BP, ever consider Seymour Duncans?

[glockaxis]

Thanks BP. I too consider myself loyal, honest, genuine and hardworking. It's no wonder I have a fond attachment to the EBMM company. Thanks to both you and Larry for keeping those seemingly diasappearing morals alive, especially in the world of business.

 

[heavymetaljames]

So its DiMarzios on my Axis - They are the best sounding pups I have had in years and I'm pretty damn fussy about the sounds they make!

Must go - I have an urge to stroke my ball!

 

[glockaxis]

stroking mine as we speak

 

[58super]

The only SD pickups we use are for the Albert Lee.

I have a good not great relationship with the Duncan people. Many stories but basically when I bought Music Man they had ZERO interest with working with us. They blew us off something bad. Larry Dimarzio and Steve Blucher really were nice and made great stuff for us. We really have the design and engineering ability now to make all of our own stuff but I am very loyal to people that stuck with us when we werent trendy. In saying that please dont think that I am disprepecting the chops that Steve and Larry bring to us.

Its funny because I went to Duncan and EMG real early to make a stingray pickup that would be an option and they both blew me off . I am so glad they did

when we were woriking with EVh I went to Larry and Steve and said I will involve you
in the project as long as you understand that anything that we collectively come up is Ernie Ball Music Man's property and cannot be sold under the Dimarzio name or to other makers. I also said if EVH and EBMM parted that they would have to agree to stay with us.

THree things I can tell you about Larry Di Marzio...when I was in the hospital for the kidney deal he visited me 3 out of the 5 nights each time with some great cake or champagne if he could sneak it in and just really was out of the goodness of his heart. The second is he published a book of his photos in japan and donated all of the proceeds to the Casey Lee Ball Foundation when it really needed the money. The third is to tell EVh and his people that he made a deal with me and nothing they could threaten or offer was going to get him to dishonor Ernie or Sterling or the entire Music man Company. He also told Hartley Peavey that our guitar would be harder to make than he thought.....

BP thanks for the story. One of the reasons I like to hang out at the MM forum are the business tips you provide. The value you place on loyalty and honesty comes through loud and clear and in the quality of instruments MM produces.

 

[jaxadam]

I love dimarzios in some guitars, and I love duncans in others.

I think dimarzios sound great in Ibanez, but not duncans. I also think duncans sound great in ESPs and Jacksons, but not dimarzios. It's weird...

I think duncans shine in mahogany, whereas dimarzios are more superior in alder and basswood. Who knows... things sound different from day to day.

I have a hybrid duncan in one of my guitars right now, and it's probably one of the coolest pickups I've ever come across.

Someone mentioned Lindy Fralin. That's a blast from the past (for me). I remember when he was making pickups for a PRS model a while back that got discontinued. I can't remember the model name off the top of my head. I think he makes some pretty good stuff.

 

[Lucidology]

You're talking about the American made EG Bolt-ons with 3 P-bass configured type Lindy Fralins.. in my opinion, probably the best sounding guitar PRS ever made.. this is one of those guitars I totally regret ever getting rid of... it's not like anything they make now, except maybe for the 513.. which I've never played or heard yet...

The good news is that Lindy Fralin has re-issued a version of the pickup in a humbucker configuration.... it's getting rave reviews... ... beautiful single coil tone in a humbucker housing... what a great idea!! I think it's called a H-190 or something like that....??

 

[jaxadam]

Yup, that's exactly it.

That guitar was pretty sweet. It had a weird staggered pickup config that wasn't too aesthetically pleasing, but it sounded great.

One of my buddies had one and sold it and now really regrets it.

I'm surprised they discontiunued it. It actually didn't even seem to be around for very long. But this is all from memory, so I don't really know.

 

[Enc3f4L0]

WOW. Thanks for the bit of history BP.

Everytime you answer something like this it just makes me wanna order another EBMM guitar... It's probably just GAS though

 

[Warg Master]

GAS?

NO

its EB-AS



I need to go play some Axis/Pet/Sub/Silo!

 

[KungFu Grip]

Interesting thread. Made my respect for DiMarzio triple.

I have an AL and a Steve Morse. Honestly, I think the Duncan Alnico 2 single coil is about as perfect as a single coil gets, for my tastes. Suits the AL perfectly.

