NGD, and I didn't like it.

[Diego]

I wanted to make y'all happy with a NGD today but it didn't turn out to be the case.

I brought home a SSS MIM Strat from a co-worker who doesn't use it much, he liked his LP much better.
Beautiful sparkly red finish, maple fretboard, Fender Hot Noiseless pickups and a 2 point "modern" trem.
I'd tried it before and thought it sounded much better than my AllParts.

Turns out my AllParts sounds much better through my rig. I'm 90% sure it's down to the trem but the MIM lacks the sting, bite and lows of the AllParts.
The attack sounds dull and flat on the MIM, whereas on my AllParts sounds like a Strat should; deep and poignant and "jumpy".
I'm almost sure it's the Gotoh vintage trem with a fatass block instead of the soft, light 2 point trem that makes the difference.

I also didn't like the EQ curve on the Fender pickups, they're more middy and less peaky; thought I'd like that but testing it side by side I realized I don't.

So I'll return it tomorrow. I should be bummed but I'm not, I realized my guitar's much better than I thought it is.

 

[Nacho8807]

Re: NGD, and I didn't like it.

Sometimes we need a good perspective adjustment. I gave my Strat to a friend a while ago, pretty much same situation as your buddy, and recently I needed to borrow it for some recording. It was the guitar I basically learned on and was my only guitar for years but I hated the way it played and sounded after a while. But after getting it back I realize it was really great for what it was. I almost don't want to give it back now. It's like reconnecting with an old friend.

 

[dominus]

Re: NGD, and I didn't like it.

I wanted to make y'all happy with a NGD today but it didn't turn out to be the case.

I brought home a SSS MIM Strat from a co-worker who doesn't use it much, he liked his LP much better.
Beautiful sparkly red finish, maple fretboard, Fender Hot Noiseless pickups and a 2 point "modern" trem.
I'd tried it before and thought it sounded much better than my AllParts.

Turns out my AllParts sounds much better through my rig. I'm 90% sure it's down to the trem but the MIM lacks the sting, bite and lows of the AllParts.
The attack sounds dull and flat on the MIM, whereas on my AllParts sounds like a Strat should; deep and poignant and "jumpy".
I'm almost sure it's the Gotoh vintage trem with a fatass block instead of the soft, light 2 point trem that makes the difference.

I also didn't like the EQ curve on the Fender pickups, they're more middy and less peaky; thought I'd like that but testing it side by side I realized I don't.

So I'll return it tomorrow. I should be bummed but I'm not, I realized my guitar's much better than I thought it is.

MIM with a two point modern trem? Sounds fishy. Care to take a picture of the guitar with the pickguard off?

 

[jtougas]

Re: NGD, and I didn't like it.

*nods* Sounds like it may be a Squier Standard body with a MIM neck on it...

 

[LReese]

Re: NGD, and I didn't like it.

You might have something there with the bridge - I've sent a guitar off for a bridge upgrade (Gotoh 1055 to 510TS) and it came back a different (one I like more) guitar.

Also a thick finish to me can take away from the sound of a guitar.

 

[dominus]

Re: NGD, and I didn't like it.

*nods* Sounds like it may be a Squier Standard body with a MIM neck on it...

In fact, you can just take off the neck plate and see if there's a hole going through the neck pocket.

 

[Van Noord]

Re: NGD, and I didn't like it.

Sometimes "better" can be subjective. We often like what we know, or are accustomed to.

 

[Rand-O-Monium]

Re: NGD, and I didn't like it.

Change the bridge.
Have a spare.

Was/Is it reasonable($)?

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: NGD, and I didn't like it.

Classic Player series combines two-point baseplate with stamped/bent vintage style saddles.

I purchased a 2010 American Deluxe Stratocaster from a friend in need of quick cash. In my opinion, the Fender N3 Noiseless pickups ruined two otherwise stunning lumps of tonewood. This guitar currently features a single Allan Holdsworth model humbucker and two A500k pots. It is fantastic. The Deluxe vibrato bridge helps, I suspect.

 

[ozzynotwood]

Re: NGD, and I didn't like it.

I wanted to make y'all happy with a NGD today but it didn't turn out to be the case.

I brought home a SSS MIM Strat from a co-worker who doesn't use it much, he liked his LP much better.
Beautiful sparkly red finish, maple fretboard, Fender Hot Noiseless pickups and a 2 point "modern" trem.
I'd tried it before and thought it sounded much better than my AllParts.

Turns out my AllParts sounds much better through my rig. I'm 90% sure it's down to the trem but the MIM lacks the sting, bite and lows of the AllParts.
The attack sounds dull and flat on the MIM, whereas on my AllParts sounds like a Strat should; deep and poignant and "jumpy".
I'm almost sure it's the Gotoh vintage trem with a fatass block instead of the soft, light 2 point trem that makes the difference.

I also didn't like the EQ curve on the Fender pickups, they're more middy and less peaky; thought I'd like that but testing it side by side I realized I don't.

So I'll return it tomorrow. I should be bummed but I'm not, I realized my guitar's much better than I thought it is.

Noiseless pickups, there's your problem, those things always sound dead.

 

[Aceman]

Re: NGD, and I didn't like it.

So it was a NGD Letdown....

I didn't see any pics. :scratchch

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: NGD, and I didn't like it.

Hey look, it's a Rob Option for reals! :lol:

Anyway, I had a Mexi-Strat some years ago with the 6-screw trem and stock singles. Sounded fine to me. Dunno if they were the noiseless or anything other than "standard".

I also had a 9v jammed behind the block to keep it from moving.

 

[ken361]

Re: NGD, and I didn't like it.

Most people dont like the noiseless pups what I read

 

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: NGD, and I didn't like it.

Noiseless pickups, there's your problem, those things always sound dead.

No pickup is better than the guitar they sit in!
And it depends on what NS stuff you use!
None of mine lacks sparkle or highs...

 

[AudioWonderland]

Re: NGD, and I didn't like it.

Noiseless pickups, there's your problem, those things always sound dead.

I would have to agree. The noiseless models from Fender have never done anything to help a guitar sound better in my experience

 

[greekdude]

Re: NGD, and I didn't like it.

Diego, if a strat is dead no pup is gonna bring it to life. My partscaster always lacked volume and sustain. It sucked no matter how many pups or after market bridges (super-vee) i put into it. My daughter's cheap 80euro toy had better sound. So, if it sucks unplugged throw it away and start looking for a real strat.

 

[LReese]

Re: NGD, and I didn't like it.

Noiseless pickups can sound good. Just don't expect them to sound the same as a single despite the hype. Set the processing appropriately.