Robben Ford Discussion

jbear · Posted: Mon Dec 16, 2013 12:52 pm Post subject: LP PUP's

Hey Folks,
Here's a fun one...
I just picked up a Les Paul Trad Pro w/ a 57n and BB3 br...they are split.
I can put anything I want in there, so...given the tone that we all here enjoy...what would you put in there or do you like the 57/BB3 combo?
Let it fly.
I know this isn't a high traffic board, but hopefully some of you are game.

tboulette · Posted: Tue Dec 17, 2013 12:09 pm Post subject:

Well, if you want the classic RF lead tone from TTYD, I'd suggest trying a Duncan JB in the bridge, which I believe he had in his old Fender Elite/Robben Ford model back in the day.

I think Robben himself has moved on to other pickups at this point:

http://harmonicdesign.net/

jbear · Posted: Thu Dec 19, 2013 8:27 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the reply.
Yeah...I'm aware of HD's.
I am going to try a set of Dominger PUP's. I've been talking to Joce Dominger about what I am looking for and he's been really great to deal with. He has recommended a set that I am going to try, and I'll share my thoughts here after if anyone is interested.

tboulette · Posted: Fri Dec 20, 2013 2:34 am Post subject:

Cool - I'm absolutely interested so please do. Very Happy

jbear · Posted: Fri Feb 07, 2014 9:30 pm Post subject:

I've given this Dominger set a work out and I have to say that I am pretty thrilled.
I emailed with Joce for a while to give him a sense of what I was looking for, and he was very open and communicative. He recommended a mixed set consisting of an A2 neck PUP, which calls "Whiskeysippi" and an A5 bridge..."Custom V."
Since I am on this forum, it's pretty obvious what flavor I gravitate toward with regard to tone. These PUP's are musical to my ear, and very sensitive to nuance. There is no mud at all in the neck and no harshness in the bridge. Great clean tone with definition, and distortion is...well...like I said...musical.
I asked Joce for 4-leads; I'm surprised at how nice these sound split. A lot of PUP's seem to just "get by" when you split them, but I don't think that these PUP's go down that road.
It's hard to describe these things because tone is so subjective and in the ear of the beholder, but...that's what we do, so...that's what I'm trying to do. I don't play super-distorted, so...can't say about that. Through Blackface amps clean or with Dumble pedals...I don't think there's anything I'd change.
Just for the record, I kept the stock CTS pots (they are 500K), but I did put PIO's in there...a .015 for the neck and a .022 for the bridge. I realize that .015 has something to do with the added clarity, but...I know PUP's pretty well...these have more to do with what I'm hearing than the caps.
I am nothing but happy, and I am thinking about a pair of these for an Esprit that currently has Ibanez Super 58's. I need to chill for a bit though as I really dig the S58's in that guitar.
If you have questions...feel free and I'll do my best.

tboulette · Posted: Sat Feb 08, 2014 12:09 am Post subject:

Thanks! Sounds like you got what you're looking for. Any chance of doing a quick recording and posting a link to a sound clip?