Recent content by CarlosG

Hi! Have any of you ever thought about the fact that not every pickup you consider bad is actually bad in reality — that it might just be a wrong assumption? Not long ago I tried a Tone Zone in my Strat and it sounded awful: lots of compression, muddy bass, and a harsh, ear-piercing top end. I...

Hi! What were the classic pickups sounds of the 80s? I know for sure that they will be: JB, JB2, Allan Holdsworth, Alnico II pro, Distortion, Super Distortion, Custom, Dirty Fingers, EMG 81, EMG 85, Paf Pro Although produced in the 90s, I would also add Tone Zone to the list. What are the proven...

Hi. This may be a bit strange to ask about DiMarzio pickups on a Duncan forum, but you guys have a lot of experience. I have an Ibanez RG421 HPAM. I really like the Tone Zone in the bridge, but I don’t like the Air Norton in the neck. It sounds too muddy. Position 2 (parallel) also doesn’t sound...

My hand :)

I conducted an experiment. I cut identical grooves in each material and strung a string on a makeshift tool. I rubbed the string in each groove. The string moved most smoothly in brass and bone, while the TUSQ XL caused the string to jam.

I've read many times that a zero fret improves tuning stability. It seems like a good idea to cut grooves in the nut so the strings have as little contact as possible, similar to a zero fret.

Hi! I have an Ibanez RG421 HPAM and I love this guitar. However, I’ve noticed that the bridge seems to be of poor quality. I’m wondering whether such pitting on the baseplate is also found on higher-end bridges. I’m unsure if I should replace just the saddles or replace the entire bridge...

It doesn't fit every guitar and only has a 10-inch radius. Nut sauce seems like a scam, so much money for a little grease (probably PTFE). I use a lithium one like Gilmour's. I've used graphite, but it gets dirty. I also bought a PTFE one (theoretically the lowest friction), but it stinks, so I...

Hi! As always, I apologize in advance for my English, it's bad, I often use a translator, but I like this forum. I've noticed that many people have a favorite nut material, mainly based on sound. I would like to focus on friction. None of my hardtail guitars stay in tune as well as those with...

You can also use contact with shielding. So, shielding is enough. And I think it's a matter of soldering skill; I have no problem soldering plastic miniswitches. So you didn't notice the difference? Do you use the volume knob a lot? And I used the resistor as an example because I was curious...

Hi. Apparently, metal film resistors have less noise than carbon. I see that the Bourns 82 and 95 have composite traces. Does this mean they will have less noise than traditional carbon potentiometers? Has anyone compared them? Best regards!

Hi! I'd like to try Mark Knopfler's mod. The idea was that with the HSS circuit with EMG in position number 2 (bridge + middle) it was supposed to sound like a Stratocaster with a single coil on bridge. And yes, I know there is a model 89 or 81tw that allows coil splitting, but EMG itself...

I noticed that the X version comes with an active tone, while the non-X version comes with a passive tone. What's the difference? If I want to mix, for example, 89x SA SA, which one should I use?

I've ordered a few EMG 85, 89xr, S, SA, and SAX pickups. We'll see what I like. If anyone has reliable information on Mark Knopfler's mod for achieving a Strat-like sound with an 85 and SA pickup, I'd be grateful. Apparently, the EMG 85's output stage uses a resistor and capacitor in the second...