HB-1's - what the heck is under the hood?

[drc]

I bought this and really I have to clue... The pickup looks to be brand new.







The sellers ebay link-
http://www.ebay.com/itm/171349981689?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2648

 

[Default]

Doesn't look like a real hb-1. If it is, it has replaced polepieces at the very least.

 

[drc]

Well it only cost me $75 to find out. Very strange that it appears to be brand new.

 

[hansmoust]

I bought this and really I have to clue... The pickup looks to be brand new.

Hello drc,

Guild did some experiments with their own HB-1s using 'Allen screws' for polepieces during the first half of the '70s.

Here's a detail shot of an S-90 Special showing some of those pickups:

A variation was used on some early B.C. Rich solid bodies, but I don't think we're looking at one of those pickups.
Looks like an experimental pickup to me. Could be put together by somebody else using Guild parts. Might even be a DiMarzio coil in there. Also the cover has not been soldered to the baseplate like they would at Guild, so you probably need to remove the cover to see what's underneath.

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
www.guitarsgalore.nl

 

[drc]

I tried to remove the cover, but it won't budge. I can say with 99% certainty that this pickup has never been soldered or mounted. I took a magnafying glass to look close and there is zero etching to be seen within the bolt holes and terminals are clean.

 

[hansmoust]

I tried to remove the cover, but it won't budge.

Noticed some black stuff around the edges of the base plate, so there's a big chance that the inside parts have been 'epoxied' in.

I can say with 99% certainty that this pickup has never been soldered or mounted. I took a magnafying glass to look close and there is zero etching to be seen within the bolt holes and terminals are clean.

If it was an experimental pickup, they could have done the experiment without actually soldering the connections.

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
www.guitarsgalore.nl

 

[drc]

Might be awhile before I find a suitable bridge HB-1 to go with it. Its over the top hot.

 

[drc]

so what are the cons of installing a neck pickup in the bridge position? I was thinking of installing it in this guitar-

 

[SouthernSounds]

No clue, but I'd say: go ahead and enjoy the process, Dave. You can possibly find some cons, but why should you not do it? If you don't like afterwards, that's another subject...

Play on!

All the best,
B.

 

[GuildFS4612CE]

string spacing vs pole piece spacing?

 

[drc]

So do I rotate the pickup 180 degrees?

 

[Default]

Make a new pickguard and slant the pickup. Some Van-something guy did it and it worked out pretty well.

 

[drc]

Make a new pickguard and slant the pickup. Some Van-something guy did it and it worked out pretty well.

yeah if only thats all it took!

 

[drc]

I had my guitar tech bust open this pickup and he seems to think its a DeArmond model 2400 Superbucker pickup that was mounted in a Guild HB1 cover. Very hot pickup it reads +/-16k on my meter.

 

[Zelja]

^^^^^
Only saw the thread today & wanted to ask what the DC resistance was to five a clue to its identity. 16K! I don't think that's going to make a great neck pickup unless it's going into a very bright amp or you're into some very bassy sludge rock tones!

 

[Bill Ashton]

Hey, Peter Greene had humbuckers that were installed weird, and went on to make history..as did Gary Moore with the same guitar, may he RIP...go for it, we expect big things, LOL

 

[drc]

Yep I agree way too hot for my liking. Maybe spin it 180 degrees and mount it at the bridge. My tech alligator clipped it and said it sounded awesome. What does "sounded awesome" mean? I have no clue.

 

[Bill Ashton]

...he must have a Marshall Major... :tongue-new:

 

[SFIV1967]

I had my guitar tech bust open this pickup and he seems to think its a DeArmond model 2400 Superbucker pickup that was mounted in a Guild HB1 cover. Very hot pickup it reads +/-16k on my meter.

Any pictures of what is under the hood?
Ralf

 

[drc]

Sorry, I didnt get any pics taken. Stupid move on my part.