Post by: BluesJam on June 12, 2019, 06:52:11 PM
Post by: marcwormjim on June 13, 2019, 02:08:40 AM
Post by: DavidSchwab on June 13, 2019, 10:50:09 AM
And at Duncan the main guy is Keven Beller. You see his name on most of the parents.
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Post by: BluesJam on June 13, 2019, 03:33:23 PM
There is no Larry on the winding machines or a “MJ” magic winder. Fender and Duncan put a face to a custom winder, which probably adds value. DiMarzio is faceless and you dont see any factory videos. Maybe PG should do a factory tour video.
Post by: DarthPhineas on June 14, 2019, 04:38:26 PM
I know he does many of the photographs on the site, but he does not offer any behind the scenes of actually making and designing pickups, like Duncan.
The last pickup Seymour actually designed was the Alternative 8. Even so, there are a few engineers including Beller that have been handling the production models for quite a while (decades). Seymour was behind the “core” models that put them on the map and have been the basis for what’s come since.
Post by: BluesJam on June 15, 2019, 04:36:13 PM
Post by: DarthPhineas on June 16, 2019, 12:39:31 AM
Wow, so Seymour Duncan who takes credit for his pickups is not the designer?
Do you mean, in the same way the DiMarzio name is on a pickup but Steve Blucher has been designing them for so long? It’s not the first time a small company has gotten big enough that the person that started it has other people handling certain things.
Post by: marcwormjim on June 16, 2019, 03:23:12 AM
Wow, so Seymour Duncan who takes credit for his pickups is not the designer? He mentions his blueprints for various pickups in his collection that he has wound for others. Very interesting 🤔
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brand
Post by: BluesJam on June 16, 2019, 11:16:10 AM
Post by: DarthPhineas on June 17, 2019, 05:21:14 PM
Post by: BluesJam on June 18, 2019, 09:42:58 AM
The Duncan web site states
“Design your own pickup and let us know in the comments exactly how you want it to sound. MJ, Derek and Seymour will use your notes to help pick the right materials and wind for your pickup. Since your pickup is made specifically for you, please allow 4-6 weeks for it to be completed.
We are passionate about quality so we ask for your patience while we craft your pickup. Depending on the nature of your order, it may take up to six weeks for delivery.
BUILD YOUR OWN HUMBUCKER
$160.00”
Post by: BluesJam on June 18, 2019, 09:52:49 AM
Post by: DarthPhineas on June 18, 2019, 01:06:25 PM
There are many layers of the onion as to what the marketing approach is to that company vs any other company. And we could lay out a novella on it and it still wouldn’t matter in the scheme of things. And yes, DiMarzio might could benefit from special, or limited, runs of things straight from Larry. Honestly, I think it would mean he/they would have to better connect with end users to get a feel for what people want vs what they want to make. The VPAF and VHPAF are excellent examples of what people want that they refuse to make, for example. The big companies are being eaten alive by the boutique builders and this years big marketing campaign revolving around some Nuevo Art Deco hipsters that are more interested in wine and being too self aware isn’t going to draw Joe Guitar Guy to open his wallet. That’s just my opinion, I may be strong with The Force.
Post by: Guitar74 on June 18, 2019, 02:53:48 PM
I am constantly reminding people in other sites about my era when you went into a brick and mortar store and had a choice of Dimarzio, Duncan, or maybe Bill Lawrence. Then EMG became the trend, but still mainly Larry or Seymour. Like I said, I could be very wrong, but it seems as though the Dimarzio pickup catalog has shrunk. Did they get rid of some slow or non sellers? I would be willing to bet yes. BUT....When you have a large number of people telling you with their ears that you left a gap by getting rid of something, it might be worth a looksie. I am considering buying four or five double whammys before they decide to stop doing them through the custom shop. To my ears, even though they say the TZ covers that ground, it just doesn’t seem to do it as smoothly.
Post by: DavidSchwab on June 18, 2019, 03:07:31 PM
I read that Bill Lawrence taught Larry DiMarzio and Kent Armstrong how to make pickups under his tutelage. It seems that the Super Distortion, Dual Sound, PAF, FS1 were created by Larry.
That’s correct. But Steve was in the picture when him and Larry started the company in their basement. Larry’s dad was the one that actually started the company, and used to be at the shop a lot until he passed away. Larry’s daughter is the current CEO.
Quote
There is no Larry on the winding machines or a “MJ” magic winder. Fender and Duncan put a face to a custom winder, which probably adds value. DiMarzio is faceless and you dont see any factory videos. Maybe PG should do a factory tour video.
Of course all the pickup designs are by them, so the winding department winds to their specs. Duncan does hand wind some pickups. DiMarzio doesn’t hand wind at all. They have about a dozen or so people running the coil winders.
You will probably never see a video or photos from inside DiMarzio. Cameras and cell phones are forbidden in the winding area. They are very secretive. I had to sign a NDA.
The place is smaller than you’d expect, but runs very efficiently. I personally would work on a couple of hundred pickups a day.
The thing that impressed me was how many different custom parts they use. Lots of different pole screws, magnets, and things you don’t see. They also make all the straps and cables in house. Had little old ladies sewing straps. lol.
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Post by: BluesJam on June 18, 2019, 11:10:53 PM
Post by: Guitar74 on June 19, 2019, 11:36:52 AM
Post by: BluesJam on June 19, 2019, 03:08:19 PM
Post by: yanyan on December 09, 2019, 05:21:15 AM
I read that Bill Lawrence taught Larry DiMarzio and Kent Armstrong how to make pickups under his tutelage. It seems that the Super Distortion, Dual Sound, PAF, FS1 were created by Larry.
That’s correct. But Steve was in the picture when him and Larry started the company in their basement. Larry’s dad was the one that actually started the company, and used to be at the shop a lot until he passed away. Larry’s daughter is the current CEO.QuoteThere is no Larry on the winding machines or a “MJ” magic winder. Fender and Duncan put a face to a custom winder, which probably adds value. DiMarzio is faceless and you dont see any factory videos. Maybe PG should do a factory tour video.
Of course all the pickup designs are by them, so the winding department winds to their specs. Duncan does hand wind some pickups. DiMarzio doesn’t hand wind at all. They have about a dozen or so people running the coil winders.
You will probably never see a video or photos from inside DiMarzio. Cameras and cell phones are forbidden in the winding area. They are very secretive. I had to sign a NDA.
The place is smaller than you’d expect, but runs very efficiently. I personally would work on a couple of hundred pickups a day.
The thing that impressed me was how many different custom parts they use. Lots of different pole screws, magnets, and things you don’t see. They also make all the straps and cables in house. Had little old ladies sewing straps. lol.
Cool story!!
Post by: BluesJam on December 13, 2019, 09:21:32 PM
In regards to DiMarzio single coils, why doesn’t DiMarzio use eyelets in their bobbins, like Fender and Duncan. They wire the lead wires inside the coil like a humbucker. It seems the eyelets would be more durable and easier to repair the leads. I’m not sure what DiMarzio does to reinforce the lead wires in the coil. I’ve never pulled off the tape on the FS1. Maybe you can discuss this further. TY!!!
Post by: DavidSchwab on December 14, 2019, 12:40:37 PM
Hi DarthPhineas,
In regards to DiMarzio single coils, why doesn’t DiMarzio use eyelets in their bobbins, like Fender and Duncan. They wire the lead wires inside the coil like a humbucker. It seems the eyelets would be more durable and easier to repair the leads. I’m not sure what DiMarzio does to reinforce the lead wires in the coil. I’ve never pulled off the tape on the FS1. Maybe you can discuss this further. TY!!!
They do on the vintage style pickups.
The modern style pickups have plastic bobbins.
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Post by: buddroyce on December 14, 2019, 02:16:20 PM
The thing that impressed me was how many different custom parts they use. Lots of different pole screws, magnets, and things you don't see. They also make all the straps and cables in house. Had little old ladies sewing straps. lol.
That's awesome!!
Post by: DarthPhineas on December 14, 2019, 04:38:49 PM
Hi DarthPhineas,
In regards to DiMarzio single coils, why doesn’t DiMarzio use eyelets in their bobbins, like Fender and Duncan. They wire the lead wires inside the coil like a humbucker. It seems the eyelets would be more durable and easier to repair the leads. I’m not sure what DiMarzio does to reinforce the lead wires in the coil. I’ve never pulled off the tape on the FS1. Maybe you can discuss this further. TY!!!
Hey BJ
Call in to DMZ during business hours and ask for Eric in tech support. Or email him via the “tech support” email link on the DiMarzio site.
Post by: BluesJam on December 20, 2019, 03:13:42 AM
I’m assuming that the True Velvets use fiber board construction like a vintage pickup and the poles are not adjustable because the coil wires are touching them. Whereas, the FS1 uses a plastic bobbin and the poles are placed inside the bobbin and are adjustable because they have no contact with the coil wire.
I’m also assuming the plastic bobbins prevent eyelets to be added due to possible melting of the plastic. Hopefully the internal soldered connections are durable over time. They used this method in humbuckers since the 1950’s, so hopefully the FS1’s won’t fail me.