S-50 single coil replacement

[devonteran]

I've got a mid 60s S-50 with the single middle single coil. Lately I've been unhappy with the basic clean tone out of it. I'm finding that to get anything that isn't muddy I really need to drive my amp and then roll back guitar volume. I love playing this guitar, and the driven tone is so cool, but I feel like I could still get that with clearer pickup that I roll back the tone knob for.

I'm wondering about whether getting this pickup reworked or finding a replacement I can drop in for now. Does anyone have any suggestions? Are there even any standard pickups out there that would fit the same dimensions?

I have the same issue with a T-50 too. Both of these pickups are the chrome covered. I have a buddy with another T-50 who has the plastic cover. I wish I could split the difference on the two pickups and get right in between. I love the low mids I get, but the upper mids and highs just get lost.

 

[mavuser]

Hello, I have a couple Of those guitars one is mahogany and one is alder, I believe. They do sound noticeably different. Both have that chrome covered "frequency tested" Guild single coil pickup which is similar to a P-90 but not quite as hot. There is some variation/inconsistency with the older Guild single coils, so each one may sound slightly different than the next. They all sound pretty good to me though. You note you also have the T-50- that should sound real nice with that pickup! or any decent pickup...

anyway, what amp (or amps) are you using? And what gauge strings?

I use 10s but if you are playing super loud (I mean really loud) through say a Fender silverface 70s amp, you may get improved tones with 9s. That would be my first move. Strings and amp/amp settings before messing with the guitar. You can also try dialing back the mids on the amp, and up the treble a little more than you think is right...see if you can tweak it just right!

 

[BradHK]

If you end up going down the route of replacing the pickup, I would recommend contacting Pete Biltoft at Vintage Vibe Guitars. I purchased a 1964 Polara a couple of years ago that was missing both pickups. I didn't want to modify the pickguard for a standard aftermarket pickup so I contacted Pete as he has made me a few other pickups and I have been very happy with the results. I gave him the dimensions of the cutout for the pickup, the mounting holes and the string spacing. We discussed what sound I was looking for and he custom fabricated and wound a set of P90 pickups that fit the original pickguard perfect and sound amazing. Not an off the shelf solution but worth the extra effort.

 

[devonteran]

If you end up going down the route of replacing the pickup, I would recommend contacting Pete Biltoft at Vintage Vibe Guitars. I purchased a 1964 Polara a couple of years ago that was missing both pickups. I didn't want to modify the pickguard for a standard aftermarket pickup so I contacted Pete as he has made me a few other pickups and I have been very happy with the results. I gave him the dimensions of the cutout for the pickup, the mounting holes and the string spacing. We discussed what sound I was looking for and he custom fabricated and wound a set of P90 pickups that fit the original pickguard perfect and sound amazing. Not an off the shelf solution but worth the extra effort.

That sounds perfect. I'm guessing from your experience that there isn't a working off the shelf solution. What exactly did he end up making you? I know very little in the world of pickups so I'm not sure where to start. I guess the main thing I want is a wider and more articulate response, but similar general tone.

 

[BradHK]

I couldn't find an off the shelf solution but one could exist. Mine is essentially a single coil made to fit that pickguard just like the original style. One thing to keep in mind is that if you have a pickup custom made to fit that pickguard it will not have a cover as it is not a standard size. I think it looks good with the black pickguard but I like the look of the original chrome cover better. If mine came with the original pickups I would not have replaced them as I like my vintage guitars to be original. Have you tried adjusting the pickup height?

 

[devonteran]

I've messed with pickup height. It helped some. Should I think about switching out the pots?

 

[Quantum Strummer]

What amp(s) are you plugging your S-50 into? Some guitars get along with some amps better than others. Also, does clarity improve with the S-50 if you roll up your amp's treble and—if possible—back off its bass and/or mids?

-Dave-

 

[matsickma]

If your S-50 is a beater make any modifications you like. But if is in good vintage shape don't mess with it. Buy a different guitar. My 2 cents.

M

 

[matsickma]

Find a model with a white "mickey mouse" pickup. That will be brighter and cleaner and still have a low end punch.

 

[Default]

There is also a resistor and cap mod you can do to the volume pot that keeps things from turning to mud when you roll the volume back.

 

[devonteran]

I've got a treble bleed on it now. It helps a lot.

I just measured the output today and it looks like I've got a hot one. It measures about 10k. It makes me think that trying a rewind at a lower value might open it up a bit.

I'm also wondering about trying to swap out the magnets in it to see if that helps me first. Does anyone know which alnico magnets were used in these to begin with?