rollin'

[Matt R.]

This thread is tasty.

[andrew]

Very cool. The P2 pickups look like they're gonna sound mean.

[Rodent]

here's a set of our RJ5s split-coils in a Muckelroy HMC5 that's about to be shipped to it's commissioning owner.

MuckHMC5_RJ5sPickups.jpg (112.71 KiB) Viewed 38743 times

this is the first Muckelroy to be factory equipped with a RGW pickup set

[Rodent]

been a while since I updated this thread, and loads of great stuff has happened since then ...

- the pickups have been spun off into a new company - Honey Badger Pickups. We were starting to get a significant number of custom builders using our pickups for their builds, and it seemed fitting to have a brand name that was different than the bass (so that they didn't feel like they were somehow advertising RGW basses every time they mention using our pickups in one of their builds (like several other pickups companies do))

- the number of offerings has expanded to cover split-coil P-bass, single coil J-bass, split-coil J-bass, and several custom designs in soapbar shapes (in choice of Bart or EMG sized covers)

- all of the flatwork is now being laser cut instead of CNC. this saves an immense amount of time per pickup set, and increases accuracy

- we were just picked up by our first re-seller, and their initial order is being built. once they have inventory in stock I'll be free to share who that is.

- distribution has been secured for Japan and Singapore, and Europe is in the works


I should also post an updated image of the Bart sized soapbar set - it's no longer a prototype, but one of our top selling designs. Here's an image of the production flatwork for the 6-string P4 bridge pickup - notice that those large stainless screws have been replaced with more appropriately sized brass screws, and that the bobbin set is crisp and perfectly matched

HB_HeavyHitters_BartP2.jpg (79.58 KiB) Viewed 38454 times

I have linked several sound files to the FB page - give a listen when you have time
https://www.facebook.com/HoneyBadgerPickups/

[andrew]

Wow, that's great Rod! Congratulations on the pickup biz working out so well!

[Rodent]

Initial retail packaging is complete

HB_RetailBranding_FirstProof.jpg (153.17 KiB) Viewed 38320 times

Ready just in time for delivery to our first retail seller

2016May12_FirstResellerShipment.jpg (201.71 KiB) Viewed 38320 times

[Rodent]

Delivery at our first retail reseller - USA Custom Guitars

Tommy will have these listed on their website shortly: http://www.usacustomguitars.com/pickups/

Here's a shot of the hand-off (and a huge stack of bass bodies!)

HB_USACG_FirstDelivery.jpg (255.17 KiB) Viewed 38320 times

[tim]

For anyone who doesn't know the significance of the Honey Badger:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4r7wHMg5Yjg

NSFW language

[Rodent]

We learned of that video several weeks after all of the business paperwork submitted.

Made for some great commentary when kicking "Captain E0" out of our NAMM booth this year.

all the best,

R

* Captain E0 (pronounced EE-oh) is our pet name for those guys who know exactly one slap lick in E, and proceed to play it endlessly for 10 minutes while pretending to demo a bass. If you've been to NAMM or your local GC, you know exactly the dude I'm speaking of.

[tim]

Haha, no kidding! That's funny

[Rodent]

current batch of pickup coils ready for winding this afternoon

IMG_0226.JPG (74.55 KiB) Viewed 38166 times

quite the mix of different models and string counts, but typical of the most popular style (split-coil) that's been ordered the past couple of months.

[andrew]

This is all excellent. I love seeing a truly kind and decent guy succeed and grow. Congratulations again Rod, it really makes me happy to watch you build your bass business so successfully.

I've been thinking of you lately, time slips away and I haven't been to see you in way too long. Next time I get to Seattle hopefully I can at least drop by and say hi.

[Rodent]

hey Andrew - it has indeed been WAY TOO LONG!! I think you'll be amazed at how much different the entire shop complex is compared to the small garage I was working out of last time you visited.

Growth is a great thing, but it doesn't come without periods of discomfort. There have been many times when we almost were swallowed up and overwhelmed with taking a significant stride forward. Learning to recognize those times while they are still on the horizon would sure be handy (it's HIGH on my wish list) and help to keep us from taking on too much work ahead of those times of growing pains. It's in the dark times where you learn a lot about yourself, and whether doing all of this is a passion that mandates continuation or just an infatuation that will fade away when a new interest comes along.

When I started building basses, I never dreamed I'd be making my own pickups ... when I started making my own pickups, I never dreamed they be used by other builders and played by bassists all around the world. How much more is still to come that I don't yet even dream of today?


To everybody who has so generously taken the risk and supported us all of these years - a huge and hearty THANK YOU!

all the best,

R

p.s. Please do let me know next time you'll be in the area!

[Rodent]

The new FRS dual-coils are entering production. here's a peek at the first production set, a 7-string model that will feature wooden covers, getting ready to be loaded onto the winder and given a spin

FRS_DualCoils_7StringBass.png (802.79 KiB) Viewed 38055 times

Finishing up this design opens the door to the next R&D project waiting in the queue. More on that when the timing is right ...

[Rodent]

fresh off the winder, ready for lead connections and a dip in the potting tub

FRS_DualCoils_7StringBass_FreshlyWound.png (689.22 KiB) Viewed 38049 times

onward to crafting the custom wooden cover set ...

[Rodent]

ready for detail sanding, and then a soaking in thinned epoxy for max penetration into the wood

FRS_DualCoils_7StringBass_WoodenCoversReadyForSanding.png (799 KiB) Viewed 38037 times

there's a small bit of tearout on the bottom, but nothing that causes structural issues or that will be seen once installed.

[andrew]

Very nice!

[Rodent]

thanks!

fresh from the shop tonight - Bart P2 sized 5-string covers ready for detail sanding. This set is made from some excellent quartersawn Wenge I've had in stock for some time

BartP2_WoodenCovers_Wenge_ReadyForSanding.png (752.22 KiB) Viewed 38015 times

the edge detail is far crisper than I anticipated to achieve from Wenge.

[Basshappi]

Very nice!

[Rodent]

the FRS 7-string set in birdseye covers shipped out. here's a peek at the finished product. what you can't see is that each coil was individually copper foil shielded, and then the coils were isolated with an insulation barrier before being loaded into the wooden covers.

West Systems epoxy finished off the assembly and was left to cure overnight. epoxy casting ensures that the stress loads from the mounting screws are evenly distributed across the pickup frame, and don't cause the otherwise frail covers to crack under load.

HB1455_FRSdual-coil_7string_ReadyToShip_Top.jpg (99.42 KiB) Viewed 37878 times

HB1455_FRSdual-coil_7string_ReadyToShip_Bottom.jpg (123.47 KiB) Viewed 37878 times