hamerhead Posted November 1, 2018 Share Posted November 1, 2018 Phat Cats are easy to spot - the polepieces are in the middle. ETA: The Phat Cats are kind of a weird duck - they were designed specifically for the Newport and have their own thing going on, and to me that thing ain't a P90 (probably why the Newport 90 exists). I suspect Hamer knew they wouldn't be everyone's cup 'o tea and made them humbucker-size so you could swap them out easy enough. Personally I liked them. They did their own thing very well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rugby1970 Posted November 1, 2018 Share Posted November 1, 2018 5 hours ago, hamerhead said: Phat Cats are easy to spot - the polepieces are in the middle. ETA: The Phat Cats are kind of a weird duck - they were designed specifically for the Newport and have their own thing going on, and to me that thing ain't a P90 (probably why the Newport 90 exists). I suspect Hamer knew they wouldn't be everyone's cup 'o tea and made them humbucker-size so you could swap them out easy enough. Personally I liked them. They did their own thing very well. And if they're not in the middle, they are..........? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamerhead Posted November 1, 2018 Share Posted November 1, 2018 20 minutes ago, rugby1970 said: And if they're not in the middle, they are..........? ...something else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rugby1970 Posted November 1, 2018 Share Posted November 1, 2018 This is the culprit: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FGJ Posted November 1, 2018 Author Share Posted November 1, 2018 Those are definitely not Phat Cats. I think the consensus is that Phat Cats are really their own thing and not p90's, though they're P90-ish insofar as they're still something between Fender singles and humbuckers. I think they sound really great in SG's and Lesters (from what I've seen and heard) which often benefit from brighter pups. I really like their clarity and dynamic range. They're the most dynamic pickups I've ever played. On the flip side, I totally understand why they may be too bright for some, but I think the brightness can be easily mitigated with the tone and volume. I suspect some player's pedals or amp may negatively affect how they view the Newport Phat Cats. Not all guitar/amp/pedal combinations work well together. I'll bet with some noodling, the Newport with Phat Cats can be found to satisfy nearly any player. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hbom Posted November 2, 2018 Share Posted November 2, 2018 4 hours ago, rugby1970 said: And if they're not in the middle, they are..........? My guess would be Seth Lovers. That's what came in mine and has been mentioned in others. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael_B Posted November 3, 2018 Share Posted November 3, 2018 I went ahead and did it the hard way. It's who I am. Minor PITA. I I put an EXL-120 set on it, until my EXL-115w (wound 3rd) arrives. That's when it goes to a pro to adjust the nut. Thanks to @FGJ for giving me the impetus to make the swap. It's nice to have a Filter'Tron hollowbody, again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jakeboy Posted November 3, 2018 Share Posted November 3, 2018 How does it sound, Michael? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael_B Posted November 3, 2018 Share Posted November 3, 2018 5 minutes ago, Jakeboy said: How does it sound, Michael? At this point, to be honest, it's too bright. The pickups need adjustment, but I'm waiting until after I install th EXL-115w set (ETA Sunday). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jakeboy Posted November 3, 2018 Share Posted November 3, 2018 Wow...my Rumpel’trons are vintage wound and not bright at all in my/your Newport. They are just right. The strings will make a difference. I find filtertron pickups to sound like two different pickups at once...what I mean is, the treble strings sound like a different pickup from the wound strings...but combined they are just wonderful. Treble strings cut while the wound strings have the “thud”. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FGJ Posted November 3, 2018 Author Share Posted November 3, 2018 1 hour ago, Michael_B said: I went ahead and did it the hard way. It's who I am. Minor PITA. I I put an EXL-120 set on it, until my EXL-115w (wound 3rd) arrives. That's when it goes to a pro to adjust the nut. Thanks to @FGJ for giving me the impetus to make the swap. It's nice to have a Filter'Tron hollowbody, again. You're welcome and --oh, man -- that's a gorgeous guitar! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jakeboy Posted November 3, 2018 Share Posted November 3, 2018 That really is a gorgeous example of Birdseye maple....it is truly stunning. Gonna be cool when it is dialed in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyB Posted November 3, 2018 Share Posted November 3, 2018 On 10/19/2018 at 12:59 AM, Disturber said: Also interested in trying TV jones. I never bonded with the Phat Cats. Just to shrill and metallic sounding. Have humbuckers in it now. Much better. Been thinking of trying a set of 57 Classics too, or to go down the TV Jones route (Powertrons), just because.... I notice that in these discussions about the tonal characteristics of various pickups, the amplifier involved is seldom mentioned. There are a couple of amps I used with my Phat Cat Newports that produced unassailable tone--a Mesa/Boogie Dual Calibre DC-10 with 6L6 output tubes and 2x12 spkrs, and a Gibson Goldtone 2x12 with EL84s and Celestion speakers. I also have a Top Hat Club Deluxe with 6V6GTs and a single 12" Celestion Greenback. The Top Hat sounds wonderful with all my SC G&Ls, and is magic with my Hamer Anniversary, but I can't dial in a satisfying tone with the Newport unless I scoop the midrange. Even then, I liked the Mesa/Boogie and GoldTone better. So I hesitate making generalizations about the Phat Cats, because they seem to be pretty amp-dependent, and may also need some equalization. But plugged into my Mesa DC-10 they could do no wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rugby1970 Posted November 3, 2018 Share Posted November 3, 2018 22 hours ago, Michael_B said: I went ahead and did it the hard way. It's who I am. Minor PITA. I I put an EXL-120 set on it, until my EXL-115w (wound 3rd) arrives. That's when it goes to a pro to adjust the nut. Thanks to @FGJ for giving me the impetus to make the swap. It's nice to have a Filter'Tron hollowbody, again. That is an outstanding guitar! Kind of reminds me of a certain Artist Custom Birdseye with a Sustain Block. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disturber Posted November 5, 2018 Share Posted November 5, 2018 On 11/3/2018 at 11:01 PM, JohnnyB said: I notice that in these discussions about the tonal characteristics of various pickups, the amplifier involved is seldom mentioned. There are a couple of amps I used with my Phat Cat Newports that produced unassailable tone--a Mesa/Boogie Dual Calibre DC-10 with 6L6 output tubes and 2x12 spkrs, and a Gibson Goldtone 2x12 with EL84s and Celestion speakers. I also have a Top Hat Club Deluxe with 6V6GTs and a single 12" Celestion Greenback. The Top Hat sounds wonderful with all my SC G&Ls, and is magic with my Hamer Anniversary, but I can't dial in a satisfying tone with the Newport unless I scoop the midrange. Even then, I liked the Mesa/Boogie and GoldTone better. So I hesitate making generalizations about the Phat Cats, because they seem to be pretty amp-dependent, and may also need some equalization. But plugged into my Mesa DC-10 they could do no wrong. Yes, agree. The Phat Cats sounds different depending on what amp I use. I like them with my combo Fenders. Through my JMP Marshall's the don't work at all. Shrill and stiff, ice pick in the ear. No bass, unpleasant mids and lots of treble even with the tone control on 0 to 2. I prefer my Monaco III every time. It sounds great with every amp I plug it in to. Killer Marshall sound. Killer clean jazz and blues sound. And it can do a decent rockabilly too, if needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FGJ Posted November 14, 2018 Author Share Posted November 14, 2018 On 11/2/2018 at 5:00 PM, Michael_B said: I went ahead and did it the hard way. It's who I am. Minor PITA. I I put an EXL-120 set on it, until my EXL-115w (wound 3rd) arrives. That's when it goes to a pro to adjust the nut. Thanks to @FGJ for giving me the impetus to make the swap. It's nice to have a Filter'Tron hollowbody, again. Can you possibly post a video of how this sounds? Possibly running through the different pickup settings to get an idea of what can be had from a Newport with these pups? I'd like to know what I'd be getting into if I tried such a swap. - Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael_B Posted November 14, 2018 Share Posted November 14, 2018 3 hours ago, FGJ said: Can you possibly post a video of how this sounds? Possibly running through the different pickup settings to get an idea of what can be had from a Newport with these pups? I'd like to know what I'd be getting into if I tried such a swap. - Thanks! I'm heading out of town, tomorrow, for a couple of weeks. I'll post something, shortly after I get back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jakeboy Posted November 15, 2018 Share Posted November 15, 2018 We should all post some filtertron’d Newport clips...clean and dirty. Good point on the Newport being amp dependent. Mine certainly is as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FGJ Posted November 15, 2018 Author Share Posted November 15, 2018 I would love to see everyone's Newport clips with their different setups! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gorch Posted November 15, 2018 Share Posted November 15, 2018 On 11/5/2018 at 10:30 AM, Disturber said: I notice that in these discussions about the tonal characteristics of various pickups, the amplifier involved is seldom mentioned. Confirmed! My Newport sounds different an all of my amps. The far most best it sounds on the Silvertone. Least differentiate on the AC-15. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FGJ Posted November 22, 2018 Author Share Posted November 22, 2018 Still looking forward to those sound clips when you return. I'm eager to hear them because I'm still on the fence about trying them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FGJ Posted April 7, 2019 Author Share Posted April 7, 2019 Hey, Michael, did you ever get a chance to record something with this setup? I'm still eager to hear it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael_B Posted April 7, 2019 Share Posted April 7, 2019 4 hours ago, FGJ said: Hey, Michael, did you ever get a chance to record something with this setup? I'm still eager to hear it! I'm sorry, I didn't. I tried to shoot video with my phone and sync it to a Garage Band audio track. It was a hassle that turned out badly. I'm hosting a guest, this coming week, who routinely makes videos of herself. I'll ask her for some help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jakeboy Posted April 7, 2019 Share Posted April 7, 2019 Well, after meeting with AC of Rumpelstiltskin Pickups last week I decided to make a change....Just because my Peavey Firenza With P90s will go on the chopping block soon for Shishkov funds. So........ I installed a Rumpel Archer in the neck...kinda like a giant Fender type pickup wth rod mags.....in the bridge I installed a Rumpel Chameleon HB-sized P90. Now I know and have stated that HB sized 90s don’t sound like 90s...but this one with A2 mags gets me 90% there. So now the Newport sounds more like a Casino as opposed to a Gretsch. Gotta dial them in. These sound nothing like Phat Cats. Not that Phat Cats aren’t good in their own right. Just not what I want to hear Bridge has the growl, neck has the smooth clarity, and the middle brings the chime. This is now a perfect blues guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FGJ Posted April 7, 2019 Author Share Posted April 7, 2019 That looks like a cool setup. Honestly though, my T51 is already a great blues guitar, so I'd rather stick with something that can also approximate a Gretsch tone on the Newport, which is why I was curious about Tron style pups. In the end, I may stick with the Phat Cats because they already do the hollowbody rockabilly thing well. I figure between a Cali, a T51, and a Newport, I've got most tone bases covered. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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