13 Nov David Allen Pickups Developing A New Pickup In Collaboration With SoloDallas (Updated With Allen’s Prototype I, Metro JTM50)

Recording The Rock N Roll Relics “Angus Model” With A David Allen P51 on a number of amplifiers

 Please note: for the latest updates, please scroll down to the bottom.

Well, I’m happy to be able to officially announce that Mr. David Allen, me & myself (Solo & Dallas) are working actively together to bring you a new pickup to sound… as it should.

Microphone Types & Placement: Left, Shure SM57; Right, original 1960s Sennheiser MD421. These microphones are a “classic couple” for Rock & Classic Rock. This is the combination used to record – for example – Highway To Hell.

For what? Well, typically – knowing me – for Rock ‘n’ Roll. And moreso, it’s supposed to be one of those you can stick or shove into an SG of any kind and make her sound… good. Good reminiscent of what you know. Idea came months ago to friend Billy Rowe of Rock N Roll Relics, that put David Allen and myself in touch to work on this. At the time, the main objective was to choose two pickups for the Angus Model (Rock N Roll Relics “Angus Model”). Billy had chosen one from David Allen’s great line of pickups called the P51, which replicates a 1959 Gibson (the Gibson of those times) PAF.

One of our Plexi prototypes – companding 100%, Boost circa 60&

As much as I personally love the P51, and likely am going to keep it inside my AM (Angus Model) as its main pickup – as a note: please listen to the audio takes below and realise how incredible the guitar and its pickup sound… this will help you realise why I had chosen Billy Rowe and his product in the first place – we needed another pickup that people could choose from when selecting their main Angus sound: older or newer (in the sense that, older Angus is definitely t-top style; newer – as rumoured – PAF style). So I got the newer. How ’bout the older?

And Billy put me in touch with Mr. Allen. Mr. Allen has a sort of scientific, knowledgeable approach with his pickups. And it sounds like it! So David sent me two prototypes of “his version” of older Gibson t-tops style pickups for me to experiment with, and I am just about to begin.

Firstly though, the plan is to document thoroughly the sound of what’s currently installed  – the P51, with several amplifiers, with & without The Schaffer Replica. And today I started doing just that.

To you now.

(Post in development, more audio files being uploaded please check back)

Technical notes:

• Wizard Vintage Classic, Attenuated with Aracom Attenuator. Settings: Presence 0, Bass 6, Mids 5, Treble 6, Volume 7. Played through a Marshall reissue non slanted 4×12 cabinet loaded with original, vintage Celestion G12M “greenbacks”.
• Original 1976 Marshall model 1959, Attenuated with Aracom Attenuator. Settings: Presence 0, Bass 6, Mids 5, Treble 6, Volume 7. Played through a Marshall reissue non slanted 4×12 cabinet loaded with original, vintage Celestion G12M “greenbacks”.
• Metro JTM50 (JTM45 on EL34s) Attenuated with Aracom Attenuator. Settings: Presence 5, Bass 5, Mids 5, Treble 6, Volume 7 (10 and 7 subsequent takes). Played through a Marshall reissue non slanted 4×12 cabinet loaded with original, vintage Celestion G12M “greenbacks”.
• Original 1979 Marshall model 2203, Attenuated with Aracom Attenuator. Settings: Presence 0, Bass 5, Mids 5, Treble 6, Volume 6, Preamp 6. Played through a Marshall reissue non slanted 4×12 cabinet loaded with original, vintage Celestion G12M “greenbacks”.
• Original 1970s Marshall Model Lead & Bass (about 18 watts) Attenuated with Aracom Attenuator. Settings: Tone 10, Volume 10. Played through a Marshall reissue non slanted 4×12 cabinet loaded with original, vintage Celestion G12M “greenbacks”
• Rock N Roll Relics “Angus Model” volume 10, tone 10

Rock N Roll Relics “Angus Model”, David Allen P51 on a Wizard Vintage Classic through original 1977 Celestion G12M “greenbacks” – cloth type is checkered, non slant “B” Marshall 4×12 cabinet type.
Microphones: 1x Shure SM57 & x Vintage Sennheiser MD421– NO EQUALISATION; Microphones at same level

Rock N Roll Relics “Angus Model”, David Allen P51 on a Wizard Vintage Classic through original 1977 Celestion G12M “greenbacks” – cloth type is checkered, non slant “B” Marshall 4×12 cabinet type.
Microphones: 1x Shure SM57 & x Vintage Sennheiser MD421– NO EQUALISATION; Microphones at same level. The Schaffer Replica ON, Companding 10, Boost 60%.

Rock N Roll Relics “Angus Model”, David Allen P51 on an original, 1976 Marshall Model 1959 through original 1977 Celestion G12M “greenbacks” – cloth type is checkered, non slant “B” Marshall 4×12 cabinet type.
Microphones: 1x Shure SM57 & x Vintage Sennheiser MD421– NO EQUALISATION; Microphones at same level. 

Rock N Roll Relics “Angus Model”, David Allen P51 on an original, 1976 Marshall Model 1959 through original 1977 Celestion G12M “greenbacks” – cloth type is checkered, non slant “B” Marshall 4×12 cabinet type.
Microphones: 1x Shure SM57 & x Vintage Sennheiser MD421– NO EQUALISATION; Microphones at same level. The Schaffer Replica ON, Companding 10, Boost 60%.

Rock N Roll Relics “Angus Model”, David Allen P51 on an original, Metro JTM50 (JTM45 on EL34s)  through original 1977 Celestion G12M “greenbacks” – cloth type is checkered, non slant “B” Marshall 4×12 cabinet type. Microphones: 1x Shure SM57 & x Vintage Sennheiser MD421– NO EQUALISATION; Microphones at same level. For this take, amplifier at 7.

Rock N Roll Relics “Angus Model”, David Allen P51 on an original, Metro JTM50 (JTM45 on EL34s)  through original 1977 Celestion G12M “greenbacks” – cloth type is checkered, non slant “B” Marshall 4×12 cabinet type. Microphones: 1x Shure SM57 & x Vintage Sennheiser MD421– NO EQUALISATION; Microphones at same level. For this take, amplifier at 10.

Rock N Roll Relics “Angus Model”, David Allen P51 on an original, Metro JTM50 (JTM45 on EL34s)  through original 1977 Celestion G12M “greenbacks” – cloth type is checkered, non slant “B” Marshall 4×12 cabinet type. Microphones: 1x Shure SM57 & x Vintage Sennheiser MD421– NO EQUALISATION; Microphones at same level. For this take, amplifier at 7 with TSR.

[jwplayer mediaid=”9681″]

Rock N Roll Relics “Angus Model”, David Allen P51 on an original, Marshall 1979 Lead Master 2203  through original 1977 Celestion G12M “greenbacks” – cloth type is checkered, non slant “B” Marshall 4×12 cabinet type. Microphones: 1x Shure SM57 & x Vintage Sennheiser MD421– NO EQUALISATION; Microphones at same level. 

[jwplayer mediaid=”9683″]

Rock N Roll Relics “Angus Model”, David Allen P51 on an original, Marshall 1979 Lead Master 2203  through original 1977 Celestion G12M “greenbacks” – cloth type is checkered, non slant “B” Marshall 4×12 cabinet type. Microphones: 1x Shure SM57 & x Vintage Sennheiser MD421– NO EQUALISATION; Microphones at same level.The Schaffer Replica ON, Companding 10, Boost 60%.

Rock N Roll Relics “Angus Model”, David Allen P51 on an original, Marshall 1971 Model 1987  through original 1977 Celestion G12M “greenbacks” – cloth type is checkered, non slant “B” Marshall 4×12 cabinet type. Microphones: 1x Shure SM57 & x Vintage Sennheiser MD421– NO EQUALISATION; Microphones at same level. 

Rock N Roll Relics “Angus Model”, David Allen P51 on an original, Marshall 1971 Model 1987  through original 1977 Celestion G12M “greenbacks” – cloth type is checkered, non slant “B” Marshall 4×12 cabinet type. Microphones: 1x Shure SM57 & x Vintage Sennheiser MD421– NO EQUALISATION; Microphones at same level. The Schaffer Replica ON, Companding 10, Boost 60%.

