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Post subject: Fender American Special Strat HSS - Atomic HB?
Posted: Wed Apr 26, 2017 7:52 pm
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Just bought this Stratocaster and it is one fine guitar, am really happy with it...but...the Atomic humbucker seems overly bright. If I roll back the tone it gets muddy. Anybody else have issues with the Atomic humbucker? If so any suggestions?

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Post subject: Re: Fender American Special Strat HSS - Atomic HB?
Posted: Thu Apr 27, 2017 12:18 am
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Well, the Atomic (or DH-1) is bright - some like it, some don't. And if you play through a bright sounding, un-bassy amp, that highlights the feature even more.
Things you coud try without modifications: pickup height, amp vs guitar vol&tone combinations, EQ pedal...
The AmSpec HSS should have the Greasebucket™ wiring, so taming brightness to suitable level with only the vol pot might work.


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Post subject: Re: Fender American Special Strat HSS - Atomic HB?
Posted: Thu Apr 27, 2017 8:19 am
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You could try adding a treble bleed, it may help in making adjustments.


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Post subject: Re: Fender American Special Strat HSS - Atomic HB?
Posted: Thu Apr 27, 2017 8:42 am
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Is this your first Strat?

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Post subject: Re: Fender American Special Strat HSS - Atomic HB?
Posted: Thu Apr 27, 2017 8:51 am
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Thank you all:
1. I have tried lowering it; rolling back the volume; adjusting EQ with Earthquaker Tone Job..can't find a working tone. always too bright (not enough mids or bass and when the show they are muddy).
2. Will find a wiring diagram for a treble bleed and give that a try.
3. No, it is Strat 3: Strat 1 is MIM with Lace sensors; Strat 2 is MIM with Fralin Hot Strat set, it is my first HSS Strat but not my first humbucker guitar.

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"I'm still searching even today for a sound, like the guy that's searching for a home. I haven't been able to find that completely. I'm satisfied at times with the sound of my guitar ... But if I ever get it, I'll know." BB King


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Post subject: Re: Fender American Special Strat HSS - Atomic HB?
Posted: Thu Apr 27, 2017 10:25 am
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The Greasebucket™ on both tone pots is one kind of a treble bleed - and it should, to a degree, prevent the muddiness when you roll down the tone. (Did you check the wiring is original..?)

There's of course no reason why you couldn't experiment with a vol pot treble bleed, too.

Fender's own Tone Saver® for a 250K pot has a 130K resistor in parallel with a 1000pF cap in a nice package. Other recommendations for values vary, 150K+680pF is just as common.

Or go wild and try the three component Akimod, pic below.
For a 250K pot, R1=150K, R2=33K, cap=820pF might be OK.

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Post subject: Re: Fender American Special Strat HSS - Atomic HB?
Posted: Thu Apr 27, 2017 4:32 pm
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The Atomic humbucker was designed to give good balance with single coils.
It's bright because Strats are bright.
It also provides pretty decent detail for a humbucker so you may want to think twice before replacing it.

On the pedal front:
The Tone Job isn't really an EQ pedal so I don't think placing much expectation on it will do you much good.
To be honest, I'm not really sure what it's for.
To me, it's a placebo.
To others it might be a miracle cure.

My "placebo" is an Xotic EP Booster and it definitely thickens up a Strat although you don't get much control over it.
Still, it does such a great job it has become an "always-on" pedal on my board.
I'm going to get a second one to use as a clean boost, which is what it was supposed to be for in the first place.

Try a real EQ pedal.
There are a number to choose from.
I like the Source Audio one because it gives me 4 slots to store my presets which I can recall with a toe tap.

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Post subject: Re: Fender American Special Strat HSS - Atomic HB?
Posted: Thu Apr 27, 2017 5:47 pm
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BMW-KTM wrote:
The Atomic humbucker was designed to give good balance with single coils.
It's bright because Strats are bright.
It also provides pretty decent detail for a humbucker so you may want to think twice before replacing it.

On the pedal front:
The Tone Job isn't really an EQ pedal so I don't think placing much expectation on it will do you much good.
To be honest, I'm not really sure what it's for.

Okay, ordered a source audio eq. Don't want to take the AHB out just want to get the bite tamed a little.
To me, it's a placebo.
To others it might be a miracle cure.

My "placebo" is an Xotic EP Booster and it definitely thickens up a Strat although you don't get much control over it.
Still, it does such a great job it has become an "always-on" pedal on my board.
I'm going to get a second one to use as a clean boost, which is what it was supposed to be for in the first place.

Try a real EQ pedal.
There are a number to choose from.
I like the Source Audio one because it gives me 4 slots to store my presets which I can recall with a toe tap.

Tried the AKI mod definite progress but still need to tame the bite of the AHB...ordered a source audio eq.
Thanks again all for the guidance...really want to keep the AHB in there, I do like the gain pop.

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"I'm still searching even today for a sound, like the guy that's searching for a home. I haven't been able to find that completely. I'm satisfied at times with the sound of my guitar ... But if I ever get it, I'll know." BB King


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Post subject: Re: Fender American Special Strat HSS - Atomic HB?
Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2017 6:43 pm
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I think you'll be happy with the Source Audio.
I've tried a few EQ's over the years.
Unlike the others, the SA is one that won't get sold to make room when I next get the new-pedal-itch.

There are different schools of thought about EQ pedals but I place mine after my dirt pedals.
Dirt pedals tend to focus EQ in areas that may or may not suit my needs.
I place my EQ after them to trim any excesses the dirt pedals might push and to fill in any scoops the dirt pedals might gouge out.
It works for me.
Try it. It might work for you.
Whatever works best for you is the key.

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Post subject: Re: Fender American Special Strat HSS - Atomic HB?
Posted: Fri May 26, 2017 7:34 am
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Put a Duncan Pearly Gates in it. Sounds superb, like the PG was designed for this guitar. Perfect balance with middle and bridge, enough output to kick up it's heels when needed.

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"I'm still searching even today for a sound, like the guy that's searching for a home. I haven't been able to find that completely. I'm satisfied at times with the sound of my guitar ... But if I ever get it, I'll know." BB King


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Post subject: Re: Fender American Special Strat HSS - Atomic HB?
Posted: Sat May 27, 2017 1:29 am
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I just love happy endings. Thanks for the update/closure for this topic.


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