The Steel Guitar Forum

The Danny Shields pickup is a humbucker. The screws in the center aren't magnets - they are used to adjust the volume of individual strings.

When I tap the center poles I get a sound,but not really from the other magnets. That, and it hums like a single coil. That could be due to improper wiring, both sides are the same polarity.

At any rate, I need to figure out how to open the pickup housing to rewire it.

Be very careful removing the pickup from the case. I ended up damaging my "Danny Shields" in the process.
I have a collection of 9 Sierra interchangeable pickups and have successfully removed the pickup from the case (bezel) many times, but...this one

Dan Kimpel wrote:So I've got the guitar, and it's great. It is in fair shape, but I am going to clean the changer when I get a chance. I've got a couple questions though:
1. What are these holes for? The discs behind the changer?

Hi Dan, I sent the Sierra "all-knower" Tom Baker your pic. He says he doesn't know what the threaded holes are for. They weren't there on the guitars he was involved in building. He thinks they may have been for some sort of set-up duty.

The "discs" you inquire about are actually the top of the raise/plates.

Have fun with your new Sierra!

My Sierra Olympic has those holes, too.

If the pickup is not working properly, why not just replace it?

Do you know where I could find the hosting for a different pickup? Or anyone willing to sell me a pickup in the housing? The pickup works as a single coil or a hummy humbucker, it sounds decent I just have noisy power in my house and it's driving me mad.

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopi ... t=#2510642
Maybe Keith, the seller knows something about this. He failed to mention anything being awry. The switch on the guitar functions as a bypass for the volume and time Connells (the tone pot should be replaced too). I'm wondering what to do. I need a housing if I can't open this one to either fix it or switch it out. I really like the guitar but I need to fix this. I think I need to flip the magnets on one side as the polarities match.

I love my Sierra!
My S12, Crown 25" keyless (1987),recently in Charlieu's french steel guitar convention.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOoAOIEPuAI

Hey Archie....nice to see her again, and to think I actually played that very Steel at a gig. If I had the money, you wouldn't have even seen that steel

Micky "scars" Byrne U.K.

Dan Kimpel wrote:When I tap the center poles I get a sound,but not really from the other magnets. That, and it hums like a single coil. That could be due to improper wiring, both sides are the same polarity.

I misspoke - it's not a humbucker. On testing mine, it does have a small amount of hum. It measures about 17k on the ohm meter - typical for a single coil.

Unlike other pickups, the Shields is designed into the Sierra housing. Not removable. I don't know if Sierra still has any of the housings. If they do, it's not hard to put a standard humbucker in one. I used to perform with 4 pickups on deck, hot swapping them between songs. I just have 2 now, the Shields and a Bill Lawrence BL-712 (true humbucker).

Yes...to what b0b said "the Shields is built into the housing"...I have the pieces to prove it

Micky Byrne wrote:Hey Archie....nice to see her again, and to think I actually played that very Steel at a gig. If I had the money, you wouldn't have even seen that steel

Micky "scars" Byrne U.K.

Oh, you did, did you? Then sold it to me as 'new'.




Arch.

Wow....Lovely to see her again ....did you leave the copedant that was on it as an Extended E9th?? or change it to some weird Scottish tuning?

Those Sierra's had lovely cases!!

Micky "scars" Byrne U.K.

Stayed as it came. I would have liked the low G#-A raise, though. That first pedal half-tone lower of both B strings got a lot of minor use.
I wonder where she is now?

Arch.

Extended E9th is supposed to have the low G# to A on the "B" pedal. It's sort of the the one "required" change.

Archie...when my extended E9th Sho-Bud S-12 was changed over to a universal, I picked it up from the guy who made all the bits and had to go straight to a gig Talk about wanting a hole to swallow me??......actually by the last set I managed to get the right "Grips" to that tuning.. phew

Micky "scars" Byrne U.K.

I know, b0b. I was no mechanic then or now or I would have added the lower change. I was getting all infused with my previous post. Had the Minor fun with the fifth pedal G#-G change. The B-Bb change was on the vertical lever.
Micky; Now that I have gone Uni, I'd never go back. What are you using now. Didn't you have some fire trouble with your 'Bud?

Arch.

Hi Archie....went Uni in 1982...I could never afford D-10...but a Uni is all I want....love it ... I'll send you a link on my Sho-Bud ....but I think you have seen it years ago.

Micky "scars" Byrne U.K.

Got it. You must have been well pissed off at the time.
Still, onwards and sideways...

Arch.

Story of my life Archie....Lol


Onwards and sideways

Micky "scars" Byrne .. Essex County ... Way south of Scottie -land U.K.

Like.

Arch.

We do have a place for private conversations, guys.

Yeah. OK, b0b. You walk about here as if you own the place. Ah!

Arch.