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I remember a post by you not to long ago, where you said you tried a Les Paul with the prototype humbuckers on it. You said that they were a4 and that you preferred the tone. What was the tone like and how was it different from other humbuckers that you didn't like? Have you tried the Fralin humbuckers? If you did, how did you like them and how did they compare?

Thanks

I can tell you about the Fralin humbuckers. IMO, they do not have a tone that's exactly like any of the 50's Gibson paf's I have owned...they're more like an improved version of the 50's paf.

I like the 7.5K or 8K neck and a 9K or 9.5K bridge.

What I hear from the Fralin HB's is balls with clarity. They're brighter than most other humbuckers and have more mids than most alnico 5 HB's and tighter bass and more articulate highs than most alnico 2 HB's.

Very articulate with great string to string separation and not much woof or mud.

The 7.5K neck is very ballsy but clear and bright...one of my favorite neck humbuckers. The 9.5K bridge will rip through a Marshall or tweed Bassman amp and can do any of the humbucker tones I like best, which would be: Clapton with Cream or Jeff Beck on the Truth album or ZZ Top style boogie or Larry Carlton's Steely Dan style.

That said, I appreciate the familiar tone, warmth and more vintage accurate tone of Duncans like the 59 and Seth Lover.

It's all good...


Originally Posted by LewguitarI can tell you about the Fralin humbuckers. IMO, they do not have a tone that's exactly like any of the 50's Gibson paf's I have owned...they're more like an improved version of the 50's paf.

I like the 7.5K or 8K neck and a 9K or 9.5K bridge.

What I hear from the Fralin HB's is balls with clarity. They're brighter than most other humbuckers and have more mids than most alnico 5 HB's and tighter bass and more articulate highs than most alnico 2 HB's.

Very articulate with great string to string separation and not much woof or mud.

The 7.5K neck is very ballsy but clear and bright...one of my favorite neck humbuckers. The 9.5K bridge will rip through a Marshall or tweed Bassman amp and can do any of the humbucker tones I like best, which would be: Clapton with Cream or Jeff Beck on the Truth album or ZZ Top style boogie or Larry Carlton's Steely Dan style.

That said, I appreciate the familiar tone, warmth and more vintage accurate tone of Duncans like the 59 and Seth Lover.

It's all good...Lew, don't forget I have the 7.5 Fralin myself! It is my favorite neck humbucker at the moment! Truly great! I love the Jazz in the neck too, it's a close second to the Fralin.

While you're reading could you compare the 8k Fralin neck to the 7.5? What are the differences? And how does the 9k Fralin bridge compare to a Seth or '59 in tone and output?

I've never played a Fralin humbucker but I'll second Lew on his description of Alnico 4 which is by Fralin's own account a big part of his sound.

If you've never tried Alnico 4, the closest I can come to describing it is to imagine a bit weaker Alnico 5 with that scoop in the mids spackled shut. Very smooth. Or maybe a much stronger (output-wise) Alnico 2 with more bass but without Alnico 5's bass boominess.


Originally Posted by gripweedLew, don't forget I have the 7.5 Fralin myself! It is my favorite neck humbucker at the moment! Truly great! I love the Jazz in the neck too, it's a close second to the Fralin.

While you're reading could you compare the 8k Fralin neck to the 7.5? What are the differences? And how does the 9k Fralin bridge compare to a Seth or '59 in tone and output?

Yes...I knew that! The 8K version is not as bright and seems to have more mids and bass. I like the 7.5K version because the highs are so clear and remind me so much of the clarity of a single coil...but guys not looking for that degree of clarity seem to prefer the 8K neck. It's fuller, fatter and warmer.

I think the Fralin 9K or 9.5K bridge humbucker has more mids than the '59 and it's brighter, ballsier and louder than the Seth. But the mids are not so creamy and dense...they're quot;toothierquot;...more textured...more quot;spacequot;.

The Fralins are very lively.

I wouldn't say they're better than my favorite Duncans though...just differant.

In fact, I have Duncans in most of my guitars...it's just such a comfortable and familiar tone. More vintagey.

Bump

last bump before I delete

I'm A 53' Tele guy- Larger diameter Alnico 3'-- no wax potting--

What I like about the A-4's was that they sounded like my tele a little more then most Hummies..

I go nuts trying to compair one pickup to another... I actually refused to do that even while on the clock at My Out pickup company..

Magnet swaps are so easy and you never know tell ya try-- and EVERYTHING is worth trying... theres a guitar shop in my kitchen where its all been done at least once..

rip and tear and experiment everything you can get your hands on..

gets some A-4's magnets and slide em in and see what jives..


Originally Posted by Buck CannonWhat I like about the A-4's was that they sounded like my tele a little more then most Hummies.

I agree... at least in terms of the Fralin alnico 4 humbuckers like Lindy's 7.5K neck humbucker. It's not like it actually sounds like a Strat single coil...but the highs remind of that quality more so than the highs from any other humbucker I've owned. Lindy specially winds his humbuckers to sound good with the alnico 4 magnet. I've sold those alnico 4 magnets to guys here on the forum who tried them in thier Duncans and thought the alnico 4 magnet made the pickup have to much bite and edge. So, IMO, they work best in a pickup wound to compliment the a4 magnet. Lew