Author Topic: Off Topic: Anyone Here Use Lindy-Fralin P/U's On Their Non-Alembics? (Read 157 times)

kmh364 · « **on:** October 18, 2005, 07:29:50 AM »

I wanna change the P/U's in my rosewood FB Strats to make 'em sound better and be more versatile.

My '84-Vintage '62 Reissue tri-color burst Strat is great for blues (neck p/u), but the low-ouput stock vintage-style P/U's are weak, especially with the lacquer-finished super-light ash body and one piece maple neck (no skunk stripe). Specifically, I want: more quack' from the neck/middle and middle/bridge positions, a fuller/more powerful bridge p/u and a usable middle (alone) p/u.

My '82 Custom Color Strat needs basically the same thing. The exceptions are that output is not a problem on this guitar. The body is a solid color poly-finished heavy alder and the neck is rock maple with the skunk stripe. The real problem is that the bridge pick-up is ridiculously trebly and harsh...it hurts your ears! Supposedly, Fender (CBS) deliberately overwound this p/u to compensate for the thin sound of traditional Fender bridge p/u's, but they were not sucessful IMHO. I also want more vinatge quack and a useful mid p/u sound. A vintage ploepiece stagger would also look cooler than the stock flush polepieces as well.

I'm pretty sure I'm gonna gonna go with Lindy-Fralin's on my two Strats. Specifically, I'm considering Matt Griblin's (Griblin Engineering) custom-wound Fralins pre-installed in a pickguard of my choice with their custom wiring harness offering Woman Tone and Advance Midrange Control circuits:
http://www.griblinengineering.com/custom_harnesses.htm

http://www.griblinengineering.com/lindy_fralin.htm

Anyone have any input about Fralin's in general, and Griblin specifically?

Griblin doesn't offer the blender circuit mod that is outlined on Lindy's site as a stock option, but it may be able to be added:

http://www.fralinpickups.com/images/blendschem2.jpg

I'm also considering changing the Gibson Custom Shop '57's in my CS Les Paul Elegant to Fralin's PAFs. The stock neck P/U is OK, but the bridge P/U is weak and thin sounding. I'm assuming this is due to the lightweight chambered mahogany body, which sheds considerable mass, but reduces the fullness of sound IMHO.

tom_z · « **Reply #1 on:** October 18, 2005, 09:42:30 AM »

Kevin - sounds like you've already made up your mind, but in case you haven't, do a little research on Harmonic Design pickups.

http://www.harmonicdesign.net/

Tom

kmh364 · « **Reply #2 on:** October 19, 2005, 05:58:59 AM »

Thanks, Tom. Will do.

I actually discovered Fralins while doing research when I had the bug a few months back to commission TWO Warmoth parts guitars, i.e., a high-end Strat and a Tele, after seeing the ridiculous Fender's Custom Shop prices. Then I started thinking about the weak bridge p/u in my Les Paul, which led me to think about the weak p/u's in my Strats, etc.

FWIW, My luthier is in the process of installing a custom-wound Fralin floating (pickguard-mounted) pick-up on my Heritage jazzbox as well, which I'm psyched about! He loves Fralins, is an authorized dealer of same, and spent about three years working with Lindy to get that particular p/u sounding just right with that particular guitar, of which he is an authorized dealer. The stock Heritage jazz p/u is sheissedreck! Too brite/brittle sounding! He's also adding a tone control ciruit and a treble retention cap/resistor (with premium components)as upgrades as well. Roger over at THG is also cooking me up a set of custom wood knobs which should finish-off the project nicely!

It's a vicious cycle, this hobby of ours...thank God I'm divorced and have no bills, LOL!

ox_junior · « **Reply #3 on:** October 19, 2005, 12:24:47 PM »

I would if he made copies of the chrome-covered old Thunderbird soapbar pups! Looks like I have to buy some Les Paul Bass pups instead, they're the closest thing available.

Can you tell what my latest project is?? Hmmm?

Mike

tom_z · « **Reply #4 on:** October 19, 2005, 01:10:52 PM »

Kevin - sounds like the Heritage is really coming together. I'd love to see some pix when it's finished - sound clips too, would be great. A nice full-bodied archtop is on my wish list - but I don't expect to pick one up any time soon with another Alembic currently on order (my wife's idea, actually). I just picked up a Mesa Lonestar too (which has unlocked even more potential and versitility of my Skylark), so the gear budget is pretty drained just now. Anybody need any internet development?

- the gear coffers need to be replenished and I'm fresh out of stockings. =D

Tom

kmh364 · « **Reply #5 on:** October 19, 2005, 04:03:37 PM »

Mike:

Well, you could give Lindy a call...who knows, he may have some old T-Bird p/u's laying around to rewind...unless you have an old broken set or can get your hands on 'em (I know, dream on! LOL!). He specializes in rewinding old busted original p/u's. Hell, it's worth a shot...you never know what you can get until you ask.

Regardless, Good Luck on your Thunderfingerized Fender-Bird project!

Tom:

Congrats on the new Alembic order and the new amp. You;re very fortunate, at least she LETS you spend SOME money on your passion...my ex-wife kept me from doing ANY of the things I loved, saying we couldn't afford it, and then spent the money (that we supposedly didn't have) on herself. The joke was on me...but not any longer. WooHoo! It's great to be single, LOL!

Cheers,

Kevin