The origin of the oomph?

[Myaccount876]

Re: The origin of the oomph?

My current amp is an old Fender head that was modified to sound like a JTM 45. The Strat sounds FAT through it but it just doesn't have the same authority as the Gibson...
Yesterday I actually played on the Marshall MG that was in the rehearsal room. Also tried playing both through an ENGL not so long ago - and got the same results...

What was the EQ like on both of them? I seriously doubt the MG could sound anything like an ENGL, and I am no tube-snob (I run a Kustom Quad 200W and very happy with it).

 

[Bfeeney]

Re: The origin of the oomph?

I noticed that my LTD with a trem sounds dead/flat compared to my 'Explorer' with a T.O.M.. My next project will be a string-through T.O.M. Tele Thinline knock-off, it should sing.

 

[frankfalbo]

Re: The origin of the oomph?

On the nighthawk, check which coil it splits to. If its the one closer to the neck, it is extremely far from the bridge, not even close to where a strat bridge pickup is. So there's more "middle pickup" in the sound. I never knew why that nighthawk pickup was so far from the bridge, especially on the bass side once you include the angle.

Not disagreeing with anything else in the thread, just adding this.

 

[JohnnyGuitar]

Re: The origin of the oomph?

Thanks Frank. I think I checked it once, a few years ago... don't remember which one it is though - I think it's the one closer to the bridge though...

The Nighthawk is a weird design. It is the first electric that I ever owned, I sometimes play with the idea of selling it, or modding it... but I'm sentimental about it in a way. It is a great guitar for rhythm playing, doesn't cut through on solos. You would have thought that with 10 switching options it would be a do-it-all instrument...

 

[frankfalbo]

Re: The origin of the oomph?

Definitely check out the JB and 59 for nighthawk. I don't know what your bridge pickup is like but on the new Epi's of course it's a huge improvement. But I remember the Gibson versions needing some help too, especially for leads as you say. The tilt helps tame the JB's peaky sound and make sure your pots are 500k even with the stock pickups.