hermetico
New member
I was working on an Epihone Firebird of a friend of mine, that had three pickups.
The axe was routed to hold two mini-humbuckers (neck, middle) and a humbucker (bridge).
So, I thought that a couple of SD SM-1 (firebird style mini-humbuckers) and a SH-55b (Seth Lover) would be a nice match.
But, I was wrong, indeed.
Those SM-1 kick your face as huge mules. They have such a massive output level.
The SH-55b had two big issues. In first place, they created tons of feedback, even with the lightess of the overdrives and, in second place they sounded weak as a pussy compared to those SM-1.
Maybe, a couple of months ago, I've already discussed these issues and, while to fix the first issue was clear (wax potting), the second wasn't clear, at all.
THANK YOU PEPE (LtKojak), FOR YOUR GUIDANCE ON THIS SUBJECT !!!!!
As per LtKojak suggestion, I've decided to swap the stock magnet with a Roughcast AlNiCo A8 magnet, with the aim to increase the output level of that Seth Lover without hardly compromissing the original tone of the pickup.
Respect of feedback, I was partially successful, because I didn't used the rigth proportion of parafine (80%) and true bee wax (20%).
I did the bathing with some parfine candles I had around so, I was expecting wrong results, anyway.
But, surprisingly, around 90% of feedback issues are now gone.
At least I can use that SH-55 with overdrives and, I just have a constant feedback when under high distortion (even that now is more controllable).
There are still some things I should test before, as swapping springs with some rubber tube, etc.
Respect of increasing output without compromising original tone, if you are used to Seth Lover voice then YOU, better than me, could be able to evaluate if magnet swap and wax potting seriously compromissed its natural sound.
I didn't recorded the original Seth Lover sound and, this is my first SH-55 so, I cannot honestly compare results.
I did an unstructured video, testing changes (sound test begins at minute 2:00, more or less).
This is a good oportunity to you to hear the SM-1 mini-humbuckers (if you never did it), alone and in combination. Those greatefully surprised me!.
Just take into account that the axe setup isn't ready and, it's uncomfortable to play, right now.
I think all pickups are a tad high, for my tastes and, therefore they can sound a tad compressed under high gain.
But, this was a quick test, to check wax potting goddness and output levels.
Please, if you are done to Seth Lover's sound, add your comments about how they sound potted and with a roughcast A8 respect of stock.
THANKS AGAIN, PEPE, FOR THAT RCA8 MAGNET.
FOR ME, IT DID THE TRICK!!!
The axe was routed to hold two mini-humbuckers (neck, middle) and a humbucker (bridge).
So, I thought that a couple of SD SM-1 (firebird style mini-humbuckers) and a SH-55b (Seth Lover) would be a nice match.
But, I was wrong, indeed.
Those SM-1 kick your face as huge mules. They have such a massive output level.
The SH-55b had two big issues. In first place, they created tons of feedback, even with the lightess of the overdrives and, in second place they sounded weak as a pussy compared to those SM-1.
Maybe, a couple of months ago, I've already discussed these issues and, while to fix the first issue was clear (wax potting), the second wasn't clear, at all.
THANK YOU PEPE (LtKojak), FOR YOUR GUIDANCE ON THIS SUBJECT !!!!!
As per LtKojak suggestion, I've decided to swap the stock magnet with a Roughcast AlNiCo A8 magnet, with the aim to increase the output level of that Seth Lover without hardly compromissing the original tone of the pickup.
Respect of feedback, I was partially successful, because I didn't used the rigth proportion of parafine (80%) and true bee wax (20%).
I did the bathing with some parfine candles I had around so, I was expecting wrong results, anyway.
But, surprisingly, around 90% of feedback issues are now gone.
At least I can use that SH-55 with overdrives and, I just have a constant feedback when under high distortion (even that now is more controllable).
There are still some things I should test before, as swapping springs with some rubber tube, etc.
Respect of increasing output without compromising original tone, if you are used to Seth Lover voice then YOU, better than me, could be able to evaluate if magnet swap and wax potting seriously compromissed its natural sound.
I didn't recorded the original Seth Lover sound and, this is my first SH-55 so, I cannot honestly compare results.
I did an unstructured video, testing changes (sound test begins at minute 2:00, more or less).
This is a good oportunity to you to hear the SM-1 mini-humbuckers (if you never did it), alone and in combination. Those greatefully surprised me!.
Just take into account that the axe setup isn't ready and, it's uncomfortable to play, right now.
I think all pickups are a tad high, for my tastes and, therefore they can sound a tad compressed under high gain.
But, this was a quick test, to check wax potting goddness and output levels.
Please, if you are done to Seth Lover's sound, add your comments about how they sound potted and with a roughcast A8 respect of stock.
THANKS AGAIN, PEPE, FOR THAT RCA8 MAGNET.
FOR ME, IT DID THE TRICK!!!
Last edited:
