Exclusively for AgeofAudio two complete sets of Pickups from the Italianissima Dreamsongs Pickups.
Precisely: -set '57 Style Alnico II Paf and -set HOT46 layer pre-assembled on white faceplate.
La Dreamsongs Pickups di Alberto Arcangeli it's a' artisan company Italian. The pickups are built manually and to order. Often they are assembled to "measure" in relation to the customer's requests.
From the company website, DremsongsPickups, consulting the general catalogue you can find numerous models and each with different alternatives. What is very interesting, in case of specific needs, is the possibility offered to the customer to contact Dreamsongs directly and commission the construction of the own custom Pickup according to one's desire.
Il first of two set that I got to try is composed of a couple (Neck and Bridge) di '57 Style Alnico II Paf with 4 conductors. These have as their design reference the very famous PAF Gibson '57.
The version arrived in the editorial office is the classic one with Base and Cover nickel-silver, the winding is manually guided with wire awg42 and output stated is that standard (Neck R = 7,5 KΩ and Bridge R = 8,0 KΩ)
By operating from the catalog on the manufacturer's website, with a few moves, it is possible to combine and choose a whole series of features for customization.
Among the options we find:
output
Underwound: that is "underewound" => with a smaller number of turns / windings than the standard. This, all other characteristics being equal, generates less volume and a more open tone with greater definition. The resistance values (indicators, with the same wire and conditions, of the greater or lesser number of turns ... - see first article "magnetic pickups") Are respectively: Neck R =7.2KΩ, Bridge R = 7.7KΩ
Standard: Neck R = 7.5KΩ, Bridge R = 8.0KΩ
Overwound: that is “overturned” => with a greater number of turns / windings. This will produce, all other parameters being equal, higher output volume, less prominent treble and it will be easier to generate distorted sounds. Resistance values: Neck R = 8.0KΩ, Bridge R = 8.8KΩ.
Also you can choose the color of the Coils, Cable: 2-core or 4-core and the type of Covers –Nickel / silver, nickel or gold plated.
The characteristic of the 4 separate conductors (2 for each coil) allows you to split the pk passing from humbucker al single coil and if desired, from the series connection to the parallel connection.
All measures the PKs provided the following values:
Neck => total resistance humbucker R = 7,61KΩ; Coil 1 (red-white wires) R = 3,87KΩ; Coil 2 (green-black wires) R = 3,74KΩ
Bridge => total resistance humbucker R= 8,04KΩ; Coil 1 (red-white wires) R = 4,03KΩ; Coil 2 (green-black wires) R = 4.01KΩ
As you can see, even if slightly, and in particular for the Neck, the two coils are not exactly identical and this, wanting to be picky, places the pk among the '57 classics and Burstbucker. This is a constructive choice desired by the company as the slightly unbalanced coils generally produce greater sonic and dynamic clarity.
Road test
For the road test, the Pickups were mounted on one Epiphone Les Paul Tribute 2010.
This guitar represents a flagship model of the Epiphone house, in fact it is equipped with some special features that make it more performing than the Epiphone Standard.
Looking at just the PK aspect and circuitry, we see that the guitar comes standard with two humbucker pickups Gibson '57 Classic (Plus on bridge) USA with 4 conductors, Mallory capacitors 150 of 0.022µf +/- 10% e push-pull tone potentiometers to be able to split PKs.
Following my previous upgrade, the volume pots supplied as standard (already of good quality) have been replaced with Gibson USA.
Il according to SET of Pickups at our disposal is one complete pre-assembled grille for Fender Stratocaster.
The set is a HOT46. As stated by the manufacturer, these are PK for those who want a more full-bodied sound than the classic Strat without losing the typically layer character (as happens, for example, with mini humbuckers) and possibly also maintaining a defined-not closed sound (as instead usually happens with over-wound pickups). The PK have been developed by slightly increasing the height, thus balancing the presence of more coils with "higher" than standard magnets. With this system it is possible, according to Dreamsongs' statement, to obtain the right compromise that allows us, from a sonic point of view, to gain power and “thickness” without losing too much brilliance.
A steel base (copper plated) has been applied to the bridge pickup which, like that of the Telecaster pickups, increases the inductance of the pickup by increasing the output level and slightly smoothing the treble.
The magnets are in alcohol 5, the wire AWG 42.
The declared resistance of the pickups is as follows:
Neck R = 7,0kΩ; Middle R = 7,2kΩ; Bridge R = 7,8kΩ;
All components used for the circuit are of quality and well assembled. The mask is in triple-layer, i potentiometers they are gods CTS and capacitor is a Orange Drop from 0.047µf.
