It is currently Tue Mar 17, 2020 12:39 am

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 9 posts ] 
Author Message
Post subject: Can Anyone Identify this Bridge Rail type PU for the Tele?
Posted: Wed Mar 16, 2011 2:31 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Tue Mar 15, 2011 11:40 am
Posts: 51
I was rummaging through one of my misc parts boxes from stuff I'd picked up decades ago at guitars swap meets, shows or hole-in-the-wall guitar stores, and I found this Bar style PU that is a Tele Bridge size. I can't for the life of me remember what it is, who made it, if it's even a good sounding PU, or where I even bought it (or how much).

Can anyone fill me in on this PU and my questions above?

I can't figure out what that black plastic plate is for, except that it has scuff abrasions for the long bar magnet. Back plate? I also don't have a cover for it, assume it was solid topped and the shape of the pickup?

The pictures below are both side of this PU, which look the same.

Image

Image


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: Can Anyone Identify this Bridge Rail type PU for the Tel
Posted: Wed Mar 16, 2011 7:00 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jul 24, 2007 7:33 am
Posts: 8461
Location: Mars, the angry red planet.
Welcome.

That looks like a Gibson Melody Maker pickup minus the cover.

_________________
You dig?


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Can Anyone Identify this Bridge Rail type PU for the Tel
Posted: Wed Mar 16, 2011 8:32 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Tue Mar 15, 2011 11:40 am
Posts: 51
Martian wrote:
Welcome.

That looks like a Gibson Melody Maker pickup minus the cover.


You know you may be right, it does remind me of the "Fat" single version that was only on the '59 - '60 Music Maker's. I have a '60 MM in my barn with that Fat pick up, if I can't find a picture on the net, I may have to pop of the pick guard to confirm.

Thanks for the lead!


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Can Anyone Identify this Bridge Rail type PU for the Tel
Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2011 4:28 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jul 24, 2007 7:33 am
Posts: 8461
Location: Mars, the angry red planet.
vintageguitarz wrote:
Martian wrote:
Welcome.

That looks like a Gibson Melody Maker pickup minus the cover.


You know you may be right, it does remind me of the "Fat" single version that was only on the '59 - '60 Music Maker's. I have a '60 MM in my barn with that Fat pick up, if I can't find a picture on the net, I may have to pop of the pick guard to confirm.

Thanks for the lead!


You're quite welcome.

As a matter of fact, I MAY have a cover for that in my "archives". If you need it, let me know and if I can 'unearth' it, we'll work something out.

_________________
You dig?


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Can Anyone Identify this Bridge Rail type PU for the Tel
Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2011 11:07 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Tue Mar 15, 2011 11:40 am
Posts: 51
Martian wrote:
vintageguitarz wrote:
Martian wrote:
Welcome.

That looks like a Gibson Melody Maker pickup minus the cover.


You know you may be right, it does remind me of the "Fat" single version that was only on the '59 - '60 Music Maker's. I have a '60 MM in my barn with that Fat pick up, if I can't find a picture on the net, I may have to pop of the pick guard to confirm.

Thanks for the lead!


You're quite welcome.

As a matter of fact, I MAY have a cover for that in my "archives". If you need it, let me know and if I can 'unearth' it, we'll work something out.


I found some pictures on the web of the smaller Gibson Melody Maker PU used on post '60 MM's and it does sort of look the same. The one I have would have to be the early "fat single coil" used on '60 and earlier MM's and other Gibson's. My son has my old early '60 MM with a single "fat" PU and it sounds a whole different breed than the later shrill sounding thinner single coil. The fat sounds more like Gibson's P-90, minus the 6 pole pieces.

Think I'll drive up to his house open up his MM to confirm it is the same PU, ... if it is, look through your parts "archive" and we'll bargain. Post a pic of the cover

The dimensions of this PU bobbin is 13/16" wide x 1/2" high x 2-13/16" long (21mm W x 13.06mm H x 72mm L ) So the cover needs to cover that. Think that cover should have "dog ears" on each end.

Just measured this PU to make sure it was good. 6.68 ohms, Nice! :mrgreen:
The old thinner Gibson single coils had a much higher resistance, 7.21 ohms - shrill and weak. No wonder no one liked those skinny single coil PUs.

resistance = the centering of the response. high resist= low response, and vice versa.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Can Anyone Identify this Bridge Rail type PU for the Tel
Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2011 11:21 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jul 24, 2007 7:33 am
Posts: 8461
Location: Mars, the angry red planet.
vintageguitarz wrote:
I found some pictures on the web of the smaller Gibson Melody Maker PU used on post '60 MM's and it does sort of look the same. The one I have would have to be the early "fat single coil" used on '60 and earlier MM's and other Gibson's. My son has my old early '60 MM with a single "fat" PU and it sounds a whole different breed than the later shrill sounding thinner single coil. The fat sounds more like Gibson's P-90, minus the 6 pole pieces.

Think I'll drive up to his house open up his MM to confirm it is the same PU, ... if it is, look through your parts "archive" and we'll bargain. Post a pic of the cover

The dimensions of this PU bobbin is 13/16" wide x 1/2" high x 2-13/16" long (21mm W x 13.06mm H x 72mm L ) So the cover needs to cover that. Think that cover should have "dog ears" on each end.

Just measured this PU to make sure it was good. 6.68 ohms, Nice! :mrgreen:
The old thinner Gibson single coils had a much higher resistance, 7.21 ohms - shrill and weak. No wonder no one liked those skinny single coil PUs.

resistance = the centering of the response. high resist= low response, and vice versa.


Will do.

Like I always say, if something was a POS back in the day, just because it is now considered "vintage" doesn't miraculously make it any better.

_________________
You dig?


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Can Anyone Identify this Bridge Rail type PU for the Tel
Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2011 6:57 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jul 24, 2007 7:33 am
Posts: 8461
Location: Mars, the angry red planet.
I looked through all the 'normal' places it might be and haven't found it. Unfortunately, at this point I'm either going to have to presume I used it for a job or it is lost. I'll keep looking and IF I find it, I'll get back to you.

_________________
You dig?


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Can Anyone Identify this Bridge Rail type PU for the Tel
Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2011 8:58 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Tue Mar 15, 2011 11:40 am
Posts: 51
Don't worry about finding the cover, I located one at a local shop here in CA. I was waiting to hear if you found yours first, before I told this local shop I'd buy theirs. He's giving me a good deal, $25 and I'm selling him some 60's Vox guitar parts at my cost.

I did finally find a picture of an opened up 1960 Melody Maker with the "Fat" single coil PU I was hoping the one I have is. Shazam! It is!! Final confirmation.

Thanks again for your original thoughts on this PU and the offer to look for your spare cover. Hope you eventually find it. It's worth some good bucks for a vintage piece of plastic!

Compare this picture with the one of mine.
A 1959 or early 60 Melody Maker with a "Fat" single coil PU opened up.

Image

My mystery PU:

Image


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Can Anyone Identify this Bridge Rail type PU for the Tel
Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2011 12:01 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jul 24, 2007 7:33 am
Posts: 8461
Location: Mars, the angry red planet.
I'm glad it all worked out for you and I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help.

_________________
You dig?


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 9 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: