Firebird Pickup vs. Mini-humbucker?

[bennyfreedom]

Hello All,

First off, I'm a relatively new member. Been reading for a while and have made a few comments, but this is my first post. So here goes...

I've been on another Neil Young gear kick as of late and was reading a few articles about Old Black where both Neil and his tech Larry Cragg make the point that the bridge pickup is not a Mini-humbucker, but a Firebird pickup. In one article Larry describes the difference between the two briefly, but I was wondering if anyone here can explain the internal differences between the two. And further, is the Seymour Duncan Antiquity Firebird pickup an accurate recreation?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

 

[kmac]

I've used the lollar firebird in the neck. I would say its more like a single coil than a humbucker. Fat and clear. Very nice.

 

[spankdplank]

Firebird pickups have two alnico bar magnets, one in the center of each bobbin, with the coil wire wound around it. They do not have pole pieces or slugs because the magnet takes up the center of each bobbin. Minihumbuckers are built like a traditional humbucker, with one bar magnet centered underneath the two bobbins, and with slugs on one bobbin and pole screws on the other.

 

[Rob DiStefano]

what spakdplank said.

also, be aware that some (perhaps most?) of the current crop of gibson firebirds are not built vintage style - they have different coil wire and magnets. the true vintage build firebird pup is in a class by itself and will have 42awg wire on its bobbins and a5 bar magnets for each coil. you will want the classic vintage firebird, not the "modern" firebird and definitely not a mini-hummer.

 

[jefrs]

A mini-humbucker is not built like a full-size.

They have one large coil and a smaller coil next to it with the single bar magnet below that. The poles of the large coil are connected to the magnet by a steel plate or 'comb'.

Minis are crisper and brighter than full-size

 

[spankdplank]

OK Doctor, substitute built "similar to" for "like" a full size. My point was how they differ from a firebird, not how they differ from a full size.

 

[jefrs]

Best description I have of the earliest Firebird pickup is that the two coils faced inwards against a central pole. Which is kinda weird, until you realise it is the string interrupting the magnetic field that generates current in the coil(s)

image removed

Pretty sure those are item numbers, needs a 'key', not dimensions.

 

[Rob DiStefano]

Best description I have of the earliest Firebird pickup is that the two coils faced inwards against a central pole. Which is kinda weird, until you realise it is the string interrupting the magnetic field that generates current in the coil(s)

image removed

Pretty sure those are item numbers, needs a 'key', not dimensions.

i've never heard or seen that configuration for a vintage firebird pup. it don't look kosher to me at all, not for a firebird. back in '63 my bud's '63 firebird III pup's looked like this, and they had The Tone ...

 

[bennyfreedom]

Thanks for the info! I have a mini-humbucker in my '79 Les Paul and I love it, but I may have to drop the Loller Firebird in there and see how it sounds.

 

[spankdplank]

Rob's FB picture is the structure I am familiar with. I had an import toaster looking (but not sounding) pickup that had the same configeration as in Jefr's diagram.

 

[jefrs]

Well, I don't have a 63 Firebird to take apart but it's not the first time I've heard of inward facing coils on the very earliest ones. I think the idea was to give a better focus on the strings, like a single coil does. Whatever, it did not last long and the more conventional twin alnico cored pickup is very well regarded.

I have in the past built a few decidedly odd pickups but running the coil sideways is not one that springs out as a good idea to me

 

[Derek Kiernan]

That image is from one of (link removed), for his sidewinder design. It works beautifully

 

[jefrs]

So it is, and it also looks like an rearranged 'air-coil' (also Lawrence)

 

[Rich B in Tempe]

So- does any body know ACTUALLY, IS the Duncan Antiquity ONE the same size housing (and-or) structure as the original 63's???

 

[bender66]

From what I've read (pored over) is that Antiquities are still built like minis with mag underneath. SD offers both screw & FB "look", but both the same pickup. Does that sound correct?

I think this was one that I ordered & was shocked by what I found when I cut the cover solder. I was expecting all the makings of a mini for the price. Someone commented on it saying those were just blade slugs & that a mag was underneath (I didn't see one). I know FB's have the connector plate.

Rob?

*Jeebus, this is from 2013.

 

[ebb soul]

Yes, there were sidewinder firebirds.
Pretty shure they are found in the older models.
And this one would sound notably different than a mini bucket.

 

[Rich B in Tempe]

Now im really confused:: your Duncan antiquity you disasembles looks similar to the one Rob posted!! Your saying (old wise one) that Duncans " replica firebird 1-& II ARE THE SAME & not at all like what Rob Destefano says????

 

[bender66]

Now im really confused:: your Duncan antiquity you disasembles looks similar to the one Rob posted!! Your saying (old wise one) that Duncans " replica firebird 1-& II ARE THE SAME & not at all like what Rob Destefano says????

The one I posted is NOT an Antiquity. It is an inexpensive aftermarket pickup that I had to have a looksee.

 

[TDPRI]

NOTICE! This is a thread from 2013!!! It is not a current thread.