Big Flannel
New member
I'm looking for more clarity out of my guitar. It's an ibanez artist. Mahogany body/neck with a 59n and a custom.
what adjustments can be made when a guitar sounds muddy?
- Thread starter Big Flannel
- Start date
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: what adjustments can be made when a guitar sounds muddy?
'59N's are famous for being bassy/boomy in warm woods. It's the A5. Some of us put in an A3 or A4 to fix that excess low end. As far as the Custom, I'm not a ceramic fan, maybe you aren't either. They're not as good clean as alnicos. Again, a magnet change may give you a tone you like. Or maybe you'd prefer another PAF of some sort there.
'59N's are famous for being bassy/boomy in warm woods. It's the A5. Some of us put in an A3 or A4 to fix that excess low end. As far as the Custom, I'm not a ceramic fan, maybe you aren't either. They're not as good clean as alnicos. Again, a magnet change may give you a tone you like. Or maybe you'd prefer another PAF of some sort there.
Big Flannel
New member
Re: what adjustments can be made when a guitar sounds muddy?
Thanks for the input. The 59n actually sounds really nice in this guitar. I made some adjustments to the custom, (lowered the height and raised the screw pieces), and its definitely getting better. I'm just hoping I'm on the right track here as the loss of definition/note separation is most noticeable under distorted tones. The way I have the custom set now is actually giving me a surprisingly nice clean sound...didn't expect that.
Thanks for the input. The 59n actually sounds really nice in this guitar. I made some adjustments to the custom, (lowered the height and raised the screw pieces), and its definitely getting better. I'm just hoping I'm on the right track here as the loss of definition/note separation is most noticeable under distorted tones. The way I have the custom set now is actually giving me a surprisingly nice clean sound...didn't expect that.
Big Flannel
New member
Re: what adjustments can be made when a guitar sounds muddy?
So far its just this one. I may have to rotate in a few others to get definitive proof though. Good point.
So far its just this one. I may have to rotate in a few others to get definitive proof though. Good point.
El Supremo
New member
Re: what adjustments can be made when a guitar sounds muddy?
Disconnect the tone pots or try 50's wiring. Many will say the latter doesn't make a difference when the volume is on 10. However, I hear a slight decrease in lower mids with vintage wiring, which yields a slightly clearer sound and the impression it's slightly brighter.
Disconnect the tone pots or try 50's wiring. Many will say the latter doesn't make a difference when the volume is on 10. However, I hear a slight decrease in lower mids with vintage wiring, which yields a slightly clearer sound and the impression it's slightly brighter.
Securb
One of Jerry's Kids
Re: what adjustments can be made when a guitar sounds muddy?
I went this route with my Iceman and the Dimebucker/Jazz and the results were great.
I went this route with my Iceman and the Dimebucker/Jazz and the results were great.
Lewguitar
New member
Re: what adjustments can be made when a guitar sounds muddy?
I agree with the suggestion 50's wiring. Modern wiring sounds fatter to me with more potential for being muddier.
I used to use 50's wiring on all of my guitars - even my Strats and Teles. That was when I didn't use any overdrive or clean boost pedals.
After I started using a Klon (a PCE Aluminum Falcon Klon Klone) I found that I liked modern wiring better after all.
The other thing a player can do is use alnico 2 pickups like PG's, Seth Lovers or AII Pros. Less bass and more mids.
The PGn remains my favorite neck humbucker. I don't have trouble with mud from the bridge humbucker and actually like the PGn and Duncan Custom set quite a bit - especially in a 2 HB Strat.
I agree with the suggestion 50's wiring. Modern wiring sounds fatter to me with more potential for being muddier.
I used to use 50's wiring on all of my guitars - even my Strats and Teles. That was when I didn't use any overdrive or clean boost pedals.
After I started using a Klon (a PCE Aluminum Falcon Klon Klone) I found that I liked modern wiring better after all.
The other thing a player can do is use alnico 2 pickups like PG's, Seth Lovers or AII Pros. Less bass and more mids.
The PGn remains my favorite neck humbucker. I don't have trouble with mud from the bridge humbucker and actually like the PGn and Duncan Custom set quite a bit - especially in a 2 HB Strat.
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