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Author
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Topic: Gibson Console Grande Pickup Question
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Paul Arntson
Member From: Bothell ,WA (just outside Seattle)
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posted 09 January 2006 11:57 AM
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Of the early 50's GCG guitars around, do these two pickups sound the same? rectangular plastic cover: http://www.elderly.com/items/images/185U/185U-131_pickup.jpg rounded no cover: http://www.elderly.com/items/images/185U/185U-77_pickup.jpg Thanks for any info.
(edited to say thanks...) [This message was edited by Paul Arntson on 09 January 2006 at 11:57 AM.]
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Rick Alexander
Member From: Florida, USA
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posted 09 January 2006 12:24 PM
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Paul, I have a T8 with rectangular pickups, and for a while I had an 8/7 with the rounded pickups.
  I did notice a difference in the tonality, but of course there are other factors that affect this. Generally speaking, the one with the rounded pickups sounds brighter, and the one with the rectangular pickups sounds fatter and spunkier. It's hard to say to what extent the pickups were the cause of this - the wood, wiring, pots, strings, nut, and bridge are all factors.
But all in all, I preferred the sound of the T8 with the rectangular pickups over the 8/7 with rounded pickups.[This message was edited by Rick Alexander on 09 January 2006 at 12:26 PM.] |
Stephan Miller
Member From: Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
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posted 09 January 2006 01:46 PM
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Paul-- Jason Lollar makes repros of both. I have the oval or "racetrack" version. It's definitely bright-sounding, though spunky enough. I could go for a fatter sound from this one for overall playing, but for 40s/50s country and Western Swing, it's got the sound.--Steve |
Paul Arntson
Member From: Bothell ,WA (just outside Seattle)
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posted 09 January 2006 02:42 PM
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Excellent info. And fast, too! Thanks!!That being said, which of the two would be considered the "Don Helms" style? |
Rick Alexander
Member From: Florida, USA
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posted 09 January 2006 03:12 PM
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rounded |
Stephan Miller
Member From: Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
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posted 09 January 2006 03:21 PM
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Hey Paul-- this thread has a description of the "evolution" of the Console Grande and its various pickups. The answer seems to be the oval pickup. http://steelguitarforum.com/Forum2/HTML/003511/html [This message was edited by Stephan Miller on 09 January 2006 at 03:30 PM.] |
Paul Arntson
Member From: Bothell ,WA (just outside Seattle)
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posted 09 January 2006 03:35 PM
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Wow! Awesome information. Exactly what I needed to know. I hadn't found that thread on Mr. Helms. Thanks so much for all the info. I am now armed with knowledge in my search for the "perfect" console grande. |
Paul Arntson
Member From: Bothell ,WA (just outside Seattle)
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posted 11 January 2006 11:33 AM
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So one final item on this topic:
In your (plural) opinion, if a fella had the luxury of choosing between a mint D8 sunburst with an oval or one with the rectangular pickup, which one to choose?
Based on:
1) possible increase in value
2) traditional honky tonk tone
3) coolness and fun to play(Not that I have that luxury yet, but I'm thinking about letting some other stuff go and going on the hunt.)
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Rick Alexander
Member From: Florida, USA
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posted 11 January 2006 01:38 PM
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1. Ol' Red has oval pickups. But any GCG in primo condition is a great investment. No such thang as mint tho' . . 
2. Ol' Red has oval pickups. That's the ultimate traditional honky-tonk tone right there.
3. Based on my limited experience, I prefer the rectangular pickups. But I've only ever played one of each, and everybody plays differently . . |
Paul Arntson
Member From: Bothell ,WA (just outside Seattle)
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posted 12 January 2006 11:17 AM
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Thanks, Rick.
Seems like the rectang pickup ones I have seen are more likely to have a nice flame on the maple. Has that been your perception?
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John Billings
Member From: Northfield Center, Ohio, USA
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posted 14 January 2006 01:41 PM
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My Double-7 has the Charlie Christion pickups. They sound great too! |
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