The ones that fit pedal steels are actually bass pups, called bass bars.
"Fit" is relative.
The bass bar fits the usual steel pickup slot, but the P90 6-string model is plenty wide enough for pedal steel use (just slightly narrower mounting screws or some alternate mounting method) and sound tremendous, with strong mids and bite typical of good P90's.
ALL the Alumitones are far lower in DC resistance than most "normal" steel pickups, so you will likely need to re-set your expensive volume pedal or other impedance-matching device.
No chops, but great tone
1930's/40's Rickenbacher/Rickenbacker 6&8 string lap steels
1921 Weissenborn Style 2; Hilo&Schireson hollownecks
Appalachian, Regal & Dobro squarenecks
1959 Fender 400 9+2 B6;1960's Fender 800 3+3+2; 1948 Fender Dual-8 Professional
I placed an order for two. But instead of putting them in my GFI which I've been trying to sell, I'll first put them into my '79 PP D-10 Emmons. It has a single-coil which sounds good, but the hum can be a bit annoying.
The GFI on the other hand has very quite humbuckers, but by their very design concept I believe humbuckers also cut both output and bass overtones. If the first two work out well I'll try two more for the GFI.
John Fabian- How does one order those adapter plates?
William...I think the adapter plate is available only through Carter. I think that's a neat addition to the Alumitone. I placed a call to Carter earlier today hoping to order the pickup plus the plate. The female employee hung up on me...I was shocked. So, I ordered the product (no plate) online through the Aamp website. I was hoping to ask the female employee what are the dimensions of the plate. The Carter website doesn't mention that. Anyways, I don't mind drilling 4 holes...Bob
DOES ANYONE KNOW WHETHER OF NOT THEY WILL FIT A CARTER STARTER? IF SO, HOW MUCH AND HOW HARD IS IT
TO INSTALL. JUST CURIOUS.
I am currently running a Simmons SD10, Peavey Nashville 400 that's packing a 15" BW, Peavey Delta Fex effects processor, and a Match Box. Best rig I've ever run and the sound is truly incredible.
I'd talk to Lace about the microphonic issue; I have the P90 and a humbucker and neither has any microphonics, comparatively speaking (i.e I can hear it if I bang a screwdriver on them, but they pickup no mechanical or other "playing" noise.)
No chops, but great tone
1930's/40's Rickenbacher/Rickenbacker 6&8 string lap steels
1921 Weissenborn Style 2; Hilo&Schireson hollownecks
Appalachian, Regal & Dobro squarenecks
1959 Fender 400 9+2 B6;1960's Fender 800 3+3+2; 1948 Fender Dual-8 Professional
Thats interesting. I can tap on the pickguard 2" away and it comes through the pickup. I noticed this with a Twin on 3. I installed the bridge and the neck but not the middle pickup. Both have exactly the same level of microphonics so I assume its inherent to the design.
Recieved my Alumitone PU's from AampSelector. Pretty quick delivery, but it looks like the PU's might be a bigger task installing them into my '79 Emmons than I thought. First off, it would have been nicer if the wires coming off the Bass Bars were longer. The Emmons has a much longer wire run then most other makes. I will also have to fabricate a plastic mounting plate. Does anyone know if mounting plates can be obtained from Carter? So far, I haven't seen anything about them on their site. If I should put the Alumitone's into my GFI instead, it appears that it would be a much easier task, since all wiring is right near the end plate. Still, it will need a mounting plate. Any ideas?
Paddy,
I was wondering what kind of string to pick up clearance you ended up with on your Zum. I put an Alumitone on my SD10 Zum and the lowest it will set is 1 1/2 'quarters'. The p'up will not go lower because of the changer support arms.
I find the p'up is extremely bright sounding. Thought maybe more clearance would change that.
Any info will be appreciated.
Thanks,
J.R. Marlowe
Life has many choices. Eternity has TWO. I choose Heaven.
Black '95 Zumsteel SD10, 4+5;Black Mullen RP SD10, 4+5
NRA Life member
Blow your horn, Bobbe, but you'll be tickled to know that the Alumitone I bought from you and installed on my GFI is outstanding! Puts the old GFI II to shame - per my taste and my taste only.
Wonder what it would do - if anything - for that LeGrande II that Buck was playing. Like it really needed any help!
Richard
Last edited by Richard Damron on 20 Oct 2009 9:52 am, edited 1 time in total.
Hi James, I didn't have any clearance issues with the Alumitones ...I replaced the BL710's and set the pickups about the same height ...and tweaked for sound. I think if you had the cabinet drop mechanism on your Zum it might interfere with the plate height?? Keep in mind my pickups came from Carters with their plate attached -- it just fitted straight on to the Zum base plate and adjusted normally. This was a standard changer Zum with no cabinet drop mechanism - and not my Hybrid.
Hey Paddy,
Thanks for the response. I don't know what the cab. drop mechanism is you're speaking of. I saw a photo of the mounting plate from Carter. That would not work for mine, because it is the same width as the p'up...and the p'up will not go between those arms I mentioned. It worked fine setting on top of them, but the most clearance I can get is 1 1/2 quarters. That's why I was wondering what clearance you had.
I guess my Zum is built somewhat different than yours.
Craig, I couldn't figure what those foam pads were for either.
J.R. Marlowe
Life has many choices. Eternity has TWO. I choose Heaven.
Black '95 Zumsteel SD10, 4+5;Black Mullen RP SD10, 4+5
NRA Life member
I have 2 identical GFI Ultras. I installed a Alumitone on the E9 neck on one of the guitars. I hooked both guitars up without a volume pedal to compare the sound and volume from both guitars into the same amp. There is a noticeable difference in the tone of the guitars. The Alumitone has much more clarity in all ranges of the neck. There's a noticeable difference in volume put out by the Alumitone also. Something I've not heard anybody mention was the amount of sustain the pickup adds. I'm noticing about 3 seconds of additional sound from the Alumitone. I'm thinking the Alumitone is a keeper.
Danny Sherbon wrote:I have 2 identical GFI Ultras. I installed a Alumitone on the E9 neck on one of the guitars. I hooked both guitars up without a volume pedal to compare the sound and volume from both guitars into the same amp. There is a noticeable difference in the tone of the guitars. The Alumitone has much more clarity in all ranges of the neck. There's a noticeable difference in volume put out by the Alumitone also. Something I've not heard anybody mention was the amount of sustain the pickup adds. I'm noticing about 3 seconds of additional sound from the Alumitone. I'm thinking the Alumitone is a keeper.
How would a pickup add sustain? Less magnetic pull on the strings?