For the road test, this set was mounted on an American Standard Stratocaster.
Upon measurement, the Pickups presented the following values:
Neck => R = 6,61KΩ h = 2,61; Middle => R = 7,04KΩ h = 2,95; Bridge => R = 7,74KΩ h = 3,34;
How do Dreamsongs PK sound?
The most complete and correct answer that I would like to give you is: it will depend on your choices!
That is, crossing the specific case of the test of the two sets arrived in the editorial office and given the extreme customization possible, each one in the end will choose the pickup that most closely matches their tastes.
In the case in question I have tried the pk in different genres, comparing them with those originally mounted on the guitars and I must say that they are very close to the design expectations.
While listening to the '57 Style Alnico II Paf, while respecting the timbre of the reference, the sensation felt was that of having removed a small veil from the sound. Clarity and intelligibility seemed slightly improved without this affecting the heat particularly (responsibility of the slightly unbalanced coils?). The bridge pickup was decisive, precise and with the right nasality.
Also for the KIT Hot layer 46 the constructive wishes desired by Alberto Arcangeli seem to be respected. The sound is sufficiently "warm" (we always talk about Single Coil) and this without detracting much from the definition and upper harmonics, with a good volume, dynamic and in the Single-Coil Layer oriented style. The bridge pickup, with its particular construction for a Strat model, presented itself with the right "air", high enough without ever being "glassy" or "drilling" as often happens for single-coils in the bridge.
In order to hear the sound of the Pickups, I refer you to Youtube channel of Dremsongs where you can find several videos with various tests.
Here are some links:
Youtube channel
Dreamsongs Pickups by Alberto Arcangeli
Dreamsongs' Alnico 2 Paf Humbucker pickup sample
I would like to remind you that when we talk about Pickups, we should always remember the example of the "short deck" ..., in fact, in the realization of a pickup various factors come into play (as we have already examined in the two dedicated articles) and these often they are "fighting" with each other for the generation of sound ...
Here is a very generic example just to further clarify the concept of parameter intersection.
Generic eg: increasing the number of turns we will obtain an increase in the output volume but also a decrease in the fc (I will cut more high frequencies - low pass filter). So the sound will be perceived as more "powerful", "warmer" but also less defined, with fewer upper harmonics, with a more incisive attack and a less representative tail ... If we add to this the type of construction (humbucker o single coil), the geometry of the construction, the type of material used for the magnets etc ... the variables will become even more numerous as well as the sound results.
In the end, personal taste, the musical genre played and the type of guitar used, will be fundamental for the choice and each musician will opt to make one or the other parameter / sound prevail according to his wishes.
Also remember, no less important than that the pickups represent only a part of the instrument, certainly important, but always and only a part and the A guitar's final sound is the sum of all parts.
Who are Dreamsongs Pickups for?
- Surely to all the "customizers" or those who like to own a custom instrument, perhaps starting from the choice of woods and arriving at the pickups. Those who often say "my guitar"!
- to all those who have a good quality instrument but with electronics that are not up to the standard of lutherie or do not meet the needs.
On the other hand, I see the use of more difficult for those who have high standard instruments chosen precisely for their sonic and lutherie characteristics, or who have already chosen their pickup by turning to a specific model because they know it well and want that.
However, there is always a but, even in this case there may be musicians who after years have changed "music" and therefore, while remaining in love with their instrument, want to change the Pickups by putting in place a personal project and maybe, I hope, also in a conservative and non-invasive way, as can be the replacement of a complete mask in a Strat. In the end it is a question of desoldering and soldering 3 wires, keeping the original mask ready to be reassembled if necessary.
Conclusions
In my opinion it is a real strength of Dreamsongs, the possibility of having one's PK “sewn” on like a tailor does with a tailored suit.
Obviously Mr. Arcangeli will not be able to overcome the laws of physics and therefore while trying to please you, he will not be able to build a Pk whose "thought" parameters are in contrast with each other.
If, on the other hand, you would like to simplify the choice, in the catalog there are many “ready” models that are inspired by famous reference standards and among which you can choose.
One thing is certain, the opportunity offered by Dreamsongs to customize their Pickups in an advanced way, guided and recommended by the manufacturer, opens up many possibilities to experimenters and others.
Good music to all
Useful Information
For those wishing to learn more about what i Magnetic PICKUPS, I report the links of two of my previous articles always published on Age of Audio => Magnetic pickups for electric guitar and passive components: short guide - part I & Part II
Sito: Dreamsongs Pickups
