Latest News March 2009

This page will be used to advise of new projects, pickups, that we are currently developing or have recently developed. They may not be in standard production, hence the reason they will not yet be appearing in our shop.

Some items are being produced exclusively for specific customers, where this is the case it will be mentioned.

Humbucker Sized P90 - Dreamers
Just announcing the launch of our Dreamers, humbucker sized P90. True single coils encased in a standard size humbucker cover, great tone and fabulous price.

New Humbucker
08.03.2009 - Just some advanced warning of three new types of humbuckers, 'Infinity' rails type, Novatron and Armoured. Each will have its' own distinctive tone and they will shortly be available from the shop - just keep a look out

Area 51 - New Bass Pickups
Area 51 pickups have landed, A new type of pickup for the discerning bassist.

Using our specialist knowledge and working closely with great players and manufacturers we have been working for a longtime to create passive pickups with true balls.

Other makers will take you through actives and preamps we believe that simple is best. So we've had a look at all the components and are now releasing the Area 51 "Stealth" the mother of all Pbass pickups. Tones similar to Alnico 5 but with an extra notch (or two) on your volume. Big and round these'll distort whatever amp you've got but back 'em off and they clean up nicely, truly bespoke with black poles and aged covers.

Simply original and stunning. (Other styles including Jazz Bass to follow)

Revelation Strat Pickups
We were approached about six months ago by a leading studio player who asked if we could make his great 70s Strat with a rosewood board sound more like a late 50s Strat with a maple fingerboard.

Well, after loads of attempts, a lot of research and development we've done it! He's delighted, all that bright zing and top you'd expect from maple right there on his guitar.

Course he suggested that there will be others who'd like this tone - hence our newest Strat set - Revelations, bevelled and aged A5 magnets, truly special windings, uniquely aged white covers and cloth covered hook-up leads. They take a lot longer to make than any of our other strat pickups but they are simply stunning - contact us for details and prices.

Pickup Components - 23/01/2008
Like most pickup makers we have always purchased-in many of the components from manufacturers in the USA and the Far East. However in times of shortage we have suffered with non-delivery and second quality.

Because of this we have now chosen to invest in the manufacture of components for most of our single coil pickups, and from the beginning of February all Strat, Tele, and Bass single coils will be made using our own components. Made using the traditional vulcanised fibre board, the bobbin shapes are cut by laser in a semi-automated process using CNC techniques.

Each type has been tested and we are confident that they will fit in aftermarket covers without any problems.

They are more accurate and better fitting that most parts we have bought and will certainly be more consistent.Sadly they will not make our pickups cheaper or better sounding BUT we can say made entirely in the UK!!!

Eventually we hope to produce all of our components either in-house or most certainly within the UK - cause Britain sounds good to us!!

New Magnets - 07/11/2007
What new magnets, whats wrong with Alnico or ceramic? Well nothing for most players, but some need to get the pickups further from the strings without losing attack or volume - some just want bigger output (volume).

We've been working with Neo35. An alloy magnet similar in tone to Alnico5 but much more powerful. In most situations it is like adding at least an 11 to your volume pot in some circumstances maybe even a 12!

They won't suit everyone, they are expensive, but we can use them with all our standard ranges of humbuckers and P90s.

They add about £15.00, £20 for most bass types, to the standard price, call for details.

Cast pickups
Some of you may remember that Wizard used to make cast pickups, though we stopped about five years ago. Well customers kept asking can we make a special one-off, or, I'm making something special would you make my pickups - so we bow to public pressure and we are starting again.

Currently we are working closely with a couple of luthiers, who are making the plugs from which we cast our silicone moulds - suffice to say it is still early days yet but we have produced clear Pbass pickups with adjustable poles for Charlie Jones (Goldfrapp) clear P90s for Ben Crowe of Crimson Guitars amongst others.

The pictures opposite show some of what is possible and as we take more photos we will include them to give you more ideas.

This is very much work in progress, but if you are interested either email us, or call Andy on 01570 480099.

Prices will be reasonable too!!