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Post subject: Weak sounding high strings.
Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2009 10:46 am
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Hi there,
I'm wondering if anyone would be able to help with a problem I have.
Like the title suggests the high strings (G, B & e) dont seem to have a very strong output compared to the low strings.
For some background I have a classic player 60s strat, with vintage style pickups so supposedly the pickup heights are supposed to be arranged for equal output. I have tried new strings, adjusted my amp settings and adjusted pickup heights to be higher on treble side - but even though it is louder overall, the high strings still seem a bit thin sounding tone wise.

Does anybody have any suggesting on high I might be able to thicken up the sound on the high strings?

Gareth.


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Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2009 11:06 am
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Well, you've done the obvious things like adjusting the pickup height.

Sounds like the pickups are original, so it's unlikely that somebody replaced them with other pickups that are not suitable.

I would check the bridge. I'm assuming that your guitar has the six-point (vintage) fulcrum system. If the six body screws are not adjusted in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations it is possible for some strings to be dampened more than others. All six strings need a good foundation at the bridge, and the tension needs to be placed evenly on the screws, with the plate in contact with the body. Oh, and take off the rear access plate and make sure the springs are distributed evenly.

The two-point system is simpler and more stable. But believe me. It's possible to muck up a two point system as well. You'll find the manual in the support section of this website.

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Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2009 11:18 am
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Hey thanks for the reply, they are the original stock pickups like you thought as I bought the guitar brand new.
The bridge though is a vintage two point but I will check the set up of it to see if it needs adjustment.
Also I have added an extra two springs to the trem claw and everything in there is fine.

Could it be anything to do with the wiring at all making it seem a bit weak?


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Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2009 11:29 am
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Is the problem present with all pickups?

I once had a guitar (washburn) where the magnet came off the back of the pickup! The signal was pretty thin until reattached I can tell you. I don't think the Fender pickups have that potential design floor and given that theyt are custom shop wound it's even more unlikely.

Maybe try changing you lead to the amp. Poor quality leads can really bugger up your sound. It might not be so evident with humbuckers due to the hotter out put. Expect to pay something like £20 for a decent 20 ft lead.

Really love those 60'c classic players. The 12" radius fret board is really interesting to play. Well worth their price tag. The Baja Tele is excellent as well and I was surprised that such good instruments come from the Mexican factory.

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Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2009 11:50 am
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GarethJB84 wrote:
Hey thanks for the reply, they are the original stock pickups like you thought as I bought the guitar brand new.
The bridge though is a vintage two point but I will check the set up of it to see if it needs adjustment.
Also I have added an extra two springs to the trem claw and everything in there is fine.

Could it be anything to do with the wiring at all making it seem a bit weak?


I kind of doubt that it's the wiring. When wiring goes bad, things don't usually get weak. They go away entirely!

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Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2009 12:13 pm
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Bronze and phosphor bronze strings don't work well on electric guitars because the pickups are magnetic and need strings with plenty of iron in them, so make sure that you are using nickel or steel wound.

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Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2009 4:10 pm
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I would suggest to just raise the pickups a little bit see if that helps with the sound definition :)


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Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2009 5:59 am
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leftofthedial wrote:
Is the problem present with all pickups?

I once had a guitar (washburn) where the magnet came off the back of the pickup! The signal was pretty thin until reattached I can tell you. I don't think the Fender pickups have that potential design floor and given that theyt are custom shop wound it's even more unlikely.

Maybe try changing you lead to the amp. Poor quality leads can really bugger up your sound. It might not be so evident with humbuckers due to the hotter out put. Expect to pay something like £20 for a decent 20 ft lead.

Really love those 60'c classic players. The 12" radius fret board is really interesting to play. Well worth their price tag. The Baja Tele is excellent as well and I was surprised that such good instruments come from the Mexican factory.



I've really thought about the lead before - not sure if its that though, its a planet waves one and I always thought they were meant to be pretty decent?

Any suggestions on a good one, reasonably priced though. I cant afford none of that monster studio pro cable nonsense!


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Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2009 6:15 am
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Actually thinking about it, I play through an Epiphone Blues Custom 30 amp. It's great. Ever since playing through this and all the previous valvestate style amps ive had previously ive noticed the weak high end, which is what lead me to think its the guitar and not anything else like the amp.

I replaced the 12AX7As a while ago with JJ/Telsa tubes, which didnt seem to make any difference, but left the two stock Sovtek 5881's and Sovtek 5AR4 rectifier in there.
Are these Sovteks pretty rubbish, would replacing these have much affect do you think?


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Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2009 6:52 am
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BigJay wrote:
In not tech or professional, but I've gone out of my way to learn about the enginerring behind strats. Im working with a wiley veteran tech on my partsocaster.

He looked at my circuitry, sighed and got the soldering iron out.

He said Fender doesnt wire circuits the way they used to and that the new wiring schemes bleeds tone.

He said that the capacitor is not set between negative leads on the tone pots and this bleeds energy and tone from the system. So, he removed some additional ground leads and rewired the capacitor to the positive leads.

In my opinion, this materially improved the tone and output of my guitar.

Cant say this would help you, but there you go...


Anyway you could explain how you do this? I know someone with a soldering iron who could either do it or lend it to me to do myself.


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Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2009 10:22 am
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Bigjay.
Any fear of a closeup photo of that wiring loom? It sounds similar to something i've been doing for awhile.

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