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I know this is probably a wild shot, but does anyone have any information on the construction of the early Carvin AP-6 pickup? I've been listening to Joe Maphis CD's trying to find that sound on my Mosrites and although it's similar it's just not there. Course playing through a Fender Vibroverb, 5E3 Deluxe or '65 bandmaster definitely is going to reach the same sound, but still the secret must lie within the pickups.

What were they made like on the inside? Are there any patent drawing or internal photo's available? With all the nostalgia, why haven't these been reproduced if not by Carvin, at least some other source?

Hey Dubtrub
Have you seen this? Maybe he could shed some light? !

http://curtisnovak.com/pickups/repairs/Mosrite-Rework/

Roger D

I'm pretty sure Hallmark has made faithful replicas of these for the Deke Dickerson Model and TNM Guitars.

I was also going to suggest Hallmarks version.

I have my own thoughts on why they sound unique. First, there is a variety of impedance possibilities. I have harvested 2 Carvins for their pickups, both with black covers that have a very low impedance 3.8 to 4.6. Deke has 3 others on his TNM that measure in the mid 6's so I don't think the impedance is the whole answer. I think Bob has duplicated construction of the AP-6 very closely and his winding on the present version measures in the mid 8's (correct me if I'm wrong here) The uniquie sound is rather a combination of the hollow/semi-hollow body and the AP-6. You don't get the big "Goink" Maphis sound on a solid body guitar. My 2 cents.

-TERRY

Thanks Guy's!

Terry,

Do you by chance have any photo's of the 'insides' of the pickup or at least the bottom side of the pickup? Also, is the construction that Semie used on production model Mosrites the same internal layout/construction as on the AP-6?

In the above photo the pickup looks very shallow more like a Fender Jazzmaster pup. I'm guessing the coil is made around the pole pieces, but where are the magnets?

Hey Danny,
I'll post a couple of pictures in a little later. But they are rather thin. They fit inside a cover that's barely 1/2" thick. The pole pieces are not magnetic. Just Phillips screws* but they protrude into the body a bit because they are deeper than the pickup height. 2 iron strip magnets on the bottom appx. 1/8 thick X 1/2" wide. . . pretty simple stuff.

*In talking with Tom Jones aka TV Jones. The pole screws are very important. The inductance they produce are directly related to their iron or flux content. When Tom makes pickups he always has the batch of pole screws test by a metallurgist to evaluate the inductance. He does order the screws by metal content. So it would appear that the pole screws have a big influence on the sound. At some point it would be interesting to test the pole screws of an original AP-6 as compared to an off the shelf screw and one from a vintage Mosrite and a current Hallmark. That might be part of the secret. Tom goes into the art of pickup making very deeply. And, he's a very nice guy.

Here are the shots of the AP-6 You can see I've marked the impedance at 3.73!

OUTSTANDING! Thanks Terry!

Looks like they simply snapped the bar magnet in two pieces getting them somewhat close. Do you know if they're potted? I'm guessing since the are wrapped in what appears to be masking tape they are not wax potted.

They're not wax potted but have been dunked in something. . . maybe lacquer. The windings aren't loose. - T