M2,m2,m3

[ShaunzNoiz]

OK. So I have this idea of having a Drop Top or a Cobra built with a m2, m2, m3 pickup combination with a rosewood neck. I'm wondering if I could have all three pickups wired and splitable into single coil whenever I wanted, and how do you guys think this might sound? I played a hollow cobra over the weekend with an m1, m1, m2 combination that sounded amazing, but I want something with a little more punch and a little more meat. Any suggestions? How about the debate or sonic differences between the Cobra and the Drop Top, using similar woods, ie., Mahogany back and Maple top?

[westex]

I am no expert, and have never even heard the M's, (want to badly) but for more punch I would go with a solid body guitar, and maybe consider a full humbucker in the bridge. And I think Tom recommends not splitting the M's, they get thin. Just my 2sense.

Wes

[sylvanshine]

Over the last month I've had the opportunity to A/B my Cobra M3 M1 M1 against an M equipped T Classic with an Alder body and a Drop Top T with Alder and a Maple Top.

To my ears, the solid Cobra is warmer, punchier and has more balls. The Cobra gets more crunch out of the bridge, yet somehow gets more quack out of the split positions (#2 and #4). I don't think there is anything magical about my Cobra, I think it's the nature of the scale length combined with the mahogany body and neck.

So, to answer your question, IMHO if you want "punch" and "meat" get a solid Cobra with the M3 M1 M1. I'm not an expert on the M2, but I understood that to be a bridge pickup and while it is splittable it probably isn't a good match with the M3.

As always, your mileage may vary. :)

[joe1962]

I just tried out a solid Cobra yesterday with M1/M1/M3 and I agree with sylvanshine. It was one of the best sounding electric guitas I've ever played, and I could see it covering most anything. I don't think I'd have liked it as much if it were hollow though. I liked it so much I'm about to order one for myself.

[sylvanshine]

Here's a thread that explores the concept of the M2 in the neck.

Two points to notice:

1) The spacing on the M2 is for the bridge and the pole pieces won't line up in the neck

2) Tom is going to see of they can wrap an M2 on an M1 bobbin, therefore negating 1)

M2 Thread (http://andersonforum.com/board/showthread.php?threadid=981&perpage=15&pagenumber=2)

[ShaunzNoiz]

Thanks guys!! Would I get a little more punch and or articulation going with a Drop Top with the same specs? I have a Hollow Drop Top Classic that I really love, but when I kick the overdrive on, I miss that mid-range punch that the solid body has. It's a Basswood back with Maple top, so I know that has a little to do with it. I love it clean though. I will never part with it!! The pickup setup is V1,V1, H2+. Any more comments?

[dannopelli]

I have a HCS with M1M1M3.

The M1 and M2 are not splittable becasue they are pretty low output pups. M3 is.

I use my guitar for everything from Jazz to Hard Core. And it covers the bases just fine. I also have a HDT with SAR1 SA1 and HO1. Also a American Deluxe Fat Strat with Duncans rather than the stock pups.

The HCS covers all the bases better than any of them.

[tom]

the m2 is splitable. the m1 is splitable, it's just very low output.

[ShaunzNoiz]

Well Tom, what do you think? Have you guys tried a m2, m2, m3 combination yet? Did you guys get the m2 or m3 into the m1 housing yet, and how did it work out? Thanks!

[tom]

we did get the m2 in an m1 housing. i'm liking it, but it is headed towards fullsize humbucker tone.

[dannopelli]

Originally posted by tom
the m2 is splitable. the m1 is splitable, it's just very low output.
Tom, a couple of questions:

If the M1 is splittable, is it a usable signal? I think I might have liked to have mine splittable when I ordered it.

Is the M2 more of a usable signal? One of the nice things about the M1 is it sounds much like a big single coil. Kind of like the SA's sound when split. Does the M2 in the M1 bobbin still sound like a single? If so I might want to change out my M1's for M2's and add a splitter.

Thanks Tom!

[tom]

i use my m1 split, for that low fi clanky sound. it is also pretty nice for the clean strat neck pickup sound. the m2 sounds more like a full size humbucker to me.