Should I Unpot 57 Classics ?

[MS15]

Dear Forum !
I have an ES335 which came with supposedly a set of 57/57+ classics though it appears that the bridge is really just another classic (7.88/8.03).
I have swapped the magnets for rough cast A3/ rough cast unoriented A5 which are getting me there but still can tell the difference in lack of openness, airiness, - articulation is pretty good - but just not the same tonal feel as my other 335's with Ants and Manlius 59LT(long A3). Would I gain anything by unpotting these ? Is it easy to do - I've read you can do it with a simple hair dryer? Or should I just get other pick ups ? I play jazz & blues , 60's/70's rock. THX!

 

[AlexR]

Re: Should I Unpot 57 Classics ?

You cannot unpot a pickup in any meaningful way.
You might be able to remove wax from under the cover. And you can remove the wax from the outer layer (or two) of the wind.
Thats as far as you'll get though.......its been tried - and the pickup cut open to see how far 'de-potting goes.

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: Should I Unpot 57 Classics ?

Most of the tone isn’t in the wax. If mags and screws don’t get you there, another pickup will.

 

[MS15]

Re: Should I Unpot 57 Classics ?

Most of the tone isn’t in the wax. If mags and screws don’t get you there, another pickup will.

Thanks for your reply. I forgot to mention that I have been adjusting the poles as well as mag changes. My amps are 6V6 and EL 84 driven in the 15 watt and under class , Celestion Alnico Blue speakers so yeah, I also like clean and bright in my tone.

 

[MS15]

Re: Should I Unpot 57 Classics ?

Yeah, I thought it sounded a little too simple. Thanks for your reply !

 

[formula73]

Re: Should I Unpot 57 Classics ?

You cannot unpot a pickup in any meaningful way.
You might be able to remove wax from under the cover. And you can remove the wax from the outer layer (or two) of the wind.
Thats as far as you'll get though.......its been tried - and the pickup cut open to see how far 'de-potting goes.

Truth.

 

[esandes]

Re: Should I Unpot 57 Classics ?

If you play at any decent volumes you should never use unpotted pickups.

 

[Dave Locher]

Re: Should I Unpot 57 Classics ?

If you play at any decent volumes you should never use unpotted pickups.

That is only true with high gain. He's playing "clean and bright" AND he likes his other two sets of unpotted pickups so another set should be fine.

 

[AlexR]

Re: Should I Unpot 57 Classics ?

If you play at any decent volumes you should never use unpotted pickups.

What, like Jimmy Page, Clapton, ZZ Top, AC/DC and every other player who has rocked vintage humbuckers and played stadiums???

 

[esandes]

Re: Should I Unpot 57 Classics ?

Guys, I doubt they used unpotted pickups live. If they did , you'd know.

I got bad feedback playing through a non-master volume msrshall with no effects. Don't take my word for it. Try it yourself.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Re: Should I Unpot 57 Classics ?

Guys, I doubt they used unpotted pickups live. If they did , you'd know.

They did. The original PAF's weren't potted.

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: Should I Unpot 57 Classics ?

Guys, I doubt they used unpotted pickups live. If they did , you'd know.

I got bad feedback playing through a non-master volume msrshall with no effects. Don't take my word for it. Try it yourself.

IME As long as you stand more than 3-4 feet away from the front 30 degrees of the cones of the cabinet, you can run a 45-50 watt Marshall nearly flat out with a guitar using unpotted PAFs without a problem and even stand 2-3 feet slightly off axis of the cab and turn in 90 degrees to the cabinet and get nicely controlled feedback to make certain notes sing. With 100 watts just add a foot or two to the distance.

 

[formula73]

Re: Should I Unpot 57 Classics ?

Guys, I doubt they used unpotted pickups live. If they did , you'd know.

I got bad feedback playing through a non-master volume msrshall with no effects. Don't take my word for it. Try it yourself.

Do you understand space/time?

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Should I Unpot 57 Classics ?

I play unpotted, covered pickups and piezos in my semi hollow alleykat through 100 watt marshalls and riveras all the time with dirt boxes and gain channels.

Knowing where to stand and how to mute lets you do wonderful things.

 

[metlking]

Re: Should I Unpot 57 Classics ?

I pretty much "un-potted" a Duncan 59' (covered) by leaving it in my car on a very hot day. When I opened the box (it was basically new) all the wax had seeped into the foam packaging material! It sounds great though! Still somewhat potted I'm sure...…..happy accident.

 

[vinnie1971]

Re: Should I Unpot 57 Classics ?

I have a full hollow body with 57 classics. I’m pretty sure potting is minimal if at all on those. They are pretty microphonic and that guitar has a lot of bite even if I use half rounds on it. It’s also very prone to feedback in a rehearsal room.


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[Mincer]

Re: Should I Unpot 57 Classics ?

In this case, I think it is a matter of not liking the pickups. You went through everything you are supposed to in trying to make them work for you. Get some Seth Lovers and be happy!

 

[AlexR]

Re: Should I Unpot 57 Classics ?

Guys, I doubt they used unpotted pickups live. If they did , you'd know.

I got bad feedback playing through a non-master volume msrshall with no effects. Don't take my word for it. Try it yourself.

Best simply not to post - if by doing so you inevitably embarrass yourself as per here.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Should I Unpot 57 Classics ?

lets keep things civil guys

 

[esandes]

Re: Should I Unpot 57 Classics ?

IL+2