Dave Mudgett
From:
Central Pennsylvania and Gallatin, Tennessee
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Posted 11 Oct 2020 12:11 pm |
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For the straight scoop, as relayed by Herb Steiner from the horse's mouth, the post you want to read is here - https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=165553&start=25. Scroll down to the 15th reply on the second page referenced here.
I have some experience with Magnatone guitar pickups, both steel and Spanish guitars. I've had a few of the 6-string guitars and lap steels, all gone now, but they had a very, very sweet sound. Sort of Fender-like, but the sound was not quite as sharp - a bit sweeter. The pickups were way, way underwound as compared to a modern pedal steel pickup. I probably measured the winding resistance, but I don't seem to have a record of the exact numbers.
Currently, I have a 1953 Magnatone T8 that I got from Anthony Locke. You can see pics here - https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=359077. I love that guitar, and I just did some measurements of the pickups, which read, resistance-wise, between 6.25 and 6.5K Ohms. Physically, they closely resemble a Tele lead pickup, but are just a little wider, front-to back, to give a slightly wider aperture - but nowhere near as wide as a Fender Jazzmaster or Gibson P90 pickup. And the sound is outstanding - again, similar to a Fender type of sound but a hair sweeter. That is my total takeaway on every 50s Magnatone I've played - definitely very present in the treble end, but not harsh in the slightest.
I'm also a Magnatone amp freak. My 1957 Magnatone 260, with about 35 Watts and IMO the best true pitch-changing vibrato on planet Earth, is breathtaking in the right situation. |
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