High output humbucker question

Discussion in 'Luthier's Guitar & Bass Technical Discussion' started by TheGuildedAge, Feb 25, 2008.

  1. Feb 25, 2008 #1
    TheGuildedAge

    TheGuildedAge Member

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    I have a Guild S-100 with a duncan JB in the bridge. I'm getting distortion when clean through my amp. I tried lowering the pickups, but it's till there. My other guitars have lower output pickups and don't do it, so I am assuming it's the jb.

    I'm thinking of going to another duncan humbucker with less output to solve the problem.

    Any thoughts on a good one. I need something that can do nice cleans, thick leads, and play nice with the Duncan 59 in the neck. I'm thinking Custom 5 or Custom Custom.
     
    TheGuildedAge, Feb 25, 2008
    TheGuildedAge, Feb 25, 2008
    #1
  2. Feb 25, 2008 #2
    Mike9

    Mike9 Supporting Member

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    How is your picking technique? The JB is pretty sensitive to attack - it's not my favorite pickup as it tends to drive easily, but it's a great sounding pickup in the right context. Just because a pickup is "high output" doesn't necessarily mean it's all drive and gain.

    For instance - I installed a set of OEM DiMarzio P3's and HS3 in a Kramer Striker expecting an overdrive monster as they read @ 17k and have screws on both coils, but I'm really surprised at how clean they sound. (I think they were wound for Parker)

    Also - what are your electronics like? Pots, Caps, etc - that plays a big role in the tone chase.
     
    Mike9, Feb 25, 2008
    Mike9, Feb 25, 2008
    #2
  3. Feb 25, 2008 #3
    TheGuildedAge

    TheGuildedAge Member

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    My attack varies when I play. The strumming that gets me crunch with the jb doesn't get as much crunch with my other pickups.

    As for pots, I think they are 500K, with whatever caps are stock on a guild, I never checked.
     
    TheGuildedAge, Feb 25, 2008
    TheGuildedAge, Feb 25, 2008
    #3
  4. Feb 27, 2008 #4
    diamonddavewv

    diamonddavewv Member

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    Have you tried rolling the volume back a little? This will reduce the output heading toward the amp.
     
    diamonddavewv, Feb 27, 2008
    diamonddavewv, Feb 27, 2008
    #4
  5. Feb 27, 2008 #5
    TheGuildedAge

    TheGuildedAge Member

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    I guess it's as much the tone as anything. I want a cleaner, not harsh sound, something for nice cleans, but smooth, rich overdrive.
     
    TheGuildedAge, Feb 27, 2008
    TheGuildedAge, Feb 27, 2008
    #5
  6. Feb 27, 2008 #6
    EADGBE

    EADGBE Member

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    I think you'd like a '59 bridge model at the bridge.
     
    EADGBE, Feb 27, 2008
    EADGBE, Feb 27, 2008
    #6
  7. Feb 27, 2008 #7
    diamonddavewv

    diamonddavewv Member

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    The JB has the reputation of having a nasty spike in the upper-mids with a 500K pot.

    Unless you need a hotter pickup, why not go with the 59 Bridge? If you need a hotter pickup, the Alnico II magnet in the Custom Custom will soften the bass and treble and give more mids than the Alnico V in the Custom 5.
     
    diamonddavewv, Feb 27, 2008
    diamonddavewv, Feb 27, 2008
    #7

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