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Post by hh1978 on Dec 17, 2020 22:54:44 GMT
Ok, title may sound funny, since I ask for comparison between a 450€ transducer system and a 65€ magnetic pickup, but the background will make sense, I think.
I've always used Barcus Berry 2522 pickups on all my resonators (except the vintage Triolians because I don't want to damage the paint), and been really satisfied with the sound.
I just acquired a wonderful 1934/35 Style O, and I was planning to use a Barcus Berry as well (I have one that is currently unused). But that guitar sounds so beautiful with phosphor bronze strings that I don't want to compromise the acoustic sound by switching to nickel strings. The Barcus Berry sound terrible with Phosphor strings, so I'm looking for an alternative. I usually plug in a tube amp (SF Fender champ with a 10"speaker is my favourite for that application), but I could plug in my band's PA if I go for the transducer.
My question is, since I have nothing against a magnetic pickup, what can I expect with the MM/Sixtus with PB strings? If I understand correctly how it works, the pole shade magnets will attenuate the plain strings output, like lowering the poles of a Sunrise pickup, is that correct? Then the whole sound level has to be boosted until the wound strings have the desired volume. Does the process add much noise? Also, since the pickup will only sense the core of the wound strings, does it still sound "alive", or is it just an acceptable compromise?
On the other hand, I'm sure a Highlander will sound fantastic, but it's much more expensive.
Thanks for your inputs,
Hugues
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Post by bonzo on Dec 18, 2020 0:33:00 GMT
Hi Hugues, I use the MM sixtus pu's on several reso's with pb strings with no problem at all. The sixtus has been discussed on the forum many times, always favourably if memory serves. I have a highlander pickup on a tricone, and in my opinion the sixtus gives it a run for the money. I'm sure you'll get other posts on the topic, but I think for the money you won't find a better pu for a resonator.
Best wishes to you all, John
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Post by snakehips on Dec 18, 2020 6:42:20 GMT
Hi Hugues !
Glad you are happy with the guitar. The Highlander company has closed down now - so you will likely struggle getting one of there pickups anywhere. Thus, I think your decision is mostly made !
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Post by Michael Messer on Dec 18, 2020 9:25:38 GMT
Hi Hugues,
It depends what sound you are looking for and how much you want to spend.
You are using Barcus Berry 2522 pickups, which were made popular for resophonic guitars by John Campbell and Chris Whitley. Both artists were not looking for a natural sound, they were running their guitars through guitar amps (a Fender Bassman in John Campbell's case) to create a sound which to my ears was not a pleasing one. I met John and was an admirer of his work. He was a great writer and player, but his live sound was not something I wish to remember, as it was at one of his concerts that I first became aware of damage to my hearing from frequencies that were dangerous at such high volume.
In my opinion as a professional working musician that has tried dozens of systems over the decades; if you are looking for a natural sound, the sound of your guitar but amplified without using a microphone, plugged into a PA system or acoustic amplifier, NOTHING can touch a Highlander iP-1X Inline and Magnophonic for National-style resonator guitars. The Sixtus MM pickups are a fantastic product, they are handmade and affordable and I can't get enough of them as demand is very high. They are easy to use because they are designed to plug into a guitar amplifier and you just stick it on the front of the guitar. However, to claim that they are an equivalent to a Highlander iP-1X or a Magnophonic, is just not the case. They are not.
Why the Highlander company has closed its doors is a mystery, but I can assure you they will be missed. Their invention, that was created with National Reso-Phonic Guitars (NRP), is without question the finest pickup system ever made for National-style guitars and we are in trouble without them.
In my own guitars I have Highlanders, but I rarely use them as I prefer to use a microphone which picks up and amplifies the true voice of the instrument. However, when Occasionally I do need to plug in a guitar on stage, it is Highlander every time for me.
The problem now its that they don't exist and someone needs to start replicating their design. Putting the pickup inside the maple biscuit under pressure, so it is really in there, creates a sound that no other pickup can come close to.
It would take a large investment from a company like Fishman, but someone needs to create an equivalent system. Meanwhile, as a very affordable handmade product, the MM Sixtus is a great way to do the job without spending too much money. Elmar builds wonderful pickups and is a lovely guy to to business with, there is no question about it, but they are not Highlanders and they are not trying to be.
