ToneRider Pickup tests

nicovlogg

Decided to upgrade my Epiphone Les Paul with a ToneRider Alnico IV in the neck and Generator in the bridge. All the electronics were wired in "Gibson 50's" style, new AllParts pots and a push pull that activates a coil cut. I'm really happy with these, especially the neck - the Generator to me is a bit too low in the bass department, but the smooth and balanced Alnico IV I'm satisfied with. I find myself using the coil tap all the time, something really nice about having those single coil tones on a LP, perhaps I should get P90's ?

http://www.box.net/files/0/f/43684836/Music%20Projects#/files/0/f/43684836/1/f_442637970

Here's the files - old pickups first, new ones second. All done on a Peavey Classic 30 with no EQ used - a bit too bright on the new pickups I reckon. I also used new strings on the second recordings, although played in for a few weeks before I recorded so they weren't uber-bright anymore. Roto-reds, pretty impressed with them!

Neck ?
http://www.box.net/shared/ahcklsvb9b

Middle Position
http://www.box.net/shared/z6zy9mb3bu

Bridge
http://www.box.net/shared/2qlykz4zhv

Recording using coil cut, neck and middle positions
http://www.box.net/shared/a9scggvolh

If anyone has any tips on improving this recording, I'd be eager to hear them. Just quickly recorded with Audacity, but what could I change EQ wise to improve it? Also, the clicks are not a click track, but my electric fence. Haven't found a fix to the irritating click yet. :-\

AlanRatcliffe

Haven't found a fix to the irritating click yet.

Simple. You need to get a power conditioner.

AlanRatcliffe

How are you capturing the Classic 30, BTW? Sounds very harsh...

nicovlogg

Alan Ratcliffe wrote: How are you capturing the Classic 30, BTW? Sounds very harsh...

I have a SM57 hanging over in front of the cone, vertically. What kind of volume levels can the mic handle?

Alan Ratcliffe wrote:
Haven't found a fix to the irritating click yet.
Simple. You need to get a power conditioner.

I was hoping to fix the problem at the source, it seems that where the gate and wall join, the little plate which transfers current doesn't make full contact, and there's a tiny crack as the electricity arcs across the gap.

TomCat

nicovlogg wrote:
Alan Ratcliffe wrote: How are you capturing the Classic 30, BTW? Sounds very harsh...
I have a SM57 hanging over in front of the cone, vertically. What kind of volume levels can the mic handle?

Bulletproof.........crank it...... ?

Get yourself one of the small Samson Mini-boom Stands and move the mic to about 6 inches away from the grille....should give a fuller/warmer tone.

AlanRatcliffe

A 57 is front address and the frequency response is a bit different off-axis, so you ideally need to have it on a stand in front. If you really want to do the hanging mic thing, the Sennheiser MD421 is a better choice as it's inexpensive, side address and a smoother sounding mic overall.

There are a few things you can experiment with to smooth the sound: angle the mic a little; move it away from the dustcap closer towards the edge of the speaker cone; or as Tom said, move it away from the cab a little. Any of these will smooth up the sound and take some edge off, so experiment and see which works best for you.

nicovlogg

Thanks for the constructive criticism! I actually used to own a decent mic stand but it was stolen by a heartless band member. >☹

I think I probably also made the output volume on my soundcard too loud, it was close to clipping at stages.