Bell-Tone Pickups

The “Holy Grail” Of Tone

McCon-O-Wah founder Mike McConachie had been winding pickups to put in his own guitars for years before finally deciding to start producing them for the public. A result of many an artist’s request, the Bell-Tone Stratocaster Set is intended to emulate the look, feel, and most importantly tone, of the “holy grail” early 60s (1959-62) Fullerton offerings.

Hand Wound For Real

Each pickup we make is assembled and wound by hand in our Baltimore workshop. From hammering the brass eyelets into the flatware stock, to sanding the flatware, to hand pressing the individual pole-pieces; we take pride in each stage of the assembly process. The final product is a pickup that we are proud to put in our guitars, and yours.

Bell-Tones

To our ears, we’ve yet to come across a set of pickups that recreate that “bell-like tone” of late 50s and early 60s single coils any truer than our own Bell-Tones pickup set. Described as being bright, clear, and pianoesque while at the same time being warm, full, and dynamic, these hand made collections of brass, formvar, paraffin, and beeswax are something very special. Playing, much less owning, an original 62′ slab-board guitar from Fullerton is an opportunity afforded to a lucky few tone seeking guitarists. You can take your guitar 90% of the way there with these pickups. Don’t believe us? Ask our artists.

Product Description

The Bell-Tone pickup set was created in order to replicate the tone, feel, and look of early 60’s single coil pickups (1959-1963). We use only period correct materials, and source quality magnets and brass eyelets for the bobbins and their final assembly. Each pickup is hand wound and assembled. We hammer the brass eyelets into the flatware stock, sand the flatware, and then press the individual pole-pieces into the flat-work; each stage requiring precise measurement, and assembly technique. The pole-pieces are then glued in place and cured before being wound and tested. If they pass our range of tests (pressure, trueness, stagger, and hardness) they are then wound, measured, hand-charged, and potted. When potting the pickups – we use a mixture of both paraffin and beeswax to gain the properties of both types of wax. (Good coil saturation and durability.)

Additional Information

Weight
1 lb
Dimensions
4 x 4 x 2 in
Product Specifications
 
  • 100%”Scatter-Wound” (guided by hand)
  • Period-Correct Bobbin Black Flatware
  • Your choice of pickup cover colors
  • Period-Correct Cloth Push-Back Wiring
  • Period-Correct Staggered Alnico V Pole Pieces
  • Period-Correct Polarity (which differs depending on the era)
  • Hand Charged Pole Pieces
    • We will charge them in the polarity and strength (gauss) of your choice
  • Wax-Potted to protect your pickups from moisture & corrosion that forms from years of use.
    • This also helps mitigate micro-phonic feedback in high gain situations
  • These pickups were formerly known/branded as “McTone” Pickups ~2005-2008.

Who Plays Bell-Tones

These guys know a thing or two about tone

Who Plays Bell-Tones

These guys know a thing or two about tone

Jesse Johnson

Bell-Tones McWah

Greg Koch

Bell-Tones McWah

Randy Hansen

Bell-Tones McWah

Tyrone Vaughan

Bell-Tones McWah

Tommy Katona, Jr.

Bell-Tones McWah

James Ryan

Bell-Tones McWah

Dominick Tardogno

Bell-Tones McWah