Shine On Michael.
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Post by Stevie on Dec 18, 2020 9:25:40 GMT
Just a thought- I use D'Addario strings which I think are phosphor bronze on my Heritage Sweet16 and they deliver just fine through its humbucking pickup. Provided the wound strings have a steel core they should work well enough?
e&oe ...
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Post by snakehips on Dec 18, 2020 11:00:34 GMT
Hi Hugues, Why the Highlander company has closed its doors is a mystery, but I can assure you they will be missed. Their invention, that was created with National Reso-Phonic Guitars (NRP), is without question the finest pickup system ever made for National-style guitars and we are in trouble without them. Shine On Michael. It's nopt a mystery why Highlander closed. The husband & wife owners divorced, I believe, AND they both decided to retire - and they had hoped to sell the business. It's only a mystery to me why no one saw this as a business opportunity to buy Highlander - either a new company, or a company already making pickups to use their technology and continue to make the best National pickups around.
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Post by bonzo on Dec 18, 2020 11:45:36 GMT
Hi Snakey, I think you're an aknowledged expert on highlander on the forum so it's always good to hear a backstory to events that are of interest to many of us. It is a shame they couldn't pickup on their relationship and amplify the feelings they once had for each other.
Best wishes to you all, John
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Post by snakehips on Dec 18, 2020 11:50:55 GMT
No, I could be wrong on the divorce thing. I am basing that on a half-rememberedb thing a guitar luthier told me.
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Post by Stevie on Dec 18, 2020 12:02:50 GMT
I was involved in trying to recover a large sum of money owed to our company by a partnership back in the early 1980s. One partner refused to sign cheques and that was it. End of story. If there's any mileage in the divorce thing (and I suspect the husband and wife team were equal partners in The Highlander business) then a pattern begins to emerge.
I remember that at the time, a new Aston Martin was about the same price as the sum of money we were owed, and the recalcitrant swine rocked up to the liquidators meeting in a brandy new pale metallic blue Aston, probably assigned to wifey? It was a lot of money in the early 80s and it put paid to our company too.
e&oe ...
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Post by Michael Messer on Dec 18, 2020 12:37:33 GMT
Hi Hugues, Why the Highlander company has closed its doors is a mystery, but I can assure you they will be missed. Their invention, that was created with National Reso-Phonic Guitars (NRP), is without question the finest pickup system ever made for National-style guitars and we are in trouble without them. Shine On Michael. It's nopt a mystery why Highlander closed. The husband & wife owners divorced, I believe, AND they both decided to retire - and they had hoped to sell the business. It's only a mystery to me why no one saw this as a business opportunity to buy Highlander - either a new company, or a company already making pickups to use their technology and continue to make the best National pickups around. Actually my wording was chosen (maybe wrongly) to protect their privacy. Shine On Michael
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Post by Michael Messer on Dec 18, 2020 12:39:16 GMT
Meanwhile, we all have to get used to the idea of living in a world without them. Luckily I am a predominately microphone user on stage.
Shine On Michael
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Post by snakehips on Dec 18, 2020 12:42:40 GMT
Hi Michael,
Fair enough - actually, I have been worrying that IF what I have said is wrong, or even right, maybe it's disrectful for me to be plastering it all over the internet.
Should I delete my message, or change ? Happy to.
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Post by hh1978 on Dec 18, 2020 12:54:51 GMT
Thanks for all the replies!
I was aware of the Higlander closure. I was thinking about setting a permanent search on Reverb and Ebay until one pops up. With the lockdown, I'm not even allowed to meet my band for rehearsals so I have plenty of time before I need a pickup at all anyway, I'm afraid. And even then, I can use a SM57.
Yet I'm very tempted to give the Sixtus a try in the meantime.
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Post by bonzo on Dec 18, 2020 12:55:44 GMT
See nobody's in a puny mood, or have you just chosen to ignore it?!Lol!
Best wishes to you all, John
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Post by snakehips on Dec 18, 2020 12:58:56 GMT
I installed a vintage Dearmond Rhythm Chief Model 1000 pickup (Elmore James' favourite) on a Gretsch single cone reso for a friend. Turned out quite good. I just routed the cable to the F-hole socket.
Will look for photos.
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