Zum Pickup Advice Needed

Bill Simmons · Post by **Bill Simmons** » 25 Mar 2006 4:37 pm

I have a great sounding '79 Zum, D-10 (birdseye maple lacquer). However, to rid of the hum of the original pickup, I need advice what pickup you'd put in and why.

I've been thinking about putting a:
1. True Tone (18,500)
2. BL 910
3. GL PF-1

Your thoughts or experience on what pickup to install in my lacquer Zum is appreciated. I like a warm but sweet tone if that makes sense or help.

Jim Ives · Post by **Jim Ives** » 26 Mar 2006 2:55 pm

Bill,
Sell me the Zum and your problems will be solved!
-Jim

Tyler Hall · Post by **Tyler Hall** » 26 Mar 2006 4:19 pm

Don't think your fooling me for a minute, Bill. You want your Zum to sound as good as my Fessenden.

Maybe it'll play as good as the Fessy.

I'm going to Peavey tommorrow, but I'll talk to you one day next week.
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"The Kid"
D-10 Fessenden, Nashville 112, Session 500, BJS, Goodrich LDR

David Doggett · Post by **David Doggett** » 27 Mar 2006 12:23 am

Bill, if your goal is to get rid of single-coil hum, a TrueTone will not do that. While they may be a little quieter than some single coils, the TrueTone is a single-coil pickup, and will hum like all the others. I have TrueTones on my '90s Zum and my Emmons push/pull. They sound great, but they hum. Some people say their TrueTones don't hum. Well, I am always amazed at the people that come on the Forum and swear that their strings never break (not even their 3rd string), their guitar never slips out of tune, and they never turn the volume past 3 on their practice-size amp yet it's loud enough for any venue. I'm not saying they are not telling the truth; but these statements just have no relevance to the world I live in.

After a little research, my first choice for a humbucker was the BL 910. I got a BL 912 for my Zum uni (with Hilton volume pedal), but I haven't gotten around to swapping it in yet, so I can't give you a first hand impression yet.

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Student of the Steel: Zum uni, Fender tube amps, squareneck and roundneck resos, tenor sax, keyboards

[This message was edited by David Doggett on 27 March 2006 at 12:25 AM.]

Brad Sarno · Post by **Brad Sarno** » 27 Mar 2006 8:12 am

Hey Bill. Have you tried the George L's EON yet? You may want to give it a shot. That's my current favorite pickup, well at least this week it is. I've also heard the 710 sound real good in a Zum, just make sure you back it down from the strings more than you would other pickups.

Brad

Roger Crawford · Post by **Roger Crawford** » 27 Mar 2006 10:18 am

Hey Bill,
I ordered one of my Zum's with 910's, and couldn't get the highs as clear as I wanted them. I put True Tones on it and it's a keeper. I bought another Zum from Bruce in St. Louis that had 910's on it but told Bruce I wanted to swap them out for TT's. It too is a keeper. Of course you heard my SD10 in Montgomery. True Tone again. Single coil hum is stll there, but a lot more quiet than other single coils I've had. I'm a happy camper with them.
Roger[This message was edited by Roger Crawford on 27 March 2006 at 10:21 AM.]

Miguel e Smith · Post by **Miguel e Smith** » 27 Mar 2006 10:58 am

I'm still partial to the single-coil sound, but...the hum is a problem. A bunch of us have gone with the BL710's. Randy Beavers really sold me on them...it took me some weeks of tweaking to get what I wanted, but I'm happy now...fatness with highs too.

M

Howard Tate · Post by **Howard Tate** » 27 Mar 2006 12:45 pm

Mike, is that what you used on "Winter Wonderland"? I sure like that punchy sound. Great playing too, of course.

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Howard

John Hawkins · Post by **John Hawkins** » 27 Mar 2006 4:52 pm

Bill ,

I know that you have my old '79 Zum again and I am so happy that you do ! Although my current Zum is Mica rather than a wood cabinet , I would recommend you trying L- 710 ON BOTH NECKS ! I have had nothing but good things to say about these pickups ! Some folks say they are too bright but you can always compensate for that if need be, bt tweaking your amp !

I will have to leave those suggestions with you as I know you are a good player and know the sound you want but as long as you set those pickups the right distance between them and the strings , I think they cover all the bases --after tweaking your amp, if need be !

I play the Walker Stereo Steel Combo ( as you know) and there is more than enough tweaking you can do with it in order to add the tone and sound you want! That is my two ( 2 ) cents worth .

Good luck !!

John - Jack , Hawk

Tim Bridges · Post by **Tim Bridges** » 28 Mar 2006 1:37 pm

Bill,

I'm suprised at you. I guarantee that if you go with a HB you'll be back to a single coil within a week. You get a great sound regardless. BUT, that punch and cut through you can only get out of the single coil.

I'm using a BL 912 on my Zum while Jerry rewinds my TT.

I'll wait and see what you do.

Paddy Long · Post by **Paddy Long** » 28 Mar 2006 5:51 pm

On my Zum I have a BL910 on E9th and a 710 on C6th and it's the best recording guitar I have owned .... but it comes down to personal taste mostly!