So The Techs At Dimarzio Said To Shorten The Pickup Pole Screws

[STRATDELUXER97]

I've pretty much got my VPAF N pickup dialed in where I need it on my SG...Two different techs have told me to cut the nickel screws so they end up flush with the bottom of the pickup plate...This removes "eddy" current and they both said it slightly brightens the pickup,makes it slightly louder,and removes some of the lowend boom....They told me "it works" and I'll try it....

They also said they'd send me more screws if I don't like the results....They also told me to try the Air Classic next if the VPAF N still is a problem or even the EJ Bridge pickup in the neck would work.....

Or another Duncan Jazz N.......lol

I'm on a Dimarzio double creme kick though,so it has to stay Dimarzios now! They look so wonderful...:dance: :banana: :usa1:

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: So The Techs At Dimarzio Said To Shorten The Pickup Pole Screws

What exactly does having short screws do to the tone of a pickup?

I have an ancient double cream Super Distortion that has no screws portruding from the bottom plate. In fact, the plate has no holes for the srews to come through.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: So The Techs At Dimarzio Said To Shorten The Pickup Pole Screws

What exactly does having short screws do to the tone of a pickup?

I have an ancient double cream Super Distortion that has no screws portruding from the bottom plate. In fact, the plate has no holes for the srews to come through.

I stated it above....It makes the pickup brighter,less boomy, slightly louder...I'm told that I May have to slightly lower it after I shorten the screws...I'm told it may even be a bit more articulate,but that's asking for alot by just cutting the screws shorter.....But who knows,we'll see?

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: So The Techs At Dimarzio Said To Shorten The Pickup Pole Screws

Sorry, didn't have my coffee goggles on when I asked. :burnout:

 

[BachToRock]

Re: So The Techs At Dimarzio Said To Shorten The Pickup Pole Screws

I remember an old interview with Neil Schon of Journey where he said that he cut the screws on his PAF's

 

[nepalnt21]

Re: So The Techs At Dimarzio Said To Shorten The Pickup Pole Screws

how would you go about performing this "cutting"? im having trouble visualizing the process.

 

[gripweed]

Re: So The Techs At Dimarzio Said To Shorten The Pickup Pole Screws

how would you go about performing this "cutting"? im having trouble visualizing the process.

I'd like to know how you did it too. Wicked Lester did that to one his pickups too. I think it was a CC.

 

[guitarslinger213]

Re: So The Techs At Dimarzio Said To Shorten The Pickup Pole Screws

how would you go about performing this "cutting"? im having trouble visualizing the process.

hacksaw I guess. I thinking about doing this to my IBZUSA F1

 

[ErikH]

Re: So The Techs At Dimarzio Said To Shorten The Pickup Pole Screws

Some cutting plyers from the ol' trusty toolbox will cut them. Or use a dremel tool cutter. I've heard of doing this too, from WICKED LESTER. He's done it to a few SD's with admirable results.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: So The Techs At Dimarzio Said To Shorten The Pickup Pole Screws

If you're a guitar tinkerer and don't own a Dremel, go out and buy one.


NOW.


GET OFF THE COMPUTER AND DRIVE TO THE STORE.



NOW DAMN IT!!!!

 

[MDS]

Re: So The Techs At Dimarzio Said To Shorten The Pickup Pole Screws

Haha!

 

[ranalli]

Re: So The Techs At Dimarzio Said To Shorten The Pickup Pole Screws

Kudos to the Dimarzio guys for helping you out.


I'm looking forward to hearing about the results.


Also, they suggest an Eric Johnson *bridge* model for the neck?? I guess the bridge model is still fairly bright compared to the VPAF neck then....interesting.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: So The Techs At Dimarzio Said To Shorten The Pickup Pole Screws

I took the pickup back up and out of the cavity and measured the screws and realized I needed to cut 1/8" off of the total length....I removed the 6 screws and used my Dremel tool with a little carbide wheel on the end...Put the screws back in and then placed some wax on the back plate and heated up and flowed wax back into the screw hole crevices and the slug holes with a hairdryer....

I'm not sure if it made alot of difference,but if it did,it made the pickup clearer sounding,not louder,slightly less lows,and the highs seem the same...I Left the pickup height exactly where it was and I Now have the original slotted screws back in the pickup and they are adjusted almost flush with the bobbin tops....The pickup is fine now and if the mod changed anything,it was pretty subtle? If other pros have done it then there's more to this?

I remember Torres talking about doing this in the early 90s and I did do it on the original SG Pickup and I see I used cutting pliers on that one....Didn't have a dremel tool then....LOL

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: So The Techs At Dimarzio Said To Shorten The Pickup Pole Screws

Kudos to the Dimarzio guys for helping you out.


I'm looking forward to hearing about the results.


Also, they suggest an Eric Johnson *bridge* model for the neck?? I guess the bridge model is still fairly bright compared to the VPAF neck then....interesting.

The other tech(Not Steve)recommended the EJ bridge to use with the VPAF Hot,but I feel like I'm ok now with the pickup and I think the EJ is the way to go? The Air Classic maybe,but not either of the EJs..

 

[pedalinbob]

Re: So The Techs At Dimarzio Said To Shorten The Pickup Pole Screws

Sounds like you are dialing in yout tone nicely.
I have also had good relations with Dimarzio.

Slightly off-topic question: Any idea how the Virtual Hot PAF might sound in a basswood Ibanez with maple neck, rosewood board and Floyd Rose (RG470)?

I love to experiment with pickups, and lean toward low to medium output, but I could not find any info on this combo.
Interestingly, I have read wildly varying opinions regarding the tone of basswood. Some say it is neutral, others say it is dull...and others hav stated it is very middy. Strange, eh?

Bob

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: So The Techs At Dimarzio Said To Shorten The Pickup Pole Screws

Sounds like you are dialing in yout tone nicely.
I have also had good relations with Dimarzio.

Slightly off-topic question: Any idea how the Virtual Hot PAF might sound in a basswood Ibanez with maple neck, rosewood board and Floyd Rose (RG470)?

I love to experiment with pickups, and lean toward low to medium output, but I could not find any info on this combo.
Interestingly, I have read wildly varying opinions regarding the tone of basswood. Some say it is neutral, others say it is dull...and others hav stated it is very middy. Strange, eh?

Bob

Yes the VPAF Neck is now dialed in fine for me,plus I now have a Jazz Neck if I need to try that out? It's not double creme,but zebra...

 

[SoCalSteve]

Re: So The Techs At Dimarzio Said To Shorten The Pickup Pole Screws

Boy, John you were right about the neck VPAF being boomy. I had a chance to play louder over the weekend and man, was it noticeable. Boomy is the right word. I guess I should cut my screws too - or swap it if it isn't too late. I wonder if I could get away with just cutting 2 or 3 bass string screws?

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: So The Techs At Dimarzio Said To Shorten The Pickup Pole Screws

These double creme(cream) Dimarzio VPAF pickups are gorgeous!

 

[Guitar Toad]

Re: So The Techs At Dimarzio Said To Shorten The Pickup Pole Screws

They didn't say, "You really should try a Seymour Duncan JB or Seth Lover or Custom Custom?" :smack:
I'm shocked. Totally Shocked.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: So The Techs At Dimarzio Said To Shorten The Pickup Pole Screws

They didn't say, "You really should try a Seymour Duncan JB or Seth Lover?" :smack:
I'm shocked.

A JB in the neck? Actually I dislike and don't use the JB...Haven't tryed a Seth yet either? Jazz Neck is cool also...

This guitar....

VPAF Neck
VPAF Hot Bridge