Based on the original and legendary Tri-Sonic® pickup of the 1960s, these modern replicas are built to closely match the characteristics of the pickups used on Brian May’s Red Special guitar.
Wound and assembled using the same style of construction as the 1960’s originals, together with custom-made Isotropic C1 Ceramic magnets, vintage-style chromed brass covers and steel bases, these are much closer in specification and construction to the ones currently found on Brian May’s Red Special guitar than currently available mass-produced commercial alternatives.
Using a non-ferrous baseplate on the neck pickup reduces the inductance to contribute to that May tone, especially when using the neck and middle pickups out-of-phase (Think ‘first solo on Bohemian Rhapsody’).
Yonderbosk Sovereign Pickups
- 44AWG copper wire with single build 180 polyester coating
- Coils wound coils to close specification of the pickups on the original Red Special
- Hand wrapped in woven cotton tape
- Alphawire connection wires
- Custom-made two-piece C1 ceramic isotropic bar magnets per pickup
- Middle pickup Reverse Wound & Reverse Polarity (Can be changed to whichever pickup you wish)
- Steel bases on Bridge and Middle pickups
- Nickel base on Neck pickup to reduce inductance
- Textured rubber insert
- Wax potted to reduce microphonics
Base Style – Which Should I Choose?
There are two options of base style on the Sovereigns. The main difference between the two options is the height of the legs (The screw spacing remains the same).
If you are going to perform a direct swap to the standard pickups fitted on the Burns / BMG Special guitars, which are mounted with screws and springs though the pickguard, then you would likely be better choosing the Modern style base with the longer legs, or else you may struggle to set the pickups to a good height in relation to the strings.
If you are going to mount the pickups by screwing them directly to the body, then the 60’s style will do just fine. The modern style would also still work, but you may need to route out the pickup recesses a little deeper.
Customisation
Some customisation is available to the Sovereign pickups, including:
– Custom engraving†
– Alternate covers
– Epoxy neck fill
– Custom coil winds
– Cosmetic Relic Covers
If you have something specific in mind, contact me and let’s talk….
Price:
From £199
(Standard set)
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Guyton Time-Warp Pickups
The Guyton Time-Warp pickups are the result of a collaboration between The Guyton Guitar Co. and Yonderbosk.
These pickups are a painstakingly faithful recreation of the Tri-Sonic® pickups found in Sir Brian May’s original Red Special guitar.
Handcrafted to exacting standards based on the condition of the original pickups in the period specified, and as fitted to Guyton’s own series of Time-Warp guitars, these pickups will be built in strictly limited numbers.
Each set is provided in a custom printed box with gold foil logos, inset into burgundy flocked foam, and comes with a numbered Certificate of Authenticity signed by Andrew Guyton and Matt Netherwood, with details of the measured specification of the individual set, together with two British sixpences.
The coils are wound using 44AWG plain enamel wire, cotton-wrapped and lacquered, with Gauss-adjusted C1 Ceramic magnets per pickup, all to the specifications measured by Greg Fryer during his 1998 restoration of the original Red Special
They are assembled using custom-made modern recreations of period-accurate chromed brass covers and mild steel bases, incorporating the same modifications made by Brian and Harold May in the 1960s, using genuine Araldite epoxy resin and small weave satin black gaffer tape (Or textured rubber, depending on the period chosen).
The pickups are then ‘aged’ to reflect the chosen era, using reference photographs and other knowledge obtained from those who have dealt with the original guitar.
Time-Warp pickups are available in 60s, 70s, 80, 90s, 10s and 2024 eras.
If you want to understand the differences between each of the eras, please see the Time-Warp Specifications page
Price:
£299
Price includes Royal Mail Tracked shipping worldwide
(DHL Express shipping available at additional cost)
Want to know what they sound like?
Have a listen to the Guyton Time-Warp Sound Samples
†Some exclusions apply.
For example, there’s no way I’ll be putting ‘ADESON’, ‘BMG SUPER’ or Brian May’s signature on a set of these for anyone, no matter how much you ask!