Alnico II Stormy Mondays in a fully hollow archtop.

[Fourth Feline]

Hello again,  :)

This is the promised Alnico II ( Stormy Mondays ) version of the previous AIV sample. You will hear that I stuck to the same tune, as this post is about the pickups, not my modest repertoire.

I tried to take this one a bit slower, as I feel the pickups are best compared - if this clip hovers on the 'fine grain' . If you listen close enough, you can probably hear the hairs growing on my hand - such is B.K.P detail .

The only other change I have made since the AIV clip, is to put 12 top strings on instead of 14s. A subtle difference in actual tone, but they certainly allow much more dynamic range if you have a light touch.

For casual visitors, I will list the gear / recording conditions used to host the B.K.Ps :

Ibanez AF75 >  TI Be-bop strings > Tasco interface > Tracktion ( no amp simulation, just the 'light reverb' filter applied ) > not enough filter coffee .

It is nerve wracking trying to do a take, with this much detail in the earphones ...  :lol:

I am very happy with the AII Stormies for this application. The AIV were also very nice, but having had the Stormy Mondays as AII versions before, I felt confident that they would retain the detail , whilst sweetening  the top end and get a 'soft swoosh / shimmer' on the bass end.

( Thanks to Gingataff for the excellent descriptor of 'Swoosh ! ) . Ultimately , if you want the best B.K.P Jazz pickup, it is ( for me ) the Manhattans ;  but,  if you want a little more edge - it's AII Stormies. To dominate, but remain tasteful  - it's the AIV Stormies.

I gather Tim may have even more options ( AIII Mules ? )  - but I've run out of guitars.  :lol:

http://www.box.net/shared/86ctkm0xlp

Thanks for listening.  :)

[cerpintaxt]

Wow, really nice tune, playing and exceptional tone there dude! I listened to your AIV version as well, and I have to agree with you, the AII just seems a little more expressive to my ear.

I'm debating whether to go AII or AIV SM in my new SG but i think this may have won it for me (I'm going for a RR bridge to pair it with).

[38thBeatle]

Now that my ears are getting accustomed to humbuckers I am beginning to think about changing the pups in my 339 and Stormies are the likely choice for me.

Nice playing FF.

[Fourth Feline]

Thank you Gentlemen .  :)

In an S.G. ( which I found to darken things a bit more than the Les Paul ) - The AIV Stormy might 'grip' better,and be a closer relation to the RR bridge : However , I would go for the AII - If you want / are prepared to have two 'vintage correct' but quite contrasting pickups. Just bear in mind, the S.G. will soak things up much more than the Archtop.

For me ,  AII IS the Stormy Monday . Tim put AIV magnets in mine to tighten up the bass end on my Basswood / Mahogany 335 copy - but that was more of an experiment ; and I eventually had to buy a set of M.Qs for it ( and my treasured BKP collection ! ). As you heard in the above sound clip, the relative yet subtle looseness of the AII actually allows more air / gaps in which you hear string vibrato better. The top end is certainly less stiff, and toothy.

To my ears, only an Alnico II S.M. fills that gap / creates that foundation in the range . The attributes of AIV  being well covered in Mules ( which of course can be under wound ) or the fat, confident and swaggering  M.Qs with an AIV neck - and their 'rude older brother' -  the AV bridge.

The M.Qs ( in marked contrast to the S.Ms ) have no real 'air' as such - but instead deliver their  own type of detail as an edgy 'push' . To over generalise somewhat  :  SM = 'Straty '  neck / neck & middle position - and the  ' M.Q = Telecaster bridge with a fat bum.  In my Archtop, M.Qs would have worked well if I wanted to play straight ahead Be-bop lines, but for spacial / ambient jazz - bring on the Manhattans ( Angel voices sing :harp:)  or AII Stormies !


As for Ken ( Hi ! )  :) I  heartily endorse your choice of SMs for the 339, but am curious if you were ever tempted to use the MQs  with your affection for single coil glories ? Having said that, if I had a lovely 339, AII Stormies would be 'compulsory listening'.  :)


Thank you again for listening and subsequently posting .  :)

[cerpintaxt]

In an S.G. ( which I found to darken things a bit more than the Les Paul ) - The AIV Stormy might 'grip' better,and be a closer relation to the RR bridge : However , I would go for the AII - If you want / are prepared to have two 'vintage correct' but quite contrasting pickups. Just bear in mind, the S.G. will soak things up much more than the Archtop.

I'm glad you said that, as it's exactly what I'm after really. The neck pickup sound I have in my mind's ear is really airy and loose, which kinda sounds right, given what you have described.

[choucas09]

Ah melody and harmony. So nice to hear it against the inevitably edgier backdrop of a contemporary forum. Exquisite tone, sort of a cross between guitar and Fender Rhodes. Great piece and playing.

[Fourth Feline]

Ah melody and harmony. So nice to hear it against the inevitably edgier backdrop of a contemporary forum. Exquisite tone, sort of a cross between guitar and Fender Rhodes. Great piece and playing.

Thank you very much choucas, Much appreciated .  :)

I loved the description of the tone being between " Guitar and Fender Rhodes " - especially for those of us that heard the Fender Rhodes 'gripping the air' in  Blues bands back in the day.  I went back and listened to what you meant, that plummy 'chime' - that rears it's head from time to time. I recently noticed ( and was gently amused ) that the moment on the track between 1:38 and 1:39 -  reminded me to re-polish that fret, and lubricate the strings.  :lol:  NOT the sort of detail I was getting from stock pickups !  The benefits of playing 'dry' ( or with just a tiny hint of reverb)  through  flat E.Q'd amp or software - are very new to me ;  and no doubt a bit restricted to this sort of thing.   One of the nice things about trying another style, being the opening of a whole new realm of folklore, sonic etiquette, and 'novices glee' .

As for it's place in the Pantheon of this great forum ; I will be seeking to have introduced Tweed sports jackets,  and quality pipe tobaccos by year end 2012.  As it says in that wonderful book - 'The Chap Almanac '  it will be
" A call to charms " ..  8)

Cheers !  :D

[cerpintaxt]

Mmmm, quite. Yours will be a revolution won not by getting up and excerting ones self, but rather that of a single raised eyebrow  :)

Fender Rhodes, now you're talking. One of my all time fave songs featuring the Rhodes has to be "Riders on the Storm" by The Doors, and the guitar in it has great jazz tone just like yours!

[choucas09]

My favourite Rhodes track is Woodstock by Joni Mitchell. A sound that makes you melt.