henry norton Posted October 18, 2011 Share Posted October 18, 2011 I've read some interesting news on the Dark Star situation. Over the past year or so many of you probably already know Fred Hammon (maker of Dark Stars) has done a bit of a 'Lane Poor' (ie stopped making pickups and all but disappeared). However, In the last week or two on TalkBass someone has posted news about a Swedish organisation that has been working with some of the old Hagstrom employees to re-recreate the Bi-Sonic, including a 5 string version. There's no more news than that for now but fingers crossed Bi-sonics will be back on the menu again! Incidentally, has anyone got a Dark Starred bass (or better still just a pickup, or even better still, a Bi-Sonic) I could have a look at sometime??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted October 18, 2011 Share Posted October 18, 2011 [quote name='henry norton' timestamp='1318954891' post='1408223'] I've read some interesting news on the Dark Star situation. Over the past year or so many of you probably already know Fred Hammon (maker of Dark Stars) has done a bit of a 'Lane Poor' (ie stopped making pickups and all but disappeared). However, In the last week or two on TalkBass someone has posted news about a Swedish organisation that has been working with some of the old Hagstrom employees to re-recreate the Bi-Sonic, including a 5 string version. There's no more news than that for now but fingers crossed Bi-sonics will be back on the menu again! Incidentally, has anyone got a Dark Starred bass (or better still just a pickup, or even better still, a Bi-Sonic) I could have a look at sometime??? [/quote] Thats's interesting news. I used to have a Dearmond Starfire with Hammon Dark Stars. I regret not still having it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry norton Posted October 18, 2011 Author Share Posted October 18, 2011 Yeah they're singular in look and sound. Allot of people seem to either have no time for them at all or be totally mad for them. I kept meaning to get a pair for my semi but at $400 a pair it wasn't something you could go and buy on a whim. Wish I had now... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krispn Posted October 19, 2011 Share Posted October 19, 2011 I thought that Dark Stars were going back into production? Might have read something on the Lakland forum.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry norton Posted October 19, 2011 Author Share Posted October 19, 2011 [quote name='krispn' timestamp='1319008333' post='1408728'] I thought that Dark Stars were going back into production? Might have read something on the Lakland forum.. [/quote] Yeah Fred resurfaced a few months ago, fulfilled a couple of back orders then promptly disappeared again. So far as I know a few people on this forum had placed orders that have, up 'til now, not been fulfilled. The mystery continues, let's just hope the Swedes get their act together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beer of the Bass Posted October 19, 2011 Share Posted October 19, 2011 I've got one in my four string - it's a good pickup but I don't think there's anything magical about it. I wonder if I should eBay it for silly money while they're still scarce! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krispn Posted October 19, 2011 Share Posted October 19, 2011 [quote name='Beer of the Bass' timestamp='1319018002' post='1408860'] I've got one in my four string - it's a good pickup but I don't think there's anything magical about it. I wonder if I should eBay it for silly money while they're still scarce! [/quote] Ooh and your an Ed'burgh local. What bass is it in - Semi or P bass and when can one go see you play live to check it out? G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry norton Posted October 19, 2011 Author Share Posted October 19, 2011 [quote name='Beer of the Bass' timestamp='1319018002' post='1408860'] I've got one in my four string - it's a good pickup but I don't think there's anything magical about it. I wonder if I should eBay it for silly money while they're still scarce! [/quote] Yeah they do go for allot on the odd occasion they come up. The main reason I like them is because they look good, sound ok and they aren't P's, J's or soapbars. They aren't going to turn anyone into a rock god but if you use them some people might just think you are Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LawrenceH Posted October 19, 2011 Share Posted October 19, 2011 [quote name='Beer of the Bass' timestamp='1319018002' post='1408860'] I've got one in my four string - it's a good pickup but I don't think there's anything magical about it. I wonder if I should eBay it for silly money while they're still scarce! [/quote] Ha, I saw this thread and clicked on it because I thought of your bass! It sounded very nice and growly I thought - guess it depends how much that's just the bass - what does it sound like with other pickups in, you ever tried? [quote name='henry norton' timestamp='1319020083' post='1408891'] Yeah they do go for allot on the odd occasion they come up. The main reason I like them is because they look good, sound ok and they aren't P's, J's or soapbars. They aren't going to turn anyone into a rock god but if you use them some people might just think you are [/quote] Quiet you! Spending hundreds of your earth pounds on Mr Beer's pickup WILL make you sound like a rock God and selectively impress beautiful people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beer of the Bass Posted October 19, 2011 Share Posted October 19, 2011 [quote name='LawrenceH' timestamp='1319058627' post='1409558'] Ha, I saw this thread and clicked on it because I thought of your bass! It sounded very nice and growly I thought - guess it depends how much that's just the bass - what does it sound like with other pickups in, you ever tried? [/quote] Hi Lawrence, at the gig where you heard the bass, I'd have been using the toaster pickup at the neck on the majority of the songs, both pickups together on one tune, and the Darkstar soloed on only one song. From the sound of the toaster I reckon I'd be as happy with two of those, but I'd need to make some kind of surround to cover the huge rout. The bass started out with just one pickup, an old japanese Maxon single coil mudbucker lookalike in the mid position. This sounded good but was too microphonic. I replaced that later with a Dimarzio model one, which didn't have the upper mid "clank" I like. I changed that for the Darkstar as it was the only quality single coil I could find to fill the huge rout in my bass. Then later I added the toaster at the neck for a bit more versatility. The Darkstar does have a bit more presence in the very high treble than most passive pickups do - I can hear that when I record direct, but I tend not to like using cabs that go that high, so it's kind of lost on what I do. Since I'm now using my five string (there's a thread on it in Build Diaries) for gigs, I'm thinking I'd be as well to move the Darkstar on and stick another Kent Armstrong toaster in instead. Hope I haven't drifted too far off topic... