The single-coil, bridge pickup was the first to be produced in 1950 for use in the new Broadcaster electric guitar. Weathering legal demands for naming rights and several basic design changes, the pickup grew a counterpart (front pickup) and the guitar ultimately became an icon. It is probably safe to say that no other electric guitar has been more influential and ubiquitous in modern music. Being a basic plank, the pickups may very well be the most important feature of the guitar. They are simple in construction, but the sounds the vintage examples project - are pretty amazing. Being clear, bright, sassy and full – all at the same time – they melt nicely into all forms of music. This Jimmy Wallace Vintage set has been fabricated with radical dedication to detail. The iconic sounds, and yes, even the appearance are all like original vintage versions. The first prototypes for these pickups were wound with actual vintage NOS wire. This provided the ultimate standard for this new “50’s Type” pickup line.

Authentic Black Bottom
Raised - Pole, Beveled Magnets
Application of construction methods that have been re-developed from extensive research.
Bridge Pickup Output – 7.6K
Neck Pickup Output – 6.16K *Pickup Outputs will vary somewhat, considering they are hand wrapped.







 

Some of the first pickups were of the Flat Pole variety. These pickups were iconic in their inherent sound, and despite some elements that some see as design deficiencies, are still preferred by a great many players today. The perceived problems were based on a couple of basic physical criteria. The Flat Pole design did not compensate for the natural sound of the different strings in various diameters and construction materials. Also, the Flat Pole design did not compensate for the Radius of the neck, making some strings closer to the poles. Staggering the pole height, allowed compensation for both of these issues, however, the “G” string at the time, was typically a wound string (like the D,A and E) and thus the quietest on the guitar, a big motivator of staggering. As lighter gauge strings came along, and the uses of these style guitars grew commensurate with the changing styles in music (and culture) the use of the plain “G” became prevalent. With the raised pole, the “G” was now usually the loudest string on the guitar. This, and the non-wavering desire for the earlier Flat Pole sound, have been big motivators in keeping the Iconic Flat Pole pickup around.

Keeping it simple, the Jimmy Wallace Flat Pole pickups recreate the basic early design. Materials selection and construction techniques insure that these pickups deliver faithful sonic renditions of the original issue.