pick-up for solid body

[Cary Fagan]

I've got this 4-string mandolin neck I built for a cigar box instrument and would like to stick it on a solid body. Is there a pick-up I can order somewhere? I'm not looking for anything expensive. I see the saga kits use a lipstick style. Is there a place I can get something similar?

[musicofanatic]

I generally use Bill Lawrence p.u.s because they have a blade pole piece as opposed to most p.u.s which have individual pole pieces (for six strings). I regularly see them second hand (both humbucker and single coil) on ebay for cheap.
Good luck.http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t195/musicofanatic/PA080002.jpg

[thistle3585]

I use DiMarzios with a coil tapping switch. Either the DP186 or DP188. The 186 most often. I tell customers that the 186 is for blues/jazz and the 188 is for jazz/rock. I haven't had a single complaint on 20+ instruments using them. The 186 is requested 90% of the time but that's probably based more on who is buying my instrument. If you want something a bit hotter, then I'd recommend the Lil puncher.

[Terry Braund]

Cary,

I have a couple of Kent Armstrong lipstick model SLV-10 pickups that I don't need. They came off of a Bluestar Mandoblaster. While probably not as great as those mentioned above, they do work. If you are interested, PM me and we can work something out.

[crazymandolinist]

Just use a regular guitar pup! There are plenty that have either blad polepieces, lipstic models, like Terry mentioned, and then you could use a Firebird or Telecaster style pickup, and it'll look like it was custom made for the intrument! By the by musico, that is one sweet mando.

[musicofanatic]

Just use a regular guitar pup! There are plenty that have either blad polepieces, lipstic models, like Terry mentioned, and then you could use a Firebird or Telecaster style pickup, and it'll look like it was custom made for the intrument! By the by musico, that is one sweet mando.
Thanks, I've been wondering if there is any market for these; they'd have to sell fotr around a grand. Do electric mandolin players spend that kinda dough?
The average gtr p.u. just looks out of proportion on the smaller inst. The firebird p.u. is a good idea, as it is a little smaller.

[martinedwards]

I've heard of people using half of a bass guitar split pickup.....

and as a result I'm waiting for a parcel of them to arrive from ebay land!!

My PLAN is to build a mando tribute to Eddie Van Halens Frankenstrat but I'll let y'all know!!

[crazymandolinist]

Now THAT would be an adorable looking mando! Kinda like when you look at regular telecaster, then you look at a mandocaster or something, then you put them both side by side. I myself can't help but say "awe!". Hope that works out for ya! Can't wait to see some pics.

[Stephen Lind]

I've heard of people using half of a bass guitar split pickup.....

a friend of mine in the Fender custom shop is currently making a mando for Levon Helm with a hand wound PU using a half P Bass

[dandhr61]

thought about making one? 4 Alnico magnets, some flat work, 2 brasseyelets and a spoll of wire and some tools is all it takeshttp://i486.photobucket.com/albums/rr221/dandhr61/11/mandocasterhome.jpg

I made the pick up in this and it is strong. Its a matter of using a cheap guitar pickup or making a better one yourself after all you appear handy and following the same path I took from cigarbox to solid body. a drill will wind the pickup coil wire. you can do it for $40 +/- and have parts left over as a spoll has enough wire for 6.

[thistle3585]

I've heard of people using half of a bass guitar split pickup.....

and as a result I'm waiting for a parcel of them to arrive from ebay land!!

My PLAN is to build a mando tribute to Eddie Van Halens Frankenstrat but I'll let y'all know!!

Be aware that some split bass pickups, usually blade designs, are designed to only cover two strings, so the magnet is narrower than the pickup case and is usually located off center within the case. They are also generally 4 ohm compared to 6-8 ohm for a standard pickup. If the blade is off center, you are better off arranging it so that the magnet covers the treble strings.

andrew

[mandroid]

.. 2 Strat style P'ups that seem to work OK on my Emandos,
Fender Lace sensor, gold version,
and an EMG select stacked humbucker, from StewMac.

:popcorn: