Gibson engineering oversight

dynabite · 04-07-2009, 12:56 PM

Does anyone ever wonder why so many are unhappy with their pickups , trying this one and that one, jumping from Deluxes to Customs trying to find that illusive sound, it seems endless . . Is it Possible that Gibson engineers have missed a small detail for almost 55 years ? Well I have a theory . .

If pickup focus is dependent on mass and location the pups would have to be asymmetrical. The width of the string vibration increases from the bridge to the 12th fret on an open string so as you move away from the bridge the pups would require a narrower magnetic field to remain focused. According to theory, a Custom would have a full sized humbucker at the bridge, a mini on the neck and a "mid bucker" not yet invented in the middle - between the size of the full and mini. If this is true the asymmetrical pups could be housed in full sized cases, any thoughts ?

marc1kim · 04-07-2009, 06:01 PM

Hmmm, thats pretty deep thinking there. Maybe Gibson was on to something when they made the BFG with a p-90 neck and BB in the bridge.

61LPSG · 04-07-2009, 06:10 PM

Interesting. I always thought that the pole piece spacing would do the same thing...narrower at the neck and wider at the bridge. I believe that Les Paul actually played with this theory back in the late '40's.

dwagar · 04-07-2009, 06:35 PM

I think you are overthinking the problem. Generally, but not always, you have a slightly hotter pickup in the bridge.
And the balance can also be compensated for by adjusting the pickup height.

There are rail style pickups too (SD Hot and Cool Rails, and others) that eliminate the poll pieces completely.

axepilot · 04-07-2009, 07:55 PM

No oversight in Gibson's part......................

Their marketing folks pick the pickups...................who cares how they sound?

Engineering not included............................

Silverbursted · 04-07-2009, 08:07 PM

This is too funny...I had the exact same conversation just today about a new helicopter design we are working on. Forget how it performs, as long as it looks good. Freaking marketing people are clueless.

dynabite · 04-07-2009, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silverbursted

This is too funny...I had the exact same conversation just today about a new helicopter design we are working on. Forget how it performs, as long as it looks good. Freaking marketing people are clueless.

Did have an ejection seat ?

04-07-2009, 12:56 PM	#1 (permalink)
dynabite Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Davy Jones' locker Posts: 1,723 Thanks: 103 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Gibson engineering oversight Does anyone ever wonder why so many are unhappy with their pickups , trying this one and that one, jumping from Deluxes to Customs trying to find that illusive sound, it seems endless . . Is it Possible that Gibson engineers have missed a small detail for almost 55 years ? Well I have a theory . . If pickup focus is dependent on mass and location the pups would have to be asymmetrical. The width of the string vibration increases from the bridge to the 12th fret on an open string so as you move away from the bridge the pups would require a narrower magnetic field to remain focused. According to theory, a Custom would have a full sized humbucker at the bridge, a mini on the neck and a "mid bucker" not yet invented in the middle - between the size of the full and mini. If this is true the asymmetrical pups could be housed in full sized cases, any thoughts ? __________________ You've got to pick up every stitch, Beatniks are out to make it rich, Oh no, must be the season of the Witch ?

04-07-2009, 06:01 PM	#2 (permalink)
marc1kim Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: South Texas Posts: 1,196 Thanks: 10 Thanked 9 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Gibson engineering oversight Hmmm, thats pretty deep thinking there. Maybe Gibson was on to something when they made the BFG with a p-90 neck and BB in the bridge. __________________ www.myspace.com/scorned_08 My Bar band road dogs: '05 Jooooooooooooooooooooooonyur Speeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeshul w/ humbuckers (thanks to BCRGreg for the correct spelling) '07 Les Paul BFG '09 Billie Joe Armstrong Les Paul Jr. Hughes and Kettner Edition Tube combo Dime Custom Crybaby DB-02

04-07-2009, 06:10 PM	#3 (permalink)
61LPSG Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: In the shadow of TMI Posts: 931 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Gibson engineering oversight Interesting. I always thought that the pole piece spacing would do the same thing...narrower at the neck and wider at the bridge. I believe that Les Paul actually played with this theory back in the late '40's. __________________ Sometimes it is better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt...

04-07-2009, 06:35 PM	#4 (permalink)
dwagar V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: C eh? N eh? D eh? Posts: 5,618 Thanks: 41 Thanked 69 Times in 10 Posts	Re: Gibson engineering oversight I think you are overthinking the problem. Generally, but not always, you have a slightly hotter pickup in the bridge. And the balance can also be compensated for by adjusting the pickup height. There are rail style pickups too (SD Hot and Cool Rails, and others) that eliminate the poll pieces completely. __________________ ------------ Don Primary Tone: what the body and neck does not have cannot come out as tone - Iwanade, BOTB my favorite toys (one wants to be a '59, the other is a '59):

04-07-2009, 07:55 PM	#5 (permalink)
axepilot Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Southern NJ Posts: 1,800 Thanks: 21 Thanked 40 Times in 5 Posts	Re: Gibson engineering oversight No oversight in Gibson's part...................... Their marketing folks pick the pickups...................who cares how they sound? Engineering not included............................ __________________ 1996 Les Paul Studio Gem, 2001 Les Paul Studio Plus, 2002 SG Supreme, 2006 Les Paul Standard LE, 2008 SG Classic, Fender Double Fat Strat, Bluesville "Super" Strat copy, Fender Tele, Ovation 1897 Adamas, Taylor 355CE Germino Club 40, Johnson JM150 Millennium, Johnson JM250 Millennium, Axe FX Standard rack rig, Mesa 4x12 cab (V30's), Highly modded Gibson Titan Medalist

Today
Les Paul	Sponsored Links __________________ This advertising will not be shown in this way to registered members. Register your free account today and become a member on My Les Paul Forums

04-07-2009, 08:07 PM	#6 (permalink)
Silverbursted Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,240 Thanks: 45 Thanked 36 Times in 11 Posts	Re: Gibson engineering oversight This is too funny...I had the exact same conversation just today about a new helicopter design we are working on. Forget how it performs, as long as it looks good. Freaking marketing people are clueless. __________________ Gear 2007 Gibson Les Paul R9 2004 Gibson Les Paul R7 2007 Fender YJM Strat 2009 Jackson Soloist 1989 Kramer Baretta Sustainer 2008 Fender American Deluxe P-Bass 2007 Traveller Speedster Marshall JVM410c Rocktron Voodu Valve Laney VC15

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
WTB: Gibson Johnny A Standard without Bigsby--Gibson/Fender tradebait	hazmat33	Member Classifieds	1	12-11-2009 08:20 AM
Gibson HD.6X-PRO Guitar,Gibson Historic 1959 Les Paul Electric	chelmusic	Gibson Les Pauls	0	04-01-2009 02:58 PM
GIBSON Les Paul USA and GIBSON Custom Historic Collection	BitchBoy	Historics & Reissues	2	02-13-2009 12:07 AM
Pickguards, switch rings, Gibson vs. Fender, Gibson vs. Epiphone.....	dennistruckdriver	The Backstage	40	12-27-2008 08:47 PM
Need Your Opinion. Gibson Sg Standard or Gibson Les Paul Studio? + amps	luck men	Gibson Les Pauls	12	09-29-2008 05:32 PM