Robben Ford Discussion

g72 · Member Joined: 24 May 2009 Posts: 5

On Harmonic Design's web site it has a quote from Robben, saying he thinks HD are the best pickups. I was wondering if he's actually using them. Does anyone know?

JackD · Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2009 5:34 pm Post subject:

I understand Robben has tried a number of pickups over the years. When I was at the Seattle clinic a couple years ago (the one that was the basis for the last 2 DVDs), Robben said that he found a guy that he felt made the the best pickups out there. These are the pickups that are in his current main guitar. So as far as I know, the pickups that Robben digs the most right now are from (... the envelope please...) JM (Jim) Rolph.

I actually got introduced to Jim from a friend who knows him. Last year Jim made me a set of period correct pickups for a '62 ES 355. They are OUTSTANDING! Jim is a really good guy and great to talk to--he's very helpful too. I highly recommend him.

g72 · Member Joined: 24 May 2009 Posts: 5

Thanks, Jack. I will check them out.

g72 · Member Joined: 24 May 2009 Posts: 5

Just talked to Jim. Really nice guy. He said that his pickups are in several of Robben's guitars - and as far as he knows, in his Tele as well.

JohnnyZ · Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 4:31 pm Post subject:

Perhaps it's not the Dumble and the Zendrives after all, and only the pickups?! Who'd've thought?! I really thought it was the "Robben Tone in a Can (tm bluenote)". Or, some special picks. I'm so confused. Ok, time to listen to some Blue Line... Laughing

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JohnnyZ · Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 4:32 pm Post subject:

g72, no offense, ok? Just having fun Very Happy

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frank0936 · Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2009 5:22 am Post subject: Rolph pickups

Now I'm confused. Jim Rolph says his pickups are the Tele (as far as he knows), but Robben says the pickups in the Tele are stock. He did say that Lindy Fralin had rewound the bridge pickup, but had not changed it from factory specs. Will we ever know?
Frank

g72 · Member Joined: 24 May 2009 Posts: 5

JohnnyZ -

Absolutely no offense taken. I have tried many pickups. And I know that they play an important part of the overall tone (tone isn't in just one thing, like your amp). I've had some pickups that KILLED my tone, while others have ADDED to the tone.

Dumble amps, Zendrive pedals - yep, they help create the tone. But if you have bad pickups, your tone will suffer. If you're a guitar player, you already know that.

frank0936

Jim said as far as he knew his pickups were in Robben's Tele. I also told him I heard Fralin rewound Robben's Tele pickups, and Jim said it's possible. But he said he knows that Robben has his pickups in more than one guitar - he just isn't sure which ones (other than his main one)

Ian Hurtt · Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2009 8:30 pm Post subject:

Piemonte · Posted: Mon Jun 08, 2009 2:42 am Post subject: Re: Rolph pickups

frank0936 · Posted: Mon Jun 08, 2009 5:44 am Post subject: Tele pickups

That's the story I got from Robben, too. It's been a few years since he told me that, so I didn't know if he had changed them out. I didn't think he would, he seems really happy with the Tele in it's stock configuration, but maybe he tried a set. In one of his earlier videos, Robben encouraged swapping pickups to try for improvements.
Frank

Daved · Posted: Mon Jun 08, 2009 9:43 am Post subject: Re: Rolph pickups

Phil T · Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 6:59 am Post subject:

What I know on the subject I learned here: http://dhenderson.com/online-discussion/RobbenFord/viewtopic.php?p=720#720

Daved · Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 9:27 am Post subject:

There ya go... bridge p/u.
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JohnnyZ · Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 4:00 pm Post subject:

> What I know on the subject I learned here: http://dhenderson.com/online-discussion/RobbenFord/viewtopic.php?p=720#720

>> here ya go... bridge p/u.

Ok, this reminds me of a suggestion from way back. We really need a "Daved's Tips Zone" where this type of info can easily be found. Case in point- I have one of those Dunlop xxxQ Wahs that Robben uses, and I know Daved more than once mentioned RF's preferred settings. But, if I want to find Daved's posts with the settings, I don't think I can easily find them. Eventually, yes, but time consuming and even discouraging (because you know the info is there, but exactly where?). Anyway, not complaining, just saying... Very Happy

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