MT-102B Custom MXV P.A.F. Mick Taylor Set!

[TM1]

I have to take a couple of minutes here and say publicly what an amazing set these Custom Shop Throbak are!
I've tried and tried to find a set for my `05 Custom Shop SG/LP Std. `62 Reissue. I've had nearly everything you can get that's a quality PAF replica in this guitar. My main complaint was that this guitar, while it sounded really nice and plays like a wet dream, just never had the output or character I knew it should have. The guitar's even been to Historic Makeover's Twice(once done by DJ for the Trussrod & Braz fingerboard) and the last time by Kim's new crew who did everything. The pickups were the one little niggle I had with her.
This new set that Jon offer's are Stunning, yes folks, Stunning! The guitar has an original `62 wiring harness, original `62 plastic all the way around, wireless ABR-1 replica & the Crazyparts(now DMC again) handmade Stoptail, steel studs & bushings. Looks-wise it's pretty well indentical to an original. It just lacked in output and the tone I was looking for.
This set has all I've ever wanted out of an SG/LP and then some! Great clarity, sparkling early `60's tone & Power and superb harmonics. Every amp I own that I've plugged this into just stands up and spits nails at you now. My `60 brown Fender Deluxe loves it as much as my `71 Marshall 1986 and my 1974X with original Mustard caps, RS clone output tranny and a pre-Celestion Rola G12 alnico from 1960 (& yes, NOS valves) loves this guitar. It has that classic mid Sixties British Blues boom tone.
These pickups are on the top of my "have to have another set" list that will go in my ES-339 that was re-done by Kim & Historic Makeovers. They have that "It Factor".
I know we all have diverse and different tastes in guitars, music, etc. But I haven't been this excited about a set of pickups (other than a set of original PAF's) since I got my first set of Throbak SLE-101's in 2008.
Jon, you do incredible work, but I think you upped the bar/level on yourself with this set!:applaude :applaude :applaude :applaude :applaude :applaude :applaude :applaude :applaude :applaude

 

[sgtJoe]

Taylor's tone is certainly a benchmark for PAF's. These are definitely worth lookin into.

 

[rockabilly69]

I would get excited with a clip that demonstrated the tone with a Mick Taylor like lick or two. I'm curious if they can get that midrange honk like his tone on the Ladies And Gentleman video.

 

[sickboy79]

Very cool and congrats! Great review! Glad to hear you are enjoying them.

 

[Velvetgeorge]

Dammit Don, I thought I was set on humbuckers! You always do this to me. LOL I've been thinking about these since you mentioned them in LA a few weeks back. I don't even have a guitar to put them in, I would have to pull other Throbaks out of something. But, I want them!

george

 

[TM1]

Dammit Don, I thought I was set on humbuckers! You always do this to me. LOL I've been thinking about these since you mentioned them in LA a few weeks back. I don't even have a guitar to put them in, I would have to pull other Throbaks out of something. But, I want them!

george

George; I'm sorry my friend.. You know excited I get when I find something that's exceptional. I love to share it with my friends! We've known each other quiet a number of years and you know my passion for stuff like this is exactly like yours. BTW, you know how much I love your amps and all the stuff you build! I need another amp like I need another anus, But I'd love to have one of your handbuilt MetroAmps! Your amps sound so F'ing Great!
Jon's definitely set the bar much higher with this set(not that it was ever low..).
The Tone & clarity/harmonics are incredible. I was playing it yesterday thru my `64 AC-30 and boy did it sound wonderful. They must be sort of powerful too as I toasted a couple of the old Polem EL-84's after about 30 minutes. The guitar sounds nearly twice as loud as it did before I put them in..

 

[Velvetgeorge]

No need to apologize! Knowing you and trusting your opinion on tone and gear makes me know these are great. I have loved every set of PU's I have got from Jon, so no surprise there.

Anytime on an amp, I'd be more than happy to build one for you. Not because you NEED another amp, who really does? Yes, here we are discussing it. Brilliant.

george

 

[dretot]

This is OT, but Don, was that you playing with the Fab Faux on the Sunday morning show, "Breakfast with the Beatles" on KLOS a couple of weeks ago?

I was driving down to OC and I thought I heard them say the guitar player was "Tone-man"... then someone honked their horn and I missed the name.

If it was... you sounded fantastic... great playing!

dre

 

[Cussion]

I would get excited with a clip that demonstrated the tone with a Mick Taylor like lick or two. I'm curious if they can get that midrange honk like his tone on the Ladies And Gentleman video.

That has probably more to do with the Ampeg amps than anything else.

 

[TM1]

This is OT, but Don, was that you playing with the Fab Faux on the Sunday morning show, "Breakfast with the Beatles" on KLOS a couple of weeks ago?

I was driving down to OC and I thought I heard them say the guitar player was "Tone-man"... then someone honked their horn and I missed the name.

