I have a Studio Hamer (PRS/LP type) that had a '59 (neck) and a JB (bridge). I put a '59b in the bridge. I mostly like the improvement, though the bridge is, as some have mentioned, a tad bright, especially clean. I read that some have changed the bridge volume and tone to a 250k. The issue with my Hamer is there are two volumes, but only one tone control. What might be a good option with this scenario?
Seymour '59 pot value question
- Thread starter Gforce9
- Start date
Kam
Shaftologist
Re: Seymour '59 pot value question
Well, you could just change the value of the bridge volume to darken it a bit. Or, if you don't mind changing the tone of your neck pickup slightly, you could change the bridge vol and the master tone to 250k. Brightness can be reduced (I think) by lowering the polepieces of the pickup and then raising the whole thing slightly, so you could do that to your bridge pup and just change the bridge vol to avoid changing the tone of your neck pickup as well. Or you could do the opposite to your neck pickup (raising the polepieces and lowering the whole thing) to make it brighter before changing both the volume and tone.
I'm sure there's something fancy you can do to with resistors as well but I'm nowhere near knowledgable enough on the subject to advise anything in that respect.
If you put a cover on a pickup it'll tame some of the high end as well. Search the forum here, there's been plenty of stuff written about the subject. Make sure you get a Duncan cover though, others might not line up perfectly. Different cover materials will have more of an impact than others so that's something to bear in mind as well.
I don't want to seem patronising but so if you've already done this then I apologise but have you fully experimented with different volume and tone settings on your guitar? There are some pickups that I can't stand with the volume and tone all the way up but can sound absolutely wonderful with them rolled down a little. The '59b I've got in an SG copy being a perfect example of this.
Spend some time experimenting with different string brands as well. You're less likely to make the difference you want doing this but there is a difference. Personally I find D'addario to be the brightest but they also sound a little fuller than the likes of Slinkies.
Good luck and welcome to the forum. :friday:
Well, you could just change the value of the bridge volume to darken it a bit. Or, if you don't mind changing the tone of your neck pickup slightly, you could change the bridge vol and the master tone to 250k. Brightness can be reduced (I think) by lowering the polepieces of the pickup and then raising the whole thing slightly, so you could do that to your bridge pup and just change the bridge vol to avoid changing the tone of your neck pickup as well. Or you could do the opposite to your neck pickup (raising the polepieces and lowering the whole thing) to make it brighter before changing both the volume and tone.
I'm sure there's something fancy you can do to with resistors as well but I'm nowhere near knowledgable enough on the subject to advise anything in that respect.
If you put a cover on a pickup it'll tame some of the high end as well. Search the forum here, there's been plenty of stuff written about the subject. Make sure you get a Duncan cover though, others might not line up perfectly. Different cover materials will have more of an impact than others so that's something to bear in mind as well.
I don't want to seem patronising but so if you've already done this then I apologise but have you fully experimented with different volume and tone settings on your guitar? There are some pickups that I can't stand with the volume and tone all the way up but can sound absolutely wonderful with them rolled down a little. The '59b I've got in an SG copy being a perfect example of this.
Spend some time experimenting with different string brands as well. You're less likely to make the difference you want doing this but there is a difference. Personally I find D'addario to be the brightest but they also sound a little fuller than the likes of Slinkies.
Good luck and welcome to the forum. :friday:
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Seymour '59 pot value question
Many players say that bridge PAF's are bright (me included). I always use two 250K pots with them. Big improvement. Takes off the worst of the treble & makes the mids more obvious. Fuller tone with a balanced EQ.
Many players say that bridge PAF's are bright (me included). I always use two 250K pots with them. Big improvement. Takes off the worst of the treble & makes the mids more obvious. Fuller tone with a balanced EQ.