Fralin T-Top Clones

[jfhudak]

Hey Fellers,

Got my T-Top clones from Lindy! I only had time to install the bridge pickup today. I only had a few minutes to dial it in because the kids were going to bed but my initial reaction is VERY positive. Some things I noticed:

- Very BIG bottom end, to the point that I had to dial up the treble on the amp a little

- The top end was VERY sweet, and really gave it up when you nailed it

- I was able to get more grind at lower volume than with the Burstbuckers, even though these pickups are lower output

- There was this thump under the notes that really sounded great. Very punchy, probably those A5 mags

I really like them so far. The combination of the even winds, poly wire, lower output, and A5 mags seems to be the ticket for this setup. The Marshall likes it much better that's for sure! As to how close these are to the actual T-Tops, I don't know, but they do sound REALLY good! They clean up a lot better when you back off the volume and they are really clear all the way down. They have this really even, pleasing tone to them and the mids are really nice, much more complex than the BBs. They like to feed back as well (not potted), but in a really COOL way!

I'll report more tomorrow when I've had a chance to install the neck pickup and tweak them a little more.

So far, so good.

[Roe]

my t top clones are fairly transparent and clean compared to higher output pups. the t tops only sounds good in a good guitar

[jfhudak]

my t top clones are fairly transparent and clean compared to higher output pups. the t tops only sounds good in a good guitar

Good description. I like the fact that they clean up so well. I installed mine in a VOS 62 SG reissue. It is a very good guitar!

[jfhudak]

UPDATE:

Okay, these things are badass. I thought at first that I might want to swap magnets out, but I am not touching these things! After two days of tweaking, there ain't a bad sound in there.

The pickups are really responsive to picking style. They have a very single coil like quality about them that makes them shine through my Marshall. They also really like to feed back, but in a good way! They have a really good Angus sound, and the mids are very complex. You can get all the cluck you want and anything off of "Power Age" or "Let There Be Rock" is easily attainable. Single note leads just ooze tone and harder you pick, the more they blossom. With just a twist of the volume knob, you get a nice, clear, BRIGHT clean that still sounds very musical. In fact, it NEVER sounds muddy. All the way down until it is off, the tone you get is clear and crisp. That's just the bridge pickup! Now, on to the neck. . .

So I installed the neck pickup last night and was able to put it through its paces. This thing has a really woody tone to it. I mean, you can hear the string windings. There's this really nice chirp on the upper strings when you nail them, and yet when you back off it sounds real pretty. Again, you turn the volume down and it cleans up but still retains plenty of treble. The single coil quality is again very present.

So, I'll never buy another humbucker again! This is the tone, at least for SGs. I'll bet they sound good in a Les Paul as well! I'm not sure what it is that makes these things do what I want, whether it's the lower output, the A5 mags, the poly-coated wire or what. I don't know, and I don't care. These things actually sound killer, and to my ears at least, much better than ANY PAF clone I have ever owned.

So, if you want the T-Top sound, but don't feel like spending 500 to 800 bucks for a set, call Lindy Fralin!

[MacGaden]

Are these custom orders ?

[jfhudak]

Are these custom orders ?

Yes! Lindy will wind you whatever you want. The guys he has working with him are top notch. Bill wound mine for me, and has done the last two sets of pickups that I ordered through Lindy. They all turned out great!

Give Lindy a call.

[MacGaden]

Are these custom orders ?

Yes! Lindy will wind you whatever you want. The guys he has working with him are top notch. Bill wound mine for me, and has done the last two sets of pickups that I ordered through Lindy. They all turned out great!

Give Lindy a call.

Thanks. I

[Roe]

UPDATE:

Okay, these things are badass. I thought at first that I might want to swap magnets out, but I am not touching these things! After two days of tweaking, there ain't a bad sound in there.

The pickups are really responsive to picking style. They have a very single coil like quality about them that makes them shine through my Marshall. They also really like to feed back, but in a good way! They have a really good Angus sound, and the mids are very complex. You can get all the cluck you want and anything off of "Power Age" or "Let There Be Rock" is easily attainable. Single note leads just ooze tone and harder you pick, the more they blossom. With just a twist of the volume knob, you get a nice, clear, BRIGHT clean that still sounds very musical. In fact, it NEVER sounds muddy. All the way down until it is off, the tone you get is clear and crisp. That's just the bridge pickup! Now, on to the neck. . .

So I installed the neck pickup last night and was able to put it through its paces. This thing has a really woody tone to it. I mean, you can hear the string windings. There's this really nice chirp on the upper strings when you nail them, and yet when you back off it sounds real pretty. Again, you turn the volume down and it cleans up but still retains plenty of treble. The single coil quality is again very present.

So, I'll never buy another humbucker again! This is the tone, at least for SGs. I'll bet they sound good in a Les Paul as well! I'm not sure what it is that makes these things do what I want, whether it's the lower output, the A5 mags, the poly-coated wire or what. I don't know, and I don't care. These things actually sound killer, and to my ears at least, much better than ANY PAF clone I have ever owned.

So, if you want the T-Top sound, but don't feel like spending 500 to 800 bucks for a set, call Lindy Fralin!

what's the output of your pups? mine are 7.8 and 7.3k

[45auto]

glad you are finding the sound you want, i know you have been searching.

[jfhudak]

what's the output of your pups? mine are 7.8 and 7.3k

7.75 bridge and neck. They sound killer!

[jfhudak]

glad you are finding the sound you want, i know you have been searching.

[jfhudak]

Okay, it's been almost a week and I'm still in love. I spent all day yesterday and most of this morning just playing. There ain't a bad sound in there. It doesn't matter where you set the controls on the guitar or the amp, there's always a usable sound there for you. They are versatile in the extreme. You can get them to sound soft and purty, and then scream when you pick harder. Also, there's a really nice, percussive "oompfh" under the notes as you play. You want chime? It's there! You can get jangley like Tom Petty or chirp like George Harrison on Rubber Soul.

The combination of the T-Tops' even wind, low output, and A5 magnets REALLY seems to compliment the bright and aggressive nature of the 70s metal panel Marshalls.

Between the TV Junior and the SG with T-Tops, I'm ready to gig this setup!

Now I need to get a 335 TD and put a set of these in it!!!

Thanks to all who have pitched in to educate me.

[AJW]

MacGaden: Check out the Callaham H/SRV pickups (wound by Fralin)! I have a set in my '60s reverse strat. Billy Batz has them too, and had posted some sound clips. Great Hendrix tone. I don't think the poles are reverse stagger, but the sound is fantastic.

[MacGaden]

MacGaden: Check out the Callaham H/SRV pickups (wound by Fralin)! I have a set in my '60s reverse strat. Billy Batz has them too, and had posted some sound clips. Great Hendrix tone. I don't think the poles are reverse stagger, but the sound is fantastic.

I