Quarter Pounder SSL4's/Blackmore strat

[macman70]

Hi Guys
I am at my wits end I have a 2010 Fender MIM Blackmore strat. It was checked out and set up by a tech and all electronics are good. As I record this guitar even with a noise gate set high i get a noise that trails off my notes. Even with threshold set high on my noise gate. I do not get this with my Lace sensor strat of course.

My question is my bridge SSL4 is set ~5/32" at bass side. COuld it be I need to lower the neck and Bridge SSL4 in this strat so that it cleans up as I record. Just frustrating as I read that guys love the SSL4's. I just feel they may be set too close to strings and that may be giving this wierd overtone at end of a note. I am reluctant to adjust pup height until I ask here.

I can make soundclips if this would help.

thanks Mark

 

[Rand-O-Monium]

Re: Quarter Pounder SSL4's/Blackmore strat

Just adjust the height(s),it's no biggie.
Hopefully that'll help "some"...

Good Luck!

 

[jammertom]

Re: Quarter Pounder SSL4's/Blackmore strat

I don't know if this helps, but the dissonant overtones I was getting from my MIM with SSL6's turned out to be the trem springs vibrating in an unsympathetic and very unmusical way. Remove the trem cover and flunk 'em with your finger...how's that sound to you? There are many simple and easily reversible ways to muffle them if you wanna try it. I slipped surgical tubing that I got at the corner hardware store over each spring. Some guys put a square of foam under 'em...just something you could try that's cheap and won't wreck up your guitar...good luck!

 

[macman70]

Re: Quarter Pounder SSL4's/Blackmore strat

Just adjust the height(s),it's no biggie.
Hopefully that'll help "some"...

Good Luck!

thank you for the responses guys, I may try lowering both neck and bridge a tad. They are super hot pups so may be that. I measured the Bridge and neck pups, whilst pressing down at 21st fret, and mine are set at:

Bridge & neck pup
Bass Side , Treble Side
8/64" (3.6 mm) , 6/64" (2.4 mm)

I am thinking this may be a bit close for these SSL4's.

I do use the middle pup selector a lot as the two pups then act as a humbucker. I would like to get some use out of the SC's (SC=single coil) alone though. This is not 60 cycle hum we are dealing with as I have tried a ground lift. It is just noise I want to reduce without killing tone with over excessive use of my noise gate. As of now in a SC mode I have to push my noise gate threshold up to at least 80. so that kills my tone.

thx