Over the years we've used
many various makes and types of hardware,
which has been dependant on the type of guitar I've been building at the time.....
Kahler, EMG, DiMarzio, Schaller, Gotoh,
Kluson, Kent Armstrong, ABM, Seymour Duncan,
Allparts,
Entwistle
/ White & Wilkinson.
..... to name just a few.
I have got my favorites of course, and we've also had our own 'Royal'
hardware
made specifically for certain purposes.
If you have any specific
hardware requirements... please email and we'll try and help you out.
kev_royale@yahoo.co.uk
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"Royal" Hardware
( These Royal pickups are not currently available.)
In 1986
the projects at that time required our own pickups and bridge units,
and we had David White
make us a specific range of pickups for our purposes.
Initially we had 2 specifically voiced humbuckers made -
The Cream Dream
The Cream Dream
© was voiced
for the neck position for a gorgeous 'creamy' tone.
( Optional covers in Nickel, Chrome, Gold or Black.)
The Dirtbox*
The
Dirtbox ©* was voiced for the bridge position for
great 'bite', but which also
cleaned up nicely when the volume control was 'backed off' a touch.
( Optional covers in Nickel, Chrome, Gold and Black.)
Both these pickups were reviewed in the Angel
'V' Review in Guitarist Magazine
in October 1987.....
The
Cool Classic
Another specific pickup that was specially
made was The Cool Classic ©, a 'P 90'
type
single coil that would fit into a humbucker
surround. so it could be retro-fitted
and
used as a replacement for that really 'classic' tone
without having to do any special
routing - which with the originals would have to be done.
( Various optional covers were available.)
The Prototype pickup was made in 1986, and I still have it.....
We understand that this was the first time this idea was used - although this
option is
now available from other pickup manufacturers worldwide !
The Cool Classic
1987 DCS 'TV' Junior with a Cool Classic fitted
The Fireblade
The Fireblade
© type pickups were 'high output', again designed specifically for us
by David White
in 1987.
These were an innovative design using 'flanged
blade pole-pieces' which
'alter' the magnetic field from it's usual
configuration and give the pickups a
distinctive voice. There were 3 models.....
The Fireblade T-I, T-II
& T-III ©.
( The pickups were normally supplied with exposed bobbins but there
were optional covers in Nickel, Chrome, Gold and Black.)
The Guitarist Electra Mk I '87 with a Fireblade T-I
I believe that this Guitar
had the prototype Fireblade T-I
'on board' at the Bridge.
( These pickups are not currently available.)
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Bridge / Tail Pieces
In 1986 I designed a bridge system for use with
our non-tremolo guitars, which
was a variation on the standard theme. The bridge 'chassis' design followed
the Royal 3-a-side Headstock shape to keep the continuity of the style - Royal
Classic Bridge ©.
1987 DCS Blue Junior with a "Royal Classic" Bridge
These were made specially by Dave Sumner who is an amazing engineer.
( These bridges are not currently available.)
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Manufactured Hardware
Kahler Pro Units
Kahler Pro
tremolo units have always been my favorite.....
and still are ;0)
Kahler
Pro
Kahlers
were designed by
Gary Kahler
and are made in the USA.
Like all guitar hardware they aren't perfect and are a 'compromise', which in
this case is the manual adjustment for the
intonation.
I have never found this to be a problem and the rest of the design and
engineering is probably as good as you can get - anywhere.
I used dozens of them over
the years, and never had any trouble with them at all.
When 'set up' and 'used' correctly, they will
stay in-tune in all situations.
Please Click above for pictures.
* * * * * * * * * *
These units are designed by Trevor Wilkinson.
This is a basic bridge/tailpiece with some intonation adjustment.
A Great Little Unit.
* * * * * * * * * *
I like this Nickel
plated unit - essentially a copy of the original
Short Gibson Vibrola...
also known as a Short Arm Maestro.
* *
* * * * *
* * *
These are some really nice single coils used on some High-End Hohner Guitars.
* *
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ROYAL
ELECTRA MK 1 1987
HISTORY
* - The name Dirtbox
© .....
.....has been used since 1986 by several companies for overdrive pedals and other
devices ! Hmmm !