WR Fender HBs. Probably opening a can of worms here, but...

[Sullivan]

I feel I'll get a much better answer here than trying to wade through mountains of shit at, say, the HC boards.

Originals are WAAAAY overpriced, the RIs are nothing like the originals and they sound like garbage. I love the look of the originals/RIs, but I had a PG cut for standard HBs for my 72 Deluxe RI and threw in a set of SD Seth Lovers. Sounds good, doesn't look bad.

Someone mentioned a rewire for the RIs in the Jazzblaster thread, wanted to get everyone's opinion on other options.

What's out there that SOUNDS most like the originals and what can be done for the RIs?

Thanks.
-Sul

[Infliktor]

I think Curtis Novak is about to start making them in the very near future that will sound like the originals, maybe he will chime in here

[Stereordinary]

Well, the problem is that the magnetic material found in the original WRHBs (CuNiFe) is no longer produced virtually anywhere in the world.  Then, even it was, you'd have to find a machine shop brave enough to produce screws out of it.

Curtis Novak has mentioned a mod to the reissue Wide Rangers that he is hoping to offer.

I have one I'm trying to create as well, though Curtis is a far more experienced pickup winder than myself.

Lindy Fralin makes a pickup called the Twangmaster (http://www.fralinpickups.com/humbuckers.asp#top)

According to Seymour Duncan, AlNiCo III sounds more like CuNiFe than any other magnetic material.

Hope some of that helps.

[gogothegogo]

GFS makes "vintage split" humbucker that should be old  WR copy, but I'm not sure how close is it to the WR sound because i never tryed original WR.

GFS sound completely different from new WR though, and are cheap as drunken blonds on a prom night

[StevenO]

GFS makes "vintage split" humbucker that should be old  WR copy, but I'm not sure how close is it to the WR sound because i never tryed original WR.

GFS sound completely different from new WR though, and are cheap as drunken blonds on a prom night

They're also normal humbucker sized pickups and not the wide range sized. They're pretty much just normal humbuckers with a cool-looking case from what I've heard, as is the deal with a lot of GFS pickups.

[eupat]

i'm building a Jazzblaster and i'm looking for this wide range sound
on the telecaster forum, they said that the Rio Grande the closest pickup in construction to a WR, and they also use the larger footprint of the WR and WRRI, but it does not have the chrome cover and it is expensive
but i don't know wich one...

[Taylorplayer]

Don't have much to contribute, other than all the Rio Grandes I've tried had tone that could rip your balls off and impregnate your girlfriend.

Somehow this is a good thing...

[Sullivan]

The problem with the Rio Grandes is the case. Gotta at least have a chrome case, which is why I opted for the Seth Lovers. That, and they're expensive.

Still, if they can rip my balls off (I've already impregnated my wife once, don't need any help there), they might be worth it.

[eupat]

there's 2 Rio Grande pups, the Vintage Tall Boy '72 and the Muy Grande '72
they're both 138$
but they're are not under nickel cover

[onbongos]

i get the feeling 2 P90s next to each other would be close

[mjet]

i get the feeling 2 P90s next to each other would be close

P180?