Don Mare microphonic?

[reverb11]

Hi All:

A couple of weeks ago I purchased a set of Don Mare tele pickups second-hand at a local guitar show (Elmira, Ontario). The seller said he had liked them a lot, but decided to go with Sheptones instead. I've installed them in an MJT alder body and played my first gig with them last night. Problem? I've got two problems, actually:

1) not sure exactly what I have--the neck pickup is labelled 53, so I guess that's what it is ('53 neck). It sounds really good, and darker than the nocaster neck I had in previously. The bridge isn't labelled in a way that I can make any sense of, and the seller couldn't remember the exact model name (he just told me it was the "Roy Buchanan" one). Polepieces are flat, and it works well with the neck in terms of volume.

2)The bridge sounds great, and very "edgy" for lack of a better word. However, the pickup seems very microphonic. I've got Schaller straplocks on the guitar, and if I touch one of them, I hear it through the amp--actually lightly tapping the body anywhere is audible clearly through the amp. Is this normal? Or do I have a broken pickup?

Thoughts and experiences, please!?

[GuitarJonz]

That is normal, that model has very light potting, especially older examples, and that is part of the charm. I believe he pots mote heavily lately.

[reverb11]

OK--I thought that might be the case. Thanks for the reply!

[Larry F]

I bought some 5 years ago. They are a little microphonic, but I really love the potential for out-of-control-ness about them. It is easy for me to reign them in.

[WaylonFan76]

You probably have a Nancy set.

[nic'o'caster]

microphonic pups have that extra mojo, a sort of responsiveness and clean shimmer that potted pickups don't have. I totally agree with Larry about the potential for out-of-control-ness :)
I would avoid them for high gain applications though since they become easily uncontrollable, but clean and "hardly" clean they're pure magic.

[SPUDCASTER]

You didn't say what kind of situations your playing in. Like nic'o said, high gain is probably going to pose a little problem for you. And as Larry said, they can also be fun.

Proximity to your amp and volume is going to be your friend or foe. Usually you have four or five guys crammed on a stage, your right ear is tucked up against the crash cymbal, and your right on top of your amp.

If you can get some distance between you and your amp, the fun factor will greatly increased. Have fun!

[superbadj]

Nothin' wrong with being somewhat microphonic. I dig my Hot Bakelite set.

[vanguard]

remember that when buying used you have know idea what the product's been through. 15 minutes in a hot summer car is enough for virtually all the wax to run out of a pickup like water (don't ask how i know). don's pups are intentionally microphonic, but whether yours are still factory potted or not is a mystery.

[Don Mare]

if the base plate was moved or lifted, then it needs sent back for a free fix.
the loose plate can cause allot of unwanted squealing

the 53' neck is Al-3 Brass cover 6.1k its a little woolly and jazzy

- the 54' neck is nickle silver and al-5 - clear and bell-ish

[e-merlin]

Somewhat microphonic is magical. Microphonic at bedroom levels is a problem. A little microphonics goes a long way with a 5150. If you're getting microphonic feedback with a Champ, well, you're Borked!

[reverb11]

if the base plate was moved or lifted, then it needs sent back for a free fix.
the loose plate can cause allot of unwanted squealing

Everyone--especially Don (!)--thanks for your thoughtful responses. The pickup isn't squealing. I know what that squealing is like as I had an old Guild hollow body with Franz pickups that absolutely howled until I potted them. The Mare pickup does amplify handling noise if I'm not careful... but I think as some have mentioned, perhaps that's part of the sound!

Don, next time I change strings I'll lift the bridge pickup out and take a closer look at the pickup. Thanks for the kind offer. Is the loose plate something I'll be able to see?

EDIT: To answer an earlier question, I play country and rockabilly. Both of my current bands feature upright bass, acoustic rhythm guitar and me (one also has steel). Neither band has a drummer, so we are relatively quiet. We play small clubs and Canadian Legion Halls (for veterans). High gain isn't something I deal with regularly!