True Tone Testament

Al Terhune · Post by **Al Terhune** » 21 Oct 2006 4:11 pm

For one thing, this single-coil pickup is really quiet. I've got so much crap (electrical lines, flourescent light) in my little studio, that there is some hum with the pickup in my ShoBud, but this pickup is virtually silent. It sounds terrific in my GFI. FYI: I switched out the GFI II mainly because I just really like that single coil sound. That said, the GFI and ShoBud have two distinct sounds, albiet with single coil pickups. Jerry's work is exquisite. The pickup itself looks like an expensive piece of art.

Thanks for your contributions, Jerry.

Al

Bill Myers · Post by **Bill Myers** » 21 Oct 2006 5:19 pm

I have true tones in my Derby and I had them in a Carter that I owned too....There is no better sounding pickup out there and Wallace Tru Tones!

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1995 Derby D10 8x6 Fender Vibrosonic Amp

Andy Sandoval · Post by **Andy Sandoval** » 21 Oct 2006 6:29 pm

My Carter D-10 has two of jerry's pickups and I'll never replace them.

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 22 Oct 2006 4:59 am

nobody has ever stated tht they don't sound great..

they do..

the issue is that single coils, (Telecasters too..) cannot be expected to be silent at ALL locations. Some stages are not bad..some are sort of bad..

and some stages are (with exception) unplayable, and you don't learn that until you get there...

we have a monthly gig at one that is
"un-single coilable"

Huge stage, lights, faders, fans, blah blah blah...

One weekend I brought two Steels, My Carter with TT SC's and my Emmons with Stock SC's...

"It aint' happening "

I spoke with Jerry for an hour that weekend and we both agreed I should CAVE...

oh, and I don't recommend you speak to a club owner who has been there for over 30 years and has bands every weekend..and tell him to change his stage...for you

I did speak with 2 or 3 other Steelers who just changed to Lawrence or GL's...

good luck

and I agree, my Carter sounded the best with the True Tones...

t[This message was edited by Tony Prior on 22 October 2006 at 06:01 AM.]

Jim Sliff · Post by **Jim Sliff** » 22 Oct 2006 7:22 am

Tony, I used to think that as well. Then about 8 years ago bought an SDI voltage regulator/power supply that is basically a boxy, 20-pound, 4-outlet "power strip" that filters out all the junk. I bought it from a buddy who had bought a different rack-mount type, but he used it out in the desert at clubs, fairs, etc. where the power essentially made single-coils "unplayable". It's a magic box - When I was playing Tele it let me retire my stacked-'bucker Tele. It kills fluorescents, cheesy wiring, voltage problems (really important with solid-state and digital stuff, less so with tube amps) and everything else that causes noise.

If it could knock out obnoxious people in the audience, it'd be perfect....

I've never played without it since I got it. I periodically test-run power on stages to see what the noise floor is like with single coils, and the thing constantly amazes me at how effective it is.

One note - I still ALWAYS use a circuit tester in an unfamiliar venu, and if I find ground problems or reversed polarity in the house wiring take proper precautions with a GFCI. A circuit tester and GFCI should be mandatory equipment for gigging players. I've seen several major shocks that were near-death electrocutions - it's just stupid to me NOT to test wiring every time you play.[This message was edited by Jim Sliff on 22 October 2006 at 08:24 AM.]

A. Roncetti · Post by **A. Roncetti** » 22 Oct 2006 8:19 am

I started a thread much like this one. I personally like the TT,I have one on my Fessy. I like humbuckers on solid body 6 strings like my SG and prefer the single coil on my steel. my 2¢

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Purple Fessenden SD-10 4X5

Al Terhune · Post by **Al Terhune** » 22 Oct 2006 8:44 am

If it could knock out obnoxious people in the audience, it'd be perfect....

lol

Al[This message was edited by Al Terhune on 22 October 2006 at 09:45 AM.]

Robert Leaman · Post by **Robert Leaman** » 22 Oct 2006 10:10 am

If the earth ground connection is not connected properly, a GFI is useless since it cannot detect ground current. Without an earth ground connection, a single phase circuit cannot be unbalanced. Ground Fault Interruptors (GFI) look for unbalanced circuits, that is, less current in the return than in the feed. This the reason that GFI manufacturers emphasize good earth ground connections.

Jim Sliff · Post by **Jim Sliff** » 22 Oct 2006 10:39 am

The GFCI is mainly for accident protection, as when multiple outlets are used and might be reversed - and someone touches two hot items.

The circuit tester is most important, because then you know whether or not there even IS a ground. It's amazing how many 3-prong outlets aren't actually grounded...that's why you should always test them. I prefer there being a ground, so I don't have to serve that purpose myself. It kinda hurts.

I keep a 10-gage, 100 foot extension in my gig kit. I've actually run power from other buildings a couple of times, because house power was SO incredibly fouled and jury-rigged.

But if the power is decent and there are just noise-generating things in the building, the voltage regulator/filter is great to have.

Bill Miller · Post by **Bill Miller** » 22 Oct 2006 1:38 pm

I bought a Truetone a couple of years ago and I've had it in my guitar twice for several months. I love the tone of it but the hum wears on my nerves after awhile and I went back to a humbucker. I've experimented with several pickups in my Carter. ( GeorgeL's E66, Truetone 18.3 kohm, GeorgeL's 10-1, Lawrence 910 and currently a Lawrence XR-16) I'll hold on to my Truetone and probably try it again sometime...maybe someone will come up with a perfect hum eliminator. For now I think I may put the Lawrence 910 back in because it seems to give me the best tone of any of the humbuckers I've used.

Ron Sodos · Post by **Ron Sodos** » 24 Oct 2006 9:00 am

I had Trutones on my Zum and I did like the tone. However, the hum was so bad I couldn't do any recordng at all. I had to replace them. I put 710's on and I am not sure how i feel. My Fessy has 710's and is much brighter and louder. I may try to replace the pickups on the Zum again. No single coils for me though. Any suggestions?

Brian Ainsworth · Post by **Brian Ainsworth** » 24 Oct 2006 10:44 am

I changed the E9th pickup on my Carter D-10 from a George L EON to a Truetone..The TT has the tone I was looking for.. Will do the same on the C6th neck down the road