If it was... you sounded fantastic... great playing!

dre

I play with a "Lennon" show called "Just Imagine" & yes we were on KLOS a couple weeks ago. Thank You!!
"The Fab Faux" are my friends Will Lee, Jimmy Vivino & Frank Agnello's group (along with a few other members). They played the Orphum Theater in Downtown L.A. last weekend (the 12th).
We're at The Hayworth Theater on Wilshire Blvd. every Sat. night & Sunday afternoon until Dec. 29th.
If you'd like to come see one of our shows, let me know and I'll hook you up with a couple of Comps.
Here's the website(sorry for the plug guys, hope you don't mind): www.justimaginetheshow.com

 

[dretot]

I play with a "Lennon" show called "Just Imagine" & yes we were on KLOS a couple weeks ago. Thank You!!
"The Fab Faux" are my friends Will Lee, Jimmy Vivino & Frank Agnello's group (along with a few other members). They played the Orphum Theater in Downtown L.A. last weekend (the 12th).
We're at The Hayworth Theater on Wilshire Blvd. every Sat. night & Sunday afternoon until Dec. 29th.
If you'd like to come see one of our shows, let me know and I'll hook you up with a couple of Comps.
Here's the website(sorry for the plug guys, hope you don't mind): www.justimaginetheshow.com

ooops, sorry for mixing up the bands

What were you using at the radio show? (gtr/amp, pedals) Your tone was really good. Everyone sounded great, but the guitar caught my attention.

Thanks for the offer, would love to come check you out.

thanks,
dre

 

[TM1]

Hi Dre!! The guitar on "Yer Blues" was a 2010 R-8 that's had the full Historic Makeover's treatment. It has a `59 long magnet PAF in the bridge and a late `62 Pat.# in the neck. I used a OKKO Diablo overdrive, H & K Rotosphere into a Carl Martin "Roommate" reverb(3-spring) into a Marshall JTM1-C. NOS tubes and a Celestion Alnico Gold speaker.
Thanks!!
No problem on confusing the bands! I love The Fab Faux. They're wonderful guys and amazing musicians!
On "Help" I used a `63 Gretsch Country Club with only the reverb. It's thinline , single cutaway w/Trestle Bracing.

 

[Yannick333]

Thanks for the GAS, TM1! :dude:

 

[rockabilly69]

That has probably more to do with the Ampeg amps than anything else.

Okay give me a set for my LP and I'll make the demo...

 

[Triburst]

What a coincidence! I bought a (reissue) '62 SG from a Nashville dealer Monday. Got any clips?:yah

 

[My Guitar Weeps]

I would get excited with a clip that demonstrated the tone with a Mick Taylor like lick or two. I'm curious if they can get that midrange honk like his tone on the Ladies And Gentleman video.

Ditto :yah

I must admit TM1, I read and value your posts more than most others opinions around here. Seems when Im GAS'ing or really interested in a something Lester or Throbak related you've already had your hands on it :salude

 

[TM1]

Wow! Thanks! I'm flattered to no end. You just made my month!! I like to share my observations with everyone here. I've gotten really valuable info from so many over the years on this site and I feel as though when I find something worthwhile, that it's nice to share it with everyone here.

 

[My Guitar Weeps]

I have to take a couple of minutes here and say publicly what an amazing set these Custom Shop Throbak are!
I've tried and tried to find a set for my `05 Custom Shop SG/LP Std. `62 Reissue. I've had nearly everything you can get that's a quality PAF replica in this guitar. My main complaint was that this guitar, while it sounded really nice and plays like a wet dream, just never had the output or character I knew it should have. The guitar's even been to Historic Makeover's Twice(once done by DJ for the Trussrod & Braz fingerboard) and the last time by Kim's new crew who did everything. The pickups were the one little niggle I had with her.
This new set that Jon offer's are Stunning, yes folks, Stunning! The guitar has an original `62 wiring harness, original `62 plastic all the way around, wireless ABR-1 replica & the Crazyparts(now DMC again) handmade Stoptail, steel studs & bushings. Looks-wise it's pretty well indentical to an original. It just lacked in output and the tone I was looking for.
This set has all I've ever wanted out of an SG/LP and then some! Great clarity, sparkling early `60's tone & Power and superb harmonics. Every amp I own that I've plugged this into just stands up and spits nails at you now. My `60 brown Fender Deluxe loves it as much as my `71 Marshall 1986 and my 1974X with original Mustard caps, RS clone output tranny and a pre-Celestion Rola G12 alnico from 1960 (& yes, NOS valves) loves this guitar. It has that classic mid Sixties British Blues boom tone.
These pickups are on the top of my "have to have another set" list that will go in my ES-339 that was re-done by Kim & Historic Makeovers. They have that "It Factor".
I know we all have diverse and different tastes in guitars, music, etc. But I haven't been this excited about a set of pickups (other than a set of original PAF's) since I got my first set of Throbak SLE-101's in 2008.
Jon, you do incredible work, but I think you upped the bar/level on yourself with this set!:applaude :applaude :applaude :applaude :applaude :applaude :applaude :applaude :applaude :applaude

Two things: How do you think they'd sound in an R8? I have set of original double white SLE-101 ltd's with the nos wire that I bought from Jon in early 2010 and they've been in my '11 R8 everysince I bought it. LOVE the neck.... it's phenominal! The clearest sweetest neck tones ever with the A2's! Woman tone in spades! The bridge, while great too, just isn't quite as stellar. It lacks a little power and a little mids. I've tried Jon's short and long A5's but I really prefer the sound of the A2's. I heard he has some different A5's now but I've not used them. I know you've had the SLE-101 ltd's as well so Im curious as to how you'd compare the bridge pu's?

Second... (not to highjack the thread either) I'd like to hear some more about that RS OT in your 1974x! I own one thats got potential... it too is loaded with NOS Mullard & Amperex glass and a 30w Scumnico.

Robert

 

[Kilmainham]

TM1, I was really keen to get your opinion on the difference in tone you hear between the MT-102B and the SLE 101. Are you able to describe it? I would really value your opinion. Still have your AC30 upgardes installed from a long time ago - still sounds unbelievable. Thanks, Kilmainham

 

[mthrunn]