Need help with QUACK

[GuitarSmithTN]

I have a Jimmie Vaughan Strat with a Custom Custom in the bridge and Texas Specials in middle and neck. I'm having trouble getting quack in the 2nd position (bridge/middle). The humbucker is set up to split. Any tricks with pickup height, EQ, etc.? I need a cool funky sound. I love Clapton's "I Shot the Sheriff" sound or something else like it.

 

[mrid]

Re: Need help with QUACK

How high is the middle pup? I usually lower mine until it's almost even with the pickguard, but not so low that it falls off the screws and into the cavity. That should enhance the quack effect, plus it gets that middle pickup out of the way of you pick.

 

[GuitarSmithTN]

Re: Need help with QUACK

I've tried different heights for the middle pup. It seems that when I lower it the sound becomes more midrange-ish and definitely not quack.

 

[Curly]

Re: Need help with QUACK

maybe the problem's not the middle pickup

 

[BigBazz]

Re: Need help with QUACK

:laugh2: My duckbucker on my strat goes quack quack quack, just like a duck. maybe you should try one, they give a simply superb amazingly glassy, quacky clean tone and when overdriven clapton/hendrix/SRV sounds are just there for you asking you to play. but dont try to play metal with them or they will bite and fly away like real ducks :wink: :burnout:

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Need help with QUACK

maybe the problem's not the middle pickup

my thoughts exactly!

 

[dc_mally]

Re: Need help with QUACK

maybe the beek has come loose, send me your guitar and ill cehck it out

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Need help with QUACK

maybe the problem's not the middle pickup

Curly's right. Combining a humbucker (split or otherwise) with a Strat single coil results in a tone that is not the classic B & M combined tone.

You want real that quacky "crushed glass" chime of a regular Strat in the #2 and #4 switch positions? Then you have to use three single coils. That's just the way it is.

Lew

 

[GuitarSmithTN]

Re: Need help with QUACK

I finally figured out that the CC output is 14K (so 7K when split) and my Texas Specials are around 6K. I actually had to raise the middle pup a bit and then lower the bridge pup. I was getting way too much of the bridge single (which pup has a lot of mids anyways) when combined with the middle. I'll now have to test the bridge in humbucker mode and see if it still sings...

Overall, the 3 pups are very balanced with nice quack in 2 and 4. I love the CC in the strat. In single mode it sounds great as well!

Interesting note: I actually like the sound of the bridge humbucker with the middle pup as well. I have to lower the mids EQ wise, but it has a very thick and quacky lead tone. I'm surprised...

Now if I can just deal with my love/hate relationship with these finicky Texas Specials! Man I have spent a lot of time trying to get this guitar to sound good! I love the way it plays, the pup issue is another matter.