Funny, though, I borrowed my buddy's Hamer Monaco with SD 59 pickups in it, thinking that I would prefer the sweeter, lower-output of the 59s versus the DiMarzios in the Steve Morse. I couldn't have been more wrong. I much preferred the DiMarzios in the Morse.

I've learned, through a few pickup swaps on the AL, that the pickups EBMM puts in their guitars suit the instruments perfectly. I can't wait to pick up an MM90-equipped model.

 

[Big Poppa]

Interesting thread. Made my respect for DiMarzio triple.

I have an AL and a Steve Morse. Honestly, I think the Duncan Alnico 2 single coil is about as perfect as a single coil gets, for my tastes. Suits the AL perfectly.

Funny, though, I borrowed my buddy's Hamer Monaco with SD 59 pickups in it, thinking that I would prefer the sweeter, lower-output of the 59s versus the DiMarzios in the Steve Morse. I couldn't have been more wrong. I much preferred the DiMarzios in the Morse.

I've learned, through a few pickup swaps on the AL, that the pickups EBMM puts in their guitars suit the instruments perfectly. I can't wait to pick up an MM90-equipped model.

Thank We spend a lot time voicing the instrument appropriately...Some people really need to put thier personal stamp on their guitar and I understand. But with all of the components involved that affect sound pickup selection is critical

 

[jeffrey]

I have to say, the pickups in my two JP7's are about perfect. Out of all the guitars I've owned (and I'm sure it's nowhere near as many as some of you knuckleheads) I only own two that didn't need a pickup change: My PRS Archtop and my JP7.

I also second the comment about SD's shining in mahogany. I had a few guitars with the SD JB-4 and Jazz combo and absolutely loved it. High on my list of favorite pickup combos.

In fact, if I ever for some odd reason gutted my JP7's, that's what would go in them.

 

[jaxadam]

I also second the comment about SD's shining in mahogany.

The SD JB definitely brightens up mahogany in a very nice way. I have a guitar here that is a super light all mahogany body, and the duncan hybrid I threw in there did absolute wonders for it. It really sounds like no other I've heard.

It's a coil off of a JB with a coil off of a Custom 5, so they're actually a little out of phase, which for some reason brings out the harmonics unbelievably. I just like to grab this guitar and hit a crazy triad and let it sing.

 

[PugNinjas]

Thank We spend a lot time voicing the instrument appropriately...Some people really need to put thier personal stamp on their guitar and I understand. But with all of the components involved that affect sound pickup selection is critical

Great point BP,

When I was deciding on either the MM90's or the single coils for my AL I was lucky enough to hear both. Despite the fact that the MM90's were housed in a Rosewood Axis I knew they were the choice for me. I have only had my AL for less than a month but I must say that it is amazing, both in comfort and sound. The MM90's seem to be the perfect middle ground between single coils and humbuckers. When my band jammed for the last time before I moved, my best friend and sound man for 18+ years was in love with the fullness of the AL. He couldn't stop praising the sound. He works with tons of bands and started off crafting guitar sounds using my rig. I can guarantee that he will be giving plenty of EBMM recommendations.


Vegas Pug

 

[Big Poppa]

The SD JB definitely brightens up mahogany in a very nice way. I have a guitar here that is a super light all mahogany body, and the duncan hybrid I threw in there did absolute wonders for it. It really sounds like no other I've heard.

It's a coil off of a JB with a coil off of a Custom 5, so they're actually a little out of phase, which for some reason brings out the harmonics unbelievably. I just like to grab this guitar and hit a crazy triad and let it sing.

the Dimarzio virtual vintage's in the 20th Sil I will put up aggainst anything in mahog

 

[jeffrey]

Does DiMarzio have anything similar to the Duncan Jazz?

That's one of my favorite pickups distorted because it's so clean.

 

[NorM]

the Dimarzio virtual vintage's in the 20th Sil I will put up aggainst anything in mahog

I am so looking forward to this. So far I have EMG'ed every SiLO I could but rest assured I want my 20th's to stay factory original.

 

[jaxadam]

Does DiMarzio have anything similar to the Duncan Jazz?

That's one of my favorite pickups distorted because it's so clean.

I don't know, this is a shot in the dark, but I absolutely love the dimarzio air norton. It sounds killer in the neck position for distorted lead stuff.