Changing pickups

Don Barnhardt · Post by **Don Barnhardt** » 18 Oct 2006 3:57 pm

I need some help i n making up my mind. I have a Marlen S-10 that has a nice tone but I'm getting considerable low freq hum when I crank up the volume. I've tried bypassing the pedal and it still hums with the volume up. I've just about decided to try a humbucker. I have two questions....Is my reasoning sound and if it is what are some good replacement PUPS.

Brian Ainsworth · Post by **Brian Ainsworth** » 19 Oct 2006 5:47 am

My first Pedal Steel was a Marlin S10. I ended up putting a George L E66 in it. Sounded real nice. Even my steel teacher was impressed with the sound..

Jim Sliff · Post by **Jim Sliff** » 19 Oct 2006 6:01 am

"considerable" hum might not go away with a pickup change.

But a much simpler question - is this true just at home, or anyplace you play? If it's just at one location, fix the electrical problem there. Check the power and see if t's wired and grounded correctly with a simple circuit tester.

If it's everywhere, it's maybe the pickup, but could be in the guitar wiring, a cable, the amp...have you tried different amps? Cables?

The pickup is usually the LAST place I look to solve a hum problem.

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 19 Oct 2006 7:06 am

Single coil pickups on pedal steels are prone to hum. Many don't fight it and just go to a hum bucker. The others just put up with it.

I'd recommend a Lawrence pickup - a 910 will give you hum bucking but also give you close to the single coil sound.