Topic: electric guitar pickup question

[fuzzybutt]

i feel silly having to ask this, and since i couldnt really find this info on the new i thought i'd ask here. are there special pickups just for 12 string guitars? i got a 12 string neck that will fit into either a tele or strat body and i guess i wonder if i need to get different pickups

[tramp]

never heard of one
i would think the two strings are so close together that the pickup wouldn't be able to separate them

[azuredesign]

I don't think you'll have a problem with a regular pickup as long as the string spacing is fairly aligned over the pick up magnets. If you'll be using the same bridge saddles, and just cutting extra slots for the octave strings, should be OK. If the action is too close like that, you might consider one of the blade pick ups that folks like Seymore Duncan, Bill Lawrence, and Dimarzio make. You'll probably need to revamp or change the saddles as well.
My $.002

[Jonesy]

What kind of pickups do they use on a Rickenbacker? (I always liked thier unique sound...)

[grumpy]

What kind of pickups do they use on a Rickenbacker? (I always liked thier unique sound...)

Depends on the model. The classic Ric toaster (used for both 6/12 string) uses 6 magnetic poles wound with 43 awg wire.

[333]

I would also say the pickups are similar enough.  I would not agree on cutting the bridge and nut to carry the extra strings.  On acoustic guitars(most of my experience), these pieces are easily changed and can be found fairly cheap.  Did the neck come with a nut?

[azuredesign]

I would also say the pickups are similar enough.  I would not agree on cutting the bridge and nut to carry the extra strings.  On acoustic guitars(most of my experience), these pieces are easily changed and can be found fairly cheap.  Did the neck come with a nut?

Well you would want to have a nut specifically for the 12 string, but if it's an off brand electric guitar, finding a second set of saddles may not be easy. Notching the saddles for the octave strings will not affect using the bridge for 6 strings too, and while a bridge saddle blank for an acoustic guitar is $5. a set of saddles for an electric is probably $20-40.

[333]

True.  Probably costlier and harder to find.  But, acoustic or electric, the grooves for a six string are centered.  So a 12 string would need to have pairs of strings centered.  In other words, a 6 string groove should be right between the pair on a 12 string.

[fuzzybutt]

i have the bridge for a 12 string strat already so thats no worry. i had also considered experimenting with lipstick pickups as i have 3 complete spare sets for my danelectro hodad

[grumpy]

lipsticks work great on 12s.
lots of jangle

[fuzzybutt]

lipsticks work great on 12s.
lots of jangle

exactly what i want.