Author Topic: made to customer specs? (Read 6578 times)

Dan42684 · « **on:** April 08, 2007, 08:44:08 AM »

I've heard that tim does this, is this true?

Philly Q · « **Reply #1 on:** April 08, 2007, 10:41:52 AM »

Custom orders are certainly possible, within limits. For example, you can't get green humbucker bobbins (I've asked!) and I don't know if Tim does more specialised items like Jazzmaster or Jaguar pickups (but you could get existing ones rewound).

There are so many different models in the range, one of them might already fit your requirements or at least be a good starting point for tweaking. It's probably best to contact Tim and take it from there.

Just out of curiosity, what did you have in mind?

Peter Antal · « **Reply #2 on:** April 08, 2007, 10:52:21 AM »

There's a huge amount of work and testing behind each BK model - even after their release -, so generally they sound best in their stock form. However, for your specific applications some specs might need to be changed - magnet type, polepieces, additional coil tap for singles etc. As far as I know, these mods are free but you should always consult Tim before placing such a custom order. He'll recommend you the best solution. :)

Muzzzz · « **Reply #3 on:** April 08, 2007, 10:52:50 AM »

Ummm, you wanted green humbucker bobbins?? :?

Philly Q · « **Reply #4 on:** April 08, 2007, 11:22:07 AM »

Quote from: Muzzzz

Ummm, you wanted green humbucker bobbins?? :?

Yeah, I've got an Army Green SG (yes, it's ugly, but I love it) and I thought a green/cream or green/black zebra pickup would look good. I ended up with a chrome Riff Raff.

It's not that weird, Steve Vai has had more green pickups than I've had hot dinners.

MDV · « **Reply #5 on:** April 08, 2007, 01:22:47 PM »

I imagine that if you were adamant about it BK would make you anything.

However their basic models are the result of extensive experiment and testing. If you just pick a wire guage, magnet, pole type and DC off the top of your head then youre probably going to get a rubbish pickup, even if it is made by the best.

On the other hand some adjusments of basic models are possible, for example I have a miracle man with double screw poles and wound to 23k. I didnt specifically ask for 23k though, I left it to Tims judgment.

WezV · « **Reply #6 on:** April 08, 2007, 06:12:19 PM »

Quote from: Philly Q

Quote from: Muzzzz
Ummm, you wanted green humbucker bobbins?? :?

Yeah, I've got an Army Green SG (yes, it's ugly, but I love it) and I thought a green/cream or green/black zebra pickup would look good. I ended up with a chrome Riff Raff.

It's not that weird, Steve Vai has had more green pickups than I've had hot dinners.

If you really want green pickup covers you can get bobbin toppers that fit over the top of stock pickups!

They are essentially stickers and could probably be made quite easily at home on a sticker printer if you have accurate bobbin dimensions.

http://www.universaljems.com/cart/bobbin.htm

Ugly things if you ask me - but if you really want green BKP's . . .

Philly Q · « **Reply #7 on:** April 08, 2007, 07:01:02 PM »

Thanks Wez, bobbin toppers were mentioned at the time. Quite happy with the chrome cover now though! :D

Tarzan · « **Reply #8 on:** April 08, 2007, 07:21:42 PM »

what difference do the double screw poles make to the sound?

MDV · « **Reply #9 on:** April 08, 2007, 08:50:00 PM »

By default, more bass. But the relative height of the two screws for any one string allows some intrinsic EQing of the pickup string by string. I find it extremely usefull and my three main guitars all have double pole (alen and two screw pole) bridge pickups: warpig, CWP, overwound miracle man (which in the spirit of naming pickups after their vibe, and MHs new monsterous album, I've started to call 'The Blackening' :twisted: :lol: )

Tarzan · « **Reply #10 on:** April 08, 2007, 11:02:52 PM »

does that mean that it is possible to change the hight of the screws of the pickup, aswell ad the pickup itself, or have i just missunderstood?

Deadstar · « **Reply #11 on:** April 09, 2007, 12:06:23 AM »

Doesn't Ben (Twilight Odyssey) have all sorts of different coloured pickups?

Dan42684 · « **Reply #12 on:** April 09, 2007, 12:10:08 AM »

Quote from: Philly Q

what did you have in mind?

well I got a project guitar in the works, it's a 7 string. I love Fear Factory's tone but I hate how sterile EMG's are so I'm looking for something like that without the sterile sound, Made for whammy abuse, harmonics galore, Clear and clean sounding on each note, Growly and extremely Crunchy, Aggressive without being harsh, tight bass response as well. I'm not worried about the color of the bobbins, I just go to UniversalJems.com and order bobbin toppers for my colored pickup needs.

Philly Q · « **Reply #13 on:** April 09, 2007, 12:40:02 AM »

A lot of guys here on the forum have replaced EMG-81s with the Miracle Man. Am I right in thinking Fear Factory use(d) the EMG-707, which is more like a 7-string EMG-85? Not an area I know much about, but I think in that case you might want something a little more midrangey, maybe a Nailbomb, Warpig or Ceramic Warpig (MDV's the man to advise on those).

I believe the MM, NB, WP and CWP are all available in 7-string versions.

MDV · « **Reply #14 on:** April 09, 2007, 12:43:16 AM »

Quote from: Tarzan

does that mean that it is possible to change the hight of the screws of the pickup, aswell ad the pickup itself, or have i just missunderstood?

Exactly!

Both rows of screws: the higher the bridge-wards ones are compared to neckwards, teh treblier, and vice versa. Obviously this can be done for each string, and is very very cool. With BKs hight sensitivity it makes a huge difference!

Edit:

Quote from: Philly Q

Warpig or Ceramic Warpig (MDV's the man to advise on those).

I believe the MM, NB, WP and CWP are all available in 7-string versions.

:drink:

Plenty of people round here know the score though! I mean Tim posts regularly!!!

All BKs can be made in 7 string versions for the same cost (awesome, if you ask me!)