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Other Stuff => Guitars => Topic started by: fdesalvo on January 31, 2009, 09:01:00 pm

Title: Bright cap across vol pot?
Post by: fdesalvo on January 31, 2009, 09:01:00 pm
My SG's pickups are unbalanced- 498t/490r- and it's not an output thing.  The bass on the neck pickup is so prominent, it causes a huge jump in peceived volume when I am playing clean- it's not playing nice with the bridge.  Before replacing it, I wondered if I could put a bright cap accross the volume pot?  I just need to tone the bass frequencies down a bit.  If this doesn't work, then I'll be looking for a brighter neck pickup (and i have no idea where to start- SD Jazz?).

Thanks!
Title: Re: Bright cap across vol pot?
Post by: jjasilli on January 31, 2009, 10:46:58 pm
Lowering the bass string side of the bass heavy pickup should do the trick. 

Have you considered String guage; string height; pickup height; pole pice hieght?  If you do go with new pickups, I have recently fallen in love with Lindy Fralin Unbuckers.
Title: Re: Bright cap across vol pot?
Post by: G._Hoffman on February 02, 2009, 12:31:39 am
Quote from: jjasilli on January 31, 2009, 10:46:58 pm
If you do go with new pickups, I have recently fallen in love with Lindy Fralin Unbuckers.


They are awfully nice, aren't they.  I'm increasingly fond of his pickups.  And I started out pretty fond of them to begin with!

You might also try going to a brighter string - say something with a stainless steel wrap.



Gabriel
Title: Re: Bright cap across vol pot?
Post by: fdesalvo on February 03, 2009, 10:15:05 pm
Yeah, lowering the pickup isn't working- it bottoms out quickly in the SG's thin body and the screws start backing out.  I'm going to get a strat for the single coil tones, but I definitely need a brighter bucker!
Title: Re: Bright cap across vol pot?
Post by: G._Hoffman on February 04, 2009, 12:42:05 am
Quote from: fdesalvo on February 03, 2009, 10:15:05 pm
Yeah, lowering the pickup isn't working- it bottoms out quickly in the SG's thin body and the screws start backing out.  I'm going to get a strat for the single coil tones, but I definitely need a brighter bucker!

Try Lindy Fralin's P-92's or Unbuckers (http://www.fralinpickups.com/humbuckers.asp).My guess is you will like them. 

But if you are after making it brighter, a high pass cap will likely help.  Along with keeping the guitar brighter as you turn down, they also make the guitar brighter overall (which is why I don't usually like them, but then I'm not after the same thing as you). 


Gabriel
Title: Re: Bright cap across vol pot?
Post by: bluesbear on February 04, 2009, 07:14:10 am
Sounds to me like you just need an HB with less windings. That ought to cure both your problems. It would be less bass heavy and have a lower output. Call Seymour Duncan and ask what they have with a lower output. Tell them exactly what your problem is. They're good people to deal with and, let's face it, they make so many different pickups, they're bound to have something for you.

Tel: (805) 964-9610

Dave
Title: Re: Bright cap across vol pot?
Post by: G._Hoffman on February 04, 2009, 03:46:38 pm
Quote from: bluesbear on February 04, 2009, 07:14:10 am
Sounds to me like you just need an HB with less windings. That ought to cure both your problems. It would be less bass heavy and have a lower output. Call Seymour Duncan and ask what they have with a lower output. Tell them exactly what your problem is. They're good people to deal with and, let's face it, they make so many different pickups, they're bound to have something for you.

Tel: (805) 964-9610

Dave

The Alnico II Pro, the `59, and the Pearly Gates would all fit that bill.  An Unbucker would probably be better.


Gabriel
Title: Re: Bright cap across vol pot?
Post by: fdesalvo on February 04, 2009, 11:27:03 pm
Guys-- my search has led me to the SH-2/Jazz!  I will update when I have a chance to play through it.
Title: Re: Bright cap across vol pot?
Post by: fdesalvo on February 12, 2009, 02:53:15 pm
SD Jazz wins!!! Amazing!  Sounds great split, too!  I can run my distortion through the neck pickup- finally.
Title: Re: Bright cap across vol pot?
Post by: G._Hoffman on February 12, 2009, 03:11:20 pm
Quote from: fdesalvo on February 12, 2009, 02:53:15 pm
SD Jazz wins!!! Amazing!  Sounds great split, too!  I can run my distortion through the neck pickup- finally.

I've always been fond of the Jazz distorted for some things.  It has a level of articulation that other pickups just don't have, and there are times when actually being able to understand the notes you are playing is a very good thing.


Gabriel