Clockwise: from upper left
(larger pickup in a group is the 12-string version)
George L's 12-1 and 10-1, or SS, or E-ON (all look the same),
George L's E-66,
Wallace TrueTone,
Bill Lawrence XR-16
A few things that we feel are important to remember before
reading the pickup descriptions below (or any other source):
- Your touch can play a large part in how a pickup sounds.
(For instance Bud Carter has a very light touch.
John Fabian, on the other hand, has a fairly heavy touch.
So, the pickups we test sound different depending upon
which of us is playing.)
- The brand/model of steel can also play a big role in how a
particular pickup sounds ... the sound can vary from brand to brand.
The descriptions below are our opinion of how they sound on the Carter.
- Sound is somewhat subjective
... therefore, please remember that these are only our opinions
when you read our descriptions.
You might have another opinion of the sound when you hear
these pickups on a Carter or any brand for that matter.
- Suggested reading: Ask Bud! Article about Pickup Differences.
- Hear the tone, sound, and sustain of all five of the different pickups
commonly used in Carter Steel Guitars. In order to assist you
in selecting the correct pickup for you, we have developed
The Carter Pickup Comparison Sound Files.
These are CD quality sound files done by the same player,
with the same pedal steel guitar, playing the same tune
(only the pickup was changed).
STANDARD Pickups:
Tuning D-10, S-10 DB, D-12, and S-12 DB S-10 and S-1210-String E9 George L's E-66 George L's 10-1 10-String C6 George L's 10-1 George L's 10-1 12 String Universal George L's E-66 George L's 12-1 12-String E9 George L's E-66 George L's 12-1 12-String C6 George L's 12-1 George L's 12-1
Pickup OPTIONS at No Extra Charge:
Tuning D-10, S-10 DB, D-12, and S-12 DB S-10 and S-1210-String E9 George L's 10-1
George L's E-ON
George L's SS
Bill Lawrence XR-16
Wallace TrueToneGeorge L's E-66
George L's E-ON
George L's SS
Bill Lawrence XR-16
Wallace TrueTone10-String C6 George L's E-66
George L's E-ON
George L's SS
Bill Lawrence XR-16
Wallace TrueToneGeorge L's 10-1
George L's E-ON
George L's SS
Bill Lawrence XR-16
Wallace TrueTone12 String Universal George L's 12-1
Bill Lawrence XR-16
Wallace TrueToneGeorge L's E-66
Bill Lawrence XR-16
Wallace TrueTone12-String E9 George L's 12-1
Bill Lawrence XR-16
Wallace TrueToneGeorge L's E-66
Bill Lawrence XR-16
Wallace TrueTone12-String C6 George L's 12-1
Bill Lawrence XR-16
Wallace TrueToneGeorge L's E-66
Bill Lawrence XR-16
Wallace TrueTone
DESCRIPTIONS and COMPARISONS of Pickups:
George L's E-66 for 10-String (or E-66 for 12-String):
- Has the characteristic of the old Emmons' 1966 push-pull -- a little on the treble side.
That is, it is bright and crisp.
[10-String: E-66 is the standard pickup placed on the E9 neck
of the Carter unless you request otherwise.
12-String: if you prefer the E-66, please write that in the
"Comments" area of your Order Form.
There is no extra charge for substituting the E-66 on your 12-string Carter.]
George L's 10-1 (or 12-1 for 12-String):
- Same as E-66, except the tone is slightly darker
(a little more bass than the E-66).
The highs are not quite as crisp as the E-66.
However, the 10-1 has a fuller sound than the E-66.
[10-String: 10-1 is the standard pickup placed on the C6 neck
of the Carter unless you request otherwise.
12-String: 12-1 is the standard pickup placed on the
12-string neck of the Carter unless you request otherwise.]
George L's SS for 10-string:
- Similar to the George L's E66 pickup.
- However, it has more low-end response without losing any bite.
[ If you prefer the SS on your 10-String Carter,
please write that in the "Comments" area of your Order Form.
There is no extra charge for substituting the SS on your Carter.]
George L's E-ON for 10-string:
- Similar to the George L's 10-1 pickup.
- However, it has better high-end and mid-range response.
[If you prefer the E-ON on your 10-String Carter,
please write that in the "Comments" area of your Order Form.
There is no extra charge for substituting the E-ON on your Carter.]
Lawrence XR-16 for 10-string or 12-String:
- Hotter (that is, higher output signal) than George L's or Wallace.
Tonal characteristics are different from George L's or Wallace pickups.
Comparably not quite as smooth as George L's pickups but has a "grainy" sound like the old Bill Lawrence 705's.
[If you prefer the Lawrence XR-16 on your 10 or 12-String Carter,
please write that in the "Comments" area of your Order Form.
There is no extra charge for substituting the XR-16 on your Carter.]
Wallace TrueTone for 10-String or 12-string:
- Classic Single Coil tone
Mid-range is very growly
"Breathes" more freely (no compression to the sound)
more so than George L's or Lawrence pickups
.
[If you prefer the Wallace TrueTone for your 10-String or 12-String Carter,
please write that in the "Comments" area of your Order Form.
There is no extra charge for substituting the Wallace TrueTone on your Carter.]
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