Alumitone Splittable - why?

Frank Montmarquet · Post by **Frank Montmarquet** » 19 Jul 2013 9:19 am

I just received an Alumitone for my U-12 Sierra. It fits nicely in a Sierra removable pickup boot. It has wires like this:

http://www.lacemusic.com/pdf/13.pdf

What is gained or lost by using it in splittable mode?

I can probably wire it to use the switch already on the guitar. This switch, switches between using either of the 2 coils on a hum-bucker, or both coils as hum-bucking.

Is it worth the time for the Alumitone?

thanks
Frank

Helmut Gragger · Post by **Helmut Gragger** » 19 Jul 2013 10:21 am

Splittable in this context does not mean what you may be used to thinking of stock humbuckers.

I have written about it on my web pages on the lapsteel article.

The alumitoneÂ´s architecture is radically different compared to standard pickups and all the coil split does is presenting different secondary transformer windings or lengths thereof to the subsequent components.

Splitting provides two different tonalities, one reminiscent of SC tone, one of HB tone without changing the inherent humbucking action.

Yes, it is worth the effort if you have a switch available.

I installed a alumitone tone-bar in my U-12 sho-bud and I like it much more than the E-66 I had there before.
I always hated the E-66.

-helmut

Gary Cosden · Post by **Gary Cosden** » 19 Jul 2013 11:15 am

Hi Frank. I have a Sierra 12 as well and I've also toyed with the idea of trying an Alumitone. Please let us know how this works out for you. A pic would be great. Thanks!

Helmut Gragger · Post by **Helmut Gragger** » 20 Jul 2013 12:02 am

I have a document half-finished on the conversion of my Sho-Bud U12 to Alumitone. I see this might be useful for ya.

IÂ´ll get this ready once I am back from holidays and post it here. Sound samples and such...

-helmut

Frank Montmarquet · Post by **Frank Montmarquet** » 20 Jul 2013 4:50 am

Thanks for the responses, I will post my progress & results.

I will probably make it temporary while I adjust the height. Also boots are hard to come by so I will try using screws instead of adhesive.

I have another electronic toy to work with this weekend. Just got a K&K clip on mic for my Sax. The PUP needs to wait a day.

Frank Montmarquet · Post by **Frank Montmarquet** » 2 Sep 2013 5:35 pm

The Alumitone fits into the Sierra pickup boot with about 1/8" clearance at the ends. In the picture it's not mounted, I will probably use silicone to hold it in place.

So far I like the tone in split mode best, but it seems the output is on the low side. In non-split the output is more than adequate but I do not like the tone as much. These are initial impressions, I have not played with height or EQ yet. It is quite, no noise compared to my humbucker in single coil mode.