Callaham H/SRV Fralins are indeed the shit

yngwie308 · Post by **yngwie308** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 7:09 pm

The 55's would be the wayto go, not 75's.
Jimi needed and used speakers that had strong bass and mids, the M's were never part of his arsenal, and especially with Fuzz faces, the H-55 whomp is what sounds the best.
yngwie308

ohmygodtheykilledkenny · Post by **ohmygodtheykilledkenny** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 6:03 pm

I stumbled upon an old email from Bill Callaham from a few months back. His H/SRV's are a special/custom wind, and he said that from Neck-Bridge: 5.8k, 5.85k, 6.3k.

Just thought you all might like to know.

Travis

AJW · Post by **AJW** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 1:00 pm

I just ordered a set of the H/SRV's, but since I need a non-RWRP middle pickup, it won't ship for about six weeks. I'm using the Suhr BPSSC which requires that.

I can wait. I'm kind of happy with the stock pickups in my '60s reverse strat. I'm sure the Callaham/Fralins will be an improvement though.

ohmygodtheykilledkenny · Post by **ohmygodtheykilledkenny** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 1:19 pm

Please let me know how you like the Suhr Bpssc!

I want to build another Strat for live playing, so basically quieter, a little Brighter, and a little more flashy. Most of all I want to eliminate that single coil hum when I kick in a fuzz, because at most venues, its alright, but when you throw in lights and stuff, it can get pretty loud.

Thanks man, hope those Fralins work out for yeah , I know that my standard, straight from Fralin pickups kill.

Travis

Billy Batz · Post by **Billy Batz** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 4:47 pm

Ive been very tempted by that myself. It seems an awfully simple device for that kind of money tho. Theres a lot to it though.

ohmygodtheykilledkenny · Post by **ohmygodtheykilledkenny** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 10:52 am

My view on it would be that: Expensive or not, simple or complex, if it truly gives you natural sound, feel, and dynamics of your single coils, with minimal hum, it's worth every penny. (Especially when you're the opening act and the headliner decides its a great idea to put a thousand dimmer switches in the room for "lights".)

It sounds to me like a fairly elaborate Dummy coil system.

Cheers,

Travis

AJW · Post by **AJW** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 11:55 am

It would be interesting to put a switch in there to A/B the sound of the pickups with (and without) the BPSSC. It may have an effect on tone, but if so it's small. It's definitely the sound of true single coils. You can easily install a push pull pot, or a switch to remove it from the circuit. I don't think there's a need for that.

My '60 reverse strat is now as quiet as my American Deluxe in the bridge humbucker position (the HB actually makes more noise than the two SCNs). It's very quiet. It's not dead quiet, but it is a night and day difference. I'm totally happy with it.

I originally thought about buying a set of Kinmans, but since all my pickups were the same polarity I gave this a shot. I used to put that guitar down because I couldn't take the noise anymore. Now I play that guitar a lot, and it's hard to put down. I almost think I'm silly for changing the pickups in it.

AJW · Post by **AJW** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 10:34 am

After hearing Billy's H/SRV clips last night I can't wait until I get them! Great BOG tone (and playing) there. Unfortunately it will be more than two weeks until Callaham gets a non-RWRP set from Fralin, but my order is already in.

MacGaden · Post by **MacGaden** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 2:34 pm

AJW wrote:It would be interesting to put a switch in there to A/B the sound of the pickups with (and without) the BPSSC. It may have an effect on tone, but if so it's small. It's definitely the sound of true single coils. You can easily install a push pull pot, or a switch to remove it from the circuit. I don't think there's a need for that.

My '60 reverse strat is now as quiet as my American Deluxe in the bridge humbucker position (the HB actually makes more noise than the two SCNs). It's very quiet. It's not dead quiet, but it is a night and day difference. I'm totally happy with it.

I originally thought about buying a set of Kinmans, but since all my pickups were the same polarity I gave this a shot. I used to put that guitar down because I couldn't take the noise anymore. Now I play that guitar a lot, and it's hard to put down. I almost think I'm silly for changing the pickups in it.

Here is a demo by Scott Henderson where he turns the BPSSC on and off: http://www.prosoundcommunications.com/e ... rc_bb.html

(You need the QuickTime plugin to play it.)

fivecoyote · Post by **fivecoyote** » Thu May 01, 2008 3:31 pm

You guys might be way ahead of me here, but re: 6550s vs. EL34s, didn't Hendrix use KT-66 tubes -- which supposedly have some EL-34 warmth with more headroom? Check out this link and click on the review to see the KT66s in the back of Jimi's amp.

http://www.marshallamps.com/product.asp ... eviewId=21

AJW · Post by **AJW** » Sun May 04, 2008 2:46 am

I got my Callaham H/SRV pickups in the mail today, and in a half hour they were in my 60's reverse strat. Awesome tone! The bass notes are nice and round, the mids are rich, and the highs sparkle as they should. Definitely a huge upgrade!

I am glad I took the route I did with this guitar. A set of Kinman's couldn't possibly sound this good, and with the Suhr BPSSC it's as quiet as they would have been. It wasn't cheap, but I'm so happy with the result.

Billy Batz · Post by **Billy Batz** » Sun May 04, 2008 9:16 am

fivecoyote wrote:You guys might be way ahead of me here, but re: 6550s vs. EL34s, didn't Hendrix use KT-66 tubes -- which supposedly have some EL-34 warmth with more headroom? Check out this link and click on the review to see the KT66s in the back of Jimi's amp.

http://www.marshallamps.com/product.asp ... eviewId=21

Yeah he used them in JTM-45/100s. I think thats universally understood.