Amber Pickups

[Wolfi]

Hi All,

 

first of all I wish everybody a very happy 2010 !!!

 

As a further upgrade to my H 150 CM (beside titanium bridge, bone nut and aluminium tailpiece) I purchased a pair of 59 PAF Amber Pickups.

These pickups are handmade in Germany by Wolfgang Damm, who btw developed the business for Heritage Guitars in Germany some yers ago.

 

The pickups are quite expensive (496 EUR a pair, plus another 120 EUR for the work, wiring, pots etc.).

 

The night after I ordered the Ambers, I played my H 150 (still with the 59 SD's) and I was very glad with the sound and I was wondering if it was a smart decision to order the expensive Ambers.

 

Yesterday I got my H 150 back with the Ambers and I have to tell you I was totally surprised and overwhelmed. Don't get me wrong my H 150 sounded very good before with the 59 SDs, but now with the Ambers, it's a different world. I played it first with a Fargen amp and after that with my HOOK Amp. It sounded like a great old 59 LP should sound, no matter if it was a clean, crunchy or gainy sound. To make a long story short, exactly like one wishes his LP should sound.

When I picked up my guitar from the guitar shop, there was another guy, who picked his 8500 EUR G brand LP with his new Amber pickups. Of course we made a sound comparism. I was very happy my H 150 CM sounded as good as his very expensive G LP.

 

After some doubts, I'm now very glad I made this investment and I'm very sure I now have the best H 150 (LP) ever and I had a few.

 

Best

 

Wolfi

[zydecosoultrain]

Seasons greetings to you too Wolfi,

 

Wow, that's fantastic, other peoples impressions of pick ups are fascinating as they are something of a mysterious quantity. It's always fascinating to hear about lesser known manufacturers who produce high quality exclusive pickups and probably sell by word of mouth.

 

I'm always interested to hear about people's experiences with bare knuckle pickups as well.

 

Cheers,

Z

[Guido]

Hi!

 

I am from cologne and just bought a H-150. I don't have it yet, but hopefully next week.

I was reading your post and all the upgrades you did.

I was surprised to read that you upgraded to a bone nut. So the standard nut is a plastic one???

That would be a bit disappointing.

[mark555]

I'm always interested to hear about people's experiences with bare knuckle pickups as well.

 

I have friends with bare knuckle pick ups who really rate them, I have no need to get some at this time, but would use them on another guitar for sure.

 

I would really like to hear those Amber pick ups though, I have Seymour 59's on my 555 and would like to know what difference the extra cost gives you.

[Wolfi]

Seasons greetings to you too Wolfi,

 

Wow, that's fantastic, other peoples impressions of pick ups are fascinating as they are something of a mysterious quantity. It's always fascinating to hear about lesser known manufacturers who produce high quality exclusive pickups and probably sell by word of mouth.

 

I'm always interested to hear about people's experiences with bare knuckle pickups as well.

 

Cheers,

Z

 

 

Hi Guido,

 

keine Sorge. Es sind keine Plastik Nuts es ist soweit ich weiß Tusq (Haifischzahn).

 

Ich nehme an Du bekommst Deine H 150 von realguitars ?! Freu Dich drauf. Ich bin mit meinen 3 Heritage auch super zufrieden.

 

Einen schönen Gruss aus Düsseldorf no' Kölle

 

Wolfi

[Wolfi]

Hi!

 

I am from cologne and just bought a H-150. I don't have it yet, but hopefully next week.

I was reading your post and all the upgrades you did.

I was surprised to read that you upgraded to a bone nut. So the standard nut is a plastic one???

That would be a bit disappointing.

 

 

Don't worry, Guido, there are no plastic nuts on a Heritage guitar. I am very sure it's Tusq. I only tried to get out of my H 150 whatever is possible.

After I did all the upgrades on this guitar, I'm very sure it's the best LP I ever owned and I had 5 G brand Paulas before, good guitars too, but not at a Heritage quality level. I am sure you'll be very happy with your new H 150. Enjoy !!

 

Cheers from Duesseldorf

 

Wolfi

[Guido]

Don't worry, Guido, there are no plastic nuts on a Heritage guitar. I am very sure it's Tusq. I only tried to get out of my H 150 whatever is possible.

After I did all the upgrades on this guitar, I'm very sure it's the best LP I ever owned and I had 5 G brand Paulas before, good guitars too, but not at a Heritage quality level. I am sure you'll be very happy with your new H 150. Enjoy !!

