The Steel Guitar Forum

I have a very nice 1976 Sho Bud, currently has a George L E66 pickup. It is a nice sound, very smooth..but I am not sure this is the best match for this guitar. I would like to get something with a bit more bite and snap, brighter sounding. I know this is a mellow sounding guitar generally, but is there a pickup that would help this?

I know "best" is subjective, but just curious as to what ya'lls thoughts on a proper PUP for the LDG? Thanks.

My '74 came to me with a GL 10-5 on it, and after talking with Ricky Davis about it, I went with a Wallace TT wound to 17.5 and tapped at 11 .. I like it. Mine has barrels behind 2 hole pullers, and I'm not sure if that would make a difference.

I upgraded mine to a BL 710...excellent!..Larry

i had a wallace true tone in mine and it sounded fantastic. if buzzing is a concern, i've tried a telonics 206 and 409 and they both sound pretty good.

Frank, put a Wallace true tone in it. You won't regret it. I have the same thing in my LDG.

I've had three LDG's over the years and the GL EON pu worked for me on each one. Narrow mount.

Frank, What's wrong with a Sho-Bud pickup? I have an original 1982 Sho-Bud I took out of a Pro ll in 1982.
It has that Sho-Bud sound!! Send me a PM. J.R.

I'm no expert, but just a couple of thoughts.
Just trying to sort through the information and comments.

You have an E-66 already.
You mentioned that you want something brighter.
Isn't that already a bright pickup?
Are the ones mentioned (710, TT, etc) brighter?

I think that Show Pro is the current branch on the Sho Bud tree. They may be able to advise you on a "traditional" more vintage choice, if that is what you are looking for. However, re-reading your original post, it may not be.

My gut feel tells me that all of the ones mentioned would sound great (after all, it's a PSG, how can it sound bad, right?), but they may not be exactly what you're looking for.

Alex Johnson wrote:Frank, put a Wallace true tone in it. You won't regret it. I have the same thing in my LDG.

Good tip. Are these single coil... do they buzz? This may be the challenge with this..

i thought you was wanting to trade your sho-bud for a pick-up

I like a Lawrence 710 in my LDG.

Notably, that's Lloyd Green's choice when not using the original Sho-Bud pickup.

710's on both Buds I had. Great matchup.

ajm wrote: You have an E-66 already.
You mentioned that you want something brighter.
Isn't that already a bright pickup?
Are the ones mentioned (710, TT, etc) brighter?

Exactly. The guitar already has an E66 -- one of the brightest humbuckers available. If it doesn't supply enough snap, it might make sense to move to a single-coil of some kind, like a Wallace Truetone. Yes, it might buzz in certain environments...

Thanks for all the input so far guys, I really appreciate it.

Dave Hartley has a nice old Bud here, with that crisp, bell like tone I am thinking about..

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

You might try a 'Li'l Izzy' (believe that there is or was one for sale here on the Forum). One of these little boxes will enhance the tone of the guitar considerably.

David Nugent wrote:You might try a 'Li'l Izzy' (believe that there is or was one for sale here on the Forum). One of these little boxes will enhance the tone of the guitar considerably.

I have a Hilton active pedal... I think this already has a buffer in it.. but it does not give the bright, chimey sound I seek..

Frank Markow wrote:

David Nugent wrote:You might try a 'Li'l Izzy' (believe that there is or was one for sale here on the Forum). One of these little boxes will enhance the tone of the guitar considerably.

I have a Hilton active pedal... I think this already has a buffer in it.. but it does not give the bright, chimey sound I seek..

Maybe it's not your pickup. Maybe it's your technique . Try picking closer to the bridge. Try to make sure that you're picking the notes cleanly....changing your technique is an inexpensive way to change you tone

I'm with Dustin. It might also be amp settings,but the right hand makes a huge difference in tone.

Put an original Bud pickup in it if you can find one in good shape.. If not a Wallace Truetone is a very close second.. Humbuckers tend to change the sound of a Bud too much, unless thats what you want.. if you want it to have an authentic Bud sound, put a Bud or truetone pickup in it... bob

Loyd Green has made a reasonable fist of things using a BL710

I have late model LDG (circa 1982) on which the former owner installed a "late model" L705. It doesn't get any better than that.
PRR

Paddy Long wrote:Loyd Green has made a reasonable list of things using a BL710

...and he is adding a few more Sweethearts to that Rodeo today.

Frank,
I have a hardly used L705 Re-Issue For Sale if that helps

Greg Thompson wrote:Frank,
I have a hardly used L705 Re-Issue For Sale if that helps

Greg, thanks for the offer. I played a LDG with a 705 this weekend, was close to what I am looking for. I got JR's SB PUP, going to try that, but if that doesn't do the trick I may snag it from you. Thanks.