Author Topic: electric guitars (Read 1153 times)

DiabloTX · « **Reply #30 on:** June 14, 2006, 12:25:12 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by nirvana
I put and EMG 81 on the bridge of my Strat not more then 2 months after I got it.

Bad, when you say you adjusted the pick up height, do you mean you had to actually change something physically or were the pickups like they are today, you just tighten or loosen the screws to adjust height? I generally keep my 2 standard pick ups close to the springs and my EMG a little lower.

Adjusting pickups (pups) is a simple matter of turning the adjustment screws on either side of the pup. As a general rule it is a bad idea to have standard, or really any pup, close to the string. It kills both the tone and the sustain as you are putting the magnetic field closer to the string.

But, your actual results may vary.

Bad31st · « **Reply #31 on:** June 14, 2006, 12:37:23 AM »

Nirvana - the pickups are adjusted as Diablo said -

The trick with adjusting the height is finding the "happy medium" too high and you can as Diablo stated lose tone, and sustain or even have the strings come into contact with the pickup poles causing a buzzing sound... Too low and you end up sounding muddy...

DiabloTX · « **Reply #32 on:** June 14, 2006, 12:42:48 AM »

Exactly.

There's a fine art to it. Proper single coil pups have staggered magnetic poles. The actual distance from a pole to it's respective string differs from position to position. That's why when Leo researched the proper distance for each string he found that it differed from each one. It's also why tone-guru-freak Eric Johnson would take his vintage pups and readjust the pole heights himself. NOT recommended for those who don't know what they're doing.

Also, bear in mind that 90% of your tone is going to come from your hands in the technique that you use. That's why great guitarists will sound the same no matter what guitar they play.

nirvana · « **Reply #33 on:** June 14, 2006, 07:30:17 AM »

Thanks for the information, i'll have to do what when i get all my stuff set up again, it's been a long 4 months without it:(

DiabloTX · « **Reply #34 on:** June 14, 2006, 01:38:20 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by nirvana
Thanks for the information, i'll have to do what when i get all my stuff set up again, it's been a long 4 months without it:(

Brother...I feel your pain.

SirLoin · « **Reply #35 on:** June 14, 2006, 01:53:22 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by DiabloTX
It's also why tone-guru-freak Eric Johnson would take his vintage pups and readjust the pole heights himself. NOT recommended for those who don't know what they're doing.

Also, bear in mind that 90% of your tone is going to come from your hands in the technique that you use. That's why great guitarists will sound the same no matter what guitar they play.

That Eric johnson is a tone freak...He can literally tell you wether u have an alkaline or carbon 9v in an Ibanez Tube Screamer...

Check out his first cd "Tones"...an just like Hendrix..take it from there...

Masherbrum · « **Reply #36 on:** June 14, 2006, 01:55:09 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Nash
Danelectro.

Cheap..... and good.

Jimmy Page's first guitar was one of these.

vorticon · « **Reply #37 on:** June 14, 2006, 02:13:21 PM »

"Also, bear in mind that 90% of your tone is going to come from your hands in the technique that you use. That's why great guitarists will sound the same no matter what guitar they play."

so im pretty much f*ed for tone, no matter what i buy.

Cougar68 · « **Reply #38 on:** June 14, 2006, 02:59:34 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by vorticon
so im pretty much f*ed for tone, no matter what i buy.

Early on, yes you are. But as you listen to more guitarists and try to pick up their licks, your hands will learn to make the tones you're hearing. It's hard work, but it'll happen.

kevykev56 · « **Reply #39 on:** June 14, 2006, 06:08:15 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by DiabloTX
Adjusting pickups (pups) is a simple matter of turning the adjustment screws on either side of the pup. As a general rule it is a bad idea to have standard, or really any pup, close to the string. It kills both the tone and the sustain as you are putting the magnetic field closer to the string.

But, your actual results may vary.

Nirvana has an EMG-81 installed. This is an active pickup with very little magnetism compared to passive pickup. He needs to adjust them as close to the strings as possible without buzz. Its just the nature of the beast with those pickups.

important installation notes, step 5

DiabloTX · « **Reply #40 on:** June 14, 2006, 06:52:10 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by kevykev56
Nirvana has an EMG-81 installed. This is an active pickup with very little magnetism compared to passive pickup. He needs to adjust them as close to the strings as possible without buzz. Its just the nature of the beast with those pickups.

important installation notes, step 5

That's why I posted it as a "general rule" and not something written in stone. I didn't want him jacking up the EMG's so close they hit the strings whenever he played.

nirvana · « **Reply #41 on:** June 14, 2006, 07:11:11 PM »

Oh yeah, I know enough not to let the pick ups hit the strings:aok I'll try some adjusting though...in a month.

vorticon · « **Reply #42 on:** June 14, 2006, 10:53:28 PM »

ended up with a peavey raptor + 10w practice amp, bag, chords and tuner for $340...sales woman was very persuasive, and i missed a couple cryptic cues from the other guy to put it off until i had looked around more.

it'll last until i can afford something better.

DiabloTX · « **Reply #43 on:** June 14, 2006, 11:03:29 PM »

Actually, you've could done much, much worse. I had a friend who had a Peavey Predator(?) Strat-copy. Was a fairly good beginner guitar with some very good sounding pups on it.

Soon, very soon, the ugliest of uglies will be setting in...

gear lust.

You've been warned!

nirvana · « **Reply #44 on:** June 14, 2006, 11:11:05 PM »

Yeah, I laid down $450 for a GNX 4 effect board/recording "studio" few months ago. Looks at some cabs and heads now, mmmm:)