Lace Alumitone: How does it sound split?

[Slim Heilpern]

I'm considering adding a splitter switch to my Williams with an Alumitone pickup.

Just wondering if anyone has tried this and thinks it's worth doing. IOW, how's the single coil configuration sound? Anything like a good true single coil pickup?

Thanks,

- Slim

[Douglas Schuch]

I don't think you can do that with an Alumitone - they don't have a winding like most pickups that you can tap. This video explains more about how they are made:

https://youtu.be/ZI8sMJVjHrY?si=RtTTUZFST48W63E0

Edit: maybe I am not entirely correct? This video implies that something like that might be possible. You are not tapping the coil, instead you are changing the transformer. I guess some of the guitar models come with more wires, so you can tweak the tone? Check out the video:

https://youtu.be/5qMdDuUzgig?si=4hBeG9CorlPG5t4m

And this page from Alumitone, which shows how to do it:

ALUMA-SPLIT_Wiring_1024x1024_2x_30defac6-e466-4f13-9825-1a09c4967ae1_1024x1024@2x.png

The page on the Lace website:

https://lacemusic.com/products/tonebar-10-4-0

[Slim Heilpern]

Right, I had read on their website that they are split-able. My question is if anyone here's tried it and if so, did it sound anything like a traditional single coil pickup?

[Rich Ertelt]

I have one on my GFI. I did have it split, with a switch for a while. I found it a little too thin and bright, and I Love that old Fender steel tone.
I think it would sound a lot better somewhere in between the split and full sound.

[Slim Heilpern]

Thanks Rich, very helpful!

I like the full sound a lot, but sometimes I wish I had a fairly typical single coil sound as an option.

- Slim

[Rich Ertelt]

Thanks Rich, very helpful!

I like the full sound a lot, but sometimes I wish I had a fairly typical single coil sound as an option.

- Slim

It's really easy to try, see what it sounds like to you. Just swap the Hot wire to the jack.
Really easy to put on a switch as well, just soldering a couple wires.

[Slim Heilpern]

I appreciate the encouragement Rich . I will try it!!

- Slim

[Slim Heilpern]

I did try it and I love it!

I didn't find it to be drastically different, but there is a high end boost and the low end is just a bit thinner, more like what I would call that classic pedal steel sound prominent in the 50's and 60's. It's wonderful to be able to easily switch back and forth.

Now to figure out the best mounting option for the switch....

- Slim

[Larry Dering]

Slim, you seem happy with that pickup. What guitar is it in? I put a Lawrence 705 in my GFI and I like the tone but it tends to overdrive the amp no matter what it's plugged in to. I can't lower the pickup without routing out the cavity. I'm thinking about trying the Alumitone pickup.

[Slim Heilpern]

Hi Larry -

It's in a Williams U12. The Alumitone (in double coil mode) also is a very strong pickup, a bit less so in single coil mode. It's quite thin, so perhaps you can get it at the height you want. As for the sound of the pickup, I do EQ it to my taste (elevating the low and high end, dropping the mids). But yes, I'm very happy with it.

- Slim

[Larry Dering]

Thanks Slim. Bobby Seymour was big on that pickup in a GFI. I know they will fit so I need to pick one up for a test.