Swap out my pups?

jordans0nly · 03-26-2012, 10:32 AM

I've been tweaking my Tech 21 Trademark 10 on the clean settings and so far, sounds pretty good. But, with the 490R and the 498T just seem muddy to me. Would the Classic 57/Classic + combo clean up better? I play Praise and Worship music at church and the stock pup combo just seems a little hotter than what I'd like.

Any other suggestions guys?

SKATTERBRANE · 03-26-2012, 10:36 AM

For some reason, I have a LOT of customers who play praise and worhip music in church.

jordans0nly · 03-26-2012, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SKATTERBRANE

For some reason, I have a LOT of customers who play praise and worhip music in church.

Maybe because they're awesome? lol.

What would you suggest would compliment my 50's Studio Tribute? It is Semi-Chambered from what I read, maybe that would help you decide. I want something with a nice chunky rhythm sound, but crisp cleans, ideas?

SKATTERBRANE · 03-26-2012, 10:51 AM

I sent you a PM. Earthbranes!

jordans0nly · 03-26-2012, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SKATTERBRANE

I sent you a PM. Earthbranes!

Replied..

rclausen · 03-26-2012, 11:09 AM

I just recently installed a set of Earthbranes and they sound amazing. Super clear and articulate. I highly recommend them

jordans0nly · 03-26-2012, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rclausen

I just recently installed a set of Earthbranes and they sound amazing. Super clear and articulate. I highly recommend them

I know man, they sound really nice! Not sure if I can afford them though man..

Bummer..

jordans0nly · 03-27-2012, 04:55 AM

I'm just not sure if I need to change my harness for a 50's style of Jonsey's, and see if that helps, change the pups to Classic 57's/Classic +, or both..

Ideas?

JoBeans · 03-27-2012, 06:07 AM

Changing your harness from stock is always a worthwhile investment and a recommended first step but I am afraid that change will not alter the character of your bridge pickup; garbage in, garbage out. The 490R is IMO, not a bad sounding pickup, it can be sweet and airy if set up properly but the 498T will always be to hot and muddy in the lows and lower mids. Since the 490R is, spec wise, in vintage territory, you could get away with just replacing your bridge pickup to a something cleaner/clearer and save some dough. If you've got the money though, I would suggest going with the Earthbranes as a set, those are great pickups.

So in short, upgrade the harness and purchase a nice PAF style pickup for the bridge:
Duncan Seth Lover or 59, 57 Classic, etc... even cheaper would be the Tonerider AL4 or AL2 there are a lot out there and every one of them IMO will sound better than the 498.

Lowdown · 03-27-2012, 06:57 AM

Work the pups,don't let the pups work you.
Use those 4 knobs and toggle switch - this is where a harness upgrade/50's wiring will come into play.

Save up for the Eartbranes. Aftermarket handwound pups will be better than stock wound pups.
Be wise,buy once,be happy.

jordans0nly · 03-27-2012, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoBeans

Changing your harness from stock is always a worthwhile investment and a recommended first step but I am afraid that change will not alter the character of your bridge pickup; garbage in, garbage out. The 490R is IMO, not a bad sounding pickup, it can be sweet and airy if set up properly but the 498T will always be to hot and muddy in the lows and lower mids. Since the 490R is, spec wise, in vintage territory, you could get away with just replacing your bridge pickup to a something cleaner/clearer and save some dough. If you've got the money though, I would suggest going with the Earthbranes as a set, those are great pickups.

So in short, upgrade the harness and purchase a nice PAF style pickup for the bridge:
Duncan Seth Lover or 59, 57 Classic, etc... even cheaper would be the Tonerider AL4 or AL2 there are a lot out there and every one of them IMO will sound better than the 498.

Never thought about that, thanks man. Although, I love the zebra look. That's why I would want to change both. Which Toneriders would be the best to put in my Studio? Being semi chambered play any role in choosing?

JoBeans · 03-27-2012, 11:39 AM

Personally, I would go for the AL4s, I love the clarity of A4 magnets and I think they would accentuate the airy qualities of the chambered body.

jordans0nly · 03-27-2012, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoBeans

Personally, I would go for the AL4s, I love the clarity of A4 magnets and I think they would accentuate the airy qualities of the chambered body.

That's what I'm thinking..

captcoolaid · 03-27-2012, 05:59 PM

Mid 8k A4 is a nice option. I would consider A4 bridge and an A2 neck. you can get great clarity as well as dirty blues.

jordans0nly · 03-28-2012, 01:43 AM

Nice, sounds like a plan.

