Pickups
Whatever the instrument, whatever the sonic requirements, there will be a solution. We have fitted pickups to pretty much anything with strings and carry a large selection of pickup options for any scenario. Where you may be looking for something not currently available we will also custom wind pickups to suit your requirements in house.
Switches
We keep in stock replacement switches from manufacturers including:
– Switchcraft
– Oak Grigsby
– CRL
– CTS
As well as these, we also keep in many other switches including:
– Mini DPST, DPDT and DPTT switches
– DPDT switches
– TPDT switches
– Push/Pull pots
– Push/Push pots
– Fender S1 switching pots
– Kill switches
– Rotary switches
Jacks
All our jack sockets are selected on the basis that they are as hard wearing as possible. We mainly keep jack sockets made by Switchcraft and hold a large range of tyes of jack socket including:
– Mono and stereo 1/4″
– Mono and stereo 1/4″ extra long thread
– Switchcraft switching jack sockets
– Mono and stereo panel jacks
– Mono and stereo end pin jack sockets
– Stereo screw fit end pin jack sockets
All jack sockets are available in both nickel and gold plated versions
Pots
We predominantly use CTS pots for their superior tolerances and hard wearing characteristics. We also carry a range of Alpha where additional pot values and types are available. Where required for restoration projects we can also source vintage pots for older instruments.
– Comprehensive range of pots from 1k Ohms – 1M Ohms
– Split and solid versions of all commonly used pot values, including 25k, 250k, 300k, 500, and 1M pots.
– Full size and mini pot versions.
– Switching (push/pull and push/push) pots from both Alpha and CTS
– Gibson branded pots available on request
– Vintage pots for restoration projects
Installation
Changing the pickups in your instrument can make an instant and marked a change in your tone. It should also be fun, so where we can help guide you towards the right option for your set-up, we will. A little time spent doing your homework can really pay dividends. So, let us know what it is you’re looking for and what you’re using and we’ll see if we can put together an initial options list which will help point you in the right direction.
Pickup changing can be relatively straightforward and where we can always look to fit in a last minute pickup swap. If you’re interested in booking a same day pickup swap, please get in touch.
full re-wire
Diving into your instruments electronics can be a real leap into the unknown, sadly it can also be a very easy way of turning a minor issue into a much more major one. With a wealth of knowledge and many decades of time spent elbow deep in inaccessible and incomprehensible wiring looms we will happily work on all comers.
If at all possible we will always look to start a non-vintage re-wire form scratch. This way we can clearly and logically lay out a new loom and the owner gets peace of mind knowing that there won;t be any intermittent issues waiting to make themselves apparent.
When working on vintage instruments we will take the completely opposite approach and look to preserve original wiring wherever at all possible, maintaining originality and intrinsic value.
Custom wiring mods
Want something a little off the wall? We love a challenge so the more bizarre the better!
– Blending pickup sources, i.e. piezo/mic and magnetic
– Multiple switching options
– Electronics system transplants from one instrument to another
– Custom wound pickups
– Pedal transplants
Acoustic Guitar Services
Mic (acoustic)
Microphones mounted both in and on instruments can be problematic due to the feedback issues inherent to their design. They can, however, deliver a very faithful reproduction of your instrument. Where suitable we can offer advice on microphone types, mounts, and suitable pre-amplification. We commonly carry and will fit microphones from manufacturers such as LR baggs and K&K Sound.
Under saddle piezo
Over the course of the last 40 years under saddle piezo pickups are far and away the most commonly used type of pickup. Reliable, unobtrusive and discreet, there are many benefits to using an under saddle pickup.
No solution is perfect and there are many types of piezo material and pickup construction types, along with a bewildering array of pre-amp options. Get in touch with your requirements and we can help guide you through the myriad options, advantages, and drawbacks.
We commonly stock:
– Fishman Matrix infinity
– LR Baggs Element (VTC)
– Fishman piezo and side mount EQ (various)
Magnetic
Good feedback resistance and a warm acoustic response make magnetic pickups well worth considering. The additional mass can mount on the soundboard of your instrument mean they’re not suitable for all scenarios, however. Magnetic pickups come in single coil and humbucking varieties and are very user-friendly.
We commonly stock:
– LR Baggs M1a
– Fishman rare earth (single coil, humbucker, and blend)
– K&K double Helix
– Takamine Tri-ax
– Seymour Duncan Woody (Humbucker)
Combination systems
No solution is possible, so a combination of pickup types can provide multiple benefits, whilst limiting issues commonly associated with individual pickups. Commonly you will come across a mixture of piezo/mic, contact piezo/mic, magnetic/mic or contact piezo/under saddle piezo. Occasionally, three or even four types of pickup are used. If you’re interested in exploring the options out there please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
We commonly stock:
– LR Baggs Anthem and Anthem SL
– Fishman Rare earth blend
– K&K Trinity pro
– K&K power mix
– LR Baggs imix and Dual source
– Fishman Premium blend
Soundboard transducer
Piezo soundboard transducers are percussive, responsive and natural sounding. They can be used in almost any They are also more prone to feedback when used at a higher volume and so can require a little more attention to sound levels when used in a band setting.
We commonly stock:
– K&K Pure Mini
– Fishman SBT
Parametric EQ
It’s definitely worth thinking about cutting a hole in the side of your guitar before you install a side mount EQ. Often we’ll suggest avoiding installing on instruments with solid wood sides due to potential devaluation and increased risk of the sides crack. For instruments where these considerations are not prohibitive, however, side mount EQ’s can provide a versatile solution.
We commonly stock:
– Fishman Presys+
– Fishman Premium blend
– LR Baggs Stagepro Anthem
Payment Methods
We accept all major debit and credit card payments.
