New HB1s

[GAD]

I had a conversation with Guild about the new HB1s. This was part of their response:

The HB-1 Humbucking pickups on all of our current S-100's are Guild's original standard size humbucking
pickup with vintage specs as found on the S-100 Polara since the 1960's. 7.10K Bridge, 7.00K Neck, Alnico 2
magnets.

I may buy a pair to see how they work in my Westerly Starfire. You know, just because.

 

[TVeye]

If they would offer them in the fricken Store already, I would buy a pair too.

 

[jcwu]

At 20% off, too!

 

[Los Angeles]

The HB-1 Humbucking pickups on all of our current S-100's are Guild's original standard size humbucking
pickup with vintage specs as found on the S-100 Polara since the 1960's. 7.10K Bridge, 7.00K Neck, Alnico 2
magnets.

I'm curious about the actual measurements of the pickup covers. I'm going to assume that they are "standard" gibson/seymour duncan dimensions rather than the wider 70s/80's Guild HB1 size. At least they look that way from the few photos I've seen of the new S-100's.

 

[DThomasC]

Yeah, I'm looking forward to trying these too, but "original", "standard size", and "since the 60's" don't work together.

 

[Guildadelphia]

I'm curious about the actual measurements of the pickup covers. I'm going to assume that they are "standard" gibson/seymour duncan dimensions rather than the wider 70s/80's Guild HB1 size. At least they look that way from the few photos I've seen of the new S-100's.

If they are "standard size" there would be a bigger market for them as replacements in any guitar that comes with standard size 'buckers (and more than likely at a reasonable price). More importantly (given that they approach or match the sound of the original Guild HB1's) they would be drop in replacements for the Fender made HB1's which are generally not considered to be particularly good sounding in general and the Achilles heal of the late 90's Guilds.

 

[Los Angeles]

If they are "standard size" there would be a bigger market for them as replacements in any guitar that comes with standard size 'buckers (and more than likely at a reasonable price). More importantly (given that they approach or match the sound of the original Guild HB1's) they would be drop in replacements for the Fender made HB1's which are generally not considered to be particularly good sounding in general and the Achilles heal of the late 90's Guilds.

Agree on all points. The only thing they won't be able to do is serve as a replacement for a guitar that was routed for the original HB1. Honestly, I'm totally fine with that. It keeps the vintage guitars special.

 

[S100]

I agree. I don't want them to hurt the vintage market by making a 70s reissue to spec.

 

[powerwagonjohn]

Although it might force the price down on orig. HB-1 and make stripping and parting out old guitar less financially feasible. And that would be a good thing.
Thanks John

 

[bluesypicky]

Although it might force the price down on orig. HB-1

Why would it?
No matter how close to original specs they get with reissues, they will never sound like vintage ones.
Your vintage HB1's are safe and their value unthreatened by reissues.

 

[TVeye]

If these are any good, they will serve to correct Fender's mistakes and get some butchered Guilds' back on the road.
They will never replace the originals.

 

[dbirchett]

So has anyone actually played these pickups to compare them to the old HB1s, SD1s or even the Fender HB1s? Has anyone actually measured them physically or electronically?

 

[SFIV1967]

If they would offer them in the fricken Store already, I would buy a pair too.

Here you go: https://shop.guildguitars.com/product-category/parts/electricguitars/pickups/
Ralf

 

[TVeye]

Here you go: https://shop.guildguitars.com/product-category/parts/electricguitars/pickups/
Ralf

Here You go: http://www.letstalkguild.com/ltg/showthread.php?186023-Pups-at-Guild-Shop

 

[SFIV1967]

Ha! I now realized that this was an old thread from April! Sorry.
Ralf

 

[Tom West]

It may be old but the subject is important. I wonder if the new HB- 1 would sound good in the new Bluebird? I also wonder why Guild didn't go with them.

 

[S100]

The 90s Bluesbirds were equipped (like the 90s S-100s) with a SD 59 and a JB. I guess they just stuck with that setup for the reissue.

 

[GAD]

I have a NS S100 with the new HB1s in it coming. I also have a vintage HB1 sitting here, so the probability that I'll mess with the pickups is high.

 

[JohnW63]

You'll be in a good place to compare them too.

 

[Quantum Strummer]

I have a NS S100 with the new HB1s in it coming. I also have a vintage HB1 sitting here, so the probability that I'll mess with the pickups is high.

Looking forward to your evaluation. If the verdict is good I just might pop a set of new HB-1s in my Nightbird.

-Dave-