 

Cheers from Duesseldorf

 

Wolfi

 

Hi Wolfi,

 

thanks for the answer. I'm writiing in english so that the others can understand what we are talking about.

Actually I get my LP from "Oldenburg Music Station". It is a used H-150 from 1993. I did a Post about it: Infos about this H-150.

There is a link with pictures. I bought it last week and now I'm waiting to get it.

I think the prices at realguitars are too expensive. It is even cheaper to buy it in the USA and pay the custom taxes.

And actually the guy from realguitars was not very helpful on the phone.

The guys from Oldenburg did a great job supporting me. But that's just my personal experience.

As soon as the guitar gets here I will post some more pics and my first impression. Can't wait!!!!

 

Guido

[Wolfi]

Hi Wolfi,

 

thanks for the answer. I'm writiing in english so that the others can understand what we are talking about.

Actually I get my LP from "Oldenburg Music Station". It is a used H-150 from 1993. I did a Post about it: Infos about this H-150.

There is a link with pictures. I bought it last week and now I'm waiting to get it.

I think the prices at realguitars are too expensive. It is even cheaper to buy it in the USA and pay the custom taxes.

And actually the guy from realguitars was not very helpful on the phone.

The guys from Oldenburg did a great job supporting me. But that's just my personal experience.

As soon as the guitar gets here I will post some more pics and my first impression. Can't wait!!!!

 

Guido

 

Hi Guido,

 

it's sad that the realguitars guy wasn't helpful. I know they are sometimes very busy (and a bit moody ). They are the exclusive importer for Heritage guitars in Germany and have a lot of knowledge about guitars and specially about Heritage guitars.

Anyway, I'm very sure you'll be very happy with your guitar. Don't forget to post pics, otherwise you'll get a message from a guy called "southpaw".

 

Cheers

 

Wolfi

[Wolfi]

I have friends with bare knuckle pick ups who really rate them, I have no need to get some at this time, but would use them on another guitar for sure.

 

I would really like to hear those Amber pick ups though, I have Seymour 59's on my 555 and would like to know what difference the extra cost gives you.

 

 

That's a very good question, Mark. It's hard to explain. It sounds more open and the tone range seems to be wider on the bottom, on the top end and even in the lower and higher mids. There is something very special with the Amber pickups. Maybe it's because the guy (Wolfgang Damm) is very devoted to come as close as possible to the old PAFs. Is it the handwiring, the old original material he uses ? I don't know. For me it's magic.

 

The guy with the 7 Les Pauls I mentioned before, said to me: "Since I know Amber pickups, I really became an Abmer addict." And that tells a lot, bevause 3 of his Les Pauls are really old (early 60ties).

 

It's a shame there are obviously no Amber sound files in the web.

 

Cheers

 

Wolfi

[Guido]

Hi Guido,

 

it's sad that the realguitars guy wasn't helpful. I know they are sometimes very busy (and a bit moody ). They are the exclusive importer for Heritage guitars in Germany and have a lot of knowledge about guitars and specially about Heritage guitars.

Anyway, I'm very sure you'll be very happy with your guitar. Don't forget to post pics, otherwise you'll get a message from a guy called "southpaw".

 

Cheers

 

Wolfi

 

Hi Wolfi

 

Yes I know that they are the exclusive guys for heritage in germany. And that's the reason why I was so disappointed. They must have been very moody this day!

By the way the prices they list for repair services are IMO quiet expensive.

I found a luthier in Burscheid near Leverkusen. On his HP it says: repair service heritage germany! Here's a link: http://www.k.bass-and-guitars.de/home.htm

Do you know this guy?

 

Guido

[Wolfi]

Hi Wolfi

 

Yes I know that they are the exclusive guys for heritage in germany. And that's the reason why I was so disappointed. They must have been very moody this day!

By the way the prices they list for repair services are IMO quiet expensive.

I found a luthier in Burscheid near Leverkusen. On his HP it says: repair service heritage germany! Here's a link: http://www.k.bass-and-guitars.de/home.htm

Do you know this guy?

 

Guido

 

 

Hi Guido,

 

sorry for late reply.

 

Never heard about that guys.

Maybe he's the one who does the body finishing for realguitars.

 

But it's good to have an alternative to realguitars.

 

Cheers

 

Wolfi