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Maricela “MJ” Juarez

Aloha_Mark

New member
Joined
Dec 15, 2011
Messages
495
One of the legendary people in the equipment side of the music business is Maricela of Seymour Duncan Pickups:

http://www.premierguitar.com/articles/19347-builder-profile-seymour-duncans-custom-shop-queen?page=1

I'm happy that Premier Guitar magazine has done an interview with this great winder, and given the woman her due. She learned from the master, Seymour, and when you are given that opportunity in life, pay attention:

“I started taking notes so I wouldn’t make mistakes,” she says. “I noticed that Seymour also takes notes of almost everything. He said, ‘You take notes? I do it the same way. Look, let me show you!’ That’s when he started showing me notes from when he made pickups for Roy Buchanan, Danny Gatton, Eddie Van Halen, Elliot Easton, Rick Nielsen, and David Gilmour. Seymour liked the idea that I was following in his footsteps on the note taking.”

MJ-and-Seymour_WEB.jpg


But notes are not enough, and Maricela knows how to apply her specialized knowledge (in this case, a request from Slash):

“The first thing I asked was, ‘What are the woods in the new guitars?’” she recalls. “Then I knew how to do it.”

Asked how she knew so quickly, she replies, “We know the guitar components and we just have to play with them. The finish might not be the same, the wood might not be as dry or as old, but there are ways to complement the magnets. I was able to deliver him the old tone from his old Alnico Pros using current technology.”


This is the fun part of experimenting with guitars and components. Before this lady retires, make sure you ask her to make you a custom set of pickups. Also, start stockpiling pickups, including the legendary JBJ's. Materials affect sound. Even sweat changes the sound of a pickup. Time marches on, and tomorrow, the same model pickup you love today, may sound different in its new version. If only Maricela could clone the pickups in G.I. Paul, I would be the first one to order a pair.
 

chuckNC

New member
Joined
Apr 24, 2012
Messages
1,261
I dealt with MJ on the phone about 5 years ago when ordering a set of dogear Alnico Staple pickups. Spoke to her several times and got them with both black and cream covers, since I was thinking of doing an ES-295 project. They came in individual boxes with my name on each and the workmanship was great. I was happy with the sound too. The whole experience was first-rate.

I wondered how MJ had enough time to keep up with everything since it seemed like the whole guitar-playing world was trying to get her on the phone. My hat's off to her. :dude:
 

J.D.

Well-known member
Joined
May 24, 2006
Messages
10,030
+1 Seymour and MJ have so much combined pickup making knowledge it is mind boggling. They are both really cool and great to deal with to boot.
 

garywright

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 17, 2002
Messages
15,586
she wound the antiquity pup for my firebird I ...potted w/non-aged nickel cover ..turned out perfect ...I have another stored away just in case I get to cravin more 'bird.
 

rufes

Formerly dmartinez
Joined
May 8, 2003
Messages
4,389
I talked to her about 8 or 10 years ago to order some special pickups. We talked (in Spanish logically) and started a kind of long distance friendship. I remember now I even sent a small present for her daughter's party.

:)
 

wernerg

Active member
Joined
Jan 27, 2002
Messages
754
met her earlier this year at the Dallas guitar show. At that time, I had my Bonamassa set on order. She had a set right there at the booth and wanted to sell me those. She almost convinced me that I needed TWO sets! What a salesperson!
 
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