TB-5 Custom problem...

[erogenousjones17]

I recently had a TB-5 Custom Trembucker installed in my Jackson JS20 and it sounds fantastic. However, when I set the 5-way pickup selector to the bridge/middle setting, the guitar sounds really weird. The only way I can think of describing the sound is that it sounds like it's being played through a wah pedal rocked all the way forward, if that makes any sense. What's the problem?

 

[kjrocks]

Re: TB-5 Custom problem...

Welcome to the forum.
Sounds like its out of phase with the other pickup. You'll need to reverse a couple wires on the Tb-5 and you'll be good.Normally just switching the green and black wires will do the trick.

 

[erogenousjones17]

Re: TB-5 Custom problem...

That's what I thought...guess I'll take it back to the guy that installed it; I don't have any electrical tools here. Thanks a lot.

 

[erogenousjones17]

Re: TB-5 Custom problem...

Ok, so I just got back from the shop where they installed my humbucker, and the guy said that everything is fine with my guitar. His reason for the "out of phase" sound is that the Duncan in the bridge has a much higher output than the stock single-coil in the middle. Of course, I don't know enough about this kind of stuff to argue, but this doesn't quite seem right. Any thoughts?

 

[MikeS]

Re: TB-5 Custom problem...

Do you know if he wired it up to split in the notch position?

The fact that the Custom is higher output than the single coil isn't going to give you that nasal-like wah sound. If it's not wired to split and the pickups are in phase then you'll hear a little hum and a lot of the tone of the Custom.

If he did split the Custom in the notch position then it's not going to over power much of anything, and you're more than likely looking at an out-of-phase scenario.

 

[kjrocks]

Re: TB-5 Custom problem...

I dont agree with your tech. If one pickup is hotter than another they dont give you an out of phase , nasally tone when combined. Maybe I'm wrong though. It has happened before

 

[Artie]

Re: TB-5 Custom problem...

Remember . . . you don't need a "tech" to test for an out-of-phase condition. Just another guitar player. If you know anyone else that plays guitar, preferably professionaly, they should know in an instant if the pup is out of phase.

 

[Dave Z]

Re: TB-5 Custom problem...

agreed, it may be OOP. Do you have separate volume controls? If they are out of phase then that wah-pedal effect should go away when you dial one down.

 

[erogenousjones17]

Re: TB-5 Custom problem...

No, I don't have separate volume controls, and it's not wired to be split. I didn't think his reasoning made any sense...

 

[MattPete]

Re: TB-5 Custom problem...

I recently had a TB-5 Custom Trembucker installed in my Jackson JS20 and it sounds fantastic. However, when I set the 5-way pickup selector to the bridge/middle setting, the guitar sounds really weird. The only way I can think of describing the sound is that it sounds like it's being played through a wah pedal rocked all the way forward, if that makes any sense. What's the problem?

My Kramer Pacer does the same thing, but it has a JB bridge and SSL1 middle. Personally, I think it sounds pretty cool -- kinda my Schenker ****ed wah setting.

 

[erogenousjones17]

Re: TB-5 Custom problem...

It does sound kinda interesing, I'll give you that. Since the tech guy has no desire to open things back up and sort them out I'll leave it as is; it is a pretty cool effect for leads, even if it's a bit too nasal and quirky for anything else.