I've got a Tom Anderson Hollow Drop Top Classic (basswood) with an H3 in the bridge. It has nice qualities, but it seems to have a treble spike that causes distorted tones to buzz (swarm of bees). I've experienced this through several different amps - to get the warmth I'd like the amp treble has to go way down and then definition is lost. Maybe it's time to replace it. Any thoughts?
Tom Anderson H3
- Thread starter garyheitz
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Sludgenutz
New member
Re: Tom Anderson H3
Welcome!
Perhaps the basswood with the H3 combo is not to your liking. Personally, some of the best modern tones that "vibe" with my own flavor of darker music have been produced by the H3. These tones are produced by the mahogany neck/body combo of a Gibson SG, or the ESP Viper style guitar of Pepper Keenan who has played for Corrosion of Conformity and DOWN. Heaviness is no problem, and it is no secret the Mesa Boogie uses the H3 for testing its amp tones.
With that in mind, you may want to get more specific info from fellas who are into the basswood range of tones.
Welcome!
Perhaps the basswood with the H3 combo is not to your liking. Personally, some of the best modern tones that "vibe" with my own flavor of darker music have been produced by the H3. These tones are produced by the mahogany neck/body combo of a Gibson SG, or the ESP Viper style guitar of Pepper Keenan who has played for Corrosion of Conformity and DOWN. Heaviness is no problem, and it is no secret the Mesa Boogie uses the H3 for testing its amp tones.
With that in mind, you may want to get more specific info from fellas who are into the basswood range of tones.
madguitar26
New member
Re: Tom Anderson H3
i used to have the h3+ in a mohagony bodied sg/LP washburn korean guitar and it was very bassy.to much id say.
i used to have the h3+ in a mohagony bodied sg/LP washburn korean guitar and it was very bassy.to much id say.
Lake Placid Blues
New member
Re: Tom Anderson H3
I have a homemade basswood guitar with a maple top, very similar to the Drop Top woods wise. My guitar can get the way you describe your problem, when I had an ebony finger board neck on it. It wasn't all the time. Most times it was just Godly tone, but sometimes it would develop a bit of what you describe. With a Brazilian rosewood board neck it doesn't do it at all. I have 250K pots in it. The pickups in this guitar are noted for bright, clear, super articulate tone, basically the opposite of what some are describing the H3. Just going to 250K and perhaps a larger tone cap may do the trick.
The Duncan Custom Custom is well known for curing most upper registar spike problems, particularly under distortion.
I'm seriously thinking about trying out the Dimarzio Virtual Hot PAF in this guitar.
I have a homemade basswood guitar with a maple top, very similar to the Drop Top woods wise. My guitar can get the way you describe your problem, when I had an ebony finger board neck on it. It wasn't all the time. Most times it was just Godly tone, but sometimes it would develop a bit of what you describe. With a Brazilian rosewood board neck it doesn't do it at all. I have 250K pots in it. The pickups in this guitar are noted for bright, clear, super articulate tone, basically the opposite of what some are describing the H3. Just going to 250K and perhaps a larger tone cap may do the trick.
The Duncan Custom Custom is well known for curing most upper registar spike problems, particularly under distortion.
I'm seriously thinking about trying out the Dimarzio Virtual Hot PAF in this guitar.
madguitar26
New member
Re: Tom Anderson H3
the exact oposite of the H3 is the JB.
but if mid spike is yur issue id say an invader as it was the only pickup with less highs than the H3+ anderson...and more bass.
the exact oposite of the H3 is the JB.
but if mid spike is yur issue id say an invader as it was the only pickup with less highs than the H3+ anderson...and more bass.
Re: Tom Anderson H3
OK, I tried the JB and you guys were right. Totally opposite of the H3 - great pickup, but not what I'm personally looking for and too bright. I can pull the highs down on my amp, but then the low notes get mushy. Anyway, I'm considering going to a Dimarzio Evo-2 or MoJo. Any thoughts?
OK, I tried the JB and you guys were right. Totally opposite of the H3 - great pickup, but not what I'm personally looking for and too bright. I can pull the highs down on my amp, but then the low notes get mushy. Anyway, I'm considering going to a Dimarzio Evo-2 or MoJo. Any thoughts?
Re: Tom Anderson H3
I'm surprised that the H3 is giving you treble problems. Have you messed with the pickup heights?.
Also, try to take advantage of the Duncan 30 day exchange policy. A custom custom might be the ticket, or for a little more cash, a Parallel Axis (either series 1 or series 3).
If you're looking at Dimarzios, try a Breed or an Air Zone.
I'm surprised that the H3 is giving you treble problems. Have you messed with the pickup heights?.
Also, try to take advantage of the Duncan 30 day exchange policy. A custom custom might be the ticket, or for a little more cash, a Parallel Axis (either series 1 or series 3).
If you're looking at Dimarzios, try a Breed or an Air Zone.
Re: Tom Anderson H3
CUSTOM CUSTOM, BREED, OR AIR ZONE
If you want ULTRA smooth and lower output - go AIR ZONE.
Sounds like you don't like bright. I don't know much on H3's exc that I love Anderson guitars and the tones. I actually happen to love the APH1, gorgeous and balanced - however it sounds like you want something fuller and meaner. The CC is meaner but I am one of those that feels it muds out at times, has to be REAL close to the string to get good highs, and with all it's sponge, needs a tad more definition. I say this as a person who uses and LIKES the CC. It just doesn't clean up how I prefer a pup to clean up. If you want some sweet highs and don't mind losing mids, I loved the C5. (LOVED in the past tense, mind you)
I didn't know Mesa tests with H3s. Mesa is one weird but great company. Their amps never sound right to me out of the box. You have to work on them and tweak them, etc etc. By the time I am done, I could have just gotten a Bogner or something... lol. I kinda prefer to play rather than tweak my rig all day.
People also rave about the smooth sweetness of the Blues Saraceno model - so keep that one in mind.
CUSTOM CUSTOM, BREED, OR AIR ZONE
If you want ULTRA smooth and lower output - go AIR ZONE.
Sounds like you don't like bright. I don't know much on H3's exc that I love Anderson guitars and the tones. I actually happen to love the APH1, gorgeous and balanced - however it sounds like you want something fuller and meaner. The CC is meaner but I am one of those that feels it muds out at times, has to be REAL close to the string to get good highs, and with all it's sponge, needs a tad more definition. I say this as a person who uses and LIKES the CC. It just doesn't clean up how I prefer a pup to clean up. If you want some sweet highs and don't mind losing mids, I loved the C5. (LOVED in the past tense, mind you)
I didn't know Mesa tests with H3s. Mesa is one weird but great company. Their amps never sound right to me out of the box. You have to work on them and tweak them, etc etc. By the time I am done, I could have just gotten a Bogner or something... lol. I kinda prefer to play rather than tweak my rig all day.
People also rave about the smooth sweetness of the Blues Saraceno model - so keep that one in mind.
L
Lewguitar
Guest
Re: Tom Anderson H3
I'm not familiar with that model Tom Anderson but if it's a two single coil and one bridge HB guitar, I recently put a JB Trembucker and two noiseless Duncan Classic Stack Plus pickups in a Tom Anderson "Strat" and the results were phenomenal. The Tom Anderson had 250K pots and the tone of the JB was fat, smooth and totally inspiring. Not peaky or overly bright at all. In fact, I compared that guitar to my other Strats: one with a Duncan Custom and the other with a Custom Custom with 500K pots and those two Strats were both much brighter than the JB with 250K pots. Go for the JB...and keep the pots 250K.
I'm not familiar with that model Tom Anderson but if it's a two single coil and one bridge HB guitar, I recently put a JB Trembucker and two noiseless Duncan Classic Stack Plus pickups in a Tom Anderson "Strat" and the results were phenomenal. The Tom Anderson had 250K pots and the tone of the JB was fat, smooth and totally inspiring. Not peaky or overly bright at all. In fact, I compared that guitar to my other Strats: one with a Duncan Custom and the other with a Custom Custom with 500K pots and those two Strats were both much brighter than the JB with 250K pots. Go for the JB...and keep the pots 250K.
L
Lewguitar
Guest
Re: Tom Anderson H3
The JB is not a bright pickup...if "bright" = an extended high end or more upper harmonics, it is not as bright as a 59 or Jazz...but it does have what some consider a "bright" or "hard" or "peaky" quality or "prescence" to the upper mids that some call "bright".
Using 250K pots eliminates that peak or bright quality and smooths out the tone of the JB dramatically.
No doubt about it...that's why the JB is Seymour's favorite bridge humbucker, why he uses it himself, and why he uses it with 250K pots.
With 250K pots, the JB does not have as much treble as the Custom Custom does with 500K pots...and the Custom Custom is universally regarded as being a pickup with very smooth treble, so much so that some find it lacking in treble!
