The "AirStream Series" - Sacred Steel video added

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 14 Jun 2012 3:03 pm

It'd be hard to top accolades like those...

One lucky owner!
Without my own hands on, the bonus settings could probably work well or better with some amps and tone desires, a benefit that many would no doubt appreciate.

Lee Jeffriess · Post by **Lee Jeffriess** » 16 Jun 2012 1:19 pm

Rick, are the dining cars Neo powered ?
Btw, they look classy

Rick Aiello · Post by **Rick Aiello** » 16 Jun 2012 1:53 pm

Yep ... arranged in a cylindrical Halbach Array

Lee Jeffriess · Post by **Lee Jeffriess** » 16 Jun 2012 5:50 pm

Whats that in Laymen's terms ?
Or is that none of my beeswax

Lee Jeffriess · Post by **Lee Jeffriess** » 16 Jun 2012 6:03 pm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halbach_array
I see, is this arrangement in your opinion acting like a horseshoe ?

Rick Aiello · Post by **Rick Aiello** » 16 Jun 2012 6:14 pm

To be really specific ... My use is more similar to a Stetler Array ...

It is a way of arranging individual pieces .... So that they reinforce each other ... While reducing leakage and fringing flux ...

These arrays create a uniform dipole field ( North and South ends) ... Across an air gap ( in this case, where the strings run through.) ...in which, work can be done.

So each string "sees" exactly the same field ...

The issue is the massive repulsion that takes place ... When the arrays are being made.

They are being used where electromagnets are impractical ... And huge fields are required ... In the realm of 2 Tesla (20,000 gauss).

Getting them to "behave" ... That's the secret ...

Like being a Dad ... Ha, ha ... Happy Father's Day

Lee Jeffriess · Post by **Lee Jeffriess** » 16 Jun 2012 6:24 pm

Wow, that's pretty rowdy in Gauss terms right ?
Im very intrigued would it be possible to make a lo Z one say 50 ohms, along the lines of the LP recording PU ? and Happy Fathers Day to you too

Rick Aiello · Post by **Rick Aiello** » 17 Jun 2012 4:53 am

I use 38 AWG magnet wire ...

Each 8 string coil ends up about 2.4 k Ohm (2400 Ohm) ... My 6 string coil about 1.8 k Ohm (1800 Ohm) .

So in humbucker or Kick A$$ mode ... 4.8 k and 3.6 k respectively.

I could easily wind them to 20 - 50 ohm ... Ala the LP recording pickups ... And my array's high field strength is surely higher than anything he could have produced with his big cobalt steel magnets.

Of course a transformer or Pre-amp would be needed to make it amp friendly ...

An expensive experiment: ... For sure $:\$

Andre Nizzari · Post by **Andre Nizzari** » 11 Jul 2012 1:29 pm

Rick the new Dining Car pickup is really a wonderful sounding pickup! Congrats on creating the most unique steel pup in the world and thank you for letting me be one of the earliest to have one.
The Black Mamba now has to be one the of the finest 6 string lap steels in the world! I can say that because I own a pre war B6 haha! I'm am really loving the tones! I think the 3 way switch is great! I love that I can go from fat and warm to twang and in between! Kick ass mode is certainly the biggest of the 3 but I like the twangy single coil mode too! Sustain is insane!

Rick Aiello · Post by **Rick Aiello** » 12 Jul 2012 2:22 am

I'm glad it made it safely .. and you like it ...

...

The "twangy" mode is humbucking ... For when you find yourself in a hostile electrical environment ...

Enjoy ...

Don McClellan · Post by **Don McClellan** » 12 Jul 2012 5:45 am

They look great. How much do they cost? Don

Rick Aiello · Post by **Rick Aiello** » 12 Jul 2012 6:52 am

http://www.horseshoemagnets.com/_sgg/m1_1.htm

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 12 Jul 2012 6:55 am

I want it bad, so I'm saving my pennies for it.

Rick Aiello · Post by **Rick Aiello** » 15 Jul 2012 9:38 am

The Fountain v2 I made that Sierra ... had problems with the "micro" mounts I had made so the unit would fit into the Sierra's bay ... without altering the steel itself.

It was too tall to fit with my standard mount ... and still have room for height adjustment.

The mounts failed (pulled during a rough shipping, I guess) ...

So the pickup was basically just laying there in the bay ... yet these guys still pulled off some "Amazing" playing ... captured on a cell phones video.

Check this out ... http://youtu.be/VXGvGtLQWFs

The steel is into a Hilton VP ... into a Nashville 1000 ... no effects

I have the guitar back ... and I'm building a new unit ... slimmer ... that will fit in the bay w/o alteration, use my standard mount ... and still maintain the power and tone of the original unit.

The new unit is very attractive too ... a cool new design ... so I'm hoping that will make up for the inconvenience I caused Micheal H ...

In the immortal words of Frank Zappa ...

"Necessity is the "Mothers of Invention"

Rick Aiello · Post by **Rick Aiello** » 19 Jul 2012 1:52 pm

There wasn't a millimeter to spare inside this rascal ...

Huge sound ... I'm very pleased with this slim design

I hope you guys make me another video ...

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 19 Jul 2012 2:08 pm

Couldn't ask for a more perfect visual match with the Sierra, very smart, looking forward to some A/V.

Andre Nizzari · Post by **Andre Nizzari** » 19 Jul 2012 2:10 pm

great vid! great sounding guitar and player!!!

also that pickup looks perfect with the sierra!

Rick Aiello · Post by **Rick Aiello** » 20 Aug 2012 4:13 am

This rascal is for sale ...

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopi ... 17#1983117