03-26-2012, 10:32 AM	#1 (permalink)
jordans0nly Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Upstate SC Posts: 1,805 Thanks: 3 Thanked 13 Times in 4 Posts	Swap out my pups? I've been tweaking my Tech 21 Trademark 10 on the clean settings and so far, sounds pretty good. But, with the 490R and the 498T just seem muddy to me. Would the Classic 57/Classic + combo clean up better? I play Praise and Worship music at church and the stock pup combo just seems a little hotter than what I'd like. Any other suggestions guys?

03-26-2012, 10:36 AM	#2 (permalink)
SKATTERBRANE Banned Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 21,441 Thanks: 603 Thanked 549 Times in 185 Posts	Re: Swap out my pups? For some reason, I have a LOT of customers who play praise and worhip music in church. Lesterer likes this.

03-26-2012, 10:51 AM	#4 (permalink)
SKATTERBRANE Banned Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 21,441 Thanks: 603 Thanked 549 Times in 185 Posts	Re: Swap out my pups? I sent you a PM. Earthbranes!

03-26-2012, 11:09 AM	#6 (permalink)
rclausen Bartlett Retrospec Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Boston Strong Posts: 549 Thanks: 0 Thanked 11 Times in 6 Posts	Re: Swap out my pups? I just recently installed a set of Earthbranes and they sound amazing. Super clear and articulate. I highly recommend them __________________ 2013 Gibson R7 2010 Gibson R8 2001 Gibson SG Classic Phaez JTM18 Phaez Corona D-Lab SE (w/ 6V6)

03-27-2012, 04:55 AM	#8 (permalink)
jordans0nly Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Upstate SC Posts: 1,805 Thanks: 3 Thanked 13 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Swap out my pups? I'm just not sure if I need to change my harness for a 50's style of Jonsey's, and see if that helps, change the pups to Classic 57's/Classic +, or both.. Ideas?

Today
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03-27-2012, 06:07 AM	#9 (permalink)
JoBeans Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 494 Thanks: 9 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Swap out my pups? Changing your harness from stock is always a worthwhile investment and a recommended first step but I am afraid that change will not alter the character of your bridge pickup; garbage in, garbage out. The 490R is IMO, not a bad sounding pickup, it can be sweet and airy if set up properly but the 498T will always be to hot and muddy in the lows and lower mids. Since the 490R is, spec wise, in vintage territory, you could get away with just replacing your bridge pickup to a something cleaner/clearer and save some dough. If you've got the money though, I would suggest going with the Earthbranes as a set, those are great pickups. So in short, upgrade the harness and purchase a nice PAF style pickup for the bridge: Duncan Seth Lover or 59, 57 Classic, etc... even cheaper would be the Tonerider AL4 or AL2 there are a lot out there and every one of them IMO will sound better than the 498. Lowdown likes this.

03-27-2012, 06:57 AM	#10 (permalink)
Lowdown Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 3,843 Thanks: 158 Thanked 44 Times in 14 Posts	Re: Swap out my pups? Work the pups,don't let the pups work you. Use those 4 knobs and toggle switch - this is where a harness upgrade/50's wiring will come into play. Save up for the Eartbranes. Aftermarket handwound pups will be better than stock wound pups. Be wise,buy once,be happy. Fiftywattmafia likes this.

03-27-2012, 11:39 AM	#12 (permalink)
JoBeans Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 494 Thanks: 9 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Swap out my pups? Personally, I would go for the AL4s, I love the clarity of A4 magnets and I think they would accentuate the airy qualities of the chambered body.

03-27-2012, 05:59 PM	#14 (permalink)
captcoolaid MLP Vendor Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Nor Cal Beotch Posts: 11,086 Thanks: 374 Thanked 509 Times in 117 Posts	Re: Swap out my pups? Mid 8k A4 is a nice option. I would consider A4 bridge and an A2 neck. you can get great clarity as well as dirty blues. __________________ http://mhd-pickups.com/ Luthier pricing available. Or visit my youtube page http://www.youtube.com/user/MHDPickups?feature=mhum#p/f http://soundcloud.com/mhd-pickups/madhousedesigns-gameybluesmp3 DC DOES NOT EQUAL OUTPUT. Dc is a resistance value and that is all. It WILL NOT tell you what it will sound like, it WILL NOT make you sound like another player.

03-28-2012, 01:43 AM	#15 (permalink)
jordans0nly Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Upstate SC Posts: 1,805 Thanks: 3 Thanked 13 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Swap out my pups? Nice, sounds like a plan.

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