Lew
DracoAran said:
The JB is not a bright pickup...if "bright" = an extended high end or more upper harmonics, it is not as bright as a 59 or Jazz...but it does have what some consider a "bright" or "hard" or "peaky" quality or "prescence" to the upper mids that some call "bright".
Using 250K pots eliminates that peak or bright quality and smooths out the tone of the JB dramatically.
No doubt about it...that's why the JB is Seymour's favorite bridge humbucker, why he uses it himself, and why he uses it with 250K pots.
With 250K pots, the JB does not have as much treble as the Custom Custom does with 500K pots...and the Custom Custom is universally regarded as being a pickup with very smooth treble, so much so that some find it lacking in treble!
Lew
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the guy who invented fire
Fuzzy. Guitars
Re: Tom Anderson H3
Thats right!
Lewguitar said:
Thats right!
L
Lewguitar
Guest
Re: Tom Anderson H3
Thanks Christian...to the rescue, as always!
the guy who invented fire said:
Thanks Christian...to the rescue, as always!
Lake Placid Blues
New member
Re: Tom Anderson H3
I don't recall if it was ever made clear if the guitar already has 250K or 500K. If it already has 250K, then the JB may not be the solution. However, if it now has 500K, then going to 250K may make either pickup a keeper, without further searching.
I don't recall if it was ever made clear if the guitar already has 250K or 500K. If it already has 250K, then the JB may not be the solution. However, if it now has 500K, then going to 250K may make either pickup a keeper, without further searching.
L
Lewguitar
Guest
Re: Tom Anderson H3
Exactly!:fing2:
Lake Placid Blues said:
Exactly!:fing2:
Re: Tom Anderson H3
Like I said, I TRIED it with 250K pots. It was a Drop Top Classic, maple top on alder back, maple neck with rosewood fingerboard. Vintage tremolo.
It had an H2+, and I wanted a little more output and girth. I had a JB trembucker lying around. I figured I'd give it a chance, being among my favorite pickups for Les Pauls. I tried it with 250K pots.
Very evidently the wrong EQ curve for that guitar. The "recessed high end" effect of the pots DOES NOT MAKE UP FOR THAT. As a matter of fact, it didn't even cut the high end ENOUGH. Not to mention that the low mids were not there, and its bass does not compensate that EITHER.
Does that make sense?. The guy says that the H3 has nice qualities, minus the treble spike. JB with 250k pots does not have any of those qualities. And just because Seymour has it in a Tele, it doesn't mean that it's gonna work on that Anderson (that Tele does not have a thick maple cap, or a big chunk of wood missing from a tremolo system. The strings aren't even going through the body).
I hope it's not taboo to call you out or something.
Like I said, I TRIED it with 250K pots. It was a Drop Top Classic, maple top on alder back, maple neck with rosewood fingerboard. Vintage tremolo.
It had an H2+, and I wanted a little more output and girth. I had a JB trembucker lying around. I figured I'd give it a chance, being among my favorite pickups for Les Pauls. I tried it with 250K pots.
Very evidently the wrong EQ curve for that guitar. The "recessed high end" effect of the pots DOES NOT MAKE UP FOR THAT. As a matter of fact, it didn't even cut the high end ENOUGH. Not to mention that the low mids were not there, and its bass does not compensate that EITHER.
Does that make sense?. The guy says that the H3 has nice qualities, minus the treble spike. JB with 250k pots does not have any of those qualities. And just because Seymour has it in a Tele, it doesn't mean that it's gonna work on that Anderson (that Tele does not have a thick maple cap, or a big chunk of wood missing from a tremolo system. The strings aren't even going through the body).
I hope it's not taboo to call you out or something.
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L
Lewguitar
Guest
Re: Tom Anderson H3
Well Sarge, What can I say? My experience with the JB with 250K pots is that it sounds fat and smooth and does not sound overly buzzy at all...with distortion pedals or without. If your experience is differant than it's differant.
Well Sarge, What can I say? My experience with the JB with 250K pots is that it sounds fat and smooth and does not sound overly buzzy at all...with distortion pedals or without. If your experience is differant than it's differant.
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Re: Tom Anderson H3
I called Dimarzio today and they seemed to think my problem was not atypical for a chambered basswood body with (yes, you're right) 500k pots. The engineer I talked to thought a D-Sonic with the bar towards the neck would take care of a lot of my difficulties.???
I called Dimarzio today and they seemed to think my problem was not atypical for a chambered basswood body with (yes, you're right) 500k pots. The engineer I talked to thought a D-Sonic with the bar towards the neck would take care of a lot of my difficulties.???
