Full size humbucker in neck on Duo-Sonic?

dregsfan · Post by **dregsfan** » Sun Oct 14, 2012 10:44 pm

I have a '66 Duo Sonic. I'm the original owner but was out of my possession for several years. (Sold it, then bought it back) A long story, maybe later.

I'm considering putting a full size humbucker pu in the neck position. Body has already been routed for them many years ago.
Since I'm wanting a very warm, round, mellow sound, something that sounds that way when played clean, I'm thinking a full sized humbucker in the neck and some kind of single coil "sized" in the bridge. Like you see commonly with Teles.

Anyone have a humbucker in the neck, and if so, how does it sound clean. Any comments are welcome.

Thanks.

taylornutt · Post by **taylornutt** » Mon Oct 15, 2012 12:04 am

Pics Please would really help.

If it's original, I would keep it original or you risk lowering the value of the instrument.

BillClay · Post by **BillClay** » Mon Oct 15, 2012 1:07 am

I love the fuck out of Seymour Duncan pearly gates, but those are probably brighter than what you're looking for.

DGNR8 · Post by **DGNR8** » Mon Oct 15, 2012 1:13 am

Haven't done it. Would want to think about Filtertron based on the look. Since it's already routed, you may as well have some fun with it.

dregsfan · Post by **dregsfan** » Mon Oct 15, 2012 1:58 am

Just wrote a long history with lots of detail and lost it (deleted) when I was trying to load photo. Is it ok to curse like a m$#*&@f*^#%*) on this forum?

It's already been routed and it's not the original pickguard.

I've considered a Lollar Imperial and a pu by D. Allen pickups, & oh yea, and a Fralin Un Bucker.

Thanks for the replies guys.

Rhysyrhys · Post by **Rhysyrhys** » Mon Oct 15, 2012 2:00 am

dregsfan wrote:Just wrote a long history with lots of detail and lost it (deleted) when I was trying to load photo. Is it ok to curse like a m$#*&@f*^#%*) on this forum?

It's already been routed and it's not the original pickguard.

I've considered a Lollar Imperial and a pu by D. Allen pickups, & oh yea, and a Fralin Un Bucker.

Thanks for the replies guys.

You are damn fucking kate bush -ing right motherfucker.

dregsfan · Post by **dregsfan** » Mon Oct 15, 2012 2:11 am

This is so unlike TalkBass. There is a no foul language policy. Well,......... fuck 'em.

No, I'm kiding. It's a great forum.

I've easily sold a lot of stuff there. Have a Gotoh hardtail bridge there now.

I've enjoyed cruising around on this forum.

Lucamo · Post by **Lucamo** » Mon Oct 15, 2012 2:27 am

The lack of censorship is what makes this place so fun.

Also, I have fantasized about putting a big fuck chrome-mutherfucking-pickup in the neck position of my music master cause I think it will look cute....

ALSO A MINI-HUMBUCKER

taylornutt · Post by **taylornutt** » Mon Oct 15, 2012 2:28 am

dregsfan wrote:This is so unlike TalkBass. There is a no foul language policy. Well,......... fuck 'em.

No, I'm kiding. It's a great forum.

I've easily sold a lot of stuff there. Have a Gotoh hardtail bridge there now.

I've enjoyed cruising around on this forum.

Always nice to see another fellow Texan on the forum. Welcome, sir.

crazydave911 · Post by **crazydave911** » Mon Oct 15, 2012 2:32 am

I would consider a mini humbucker, it has a smaller footprint on the smaller body and there are literally tons of good ones out there. I'd get a vintage wind, nothing too hot. GFS has regular and retrotron type of all kinds, but there are of course lots of others. Good luck on your mods and please post a thread

Dave

EDIT: The mini-humbuckers like the Epiphone Coronet used would be sweet too

dregsfan · Post by **dregsfan** » Mon Oct 15, 2012 2:40 am

Thanks for the welcome.

I've considered a mini bucker. I've considered alot of stuff.

2 to mention in the single coil size, are Dimarzio blade pu's and Lace Sensors.

Any thoughts.