Rock N Roll Relics “Angus Model”, David Allen P51 on an original, Marshall 1970s Model Lead & Bass  through original 1977 Celestion G12M “greenbacks” – cloth type is checkered, non slant “B” Marshall 4×12 cabinet type. Microphones: 1x Shure SM57 & 1x Sennheiser MD421- NO EQUALISATION; Microphones at same level. The Schaffer Replica ON, Companding 9, Boost 60%. 

Update: Now Introducing David Allen’s Prototype I 

So, now that we have listened carefully – I hope – to the RRR Angus Model with David Allen’s well known P51s inside (which I love and will probably install in a few of my 1959 Les Pauls – The Replicas), I am now here to test the first one of the two prototypes that David sent me to try. The prototype has been put inside the RRR Angus Model in the bridge position, as the P51 earlier.

Will comment it/evaluate it later; for now, just let your ears listen to it. I will try it just like the above test, all the amps I have in the laboratory with and without the TSR.

Please note: in relation to the previous test, a couple elements have changed: the 2203 amplifier is now the older, 1977 model I had at the shop, now back to the lab. I consider this one a superiorly sounding amplifier (it’s one of the first ones), therefore I am using this one; 

In place of the previous Shure SM57 – current production – I am now using a 1970s Shure “Unidyne III” SM57, made in the USA (as opposed to the current ones made in Mexico). These are allegedly better, and the differences I hear are the older one being “smoother” than “harsher”. 

All the other elements remain unchanged.

• Original 1977 Marshall model 2203, Attenuated with Aracom Attenuator. Settings: Presence 0, Bass 5, Mids 5, Treble 6, Volume 6, Preamp 6. Played through a Marshall reissue non slanted 4×12 cabinet loaded with original, vintage Celestion G12M “greenbacks”.
• Wizard Vintage Classic, Attenuated with Aracom Attenuator. Settings: Presence 0, Bass 6, Mids 5, Treble 6, Volume 7. Played through a Marshall reissue non slanted 4×12 cabinet loaded with original, vintage Celestion G12M “greenbacks”.
• Rock N Roll Relics “Angus Model” volume 10, tone 10

Rock N Roll Relics “Angus Model”, David Allen “Prototype I”  on an original, Marshall 1977 Lead Master 2203  through original 1977 Celestion G12M “greenbacks” – cloth type is checkered, non slant “B” Marshall 4×12 cabinet type. Microphones: 1x Vintage Early 1970s Shure SM57 “Unidyne III” & 1x Vintage Sennheiser MD421– NO EQUALISATION; Microphones at same level. 

Rock N Roll Relics “Angus Model”, David Allen “Prototype I”  on an original, Marshall 1977 Lead Master 2203  through original 1977 Celestion G12M “greenbacks” – cloth type is checkered, non slant “B” Marshall 4×12 cabinet type. Microphones: 1x Vintage Early 1970s Shure SM57 “Unidyne III” & 1x Vintage Sennheiser MD421- NO EQUALISATION; Microphones at same level.  The Schaffer Replica ON, Companding 9, Boost 60%.

Rock N Roll Relics “Angus Model”, David Allen “Prototype I”  on a Wizard Vintage Classic  through original 1977 Celestion G12M “greenbacks” – cloth type is checkered, non slant “B” Marshall 4×12 cabinet type. Microphones: 1x Vintage Early 1970s Shure SM57 “Unidyne III” & 1x Vintage Sennheiser MD421– NO EQUALISATION; Microphones at same level. 

Rock N Roll Relics “Angus Model”, David Allen “Prototype I”  on a Wizard Vintage Classic  through original 1977 Celestion G12M “greenbacks” – cloth type is checkered, non slant “B” Marshall 4×12 cabinet type. Microphones: 1x Vintage Early 1970s Shure SM57 “Unidyne III” & 1x Vintage Sennheiser MD421– NO EQUALISATION; Microphones at same level.  Companding 9, Boost 60%

Just Adding more beef to the test.

Metro JTM50 On Steroids thanks to the Schaffer Replica™, 100% Companding, 100% Boost. Amps is Presence 0, bass 4, Mids 4, Treble 10, Vol 8

Cabinet is 1979 Slanted Marshall 4×12 loaded with Original 1979 Celestion G12-65s. Recorded with TWO Shure SM57s, one of them being a vintage Unidyne III. No equalization added.