NZGuitars.com

Slowy wrote: ↑Wed Aug 16, 2023 8:46 pm Tl:Dr?
Don't plug it in until you've done a pickup swap.

Oh man, that’s a bummer. I thought they’d improved the WRHB re-issue, but your description is exactly my experience of them from 15 years ago.

bender wrote: ↑Thu Aug 17, 2023 6:31 am

Slowy wrote: ↑Wed Aug 16, 2023 8:46 pm Tl:Dr?
Don't plug it in until you've done a pickup swap.

Oh man, that’s a bummer. I thought they’d improved the WRHB re-issue, but your description is exactly my experience of them from 15 years ago.

I spent the better part of an hour twiddling, swapping amps and thinking there was something wrong with my ears. I found sounds that weren't as bad as others but nothing I'd want to use. Switching to an Indonesian G&L Bluesboy was a relief.

But I really like the guitar (not the price) and pickips are an easy mod.

Slowy wrote: ↑Thu Aug 17, 2023 6:53 am

bender wrote: ↑Thu Aug 17, 2023 6:31 am

Slowy wrote: ↑Wed Aug 16, 2023 8:46 pm Tl:Dr?
Don't plug it in until you've done a pickup swap.

Oh man, that’s a bummer. I thought they’d improved the WRHB re-issue, but your description is exactly my experience of them from 15 years ago.

I spent the better part of an hour twiddling, swapping amps and thinking there was something wrong with my ears. I found sounds that weren't as bad as others but nothing I'd want to use. Switching to an Indonesian G&L Bluesboy was a relief.

But I really like the guitar (not the price) and pickips are an easy mod.

A good WRHB is a thing of beauty.

bender wrote: ↑Thu Aug 17, 2023 6:58 pm

Slowy wrote: ↑Thu Aug 17, 2023 6:53 am

bender wrote: ↑Thu Aug 17, 2023 6:31 am

Oh man, that’s a bummer. I thought they’d improved the WRHB re-issue, but your description is exactly my experience of them from 15 years ago.

I spent the better part of an hour twiddling, swapping amps and thinking there was something wrong with my ears. I found sounds that weren't as bad as others but nothing I'd want to use. Switching to an Indonesian G&L Bluesboy was a relief.

But I really like the guitar (not the price) and pickips are an easy mod.

A good WRHB is a thing of beauty.

I have a Tele body, and I’m looking out for one (or two) WRHB for it. Does not need to be original, there are some good replicas available now.

Here’s my question: do they actually need to be so wide? The slots on my Tele are standard HB size, will I really notice the difference if I get a slightly slimmer WRHB?

olegmcnoleg wrote: ↑Thu Aug 17, 2023 7:06 pm

bender wrote: ↑Thu Aug 17, 2023 6:58 pm

Slowy wrote: ↑Thu Aug 17, 2023 6:53 am

I spent the better part of an hour twiddling, swapping amps and thinking there was something wrong with my ears. I found sounds that weren't as bad as others but nothing I'd want to use. Switching to an Indonesian G&L Bluesboy was a relief.

But I really like the guitar (not the price) and pickips are an easy mod.

A good WRHB is a thing of beauty.

I have a Tele body, and I’m looking out for one (or two) WRHB for it. Does not need to be original, there are some good replicas available now.

Here’s my question: do they actually need to be so wide? The slots on my Tele are standard HB size, will I really notice the difference if I get a slightly slimmer WRHB?

https://www.creamery-pickups.co.uk/cust ... ments.html

Maybe the Baby 71?
And on YT, I believe I did hear a difference.

olegmcnoleg wrote: ↑Thu Aug 17, 2023 7:06 pm

bender wrote: ↑Thu Aug 17, 2023 6:58 pm

Slowy wrote: ↑Thu Aug 17, 2023 6:53 am

I spent the better part of an hour twiddling, swapping amps and thinking there was something wrong with my ears. I found sounds that weren't as bad as others but nothing I'd want to use. Switching to an Indonesian G&L Bluesboy was a relief.

But I really like the guitar (not the price) and pickips are an easy mod.

A good WRHB is a thing of beauty.

I have a Tele body, and I’m looking out for one (or two) WRHB for it. Does not need to be original, there are some good replicas available now.

Here’s my question: do they actually need to be so wide? The slots on my Tele are standard HB size, will I really notice the difference if I get a slightly slimmer WRHB?

I would imagine that the size will have an impact, but the HB sized ones like what Slowy suggested will be worth a punt for sure.

Slowy wrote: ↑Thu Aug 17, 2023 7:17 pm

olegmcnoleg wrote: ↑Thu Aug 17, 2023 7:06 pm

bender wrote: ↑Thu Aug 17, 2023 6:58 pm


A good WRHB is a thing of beauty.

I have a Tele body, and I’m looking out for one (or two) WRHB for it. Does not need to be original, there are some good replicas available now.

Here’s my question: do they actually need to be so wide? The slots on my Tele are standard HB size, will I really notice the difference if I get a slightly slimmer WRHB?

https://www.creamery-pickups.co.uk/cust ... ments.html

Maybe the Baby 71?
And on YT, I believe I did hear a difference.

Exactly, I was looking at those, and these: https://www.madlovepickups.com/product/ ... bIQAvD_BwE

How much of a difference? Worth reaming out a perfectly good hole for?

Edit, I just noticed that the bigger ones are wound hotter, so that's a confounding variable.

Ben, what say you?

So you cats are sayin'/writin' that the Fender reissued WRHBs are not to the same spec as the 70's originals? Huh, no shit! I swallowed the jit...thought they were true to spec, CuNiFe threaded rod magnets, the full 11 different herbs and spices shizzle. I think I posted the press release of Fender releasing a WR spec in SC and jazzmaster style form factors...I'm a dumb!

Here's an interesting link to Curtis Novak pups. Could be a cheaper? way to mod or get close to a WRHB sound...maybe?

https://www.curtisnovak.com/shop/widera ... ker-parts/

Oh, and yes...the original WRHB is totally different beast to a PAF style HB. Much wider in range (you don't say) with mid eq clarity and clean tops. My '74 Starcaster and my buddies '75 Thinline are like girthy, chimey brothers from other mothers.

clubhouse wrote: ↑Thu Aug 17, 2023 7:54 pm So you cats are sayin'/writin' that the Fender reissued WRHBs are not to the same spec as the 70's originals? Huh, no shit! I swallowed the jit...thought they were true to spec, CuNiFe threaded rod magnets, the full 11 different herbs and spices shizzle. I think I posted the press release of Fender releasing a WR spec in SC and jazzmaster style form factors...I'm a dumb!

Here's an interesting link to Curtis Novak pups. Could be a cheaper? way to mod or get close to a WRHB sound...maybe?

https://www.curtisnovak.com/shop/widera ... ker-parts/

Those magnet replacements are cool. I wonder if they are enough to get the sound? I've got some spare HBs I could mod...

Slowy wrote: ↑Tue Aug 15, 2023 10:44 pm 20230815_200355.jpg20230815_200430.jpg

Go on, tell me you've played one of these....

That actually doesn't offend me, apart from the cheesy looking bridge, but thats an easy fix...

clubhouse wrote: ↑Thu Aug 17, 2023 7:54 pm So you cats are sayin'/writin' that the Fender reissued WRHBs are not to the same spec as the 70's originals? Huh, no shit! I swallowed the jit...thought they were true to spec, CuNiFe threaded rod magnets, the full 11 different herbs and spices shizzle. I think I posted the press release of Fender releasing a WR spec in SC and jazzmaster style form factors...I'm a dumb!

Fender started making ‘proper’ CuNiFe WRHBs again maybe a couple of years ago, but for many years the reissue ‘WRHBs’ were basically ordinary HBs in WRHB clothing, from what I understand. Sounds like those earlier reissues are what's in this weird Strat thing.

Earlier this year, Fender released a bunch of different pickups using CuNiFe, which I think is what that press release you’re referring to was about.

I’d love to give the proper reissues a go, but they’re about $600 a set. I recall playing a ‘70s Tele Custom years ago and ally enjoying the WRHB in that.

olegmcnoleg wrote: ↑Thu Aug 17, 2023 7:45 pm

Slowy wrote: ↑Thu Aug 17, 2023 7:17 pm

olegmcnoleg wrote: ↑Thu Aug 17, 2023 7:06 pm

I have a Tele body, and I’m looking out for one (or two) WRHB for it. Does not need to be original, there are some good replicas available now.

Here’s my question: do they actually need to be so wide? The slots on my Tele are standard HB size, will I really notice the difference if I get a slightly slimmer WRHB?

https://www.creamery-pickups.co.uk/cust ... ments.html

Maybe the Baby 71?
And on YT, I believe I did hear a difference.

Exactly, I was looking at those, and these: https://www.madlovepickups.com/product/ ... bIQAvD_BwE

How much of a difference? Worth reaming out a perfectly good hole for?

Edit, I just noticed that the bigger ones are wound hotter, so that's a confounding variable.

Ben, what say you?

I think that if you’re trying to exactly match a vintage WRHB tone that you’ve heard, you’ll need a full sized one. If you are after something that has the same basic character, is 90% there, and are fussed on it being exact, then the standard HB sized one from a reputable maker (I’d trust Novak for sure) will be absolutely fine. There will be a difference, but it’s likely to be subtle, and probably no more than the difference you’re likely to hear between different manufacturers.

I really liked the Jazzmaster sized ones I’ve heard- they’re not quite the same, but they’re absolutely in the ballpark.

I've been playing mostly acoustic guitar lately but I'm afraid my Forum credibility has hit a new low. I'm really enjoying the sound of my very heavily played Matsuoka M50. The neck is a challenge; it's wide and the fretboard is flat which is demanding to say the least but the sound! From Canon in D by Pachebel to some swampy blues, it's big, clear and punchy and very satisfying.

I bang on a bit about my love of good guitars that have had a long, hard working life and this is another example. Can't recall seeing fretwear on a Nylon string before but what a dynamic voice it has.
If only the fretboard wasn't such a pig.....

Slowy wrote: ↑Sat Aug 19, 2023 12:30 pm

I've been playing mostly acoustic guitar lately but I'm afraid my Forum credibility has hit a new low. I'm really enjoying the sound of my very heavily played Matsuoka M50. The neck is a challenge; it's wide and the fretboard is flat which is demanding to say the least but the sound! From Canon in D by Pachebel to some swampy blues, it's big, clear and punchy and very satisfying.

I bang on a bit about my love of good guitars that have had a long, hard working life and this is another example. Can't recall seeing fretwear on a Nylon string before but what a dynamic voice it has.
If only the fretboard wasn't such a pig.....

I love the fact that this guitar looks like it has been lost at sea. But I can confirm it has a huge tone, and also that it is a pig to play.

Does it have a truss rod? If so, I wonder if the neck could be slimmed? (Just a little, I know skinny necks are not your thing.)

olegmcnoleg wrote: ↑Sat Aug 19, 2023 1:25 pm

Slowy wrote: ↑Sat Aug 19, 2023 12:30 pm

I've been playing mostly acoustic guitar lately but I'm afraid my Forum credibility has hit a new low. I'm really enjoying the sound of my very heavily played Matsuoka M50. The neck is a challenge; it's wide and the fretboard is flat which is demanding to say the least but the sound! From Canon in D by Pachebel to some swampy blues, it's big, clear and punchy and very satisfying.

I bang on a bit about my love of good guitars that have had a long, hard working life and this is another example. Can't recall seeing fretwear on a Nylon string before but what a dynamic voice it has.
If only the fretboard wasn't such a pig.....

I love the fact that this guitar looks like it has been lost at sea. But I can confirm it has a huge tone, and also that it is a pig to play.

Does it have a truss rod? If so, I wonder if the neck could be slimmed? (Just a little, I know skinny necks are not your thing.)

I've wondered about narrowing the neck but if I was going to do that, the cost would go some way towards a Godin.....

And that photo is quite flattering compared to the reality.