Carter pickup swap

A. B. Traynor · Post by **A. B. Traynor** » 29 Jul 2004 6:03 pm

I am considering swapping my george l's e-66 on the e9 neck for a bill lawrence lxr-16 unit. I am looking for more bottom end growl, a sweeter punchier midrange, and not such sharp, thin highs. I play through a nashville 1000 and a goodrich 120 volume pedal. Anyone with experience with a simmilar swap? I would really appreciate your feedback tonewise what setup works well and wich setup to avoid. Thank you

David Nugent · Post by **David Nugent** » 30 Jul 2004 3:27 am

If you are getting "sharp, thin, highs" from an E-66, might I suggest you experiment with your amp settings a little before swapping pickups. I have found the E-66 to be a little on the mellow side if anything. In fact, I have read where a certain well known player recommends installing George L's reversed from the way they came from Carter, (E-66 on C6, 10-1 on E-9). I have a list of settings for the Nashville 1000 that were used by some top players at a steel guitar show. I would gladly send the list to you if you would like it. In any case, good luck.

SteveTodd · Post by **SteveTodd** » 30 Jul 2004 7:52 am

I play a Carter S-10 I ordered it with the GL 10-1 instead of E-66 for just the reasons you are stating. I'm very happy with it. In fact, I the Carter S-10 comes standard with the 10-1 now but back when I had mine built the E-66 was standard.

Bill Ferguson · Post by **Bill Ferguson** » 30 Jul 2004 9:55 am

A.B.
To answer your original question. I now have the XR16's on my new Carter and they are super.
I get a fat mellow tone with clean crisp highs.
In fact at the Chattanooga Show and at the Hicks picnic, John Hughey told me "It's a keeper"

I get many compliments on my overall tone.
Hope this helps.
Bill Ferguson

Bob Snelgrove · Post by **Bob Snelgrove** » 30 Jul 2004 1:54 pm

Tommy White told me this about pickups:

"The E-66 pickups never worked for me, especially in a smaller body guitar like the Carter. The E-66 is extremely bright and brittle with not enough power. The TW pickup is wound heavier at 18,600 ohms with stainless blades, is much more balanced ,full bodied with more power. Just a better pickup."

I tried Lawrence 705's in my Carter and really missed the punch from the TW pickups and put them back on and now it sounds like it should

bob

Jeff Hogsten · Post by **Jeff Hogsten** » 2 Aug 2004 6:53 pm

AB it sounds to me like you are describing a single coil pickup see Bill Millers post about just replacing his pickup a e66 with a wallace trutone and says he cant tell he has anymore hum I have never liked any humbucking they cancel hum but they also have to cancel some frequencies do yourself a favor and try a good sinle coil