BL705 / XR16 pickup

[Alan Murphy]

How close is the XR16 to the 705?

The Wilde site suggests to choose the XR16 if interested in the 705

I play a U12 and Wilde sell an XR16-12

Any chance anyone has a sound sample of them for comparison?

Thanks Alan..

[David Higginbotham]

I'm not sure if Carter steel guitar site is archived somewhere, but they had sound comparisons of pickups they offered on their steels. The XR-16 was recommended for those who were seeking the tonal qualities of the original 705. I had them on both a D-10 & S-10 Carter. I believe it was a fair comparison and definitely closer to the 705 than the other pickups available including Lawrence and George L's...all of which I've used in various steels over the years. You're far more limited on 12 string options. But if that's the direction you're leaning I don't believe you'll be disappointed.

Dave

[Richard Sinkler]

If you do go with an Xr-16, you might want to consider wiring a switch to the red wire and out of the switch to ground. That turns the humbucking XR-16 into a single coil pickup. I have done this to 3 XR-16s. 2 in my current Carter D10, and one in a 12 string Mullen I used to have. This way, you get the best of both style pickups. I actually use it in single coil mode most, but use humber if there is buzz happening.