What is the typical price for the Fishman PRF-COC-BW1?

The typical price for this bridge humbucker is approximately GBP 216.

How many voices does the Open Core Classic bridge pickup have?

This pickup features three distinct voices: Vintage PAF, Hot-Rodded Humbucker, and Overwound Single-Coil.

How do you switch between the three voices?

The voices are typically selected using a guitar's push-pull potentiometer or a dedicated toggle switch.

What is the battery life of this pickup?

The pickup is rated for up to 200 hours of battery life on a single charge or battery.

Is this pickup suitable for 7-string or 8-string guitars?

No, this specific model (PRF-COC-BW1) is designed specifically for 6-string guitars.

What does Voice 1 sound like?

Voice 1 is calibrated to produce a classic PAF-style bridge humbucker tone with vintage output levels.

What characterizes Voice 2?

Voice 2 offers a hot-rodded bridge humbucker tone, providing higher output suitable for various high-gain styles.

Does the pickup offer a single-coil mode?

Yes, Voice 3 provides a clear, slightly overwound single-coil tone with significant output.

In which position should this pickup be installed?

This specific model is designed for the bridge position of the guitar.

What colour is the PRF-COC-BW1 model?

This specific model comes in a white finish with an open-core design.

Does this pickup eliminate hum?

Yes, the Fluence technology is designed to deliver hum-free performance even in the high-output voices.

Can I use standard guitar strings with this pickup?

Yes, it works with any standard electric guitar strings, including Ernie Ball M-Steel or Nickel sets.

Gear article

Fishman Fluence Open Core Classic Humbucker Bridge

The Fishman PRF-COC-BW1 Fluence Open Core Classic is an active 6-string humbucking bridge pickup designed to provide a wide range of tonal textures through three distinct voices. Utilising Fishman's proprietary Fluence technology, this pickup offers humbucking and single-coil tones with an extended battery life and high output levels.

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Overview

The Fishman Fluence Open Core Classic 6-string Humbucker (Bridge, White) represents a modern approach to guitar electronics. Unlike traditional wire-wound pickups, Fluence pickups use stacked printed coils to eliminate noise and interference issues common in passive designs. This specific model, identified by the product code PRF-COC-BW1, features an 'Open Core' aesthetic, allowing the internal bobbins to be visible, which is a departure from the solid plastic covers found on other Fluence models.

Voice Architecture

The primary feature of the Open Core Classic is its three-voice versatility, selectable via a guitar's push-pull potentiometer:

Voice 1 (Vintage PAF): Calibrated to replicate the classic bridge humbucker response of the 1950s, offering a vintage output level with clarity.
Voice 2 (Hot-Rodded Humbucker): Delivers a higher output, modern humbucker tone suitable for aggressive styles without the typical 'baggage' or muddiness associated with high-gain passive pickups.
Voice 3 (Slightly Overwound Single-Coil): Provides a clear, punchy single-coil tone with sufficient output to remain balanced with the humbucking modes.

Performance and Efficiency

As an active pickup system, the PRF-COC-BW1 requires a power source, typically a 9V battery or an optional rechargeable battery pack. It is designed for high efficiency, providing up to 200 hours of continuous use. The active circuitry ensures that the tone remains consistent across various volume levels, avoiding the high-end loss often experienced when rolling down the volume on passive guitar circuits.

Comparison to Alternatives

While traditional strings such as the Ernie Ball M-Steel or Tim Henson Signature sets define the physical vibration of the instrument, the Fishman Fluence system defines the electronic translation of that vibration. Compared to standard passive humbuckers, the Fluence offers lower noise floors and a wider frequency response. Its multi-voice capability replaces the need for complex coil-splitting modifications that can often lead to volume drops or thin, weak tones.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the typical price for the Fishman PRF-COC-BW1?: The typical price for this bridge humbucker is approximately GBP 216.
How many voices does the Open Core Classic bridge pickup have?: This pickup features three distinct voices: Vintage PAF, Hot-Rodded Humbucker, and Overwound Single-Coil.
How do you switch between the three voices?: The voices are typically selected using a guitar's push-pull potentiometer or a dedicated toggle switch.
What is the battery life of this pickup?: The pickup is rated for up to 200 hours of battery life on a single charge or battery.
Is this pickup suitable for 7-string or 8-string guitars?: No, this specific model (PRF-COC-BW1) is designed specifically for 6-string guitars.
What does Voice 1 sound like?: Voice 1 is calibrated to produce a classic PAF-style bridge humbucker tone with vintage output levels.
What characterizes Voice 2?: Voice 2 offers a hot-rodded bridge humbucker tone, providing higher output suitable for various high-gain styles.
Does the pickup offer a single-coil mode?: Yes, Voice 3 provides a clear, slightly overwound single-coil tone with significant output.
In which position should this pickup be installed?: This specific model is designed for the bridge position of the guitar.
What colour is the PRF-COC-BW1 model?: This specific model comes in a white finish with an open-core design.
Does this pickup eliminate hum?: Yes, the Fluence technology is designed to deliver hum-free performance even in the high-output voices.
Can I use standard guitar strings with this pickup?: Yes, it works with any standard electric guitar strings, including Ernie Ball M-Steel or Nickel sets.