliable enough in use.

I've got several Line 6 Variax guitars/bass, and do you know what the weak point is? (aside from the tones when you compare them side-by-side with real guitars with decent pickups :lol:)

... It's connectors like these inside them... :(

Don't play the beast for a few months, and then it starts cutting out, behaving strangely... Just like jack sockets treated the same way (ie not used for a while). Eventually you go "Ok then" and take the beast to bits, clean and reseat all the connectors, and you're ready to rock again...

Mechanical electrical contacts deteriorate, especially little weeny ones, good solder joints are much more reliable.

So I vote "meh" - don't know what it means, but it sounds about right :lol:

+1
Decent solder connections work much better and last