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Do I need different pickups?

Posted: Sat Jul 20, 2019 10:58 pm
by RicUpNorth
Hello all! Hoping your incredible knowledge can help me.

Started jamming with a group again which has me playing through all of my amps with my ’08 620. I’ve become frustrated feeling that the tone isn’t what I want it to be/expect from it.

I’d really like to hear more sparkle or high end, I also feel like it is much muddier than it should be. I’ve tried various strings and various amps. It’s currently set up with 12 gauge D’Addarrio strings and mostly play through an Ampeg GVT and Fender Ramparte with upgraded speaker.

Not sure where to go at this point. I’ve adjusted the pickups from here to Timbuktu and haven’t had it change the tone to my liking.

Do I need to adjust pickups different? Play with the pole pieces more? Would a line booster before amp help? Should I try different pickups? Would toasters help (I assume more high end, but even less output)? Would a Firebird style pickup or mini-humbuckers fit? I’m open to changing things, but not permanently modifying the guitar.

Re: Do I need different pickups?

Posted: Sun Jul 21, 2019 9:55 pm
by bowser2533
Try using a good compressor. Try a Janglebox. That will solve your problem. The

Re: Do I need different pickups?

Posted: Mon Jul 22, 2019 2:10 am
by aceonbass
The 330k (actually around 275k) tone pots are probably to blame. Replace them with 500k pots, and you should get more clarity out of the tone.

Re: Do I need different pickups?

Posted: Mon Jul 22, 2019 10:06 am
by RicUpNorth
So knowing the JangleBox is a compressor, can somebody give me an accurate description of how it affects/changes the tone and sound?

If I change the pots, which ones will need changed and where are they available? What would it change in the tone or sound of the guitar?

I’m hoping to get something closer to mini-humbuckers I have in other guitars.

Re: Do I need different pickups?

Posted: Tue Jul 23, 2019 12:53 pm
by aceonbass
You need to replace the tone pots. They will make the tone a bit clearer/brighter. I stock the CTS pots with the correct specs for Rickenbacker instruments.

Re: Do I need different pickups?

Posted: Tue Jul 23, 2019 1:19 pm
by RicUpNorth
Appreciate the advice Dane! Where could I order them/what would pricing be? Is it just the volume or tone pots as well?

Re: Do I need different pickups?

Posted: Tue Jul 23, 2019 2:28 pm
by aceonbass
Christopher....PM me for details... :D

Do I need different pickups?

Posted: Tue Jul 23, 2019 8:00 pm
by 8mileshigher
RicUpNorth wrote:So knowing the JangleBox is a compressor, can somebody give me an accurate description of how it affects/changes the tone and sound?

I’m hoping to get something closer to mini-humbuckers I have in other guitars.

If you go to the JangleBox webpage they have several sound clips, with various guitars and pickups to explain the spectrum of the tone shaping it creates. http://www.janglebox.com/clips.html

Re: Do I need different pickups?

Posted: Wed Jul 24, 2019 10:47 am
by iiipopes
aceonbass wrote:You need to replace the tone pots. They will make the tone a bit clearer/brighter. I stock the CTS pots with the correct specs for Rickenbacker instruments.
This. I believe they are 500kohm linear taper. Dane - please correct me if I am wrong. The higher pot values decrease the loading to ground which raises the resonant frequency of the circuit, which our ears interpret as "more jangle."

Re: Do I need different pickups?

Posted: Wed Jul 24, 2019 2:26 pm
by aceonbass
iiipopes wrote:
aceonbass wrote:You need to replace the tone pots. They will make the tone a bit clearer/brighter. I stock the CTS pots with the correct specs for Rickenbacker instruments.
This. I believe they are 500kohm linear taper. Dane - please correct me if I am wrong. The higher pot values decrease the loading to ground which raises the resonant frequency of the circuit, which our ears interpret as "more jangle."
This is true.... :D

Re: Do I need different pickups?

Posted: Sun Aug 04, 2019 7:26 pm
by crisp
I am not sure what kind of guitar you have, but you may want to check and make sure you do not have the overwound toasters. I had a set of those once and they are DARK! Make sure you have the scatterwounds with 7.8K or less ohms.

All the best,
Steve

Re: Do I need different pickups?

Posted: Sat Sep 07, 2019 12:10 am
by lumgimfong
100k pots?
Brighter cap?
Tonestyler tone knob gets ultra brite.

Re: Do I need different pickups?

Posted: Wed Oct 16, 2019 10:30 pm
by Rubsoul
I agree with using a Janglebox. Sounds great with a Tele too!