Gary Meixner
From:
New York, USA
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Posted 4 Oct 2011 5:10 am |
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Hi Brad,
I have built a number of guitars and have found that most pickups even inexpensive ones sound pretty good in a lap steel. So much depends on the type of wood used, playing style, scale length, tuning (I use C6), etc. A big issue for me has been string spacing. Some pickups for six string guitar have a very narrow spacing and I tend to like something a bit wider.
I have 24" scale guitar that I made out of poplar with an Alumitone humbucker sized pickup that sounds great to me. Very warm, clear and detailed.
A favorite of mine is an ash body, 24" scale with a Vintage Vibe Charlie Christain single coil. This guitar is a little more treble dominant, very clear and detailed. A classic tone.
I built a copy of my 22.5" scale, Ricky bakelite out of hard maple and have tried several pickups in it. The first was a cheap humbucker that sounded great to my ears but the string spacing was too close. I also tried a super, over wound Di Marzio that sounded fantastic. Warm, fat and in your face. As good as it sounded it wasn't what I was looking for. Currently I have Semour Duncan Broadcaster pickup in it and I hate the way it sounds. It is hard and lacks sweetness. I have a sense that it would respond better to a longer scale guitar.
I also built a eight string, 22.5" scale guitar out of ash and used a Bill Lawrence SideWinder pickup. This guitar may be the best of them all. The pup is about the size of George L but is wound as a single coil with hum cancelling dummy coils. It sounds like a classic 50's country steel guitar without the hum. I am not sure if he is still making these or if they are available as a six string. It has a narrow spacing though, that I don't like.
Don't know if this helps at all. I do think routing for a humbucker is good idea. There so many options availble that fit into a humbucker form that you bound to find something you'll be pleased with.
Very best always,
Gary Meixner |
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