I've noticed that some guitars are advertised as having 'direct mounted' p/ups whereby these are screwed straight into the guitar body rather than using eg mounting rings. Certain guitars/models eg Chapman, ESP, Wolfgang mount the p/ups in this way.
Allegedly pick-ups mounted in this fashion are supposed to be less sensitive to height adjustment changes thus making 'sweet spots' easier to find, and give a fuller more resonant tone. The cynic in me is wondering if this is merely a cheaper way to mount pick-ups and if there's an element of marketing 'spin' here to turn a 'negative' into a 'positive'.
What are your thoughts guys?
I started out with nothing..... but I've still got most of it left (Seasick Steve)
Comments
no mojo here, just string vibration and electromagnetism... a vibrating pickup will provide a different signal to a static one. A direct mount pickup will vibrate more than a spring/plastic mounted one
Instagram
I'm prepared to believe there is some tonal difference - but I wouldn't see it as a 'selling point' as such.
But as you say, there are other variables - the Junior sounds more aggressive than the bridge pickup on a Special, but the Special has the magnetic damping of the neck pickup and an altered neck joint with the pickup rout going through the tenon.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
I also think it suited my build
Couldn't tell you if it sounds better or different, it was a bit more messing around getting the heights for the pickups to balance as this was the first one I'd done like that, I'd do another like it no problem
(formerly customkits)
My Peavey Wolfgang Special has direct mount humbuckers and it sounds really good for rock stuff, lots of sustain and plenty of 'sweet spots' on the guitar as a whole.
Ok.
P90s
As usual you can debate this until the cows come home, but any appreciable distortion makes it a moot point and who can tell once the band start thrashing away beside you! P90s are typically direct mount.
Nil Satis Nisi Optimum
I may be wrong.
There is no 'H' in Aych, you know that don't you? ~ Wife
Turns out there is an H in Haych! ~ Sporky
Bit of trading feedback here.
Formerly TheGuitarWeasel ... Oil City Pickups ... Oil City Blog 7 String.org profile and message
Think of it as a flat metal bar with 4 screw holes in a line. The two middle ones are counter sunk and used to attach the bar into the body. The outer two are treaded and allow you to bolt the pickup in place (similar to the 9D connectors used on Serial cables). You could use a block of wood or coins to shim the pickup to the correct height.
No too bothered about tonal effects. It would just be a more satisfying mounting method.
It would also be better for people that regularly swap pups.