Hi all. Long time lurker here with a story and a question.
I have been on a quest for a couple R9's and wound up buying 2 in the last week from different sellers. Got ok deals for both. I found a VOS R9 Tobacco sunburst that is shaping up to be the Lester against which all my others might be judged. It was set up well out of the box and sounds very articulate, resonant and chimey unamplified. The EQ of the guitar (or the pickups, not sure which) seems to be very balanced as the stock BB 1 and 2's sound balanced and really nice in all positions. I am rarely happy with the neck position in Lesters so this is a welcome and happy surprise.
The second R9 is a Washed Cherry VOS that looks FANTASTIC (can you tell I want it to work based on how much I love it's looks?
but the setup was terrible and in its current condition does not seem to have the same magic as the Tobacco R9. I put new strings on, which helped but amplified it sounds more congested in the lows and mids and does not quite have the same "zing" or chime when played acoustically, though it is quite resonant.
When strummed acoustically it seems to exhibit a bit more of the fundamental with less overtones than the other R9 and the pickups do not sound as balanced when played amplified. The bridge pickup sounds good (doesn't it always?) but the middle and neck positions are congested. I have goofed around with pickup heights, which helped but A/B'ing it with the Tobacco R9 it is still not quite there. Is it possible the BB's or the electronics could be inconsistent enough to be the culprits or is it more down to the EQ of the particular guitar?
I guess I'm wondering how you guys evaluate the potential of a candidate axe and if anyone has tips or suggestions on how to tell if said axe could be elevated to greatness by throwing a little more money (pickups, electronics, maybe new bridge) vs knowing when to walk away.
I realize this is subjective but also know a lot of folks here have been through similar crucibles and might have helpful advice. Thanks!
I have been on a quest for a couple R9's and wound up buying 2 in the last week from different sellers. Got ok deals for both. I found a VOS R9 Tobacco sunburst that is shaping up to be the Lester against which all my others might be judged. It was set up well out of the box and sounds very articulate, resonant and chimey unamplified. The EQ of the guitar (or the pickups, not sure which) seems to be very balanced as the stock BB 1 and 2's sound balanced and really nice in all positions. I am rarely happy with the neck position in Lesters so this is a welcome and happy surprise.
The second R9 is a Washed Cherry VOS that looks FANTASTIC (can you tell I want it to work based on how much I love it's looks?
but the setup was terrible and in its current condition does not seem to have the same magic as the Tobacco R9. I put new strings on, which helped but amplified it sounds more congested in the lows and mids and does not quite have the same "zing" or chime when played acoustically, though it is quite resonant. When strummed acoustically it seems to exhibit a bit more of the fundamental with less overtones than the other R9 and the pickups do not sound as balanced when played amplified. The bridge pickup sounds good (doesn't it always?) but the middle and neck positions are congested. I have goofed around with pickup heights, which helped but A/B'ing it with the Tobacco R9 it is still not quite there. Is it possible the BB's or the electronics could be inconsistent enough to be the culprits or is it more down to the EQ of the particular guitar?
I guess I'm wondering how you guys evaluate the potential of a candidate axe and if anyone has tips or suggestions on how to tell if said axe could be elevated to greatness by throwing a little more money (pickups, electronics, maybe new bridge) vs knowing when to walk away.
I realize this is subjective but also know a lot of folks here have been through similar crucibles and might have helpful advice. Thanks!
