Help - unwanted squeeting feedback

[cmedcoff]

I've got a PRS custom 24 with a 59 Trembucker in the bridge. While I like the tone, I frequently get unwanted squealing feedback. Please don't tell me to turn down the volume, or turn down the gain, etc. Please read on.

If I were having the same problem from similar/same guitars/pickups I'd say yeah, turn down volume/gain/compression, but here's the thing: I've got a Pearly Gates Trembucker in a PRS Torero and in the same amp, same settings, I get no unwanted feedback. Yes it slightly different but I would think I would have more feedback problems with the Pearly Gates than with the 59 as both the guitar (Torero) and the pickup (Pearly Gates) are more mid, more bright.

While I'm playing with a decent amount of gain, I'm not playing that loud. Typically 11 o'clock on a 20 watt amp and not a lot of treble, mids.

Is it possible I've got a bad humbucker? Not properly waxed? Something else? Open to ideas.

 

[Kamanda~SD]

Re: Help - unwanted squeeting feedback

Do you have covers on either?

 

[cmedcoff]

Re: Help - unwanted squeeting feedback

Do you have covers on either?

Actually yes. The custom 24, the one with the feedback problem has covers. Could covers be the problem? I would have thought the opposite, but perhaps not.

 

[vinnie1971]

Re: Help - unwanted squeeting feedback

Actually yes. The custom 24, the one with the feedback problem has covers. Could covers be the problem? I would have thought the opposite, but perhaps not.

Could be. If they are after market covers they may not be figured correctly- others might correct me but I am not sure PGs are potted. Part of the vintage mojo.
If it were my guitar I'd whip the covers off, apply masking take over the slug coil and over bit coils but stop at the screws, apply some silicone or UHU craft glue and squeeze the covers back on and clamp it up while it dries. When dried a blob of solder each side and that will cure it.


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[cmedcoff]

Re: Help - unwanted squeeting feedback

Could be. If they are after market covers they may not be figured correctly- others might correct me but I am not sure PGs are potted. Part of the vintage mojo.
If it were my guitar I'd whip the covers off, apply masking take over the slug coil and over bit coils but stop at the screws, apply some silicone or UHU craft glue and squeeze the covers back on and clamp it up while it dries. When dried a blob of solder each side and that will cure it.


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Hmm interesting. Perhaps I'll just start by pulling the pickup cover and see if the problem goes away. They are aftermarket. Had a local tech install them when he replaced the stock PU's with the SD's. I don't actually know how pickup covers are mounted/held in place. Do the just slide on/over? I guess if they are the culprit I'll decide if I still want the covers, which I am leaning toward, and then use the technique specified above.

What is the "slug coil" and the "bit coils"?

 

[vinnie1971]

Re: Help - unwanted squeeting feedback

Hmm interesting. Perhaps I'll just start by pulling the pickup cover and see if the problem goes away. They are aftermarket. Had a local tech install them when he replaced the stock PU's with the SD's. I don't actually know how pickup covers are mounted/held in place. Do the just slide on/over? I guess if they are the culprit I'll decide if I still want the covers, which I am leaning toward, and then use the technique specified above.

What is the "slug coil" and the "bit coils"?

Typo, slug and screw coils, slugs plain flat top, screw just that.

Covers are normally just soldered in place but they will squeal unless you dampen them. The method I described will dampen the movement of cover due to magnetic force and stop contact between slug coil and cover


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[Chris Pile]

Re: Help - unwanted squeeting feedback

Another old trick is putting a chunk of foam under the pickup - enough to damp the squeal.