Post by stratotarts on Dec 31, 2016 7:33:37 GMT -5
I purchased two Cavalier Phoenix (Gibson Firebird replica) pickups from Cavalier Pickups, for the bridge and neck of my kit Tele. This will be a report of electrical characteristics only, as it is not practical for me to reassemble them if they are torn down. I have seen pictures of the internals elsewhere. The Firebird has a unique construction which lends it a very bright sound, with relatively high output and low eddy current losses. Unfortunately, this makes it harder to build and thus more expensive. I believe that is why most other mini humbuckers use a scaled down PAF-like design with a single bar magnet and steel bars, slugs and/or screws. The two types are as different as night and day.
The Firebird uses two bar magnets, one inside each humbucking coil. Although the cover is solid metal, it is chrome plated nickel silver and so has no significant losses that would muffle the tone. As the inductance and losses are quite low, the tone is very single coil like, and pairs well with single coil pickups. Hence it is popular as a replacement Tele neck pickup.
As is often reported, Cavalier's Rob DeStefano discussed my order at length with me on the phone, and provided a lot of useful information about pickups as we narrowed down the build to an identical set of stock (thus wound for neck) Phoenix. Rob can build with different options and the only major differences between Firebird and these Phoenix that I know of, is the lack of reflector plates (stock, also my choice) and two wire grounded leads to allow for phase reversal. The build and shipment were prompt and perfect. I'm definitely wishing I had done this sooner.
Device Circuit under Test : Cavalier Firebird
Test Date : Dec 30, 2016
DC resistance (Ohms) : 6,790
Self Resonant Frequency (Hz) : 7770
Self Resonant Peak (dB) : 7.2
Loaded Resonant Frequency (Hz) : 4060
Loaded Peak (dB) : 5.0
Inductance Test Resonant Frequency (Hz) : 1630
Inductance (H) : 2.17
Calculated Intrinsic Capacitance (pF) : 184
The Firebird uses two bar magnets, one inside each humbucking coil. Although the cover is solid metal, it is chrome plated nickel silver and so has no significant losses that would muffle the tone. As the inductance and losses are quite low, the tone is very single coil like, and pairs well with single coil pickups. Hence it is popular as a replacement Tele neck pickup.
As is often reported, Cavalier's Rob DeStefano discussed my order at length with me on the phone, and provided a lot of useful information about pickups as we narrowed down the build to an identical set of stock (thus wound for neck) Phoenix. Rob can build with different options and the only major differences between Firebird and these Phoenix that I know of, is the lack of reflector plates (stock, also my choice) and two wire grounded leads to allow for phase reversal. The build and shipment were prompt and perfect. I'm definitely wishing I had done this sooner.
Device Circuit under Test : Cavalier Firebird
Test Date : Dec 30, 2016
DC resistance (Ohms) : 6,790
Self Resonant Frequency (Hz) : 7770
Self Resonant Peak (dB) : 7.2
Loaded Resonant Frequency (Hz) : 4060
Loaded Peak (dB) : 5.0
Inductance Test Resonant Frequency (Hz) : 1630
Inductance (H) : 2.17
Calculated Intrinsic Capacitance (pF) : 184
