Gear

Here's the lowdown on Lava Cable and everything the company was showing off at Summer NAMM '08 -- smaller than ever pedal plugs, the Lava Flow A/B/Y pedal and the Lava Pedalboard Kit. Also - Lava Cable's Mark Stoddard explain the company's custom cable selections and options.

Premier Collector #3: Vintage Fender Amps and Guitars

July 22, 2008

Premier Guitar

Five Fender amps from the sixties and seventies, and 15 vintage and newer guitars make Lorne Sheaves'' collection.

How to Make a Pickup, Part 2

July 18, 2008

42 gauge is the most common wire used in pickup manufacturing. This and other common building techiniques are covered in this clip. Also, Evan expalins why Seymour Duncan goes through great lengths to use the same bobbin material used in many classic pickups. Perhaps the coolest part of this video - check out the original winder once owned by Gibson and used for early PAF humbuckers. SD has the winder now and still uses it today.

How to Make a Pickup, Part 3

July 18, 2008

In this segment we look at lipstick pickups (made with no bobbin), Tele pickups, wax-potting and SD's proprietary "stud loader." Also, see how a humbucker is made, step-by step.

How to Make a Pickup, Part 4

July 18, 2008

Wooden acoustic pickups are looked at in this segment, as well as the yarn-wrapping process for Tele pickups and SD's quality control process. Also, Evan breaks down the whole active vs. passive thing as we see some Dave Mustaine pickups being made.

Seymour Duncan Custom Winding Pickups, Part 1

July 18, 2008

Seymour himself is at the winder in this video, showing how he makes pickups. He explains scatter winding and passes on some knowledge that was passed along to him from Leo Fender.

Custom Wound Pickups at Seymour Duncan, Part 2

July 18, 2008

Seymour's right-hand woman, Marisela Juarez is featured in this clip. Marisela runs the custom shop and has wound pickups for the guitars played on many of the albums in your collection.

Seymour Duncan Interview, Part 3

July 18, 2008

Brett Petrusek

Seymour pulls out more early PAF humbuckers made by Seth Lover and Seth's own winder. Also, Seymour talks about making pickups for the best guitarists in the world.

Seymour Duncan Interview, Part 1

July 18, 2008

Brett Petrusek

Every legend has an inspiring story about how it all began and Seymour Duncan is no different. An inquisitive young Seymour fixed a string-damaged Tele pickup back in the day and that launched it all.

Seymour Duncan Interview, Part 2

July 18, 2008

Brett Petrusek

In this segment, Seymour talks about meeting Les Paul and developing a long-lasting friendship with Seth Lover, the inventor of the original PAF humbucking pickup. In fact, Seth gave Seymour his notes, his winder and many protoypes before he died. You'll see Seymour bring out the holy grail in this clip, the original PAF humbucker.

How to Make a Pickup, Part 1

July 18, 2008

?We went to Santa Barbara, CA to see how pickups are made at the Seymour Duncan factory. In this clip, SD's Evan Skopp explains bobbin material, bobbin insulation and?magnet charging. Also, did you know that temperature changes can wreck your pickup's magnetic pull? Evan breaks down some common demagnetizing dangers.