callaham/Lindy Fralin Pickups

[humanbn]

My experience working with repro pickups is limited. I have, however, played some Callaham guitars with their Lindy Fralin pickups in them and like these a lot. I'm wondering, though, if their claims of "cryogenically treating" the wires used in these pickups is much more than hot air. I understand that the process is suppose to better align the molecules and, in effect, permit the current to travel more easily through them. Callaham himself claims that he can tell whether or not a set of pickups have gone through this process simply by listening to the tone they create. Anyway, can anyone tell me how much truth there is with this claim? I'm not asking if the tone is better, a very subjective topic, I only want to know if it would really affect the tone at all. Does this process change anything?

[newey]

HBN-

Well, if'n it's cryogenic, it's not hot air! ;D

But you may feel a cool cool breeze blowing through your wallet after purchasing!

My quantum physics is practically nonexistent, but I'm skeptical to put it mildly. Wires will conduct better when kept at supercold temperatures- this phenomenon is the basis of oodles of research into superconductivity. But the wires have to be kept in that state for them to superconduct.

To buy the proposition that, once rewarmed to room temperature, a wire would retain a property of enhanced conductivity presupposes that the state of the wire has changed in some desireable fashion due to the chilling- And I don't believe any such state change occurs, or at least not significantly enough to affect conductivity.

Also, the whole premise presupposes that conductivity of pickup wire is somehow related to the tone of the pickup. That's probably true if we're talking a gross variation in conductivity- but assuming we're using copper wire of the same gauge, a minor variation in conductivity is not likely to matter.

I could be dead wrong here but I doubt it.

[humanbn]

That's about what I'm thinking. I believe that there may be a difference but I'm not sure that it would be as profound as Callaham claims it to be.

[ChrisK]

better align the molecules and, in effect, permit the current to travel more easily through them.

I always recommend that everyone get their molecules aligned regularly.

Now, does "permit the current to travel more easily" mean with less resistance (prehaps), faster 'cuz the molecular bumps in the road are smaller due to their being "aligned" (bullschnitzel), or with less restriction since the spaces betwixt the molecules are larger (sure, why not.............)?


It's probably a form of annealing at work.

Also, the cold may restructure the magnets and/or flux density thereof and may have some effect.

I suspect that if I were subjected to said treatment, I'd likely sound somewhat different too.

I further suspect that some of this is done because it has an actual effect, more i$ done becau$e it ha$ an actual effect on the perception of the li$tener, and the re$t is done, actually, becau$e it can be.


Marketing, i$.

[cynical1]

So, let me get this straight...they "cryogenically treat", or freeze these pickups at -300 degrees Fahrenheit, in order to recreate something made 50 years ago in a non-air-conditioned factory in Southern California... Makes me wonder if Leo blasted his pickups with a fire extinguisher on their way out the door...

Still wondering...

Cynical1

[sumgai]

TIME OUT!

I can't speak for Callaham, but I do know that the "cryogenic" process is merely a handy label for a somewhat extensive process. You can't imitate it by simply tossing a coil (or a whole pickup) into the fridge for a week, and then claim to have a better pickup.

Short story long, the wire itself is sent through the mill, then it gets wound onto the bobbin. Freezing a magnet that cold, then thawing it, will almost always induce stress fractures. They may be tiny, but they will exist. Hmmm, except for the ceramic kind, that oughtta withstand the temperature extremes fairly well..........


One common example in our area of the planet..... Dean Markley started it, but now there are other string manufacturers that make cryongenic strings, usually out of stainless steel. Keeps that beautiful tone for weeks, not just hours. ;D (GHS and Martin come to mind.)

Of course, everyone else's mileage may vary!



sumgai

[humanbn]

So, most of you seem to believe that this process would make a difference but that it doesn't seem to be a difference worth shelling out the big bucks for. I must admit that I do like the sound of the Callaham/Lindy Fralin pickups but I haven't played with any Lindy Fralin's that haven't gone through the Callaham factory. It's a bummer. I live in a rural part of West Virginia and there aren't many instrument stores around that sell stock fender of gibson, let alone custom work. The Callaham factory is pretty close though; maybe an hour or so. I get to play a good many of their guitars. Maybe I should take a road trip to Pittsburgh or Baltimore. Try to find some other stuff.

[ChrisK]

Maybe I should take a road trip to Pittsburgh

Well, if you do, there are two Guitar Centers (Monroeville - PA turnpike exit 57 and Robinson Center - west of PGH) and Piano's 'n Stuff Music (mind you, they don't actually sell piano's) in Blawknox (near the PA turnpike exit 47). GC is GC, but PnS is pretty good.

There are others, but these are what I frequent.

I live in a rural part of West Virginia....

I've been there on several occasions and wasn't aware of too many parts that weren't rural.

I pass thru Winchester on my way to Fred'burg VA (three music stores), but never have stopped in at Callaham's.