The Steel Guitar Forum

The pickup in my Derby (original) has gone microphonic and was wondering if anyone has replaced it with a 705? I realize this is subjective but I'm looking for some advice. I can get the 705 right away, otherwise I'll have to do the mail order route.
Thanks

I have used this p/u and can say it has growl and bite. note separation is not as accurate as a 710 but it has good wail. bass must be turned down to prevent harmonic feedback, because this pickup will almost pickup your voice if you talk close to the strings. A 710 gives more body and warmth plus excellent note separation. Hope that helped.

Dwight

I had 710's in my Derby and they would distort some amps. Raising and lowering the pick up from the strings didnt help alot. I finally settled on the George L 10-1 Derby seems to love them and they sound great.

what causes pickups to become microphonic or whatever. i thought it was just really old ones?

anyone know?

Hello Russ,
I have a Derby D10 lacquer with Geo-L Tommy White pickups in both necks and they sound great. Not too bright, not to heavy. This guitar I am told was Terry Crisps and these are the pickups he had in it.
Regards,
Wayne

I a have stock, modern, Bb standard Emmons single coil in my SD-10 Derby. I love it. (I switched out from the stock E-66 which also sounded great, but I guess I'm just a S/C guy.)

i know what standard emmons single coils are, e9 or c6...but what's a Bb standard emmons pickup.??

When I got my latest Derby in Dec. ’05, I ordered it with Geo. L. 10–1 P/U's because; I don't care for the E-66 model! Geo. L. 10–1 has always served me well! Of course, the Lawrence L–710 is a very hard P/U to beat! I don't know of one that is any better! If I ever desire a change, the L–710 will be my choice!

Well, I installed the 705, didn't have much choice, I've got to play this weekend. As Dwight Lewis said, it's got growl and bite. When I kick in my blues driver it just screams! Got some tweeking to do with the amp and stomp pedals for sure. I'll know better if I like it or not after playing on stage. Thanks for the replies.

Sorry Chris, when I say Bb, it's just slang meaning: standard, usual, stock, non custom.

I switched the George L E-66 on my Derby SD-10 for a Truetone single coil. The TT has lots of (I guess it's) growl, and a georgeous silky sheen on the high strings. I play in an (open jam) every tuesday and always get lots of compliments on my sound. And the only time I got the hum that single coils are supposed to be famous for was when I put the NV 112 on my right, right next to the pickup.

Russ, I have GL 66 on my Derby and like the sound just fine. I think Charlie Stepp keeps them in stock. You might contact him.If your comming to St Louis he would probably bring one. I would help you install it if you like. Let me know...

You should really try the GL 10–1 or you'll lose your upper-mids and the low-end!