Magnetic Field Design: S-500

[Skwisgaar]

I'm curious if anyone could describe how the MFD on the S-500 compare to steel poled pickups from Lindy Fralin and Harmonic Design, both in sound and what exactly it is about MFD that is patented. Does anyone have the patent number? USG has a searchable patent database online.

I am interested in an 'S' type guitar to complement a metal machine. I like everything from Clapton to Dethklok.

I'm skeptical of ceramic magnets. I find their high end harsh and I think they strangle the midrange, unless you overwind them severely (Hot Rails, which I've used and hated). It a strat sized pickup, maybe they're alright.

I've already read up on the Commanche in the forum history, and I've concluded it's not my cup of tea, unfortunately. It doesn't surprise me that split coil pickups produce a sound that is too edgy.

[sirmyghin]

I don't find the pickups in my ASAT special to be high end harsh in the slightest, if it is any consolation.

I think there is something in the gallery or knowledgebase containing pictures/scanes of the patent sheets.

Edit:

http://www.guitarsbyleo.com/GALLERY2/ma ... temId=5594

here are the patent sheets for pickups. On a glance it looks to do with how the magnets are oriented that makes the pickups unique. I haven't read them yet though (I am sure others who have will chime in).

[Philby]

Further to sirmyghin's post, I think the term that is most often used to describe MFD's is 'hi-fi'. I find that term to be pretty accurate.

There are more highs AND lows from an MFD pickup but, like sirmyghin, I don't find the highs to be harsh. If you use the passive treble and bass tone controls on a S-500 you can dial out the extra bass and top end to get a vintagey strat tone, or you can turn up the bass to get something more meaty and modern.

As far as the MFD pickup design goes, they differ from conventional single coils in that the pole pieces are NOT magnets. They are iron poles and my understanding is that they are designed to distribute an even magnetic field around the pickups. The magnet is a powerful ceramic bar that sits at the bottom of the pickup and makes contact with the iron pole pieces. There's a video around here somewhere showing the differences between an S-500 MFD and a standard AlNiCo pickup.

[Philby]

Further to sirmyghin's post, I think the term that is most often used to describe MFD's is 'hi-fi'. I find that term to be pretty accurate.

There are more highs AND lows from an MFD pickup but, like sirmyghin, I don't find the highs to be harsh. If you use the passive treble and bass tone controls on a S-500 you can dial out the extra bass and top end to get a vintagey strat tone, or you can turn up the bass to get something more meaty and modern.

As far as the MFD pickup design goes, they differ from conventional single coils in that the pole pieces are NOT magnets. They are iron poles and my understanding is that they are designed to distribute an even magnetic field around the pickups. The magnet is a powerful ceramic bar that sits at the bottom of the pickup and makes contact with the iron pole pieces. There's a video around here somewhere showing the differences between an S-500 MFD and a standard AlNiCo pickup.

Edit: here it is

[youtube]fVR7zt08SK4[/youtube]

[standards guy]

...I'm skeptical of ceramic magnets. I find their high end harsh and I think they strangle the midrange, unless you overwind them severely...

I used to experience that too, but not with my S500. They have LESS windings! But somehow the combination already explained, and as the video shows: the ceramic magnets underneath add bottom end.

I have always preferred AlNiCo in pickups and speakers because of that harsh high end, but Leo figured something out when he designed the MFD pickups. I don't hear that harsh high end in my S500, and I can turn down the bass and treble at the guitar to make it respond in a more vintage manner, like AlNiCo polepiece pickups.

Humbuckers in any configuration solve one problem but introduce other problems. I too never have liked narrow window twin blade designs, and although stacks sometimes work on a particular guitar, it takes a lot of careful adjusting to dial them in.

I have come to think that the MFD's are the best solution so far for me. I have no complaints.

[sirmyghin]

Further to sirmyghin's post, I think the term that is most often used to describe MFD's is 'hi-fi'. I find that term to be pretty accurate.

I should also mention that although the neck of my ASAT special is a soapbar (very nice and warm, sort of P90 ish as it is thick) is not the LEAST BIT muddy. Each note is very articulate. These pickups have phenominal separation and clarity without sacrificing body.

Standards is right about underwound also, this is nice as with the strong magnet they are very open, and not overly noisy.

[Craig]

You might also find this post useful: How are G&L pickups currently made?.

Hope this helps.

[Skwisgaar]

Getting an increase in bass from an underwound pickup is amazing. As to my original question as to how they compare to Fralin or Harmonic Design steel poled single coils, I can at least say that the latter will have more inductance because of the increased coil windings.

[Craig]

Getting an increase in bass from an underwound pickup is amazing. As to my original question as to how they compare to Fralin or Harmonic Design steel poled single coils, I can at least say that the latter will have more inductance because of the increased coil windings.

You might check out the List of pickups used in G&L guitars, too.

Hope this helps.

[Skwisgaar]

Has anyone tried using these pickups with the Suhr backplate?

[sirmyghin]

Not sure I understand what you are asking.

[standards guy]

Has anyone tried using these pickups with the Suhr backplate?

You mean like the backing plate on some Tele bridge pickups?

That ain't gonna work, as the MFD's have a ceramic magnet under the coils and ferrous polepieces, rather than magnetic polepieces. I wouldn't expect a backing plate on the underside of the magnet would offer very much effect on focusing the magnetic field.

[Loobster]

Nah I think he means Suhr's SSC (Silent Single Coil) system. Backplate as in backplate to the trem cavity.

[standards guy]

Ah.

[guitar_ed]

Perhaps I can offer a comment here. I have both a G&L Classic with MFDs and a homebrew Tele with Fralin Blues pups. Different critters, different sounds, different uses.

For me, the Fralins are a more traditional Tele sound. The MFDs are not. The MFDs sound too "good." They have a more even tonal response, to me.

In the end, it depends on what sound you are looking for.

edg

[Skwisgaar]

Perhaps I can offer a comment here. I have both a G&L Classic with MFDs and a homebrew Tele with Fralin Blues pups. Different critters, different sounds, different uses.
edg

But your Fralins are not steel poled? So it isn't the comparison I'm looking for.