Prototype/phantom single coil specs

M

Mpcoluv

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Does anyone know the specs on the mid to later 90s Phantom(prototype) single coil pickups? They were made by Duncan and labeled HMR1.

Were the slanted neck pickups the same pickup as the bridge? Spec?
 

 
The singles were all the same no matter which position it was in. I think I sold the one that i had laying around, they were up in the 8K's, definitely sounded and felt like Alnico V's. 

 
I'd go with Biz, its been a while since I measured one. They were running the HMR's with JB's in the bridge position. I felt they matched and sounded better with a Pearly Gates in the Bridge. 

 
I've had all versions on my bench and here's the measurements I've collected. Alnico 5 rods, yes. I've been fabricating the brass frames for authentic reproductions but can build these out as standard strat singles too.

V1: 5.2k

V2: 6.8k

V3: 7.9k

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So what DC resistance was the Duncan versions? 
i have an earlier one that is dead. Can it be rewound? what tonal benefit is the magnets sticking below the mounting plate?

It looks like it was screwed into the wood as a mounting like a Steve stevens maybe?

while I am bugging you guys, does any one know what pickup combinations are selected with the rotary switch on the Phantom Custom?

 
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Duncans are the 8k versions and yes, your dead one can be rewound.

Longer rod magnets charge to a higher gauss and generate a stronger magnetic field and by positioning the coil on the top makes for a more efficient string sensor.

Direct-mounted in many cases yes but the singles will fit into Strat pickguard mounting holes too.

No idea on the rotary pickup selector switch but I'm sure someone will chime in!

 
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Bridge, Bridge/Single, Single, Single/Neck, Neck. So the only option you don't get is the Bridge/Neck if I am remembering correctly. I take it you have a Phantom Custom, maple top? 

 
bubs_42 said:
Bridge, Bridge/Single, Single, Single/Neck, Neck. So the only option you don't get is the Bridge/Neck if I am remembering correctly. I take it you have a Phantom Custom, maple top? 
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Actually I am building a mahogany parts caster sort of like the Phantom custom. I have a NOS HMR1 somewhere around here but at the moment I can't find it. I also have one the earlier singles that needs to be rewound, along with the triple coil mounting ring. I'll just use a regular 5 way selector switch. Don't have a bridge pup picked out yet. I thought the JB was too woofy in the 97ish phantoms. I have a duncan 59 sitting around that I might use. I need something clear yet snarly that won't overpower the singles.

Years ago I had a 80s Phantom A5 and I though that guitar did the absolute best job to cover strat and LP tones. It was just ugly...

BTW is that neck pickup slant really important?

 
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I humbly suggest one of @JGravelin’s 10k Slammer repros for the bucker slot. Snarly and raspy in the best kinda way yet will not overpower the singles. Talk to Josh!

 
What does the 10k slammer sound like? I have the most experience with the Duncan equipped phantoms.

I swapped a Sheptone Javelina in the JBs place. It was a 9kish paf type.

 
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Josh will describe in in more elegant terms, but I find his 10k Slammer to sound like a hot PAF with that signature raspy snarl present which all the DiMarzio PAF types had in the late 70s/early 80s....at least to me ears. I love it. A perfect rock and roll pickup that cleans up well with the vol knob...what gives the rasp and snarl, prolly some emphasis on the upper Mids combined with the brass frame construction which IIRC, Josh said introduces some eddy currents within the pickup that contribute to making it sound the way it does.

It also combines very well IMO with a low output neck bucker or neck single resulting in some Tele like chime when mixed.

 
I found the 10.5kΩ Slammer in my '83 Phantom to be one of the most fun pickups I've ever played. 

I much prefer lower output pickups, but it was just exactly the right amount of over-the-top.  Fantastic for harder rock without ever getting all mushy and undefined and was easily bridled with a little turn of the volume control.  

It's tempting to get Josh to build me one of his reissues for the bridge of the Kiz' Senior, but I'm afraid to touch the blissful combination in there now.

 
bubs_42 said:
The singles were all the same no matter which position it was in. I think I sold the one that i had laying around, they were up in the 8K's, definitely sounded and felt like Alnico V's. 
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Bubs, I bought a slammer single from you, and I had another out of a US Cali - they read 6.58k and 6.65k on a harbor freight cheapo meter.

 
Joe G said:
Bubs, I bought a slammer single from you, and I had another out of a US Cali - they read 6.58k and 6.65k on a harbor freight cheapo meter.
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Thanks for chiming in. So there you go,  just like Josh mention. The Slammers are lower on the meter than the HMR1 Duncan. 

 
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