The Steel Guitar Forum

...anyone ever installed an Alumitone pickup in an eight-string nonpedal steel guitar?
Some are touting better sustaining properties when they are installed in a regular (Spanish style) guitar.
Which one of the Alumitone pickups would one use for an eight-string steel guitar?

Any information appreciated, Rick

Rick,

Most likely you'll want the Alumitone Bass Bar 3.5 (black or chrome).

http://www.lacemusic.com/Bassbar.php

I have the older style "P-90" alumintone in my PSG and it would work well for anything from 6-10 strings. As long as the strings are within the "body" width of the pickup they should be fine. I really like the tone, though it is NOT any sort of "vintage" tone. The magnets are VERY powerful, so you'd probably want to set it pretty far from the strings (if possible), though as in all things, YMMV!

I have used these pickups in two 6-string lap steels. In fact my go-to guitar has one. And I like the tone and sound. Pretty darn quiet too.Also they are the humbucker style pickups.

Rick,

It all depends on what you are looking for but I would have no problem recommending the Lace Alumatone, 3.5 bass bar, for your eight string guitar. They are very quiet and powerful. The tone is well balanced, smooth with good sustain. They don't have the chime or sparkle of a single coil, but still they sound very good. I should say I have only tried them on a poplar body. The wood your guitar is made from will have a big effect. The Alumatones are easy to install and that is a plus. For what it is worth my favorite pickup is a Vintage Vibe Charlie Christian or Bill Lawerence Sidewinder on an ash body.

Good luck,

Gary

...good and usable information.
Many thanks to all.

I have the humbucker version in one of my lap steels. It's powerful, clean and quiet. The bass is extremely tight. It's a great pickup for cleans, but it does have a drawback. I really don't like it with overdrive. I can't get a raw sound out of it, nor could I coax any feedback from it.

Seems like it would be an ideal pickup for a pedal steel.

Mitch Crane wrote:Rick,

Most likely you'll want the Alumitone Bass Bar 3.5 (black or chrome).

http://www.lacemusic.com/Bassbar.php

Not arguing, just wanna know: other than length factors (for 8-string), why would you recommend the BassBar over something like their LowBoy?

Also, has anyone tried the LowBoy in a lap steel?

8 strings are too many for me, but I can let you hear a 6 string Alumitone. As has been mentioned earlier the Bass Pickup is the one supplied for 8 or 10 string Guitars including Pedal Steels.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiu6Jpe3ILo

James.

Here's an old thread... Jerry Gleason installed the 3.5 Bass Bar in his Dynalap 8 string and posted an audio file. (James' link is in that thread as well).

Take a listen. I've not tried any of the other Alumitones, so the lowboy, single coil or the other offerings may be better ? Who would like to volunteer to try them all and post comparison clips ?

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopi ... lion+moons

Thanks for the links and comments. As always, lots of help and good info in here!