BillClay · Post by **BillClay** » Mon Oct 15, 2012 5:13 am

Looked up that fralin unbucker you mentioned, it sounds badass. I would probably go with that as it would offer you a more traditional duo sonic sound as well as a PAF

Post by **dots** » Mon Oct 15, 2012 5:30 am

since it's already been routed, the damage to the original value has been done, though if you have the original pickguard (and it hasn't been cut up already), please spare that any further humiliation. it's a 46 year old guitar, after all. =]

i'd consider a humbucker-sized p90 if all you want to do is get some mellow tones from the neck. that will yield warmth and soft goodness but will still maintain some sparkliness when you clean it up. you shouldn't even need to change the pots if you go this route.

dregsfan · Post by **dregsfan** » Mon Oct 15, 2012 5:04 pm

The damage has definitely already been done, many years ago. Original pickguard is long gone, as are the original pots. On one hand it's a drag to have taken away it's new condition, but it is still a very nice guitar. No humiliation, I was just being a typical stupid kid. Heck, I even met a stupid adult once.

All the (later) work was done by excellent repair/luthier people. I mailed it to California years ago to have the work done and spent more than any sane person would of. But, now it's time to put some pu's on for their sound rather than going for the original look. It's time to play it and enjoy using it.

serfx · Post by **serfx** » Mon Oct 15, 2012 6:39 pm

ITT:DWYW

now, lets fucking talk.

Neck pup? depending upon what your plan is.. you may wish for a lower output humbucker to match the 5.7k single coil currently in the bridge..
but if you are swapping it out.. then the world is your playground.

IF it was mine i'd do either:
Neck: Fender Enforcer (CP HH Jag pickup, same that is found under all current WRHB re-issue covers..)
Bridge: DiMarzio Class of `55 (if they still make them) nice and warm, less twang when in the bridge then then neck..
OR
neck: some sort of PAF r warm mellow bucker
bridge: modified twang king for shrillness

but i'm a little "touched" in the head when it comes to modifications..

dregsfan · Post by **dregsfan** » Mon Oct 15, 2012 10:30 pm

Dear " "touched" in the head ". LOL

Thanks for the reply. I should mention, and I hope this fucks with somebodys' head, for the warm mellow neck bucker I've considered the Bartolini PBF-55 "Jazz Neck Humbucker" and a Bart 3XR single coil for the bridge.

Don't know if I would like it, but it sure would be interesting to try. I do like and use their bass pu's. Very warm and smooth.
The reviews I read on the PBF-55 were intriguing. Also check out D. Allen Pickups, his blade single coil model.

kpstafford73 · Post by **kpstafford73** » Thu Oct 18, 2012 9:01 pm

Hello to the other Texans on the forum.

I know it's not the same type of guitar at all, but the pick-up set-up you're going for kind of sounds similar to what i have on my Fano here:

It has a TV Jones Power'Tron in the neck and a Lollar Tele pick-up in the bridge. The Power'Tron is a really versatile pick-up... it's got a really fat, warm sound through my AC30 and old Gretsch/Valco amps. The Lollar gets you all the twang and Esquire sounds. Have fun with the mods!

George · Post by **George** » Thu Oct 18, 2012 9:08 pm

For cheap options check out the GFS retrotrons.

They look great and sound kind of like what you are looking for, if cleans are high on your list. All sorts of windings and magnet combinations to get the sound you're after. Sound samples therein.

http://www.guitarfetish.com/GFS-Retrotr ... _c_99.html

dregsfan · Post by **dregsfan** » Fri Oct 19, 2012 12:38 am

kpstafford73,

Very cool guitar. Funny it's a Fano. I came across their site the other day and lost my mind over their Duo Sonic style guitar, the MG6, in a 25.5" scale. I love it. Ridiculously cool. I've strongly considered a overwound Lollar Imperial and maybe his Special Tele for the bridge. I get the impression that you can't go wrong with Lollars.

George. Cool Fender with the 3 single coils. (your avatar photo)

Thanks for the input.

Anyone have any experience with the Dimarzio strat blade pu's or Lace Sensors?

kpstafford73 · Post by **kpstafford73** » Fri Oct 19, 2012 3:14 pm

Well, I stand corrected. It's actually a custom Fralin tele pickup rather than a Lollar. At any rate, it sounds incredible.

I'm a huge fan of the Fano guitars. I know that they're not everyone's cup of tea because of the whole relicing thing. When I ordered mine, I asked for as little relicing as possible, so it really came to me looking like a new guitar.