Korina / White Limba V help

[krovatron]

I built a Korina V from PGK and it is simply stunning. I ordered their 335 and have that in the mix now too.

The V is very resonant and sustains so much...almost acoustic like. I first dropped a set of UA5 Custom (b) /59 and wasnt all that satisfied...I think there may have been a wiring issue. I then went back with Ceramic and then A3. Holy too bright Batman. It had been 3 months between hearing as I refinished it in nitro.

I am wondering how to tame the brightness. It should be known that I only have a volume and not a tone on this guitar, I almost never touch it. I either adjust my amp and do a good job of matching magnet and guitar. Limba is a new world and I wonder if I need a darker palette to balance it...I have in the past fought to brighten guitars to balance.

My thoughts as I have every magnet except A9:

Go A2...roughcast? In the current set?
add a tone control and get that LPF effect...what values would you recommend?
I have a pegasus/sentient set that I had for another build.
i also have a set of Fishamn Classics and Duncan Dualities
consider a dark set like Invaders or even Dimarzio?

Appreciate any feedback. Was combing the archives and found some Korina threads with some info.

Edited for clarification. Not a hybrid pickup, but set.

 

[uOpt]

Yes, try A2. Before you try an Invader try a JB w/A2.

You can also add a resistor and capacitor to emulate a full open tone control if you don't want to drill for a new pot.

 

[krovatron]

Yes, try A2. Before you try an Invader try a JB w/A2.

You can also add a resistor and capacitor to emulate a full open tone control if you don't want to drill for a new pot.

Yea, I try to swap mags first before new pickups. Funny, I am not a huge JB fan. I do like them in bolt on guitars though. My LP has a Seths Lover in the neck and a AU5 Perpetual Burn in the bridge and it is my tone machine. My 335 build will have a BB1 & 3 with a varitone.

I've never tried the resistor emulation...any idea where to find values? I think I just have a few treble bleeds and various tone caps...assuming I dont have on hand what is needed.

 

[Mincer]

I'd say start by re-EQ'ing the amp. A set of Black Winters, or an A2P & CC set can also do it.

 

[eclecticsynergy]

If you're okay with vintage output, Brobucker is heavenly in korina. Just sayin'.

You also might try A6 in the bridge Hybrid. And maybe an A2 in the neck one.
I like a fairly bright neck pickup myself.

 

[uOpt]

I've never tried the resistor emulation...any idea where to find values? I think I just have a few treble bleeds and various tone caps...assuming I dont have on hand what is needed.

Same values as the tone pot. Same resistance as the pot, literally the same capacitor.

 

[jeremy]

tame brightness in a guitar with one control... im assuming you have a 500k pot in there now? id start with a 250k volume pot

 

[formula73]

I’d advise living with it a while longer and messing with your eq.

I always prefer to have the brightness on tap when needed. It’s easy to eq (or roll off guitar tone) something out but sometimes it’s really hard to put back frequencies that just aren’t there.

 

[Demanic]

As long as you fixed the wiring issue, go back to the UOA5. Both ceramic and A3 magnets can really accentuate the bright. UOA5 will bring out the mids without sacrificing the top and bottom.

Sent from my SM-A115A using Tapatalk

 

[chadd]

tame brightness in a guitar with one control... im assuming you have a 500k pot in there now? id start with a 250k volume pot

That would be my first try as well. If it's that bad, magnet isn't likely to fix it. I didn't think the A2 did much to tame the hybrid in my PRS.

 

[krovatron]

If you're okay with vintage output, Brobucker is heavenly in korina. Just sayin'.

You also might try A6 in the bridge Hybrid. And maybe an A2 in the neck one.
I like a fairly bright neck pickup myself.

Curious if anyone has done A6 in Custom. Havent tried A6s yet but have some.

 

[krovatron]

I'd say start by re-EQ'ing the amp. A set of Black Winters, or an A2P & CC set can also do it.

I see you recommending BWs all the time. I should grab a set when I see a used pair come up. I mostly play my Axe FXIII so my presets are set for either active/passive. I have a Katana I dink around with when I just want a quick fix

 

[krovatron]

tame brightness in a guitar with one control... im assuming you have a 500k pot in there now? id start with a 250k volume pot

I am going to do this or grab a 300k from my tech when I swing by his shop.

 

[krovatron]

As long as you fixed the wiring issue, go back to the UOA5. Both ceramic and A3 magnets can really accentuate the bright. UOA5 will bring out the mids without sacrificing the top and bottom.

Sent from my SM-A115A using Tapatalk

I am wondering if I may have accidentally damaged this custom...it seems weak and not full. Readings measure correctly...I have probably swapped magnets on it 20+ times experimenting...

 

[Mincer]

Usually, if the coil is damaged, it won't read correctly. Does it sound like a regular Custom with the ceramic magnet back in there?

 

[eclecticsynergy]

I am wondering if I may have accidentally damaged this custom...it seems weak and not full. Readings measure correctly...I have probably swapped magnets on it 20+ times experimenting...

A3 is going to lower the output of a Custom by a lot, right down to vintage-hot levels.
I agree there's probably nothing wrong with yours, especially if the DCR readings are normal.

Never tried A6 in the Custom. Might not be a bad match for a bright, thin sounding guitar.

 

[krovatron]

Usually, if the coil is damaged, it won't read correctly. Does it sound like a regular Custom with the ceramic magnet back in there?

Its been so long since I tried a stock Custom I cant remember. I am use to A8 and UOA5.

I grabbed a 250k pot but havent even installed it yet. I am finishing 3 other builds before I move so my work bench is a nightmare. I was thinking of doing the 250kswap, or adding a 500k tone pot first. Then I was going to pull the pups and swap for rough in bridge, polished in neck either A2 or A6 to try something different than UOA5.

I also have stumbled on a Breed neck and an EVO bridge. I was thinking of trying a Breed bridge or AT1 because...why not experiment?

I have just finished with my 335 that has BB3 and 1 with a varitone. Great vintage tone.

I have a Pegasus/Sentinel set for a 25.5 set neck Floyd LP style. Havent played yet.

A 28" baritone evertune build with a wenge neck and bubinga fretboard. Body is Mahogany with maple top. Have a Nazgul and Jazz direct mounted. Not played yet

Know I will be having a lot of experimenting, Covid made me get into building and I got out of hand.

My Edwards LP has a PB with UOA5 and a SL neck. Those pickups may never leave....its just perfect.

My Strat had a Lace Sensor Red/Silver/Blue and Tele has noiseless Gen4 Shaw pups.

Have a set of Dualities, Fishman Classics, 89x - SLV - SLV and probably more somewhere.

I think I am done with guitars for awhile