Another Todd pickup question

[Smiert Spionam]

The Todd single-coil in my '64 M-65 looks just like those that I've seen others post (@Default did a great informative thread about these a while back). It has threaded pole pieces through the bottom plate, and terminals to attach the wire -- all normal, so far as I can tell.

I recently saw this other one, though, that looks like a normal Todd pickup from above, but has a (crudely) soldered bar across the entire base plate (which is all one piece, and includes the threaded mounting tabs), as well as what look like corner screws or rivets (a bit like a very early soapbar P90).

Have any of you ever seen these before? Any info?

Mine:



Not mine:

 

[hansmoust]

Have any of you ever seen these before? Any info?

At first glance I would say it's a Hi-A or Bartolini pickup that has been worked on, but I'm not sure! However I'm sure it's not an original Todd pickup.

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
www.guitarsgalore.nl

 

[Smiert Spionam]

At first glance I would say it's a Hi-A or Bartolini pickup that has been worked on, but I'm not sure! However I'm sure it's not an original Todd pickup.

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
www.guitarsgalore.nl

Much appreciated -- thanks, Hans!

I suspected as much, but wondered if I was missing something. Looks like someone used the housing of a Todd and stuffed something else in there.

 

[Smiert Spionam]

FWIW, this is the source of the alleged Guild pickup:

Vintage 1960s Guild P90 Pickup w/Trim Ring T-100 /Slim Jim Hollow body | eBay

Guild p-90 Humbucker from a 60s Guild t100/slim jim. removed and tested at 5.8k. original full length leads with the correct impossible to find trim ring. strong great tone ready to install.

www.ebay.com

The seller may be representing it in good faith, and I don't doubt that it came out of a Guild (though of course it's neither a P90 nor a humbucker, which are mutually exclusive). It's just that there seems to be more to the story.

 

[matsickma]

Surprised to find another pickup that fits in that bezel.

 

[Smiert Spionam]

I think Hans nailed it! Check out this listing for a ‘70s Bartolini/Hi-A pickup in a minihumbucker housing. See, especially, the shot of the underside of the pickup:

BARTOLINI HI-A Vintage 1970s Hollowbody Guitar Humbucker w/Trim Ring | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for BARTOLINI HI-A Vintage 1970s Hollowbody Guitar Humbucker w/Trim Ring at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

I think this is a Todd pickup that someone sent to Bartolini, who built a Hi-A inside the Todd shell (or someone just jammed it in, by themselves). I’d bet a nickel that the pole piece screws are cosmetic only — they are probably just the heads of the screws, glued in for show.

Could be cool, for someone who likes that sort of thing. Not for me, though.

 

[Smiert Spionam]

Oh, good grief — the second pickup is from the same seller as the one I originally found. Hard to imagine he doesn’t know what it is.