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry norton Posted October 21, 2011 Author Share Posted October 21, 2011 [quote name='Beer of the Bass' timestamp='1319061650' post='1409596'] I'm thinking I'd be as well to move the Darkstar on and stick another Kent Armstrong toaster in instead. [/quote] Well, I dont suppose you'd have much trouble moving it on - at least until/if these new Swedish copies finally hit the market. What pole spacing is your one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beer of the Bass Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 About 16.5mm between poles, so not much good for a P-bass, but good in most short scales. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry norton Posted October 21, 2011 Author Share Posted October 21, 2011 Ahh, I happen to be a short scale user. Let me know if you want to move it on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeFRC Posted November 2, 2011 Share Posted November 2, 2011 project that could be quite fun..... .... could you make your own darkstar? has anyone tried? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted November 2, 2011 Share Posted November 2, 2011 [quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1320268327' post='1424704'] project that could be quite fun..... .... could you make your own darkstar? has anyone tried? [/quote] Well, Fred Hammon made his own Hagstrom Bisonic and called it the Dark Star. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeFRC Posted November 2, 2011 Share Posted November 2, 2011 [quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1320268547' post='1424708'] Well, Fred Hammon made his own Hagstrom Bisonic and called it the Dark Star. [/quote] and apparently he's not making it anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted November 2, 2011 Share Posted November 2, 2011 [quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1320268964' post='1424716'] and apparently he's not making it anymore. [/quote] So, project that might not be quite fun ... buy Fred Hammon's tooling etc. and start making Dark Stars and see if you can keep up with the demand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeFRC Posted November 2, 2011 Share Posted November 2, 2011 [quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1320269437' post='1424725'] So, project that might not be quite fun ... buy Fred Hammon's tooling etc. and start making Dark Stars and see if you can keep up with the demand. [/quote] I was thinking more along the lines of - work out how to build them, make a few for myself and post plans on internet.... Or get a factory in china to make a couple of 1000...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted November 2, 2011 Share Posted November 2, 2011 [quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1320272806' post='1424795'] I was thinking more along the lines of - work out how to build them, make a few for myself and post plans on internet.... Or get a factory in china to make a couple of 1000...... [/quote] Yeah, go for it, I'll take two. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted November 2, 2011 Share Posted November 2, 2011 [quote name='henry norton' timestamp='1318954891' post='1408223'] In the last week or two on TalkBass someone has posted news about a Swedish organisation that has been working with some of the old Hagstrom employees to re-recreate the Bi-Sonic, including a 5 string version. [/quote] Have you got a link for that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry norton Posted November 3, 2011 Author Share Posted November 3, 2011 [quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1320274644' post='1424835'] Have you got a link for that? [/quote] [url="http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/club-dark-star-731040/index5.html"]http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/club-dark-star-731040/index5.html[/url] Posted by 'mungi' on page 12. It's a long thread, basically anything about Darkstars, so you can sort of follow the recent history. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted November 3, 2011 Share Posted November 3, 2011 [quote name='henry norton' timestamp='1320311828' post='1425043'] [url="http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/club-dark-star-731040/index5.html"]http://www.talkbass....040/index5.html[/url] Posted by 'mungi' on page 12. It's a long thread, basically anything about Darkstars, so you can sort of follow the recent history. [/quote] Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry norton Posted December 16, 2011 Author Share Posted December 16, 2011 Looks like Dark Stars are approaching 'Wal' status - at least Wal before they started making them again! [url="http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dark-Star-Pickups-Legendary-Bi-Sonic-Replicias-/220913079137?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item336f721361#ht_744wt_1270"]http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dark-Star-Pickups-Legendary-Bi-Sonic-Replicias-/220913079137?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item336f721361#ht_744wt_1270[/url] Dammit, why didn't I buy a few sets when Fred was still trading - I could have covered all my Xmas bills with the profits Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 [quote name='henry norton' timestamp='1324047584' post='1470255'] Looks like Dark Stars are approaching 'Wal' status - at least Wal before they started making them again! [url="http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dark-Star-Pickups-Legendary-Bi-Sonic-Replicias-/220913079137?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item336f721361#ht_744wt_1270"]http://www.ebay.com/...1#ht_744wt_1270[/url] Dammit, why didn't I buy a few sets when Fred was still trading - I could have covered all my Xmas bills with the profits [/quote] ... and why did I sell mine? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeFRC Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 [quote name='henry norton' timestamp='1324047584' post='1470255'] Looks like Dark Stars are approaching 'Wal' status - at least Wal before they started making them again! [url="http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dark-Star-Pickups-Legendary-Bi-Sonic-Replicias-/220913079137?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item336f721361#ht_744wt_1270"]http://www.ebay.com/...1#ht_744wt_1270[/url] Dammit, why didn't I buy a few sets when Fred was still trading - I could have covered all my Xmas bills with the profits [/quote] Again I wonder how hard they would be to make? ..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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