SH-6b mag swaps

JB_From_Hell

JB_From_Hell

Jomo's Nimions
Got a PRS SE Tremonti with an SH-6 in the bridge. Unlike the last two guitars I’ve had with the Distortion, I really don’t hate it. However, I’d prefer if it were a little “less.” Tried lowering it, but don’t like how it changed the feel.

Should I go regular ceramic, A5, A2... whatcha think? Plugged into an Orange Micro Dark, couple OD pedals, couple fuzzes, playing between Audley Freed, SRV, and Gary Clark Jr.
 
Re: SH-6b mag swaps

Regular ceramic ("Distortion Lite"), A5 or try the good 'ol "half-air" mod.

Can't believe I've recommended the half-air mod in two threads back-to-back, ha ha! Free and easy mod that we tend to forget about. Won't change the feel as much as a mag swap will
 
Re: SH-6b mag swaps

My initial plan before I got the guitar was to immediately trade it for something else. 5 or 6 years ago, I got an Epiphone Les Paul with the Distortion set, and it was horrendous. The SE Tremonti, which by all rights should sound similar as they're both mahogany set neck single cuts, has none of that LP's icepick qualities. None of the twang I had with the 7 string SH-6, either.
 
Re: SH-6b mag swaps

JB_From_Hell said:
The SE Tremonti, which by all rights should sound similar as they're both mahogany set neck single cuts, has none of that LP's icepick qualities.
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As I mentioned in the recent "tone wood" thread in the Guitar room, our preconceived notions about "tone woods" consistently fall apart in the real world. So many other things contribute to a particular guitar's characteristics and tone...the pieces of wood used can be more important than the type, then you have hardware, pickups, neck joints, finish and even the setup...so many things that can make 2 seemingly similar (or even 2 otherwise identical) guitars sound and respond completely different!

But I digress...

A8 isn't going to give you "less" and will change the tone noticeably. So will A5 for that matter, but the output will be reduced over A8/Ceramic while keeping it firmly in the "high output" camp.

I think trying a half-air mod should be the first step, then swapping to a regular size ceramic if that doesn't work. After that, might as well make the jump to A5 and see what it does for you :)
 
Re: SH-6b mag swaps

I was under the impression that a Distortion with an A5 magnet swapped in was basically a JB. Have you ever used a Custom?
 
Re: SH-6b mag swaps

Used to love the half-air Tone Zone. That will be step one.

It’s been a long time since I used a Custom. Probably over 10 years, and never with any real amps like I have now, so let’s say no.
 
Re: SH-6b mag swaps

Putting A8 in the Distortion keeps it aggressive but drops it out of fizz central. A5 actually turns it into a nice pickup. I like both. The Distortion is a good wind that doesn't deserve to be turned into **** by ceramic.
 
Re: SH-6b mag swaps

Cdwillis said:
I was under the impression that a Distortion with an A5 magnet swapped in was basically a JB.
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No, they're different coils. There are at least 3 traits that easily distinguish an A5 DD from a JB.
 
Re: SH-6b mag swaps

I just put an UOA5 mag in one of my SH6B .

I had to turn one of the spacers sidewise, and ditch the other one as it doesn't fit sidewise. I used Q-tips as spacers :-D.

I will install it soon in one of my guitars. I installed the UOA5 in my Custom V already, and the difference is noticeable.

Once I do it, i will post the results.
 
Re: SH-6b mag swaps

Rex_Rocker said:
I'd love to hear what A8 does to the Distortion. Might be worth a try.
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I've done it. It tames it just the tiniest bit. It's almost exactly the same tone, but with an almost imperceptibly cut high end and just a little less tightness. Not much change, to my ears.
 
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