George L 10-5 Pickup Question

Les Hardin · From: Cleveland, NC USA

I'm thinking about replacing my pickup; it's an old guitar that I got on ebay and I'm not thrilled with the tone. Anyway, what's the general opinion on the George L 10-5 pickup - the one with the 5-position switch for 5 different tones? Is it worth it?
Thanks,
Les
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Looking for guitar; Nashville 1000; Hilton VP; Peterson Strobe Tuner.

Bobby Snell · From: Austin, Texas

I'd like to know more about those pickups as well.

How do you mount the switch? What does it do..."tap" the pickup in different ways?

Mike Wheeler · From: Delaware, Ohio, USA

"Is it worth it?"

That depends on what you want it for. I've used these for years. I see them as a "jack of all trades" solution to needing a wide variety of sounds. It has two coils that are arranged in several series/parallel configurations, with a capacitor occasionally thrown in to the mix...there's an "out of phase" position also, if memory serves. (think Strat 5 position switch) They aren't for everyone.

I played in a production band for many years and had to have a very wide range of sounds to fit all the styles we played...kind of like playing several different guitars...from very thin and nasally, to a very warm and fat C6th tone. I found it gave me enough range to do the job without having to rely on tons of electronic gadgets. I still use one in my MCI U-12.

If you are like most players looking to find that "holy grail" of tone, then you might want to find another single purpose pickup that makes you happy. The 10-5 is a tool, not a magic solution. It does what it does well, and it's very reliable at that.

As far as mounting, you would need a "output jack" sized hole to mount the rotary switch in. And that's another consideration. Most steels don't have an extra hole, so you'd have to drill one. I had no problem doing that to my MCI, but I would NEVER do that to my Emmons. Aside from that, there are no other installation issues.
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Best regards,
Mike

Les Hardin · From: Cleveland, NC USA

Thanks for the feedback, Mike. My problem is that I'm not happy with the tone from my Bill Lawrence XR-16. Maybe it's just the amp tuning, but I've had it on a couple of good amps and the low end is muddy and the high end is thin. What is your preferred pickup for a warm tone with clear mids and highs?

Thanks.
Les
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Looking for guitar; Nashville 1000; Hilton VP; Peterson Strobe Tuner.

Mike Wheeler · From: Delaware, Ohio, USA

I'm no expert on all the various pickups available, Les, but personally, I want clean, clear tones with great string separation in the lower range.

Having said that, I like the TrueTone. Of course, it's a single coil PU and is subject to hum pick up. I like what I've heard about the Alumitone and plan to buy one this spring for my Emmons U-12...single coil tone without the hum Aside from those two, I would defer to my forum brothers who have more experience with other pickups and their tonal aspects.

Guys, I'm thinking maybe an E-66? What say you all?
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Best regards,
Mike

Gordon Titcomb · From: Woodbury, Connecticut, USA

I've used the George L 10-5 pickups on both of my Emmons D-10 PPs for years. The reason being that I've had to work in many different environments where the stock, Emmons, single coil pickup was producing too much hum.
(Incidentally ... the stock Emmons single coil pickup is about the best sounding pickup ever as long as there is not a hum issue where you're was playing.)

So.... I put Geo.L 10-5's in and now have the option of having either dual coil (humbucking) when needed or single coil for all other times.

If you do either a lot of session work or a lot of gigging in various studios & venues, I think that you'll find this pickup to be a really good bet.

Jus' my two cents.

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