Kauri Guitar

[rupertmja]

Hi from New Zealand. I just bought an oldie handmade guitar - made from ancient Kauri wood. It has a double pickup at the bridge and a single at the neck. It looks great but sounds terrible. The seller says he set it up with the tone knob being a tone boost. It sounds too tinny. Considering that this guitar looks like a Gibson in shape (complete with Telecaster style knobs and toggle), and I love the sound of my 2008 Les Paul (Burstbucker Pro set up), what would you recommend? I prefer Humbuckers for sure for both neck and bridge. Maybe a pair that both have silver covers (like the Telecaster neck look???). Including volume and tone pots - there is something not right with mine. Or maybe I should go for a Telecaster sound ...
Any ideas appreciated.

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: Kauri Guitar

This one is too tinny, and you like Burstbucker Pro LP.... I don’t know that guitar/wood, so this is a loose guess/suggestion. Maybe Seth or A2P or Slash bridge, and maybe a 5-2 Tele neck? Or maybe Cool Rails Strat neck or Antiquity Texas Hot neck?

I haven’t used the 5-2, Cool Rails or Slash; but the others I have and have used. If you are super finicky that the pickups much match exactly in eq and tone, then I’m not sure what to suggest. Typically I want pickups that are brighter, so I was trying to suggest pickups that are a bit warmer.

 

[Mark Le Comte]

Re: Kauri Guitar

Kauri is a type of agathis. Assuming this is ancient swamp kauri, there is probably a lot of acrylic resin to fill in voids and make the timber more stable.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Kauri Guitar

Welcome to the forum!

I'd first make sure the current wiring is correct. Make sure both coils of the humbucker are working, and that what you are hearing is the guitar, not a fault in the wiring.

 

[rupertmja]

Re: Kauri Guitar

Kauri is a type of agathis. Assuming this is ancient swamp kauri, there is probably a lot of acrylic resin to fill in voids and make the timber more stable.

There is some resin filling some voids - not all.

 

[rupertmja]

Re: Kauri Guitar

Thanks. It doesn't have to sound like my Les Paul. That would be impossible. But something warmer than this for sure. I have Cool Rails and Hot Rails and Vintage Rails on my Strat and am happy with those.

 

[SeanK]

Re: Kauri Guitar

I'd definitely double check the pot values as well- if it doesn't already have 250k in it that certainly would help!

 

[rupertmja]

Re: Kauri Guitar

I'd definitely double check the pot values as well- if it doesn't already have 250k in it that certainly would help!

Actually, I am thinking of buying a set of some sort, including pots. Like the loaded pickguards, but without the pickguard. I have a Les Paul, a Strat, and a Tele, and like all of them, so it would be good if this sounded somehow different. A bit more warmer bluesy maybe. If someone makes a good recommendation, I might just go for it.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Kauri Guitar

Maybe a Classic Stack and a 59/Custom Hybrid? If it still sounds terrible, it won't be the pickups' fault.

 

[rupertmja]

Re: Kauri Guitar

Thanks - will check it out. Would
that single coil come with the option of a cover? Just to make them look similar ...

 

[Mincer]

Re: Kauri Guitar

The Classic Stack's cover is glued on, so I don't think you could get another cover unless you go through the Custom Shop.