NorioDS
So I'm considering a few minor changes to my new guitar.
First up is the sound. It currently has, I believe...
neck pu: AH1 (H)
bridge pu: True Duo Bucker (H)
And I've only played the guitar for one afternoon but these pickups aren't as spiffy as what I'm used to. So I'm looking for recommendations here. Decent quality pickups that are clear and will give me some options when switching between configurations. (A nice warm neck sound, to a screaming bridge sound, with some pretty sounding stuff in-between. Yes that is the extent of my technical ability in describing what I want ?)
Next I'm wanting to improve tuning stability. I'm not sure what to do here. Maybe just change the nut to Graphtec? Does that help? Locking tuners would definitely help but how much?
Lastly, I'll also need someone to do these things for me in the Pretoria/Joburg area.
That's about it! Because this guitar is gorgeous, light, easy to play and just generally lovely ?
Thanks for the tips! Links to audio clips (for the pupes) are always appreciated. (As is corrective advice because, really, I just buy 'em and play 'em).
ezietsman
Just as a first approximation I entered the following stuff into the Seymour Duncan Tone Wizard
http://www.seymourduncan.com/support/tone-wizard/.
It gave me this:
Guitar Type: Les Paul or similar
Music Style:Hard Rock Metal
Guitar body wood: Mahogany
Fretboard wood: Rosewood
Bridge Type: Standard
SD Suggests
Bridge 1 SH-4 JB Model
Bridge 2 SH-5 Duncan Custom
Neck 1 SH-1N '59 Model
Neck 2 SH-2N Jazz Model
In my opinion, you will not go wrong if you choose these or similar ones from Dimarzio or one of the other companies. The Seymour Duncan website has tone samples for all their pickups, these are meant to compare the pickups to each other, not to other brands. If you'd like to compare the Seymours to the ones in your guitar, you can take it to a shop and compare it to one of the ESP Eclipse models (Not the Ltd models, the ESPs have the JB/59 combination, ask someone maybe).
I'm sure others will tell you to check out other brands too but unfortunately pickup choice is made difficult by the "testing factor" so it is a bit of a leap of faith.
NorioDS
Thanks dude!
SH-4 JB sounds sweet! Sharp and clear. The Custom feels a little too warm for a bridge pickup.
SH-1 '59 model sounds amazing! Couldn't find a clip of the SH-1 Jazz though.
Thanks again! This little tool + these audio clips are very handy!
NorioDS
I'm going to assume that the SH-2 Jazz replaces the SH-1 Jazz. Sounds bloody amazing!
So looks like I want: SH-4 JB in the bridge and SH-2 Jazz for the neck ?
Woohoo!
ezietsman
Its interesting you choose those two. They are in fact the recommended pair from Seymour Duncan for a rock-type guitar ?. My Epiphone has the JB and the Alnico II Pro model, but for my tastes the JB is a bit too bright and mid-rangy (it honks, of that makes sense), it may be better in your guitar, I think the Maple Cap on a LP makes it a bit brighter, I may be wrong, but either way, I like Billy Gibbon's tone better than Iron Maiden so there!.
As a side-note, I've had my Seymour Duncans for 9 years now, and only recently have I decided the JB is not quite what I want (After playing those darn Tokais in Bothners). Now to look for cheap ones somewhere, good luck!
joel
Norio wrote
So I'm considering a few minor changes to my new guitar.
First up is the sound. It currently has, I believe...
neck pu: AH1 (H)
bridge pu: True Duo Bucker (H)
And I've only played the guitar for one afternoon but these pickups aren't as spiffy as what I'm used to. So I'm looking for recommendations here. Decent quality pickups that are clear and will give me some options when switching between configurations. (A nice warm neck sound, to a screaming bridge sound, with some pretty sounding stuff in-between. Yes that is the extent of my technical ability in describing what I want ?)
Next I'm wanting to improve tuning stability. I'm not sure what to do here. Maybe just change the nut to Graphtec? Does that help? Locking tuners would definitely help but how much?
Lastly, I'll also need someone to do these things for me in the Pretoria/Joburg area.That's about it! Because this guitar is gorgeous, light, easy to play and just generally lovely ?
Thanks for the tips! Links to audio clips (for the pupes) are always appreciated. (As is corrective advice because, really, I just buy 'em and play 'em).
Your nut The guitars nut probably needs some tweaking . Any of the usual guys Marshall , Toms , Music connection , Andy Mcgibbons can do that quick and cheap..... , but , for a bit extra $$$ , you should let them check pup height , intonation etc while you're there . Shouldn't take more than 30 mins 8)
NorioDS
I didn't know a nut could be tweaked. Especially not a guitar nut ? How do they tweak it, out of interest?
AlanRatcliffe
Dude, take it from the mod maniac - give the guitar a chance before you change anything. Get to know her a little before you whip up her skirts, pull down her bloomers and have your wicked way with her. Have her set up by a pro first too. If you get to know her properly first, you might find you like what you are getting and, even if you do end up modding her, you'll know what you're starting with and be able to accurately judge what real effect the mods have had on tone and/or playability.
NorioDS
Thanks Alan, I will do! I'm just excited now, I guess, so doing my research really early. Finances will ensure I don't do anything rash! ? Don't you just love this time of year?
But ja, setup by a pro is a definite must, will make sure that's where my first bit of GAS money goes.
Gearhead
Apart from the slot diameter, a good tech would make sure the slot depth is right.
Primarily the height difference between the nut and the first fret must be in line with the distance from fret to nut, so the intonation is correct. Or, put more simply: they compare the open string to the same string fretted at thee first and file down the slot if the difference is more than half a note.
Then, the slot must not 'lock in' the string from all sides, so the top of slot is sometimes opened up.
singemonkey
All that good advice noted, a graphtech nut will probably help some - if it too is well cut. Just wanted to mention, 'cos I've also been asking around for some of this advice, that locking tuners aren't really for tuning stability. Most advise that a well-wrapped string is just as stable and won't slip at all. Biggest advantage of the locking tuners is speed of string-change, by the sound of it. A nice feature, but not critical to your tuning.
Agreed though. Have it set up and then see. Also discuss with the luthier.
NorioDS
Okay so the main message is: Find a shit-hot luthier and tell him to make it play like butter, right? Should cost upwards of R700 right? (ie: no cheapie setups, go all out and get it done right now so that it's fine for years to come.)
Right?!
IceCreamMan
Yebo.....
My SA with set up and Tone Riders is up there iwth the best of em now.
NorioDS
What did the Toneriders cost you (and what models did you get?) and where did you get it set up?
IceCreamMan
My SA is a HSS set up. SA160 QML model.
Got the Rocksong bridge and city limits mid and neck, i think total cost was just over a clip including delivery.
Macgibbons did the set up.
I found the standard pups truly dismal in my SA but only realised that once i had changed them out , was like day an night.
and watch yr eyes ?
NorioDS
LOL, thanks ? I love a little eye-gouging now and then. It's all in the name of rock 'n' roll ?
Cool, will check out Toneriders as well - thanks!
guidothepimmp
i have a guit with the 59 in the bridge. its medium output and does rock and blues etc ni ely. not for high gain though...
jb does just about everything... helluva versatile..
i also like the pearly gates.
oooh a bill lawrence in bridge is also nice. very clear a/d defined sound...
ive only ever used andy mcgibbons and andries vorster for setups. same price but andries didnt take 3weeks. had my guit back in a day.
NorioDS
Thanks Claudio ? Where is Andries Vorster based?
guidothepimmp
andries works out of musika at atterbury value mart. he is upstairs as you walk in the door.
