April 21, 2017
Gone are the days of DIP (Dual in-line) ICs. Most modern ICs are no longer offered in easy to use 2.54 mm (0.1 inch) pitch
Nu Series v2
The Nu Series Modular Active Pickups are hacker friendly, general purpose pickups that can be used in a variety of applications.
Nexus v2
The Nexus is a small, flexible, and hacker friendly breakout box that connects your multichannel guitar to the outside world.
April 17, 2017
Time to revisit the Alpha and replace Alpha’s pickups with what else but Nus and XRs! Dimarzios out, Nu and XRs in… Ehmm, OK I
March 14, 2017
Last time, we designed a a common baseplate for the Nu and XR pickups. I think it looks good! Check it out. You have independent height adjustment for the
February 15, 2017
Some of you asked if it is possible to have the Nu and XR in a common baseplate. It turns out that it is indeed possible. The way
Nexus Update: Programming MCU Module
February 4, 2017
The MIDI module includes a small, general purpose 16-bit MCU (Texas Instruments’ MSP430) that converts control voltages (CV) to MIDI. It is designed to be hackable.
January 30, 2017
Time flies! It’s been almost 4 years since I last updated our Op Amp Shootout page. Now It’s 2017, and this page is still our top hitter. I guess that
Nexus Update: In-Guitar Control and Connectivity
January 6, 2017
This is the fourth part of the Nexus documentation series. The first part documents the Basic Kit, the second part details the Mixer Module and the third
December 24, 2016
Here are some factory images of the first Nexus batch. We’re building a system! And this system is going to be awesome! Merry Christmas, Everyone!
December 19, 2016
This is the third part of the Nexus documentation series. The first part documents the Basic Kit, the second part details the Mixer Module. This time, we
December 11, 2016
This is the second part of the Nexus documentation series. The first part documents the Basic Kit. This time, we investigate the Mixer Module. Eventually, all
December 4, 2016
I’ll be providing the Nexus documentation in tranches. This is the first part of the series. Eventually, all of this will end up in a single
November 28, 2016
Nu Capsules, the world’s cutest active pickups 🙂 are back in stock. Come and visit our online store and get your sets. $19.99 per capsule. Minimum order
November 24, 2016
After more than a year of continuous refinement, I’m proud to finally release the Nexus. This small, hacker friendly breakout box connects your multichannel guitar to the
October 2, 2016
An often asked question about the Nu modular pickups is about mixing to mono, or even stereo. The typical assumption is that, just like any other active pickup,
September 28, 2016
It’s restocking time at Cycfi, and that means the Nu’s are back!
Meanwhile, Back in the Nexus Land
September 14, 2016
I think, the Nexus is just about ready. I got myself a new toy, a cute Zoom R16 8-channel Interface Controller so I can test
September 8, 2016
The Standard Nu capsule already has a very low profile with a height of 7mm (See specs). But the baseplate and connectors underneath add some more
August 28, 2016
More NUs coming in September. We have a new batch of these cute modular pickups. We’re producing more this time, but they typically sell out
July 18, 2016
Infinity… It’s all about sustain. Our goal is and will always be polyphonic sustain. Polyphonic sustain, plus extensive processing for each string, will give us musicians full control
July 9, 2016
It’s amazing what creative minds can come up with. There is exciting innovation everywhere, and it is not limited to the guitar. I thought violin (and
Powering Cycfi XR Systems With Fishman Rechargable Batteries
June 25, 2016
For those following our install articles, the 60th Anniversary Strat project we did recently was powered by a Fishman Rechargable Battery Pack. We have had some
Exploring the 3-Way Toggle Hub
June 16, 2016
Here we see the first installation to feature our Toggle Switch Hub which interfaces the classic LP-style 3-way switch to our Cycfi Active Series pickups. The guitar in
June 14, 2016
As those who follow our products know, we have had options for users of the classic 5-way blade switch since the release of the XR
June 6, 2016
We are now (officially) offering custom baseplate Laser-Cutting service. You get two custom baseplates for the minimal $15 service fee. The baseplates are precision cut based
Bringing a 60th Anniversary Strat into the 21st Century
June 6, 2016
When the owner of this lovely 60th Anniversary MIM Strat asked us to outfit it with an XR system we couldn’t wait! This particular iteration
May 22, 2016
A little background: I’ve written a series of articles before about Virtual Pickups and how they are implemented in software (DSP). It’s a three part
May 17, 2016
The Nu Multi and Internal Breakout are ready to go. Go check out the updated Nu Series Data Sheet. This will be a very limited release
April 15, 2016
These guys are now on their way to Sweden along with the customized Free-Way Switch wiring harness. Should I join the fad and call this Pickup Porn? Nah,
April 8, 2016
Laser-cut and hand-buffed to perfection, these skewed 8-string baseplates are ready to go! When I look at a product —anything at all; furniture, a gadget,
XR Customization Guide: Free-Way Switch
April 4, 2016
The Free-Way switch is an interesting device that gives Gibson style guitars, with that distinctive toggle switch, the versatility of the Fender Stratocaster’s 5-way switch and possibly
April 2, 2016
Look, 9-String NUs! Are you ready? Take note of the custom string spacing for the Neck and Bridge pickups. These guys will be installed in a
March 26, 2016
Meet Cadbury, another test guitar. This one looks prettier than its old battered friend, Iron Man. Cadbury is fitted with a Quad XR at the neck, a Nu-multi
March 14, 2016
With the XR series launch, we are offering a $35 discount for complete XR Flex sets for SSS, SSH and HH combinations and support electronics. I had
March 12, 2016
We are proud to announce the launch of the XR Flex Series pickups and support electronics, introduced at NAMM 2016. The Flex Series includes an
March 4, 2016
Do you want to swap the XR baseplate with something else? Would you like to install an XR but the standard profiles won’t fit your needs? The XR’s design
March 3, 2016
Anticipating the upcoming release of the XR Flex system, I proudly present the XR [Flex] Installation Guide. We care passionately about flexibility and ease of
February 19, 2016
These new XRs with soapbar baseplates will join the XR family very soon. The pickups will be available in both active and passive configurations (for both
The Flex Switch and Active Volume
February 11, 2016
We have a new 5-way “Flex” switch and a new Active Volume Control (with integrated preamplifier). These are designed for the all-passive XR pickups introduced at NAMM 2016. The new
February 8, 2016
At first glance, it looks just like a Nu multichannel pickup set. But look underneath (info-graphic below) and you will notice the difference. It’s the Nu
February 2, 2016
Now that the hectic preparation for NAMM, and the show itself, is behind us we are excited to return our focus to the Nu product
Nu Update: Hitching a ride to NAMM 2016
January 24, 2016
Ricky Graham is truly a 21st century guitar player. As a composer and Assistant Professor of Music and Technology at Stevens Institute of Technology, modern 21st century
Road to Anaheim Pt. 3 – Crystal Clear
January 18, 2016
Going to NAMM 2016? Take some time to check out our pickups and support electronics from the inside and out. This demo XR-8 (eight string) system is
January 8, 2016
It is always a treat to work on guitars that have been on the road and seen the world. In this case the guitar in
January 4, 2016
We use solder-free connectors to make it very easy for you to install the pickups and support electronics. There’s one snag though. The connector itself might not
Road to Anaheim Pt. 2 – Strandberg Boden OS7 Install
December 30, 2015
In less than a month NAMM 2016 will be bustling with the usual fervor. Every year brings something new, and for us here at Cycfi
December 26, 2015
What do I do on Christmas eve? What else, but hack some C++ code. I got a new highly optimized sustain driver design that also acts
Quad Mounts for Fanned Fret (Multi-scale) Guitars
December 7, 2015
The extended response of our XR pickups has naturally brought us to the attention of extended range guitarists, many of whom use fanned fret instruments.
Road to Anaheim: Strandberg XRs
December 2, 2015
These custom Quad-coil XR7’s are going to NAMM 2016. They will be installed in a Boden OS7 from Strandberg Guitarworks that is to be displayed at their booth (#3383, Hall-D). This
We’re kicking off Black Friday early with a sale going on through Cyber Monday.
November 26, 2015
We are offering 15% off as a thanks to all our supporters. Visit cycfi-research.com to view our store and use the coupon code 15off at