Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: Twinfan on February 23, 2009, 10:29:28 PM

Title: It's a bit Slash-like...
Post by: Twinfan on February 23, 2009, 10:29:28 PM
I fitted my spare VHIIs to my McCarty Rosewood last night to see how they sound.  The more I play it, the more I like 'em in there.  Took blummin ages to dial them in though, I just couldn't get the bridge sounding good.  I've now got it about 1.5mm from the strings or else it sounded a bit thin and wimpy.  Very odd.  Sounds good now though, I'll try it at volume at Doppelganger rehearsal on Wednesday  :D

So if Slash played a PRS, maybe it might look a bit like this.....

(http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r267/junkacct/SlashLike.jpg)
Title: Re: It's a bit Slash-like...
Post by: Ian Price on February 23, 2009, 10:33:53 PM
Vey nice Dave. This may swing me - I was looking at a covered set of HBs for the LP. Black uncovered looks very nice indeed.
Title: Re: It's a bit Slash-like...
Post by: ChunkyMunky on February 23, 2009, 10:36:54 PM
Hooray PRS PORN!

Lookin' good Dave :)
Title: Re: It's a bit Slash-like...
Post by: Philly Q on February 23, 2009, 10:44:21 PM
Interesting about the bridge pickup sounding thin.  I guess that would be less likely in the Korina...  How's the VHII neck compared with the CS neck?
Title: Re: It's a bit Slash-like...
Post by: Twinfan on February 23, 2009, 10:52:38 PM
From memory, the VHIIs in general are more single-coil like due to the massive offset in coils that they have.  It's a bit more stratty as a neck humbucker if that makes sense?
Title: Re: It's a bit Slash-like...
Post by: Philly Q on February 23, 2009, 10:59:36 PM
Yes, perfect sense.  I didn't realise the neck pickup also had the big offset between the coils, that's interesting.

One of these days I may actually get my bridge VHII fitted in my Strat - I'm hoping/expecting it's a good choice for an HSS set.
Title: Re: It's a bit Slash-like...
Post by: Twinfan on February 23, 2009, 11:03:08 PM
It should be.  I loved the VHIIs in my Jackson Dinky.
Title: Re: It's a bit Slash-like...
Post by: dave_mc on February 23, 2009, 11:15:02 PM
nice. i like the cream ring/black pickups combo. :)
Title: Re: It's a bit Slash-like...
Post by: Philly Q on February 23, 2009, 11:25:20 PM
nice. i like the cream ring/black pickups combo. :)

Agreed, I like a bit of contrast too.  Never liked the look of black pickups in black rings (or white Strat pickups on a white scratchplate, for that matter).
Title: Re: It's a bit Slash-like...
Post by: Adam.M on February 24, 2009, 01:51:02 AM
Sooo... not selling them anymore? :)
Title: Re: It's a bit Slash-like...
Post by: Twinfan on February 24, 2009, 08:21:11 AM
Not sure yet.  I'm trying them out for a bit  ;)
Title: Re: It's a bit Slash-like...
Post by: Twinfan on February 24, 2009, 06:18:15 PM
I fitted my spare VHIIs.........Took blummin ages to dial them in though, I just couldn't get the bridge sounding good.  I've now got it about 1.5mm from the strings or else it sounded a bit thin and wimpy.

I've just had a play with the pickups and got them spot on now, I think!  I'd adjusted the polepieces to follow the string height curve (like I usually do) but after putting them back to 'flat' it seems to have cured my plinky/thin tone issue.  I guess they must have been raised too far out of the pickup leading to a thinner tone on the middle strings.

You live and learn!
Title: Re: It's a bit Slash-like...
Post by: dave_mc on February 24, 2009, 08:09:44 PM
Agreed, I like a bit of contrast too.  Never liked the look of black pickups in black rings (or white Strat pickups on a white scratchplate, for that matter).

i just like everything... :lol:
Title: Re: It's a bit Slash-like...
Post by: hunter on February 24, 2009, 10:44:04 PM

That looks very nice indeed. I am a bit jealous :O)

Agree for the more straty appeal especially of the neck, I have my neck VHII very low so it's abit like the RebelYell set, with a big difference of Bridge and Neck, I can go from all out on the Bridge to pretty clean with nice hair on the Neck.

I also recommend to go for thick strings on the bass side, I have 10-50 fitted now, and the low strings sound huge and tight when distorted.
Title: Re: It's a bit Slash-like...
Post by: Twinfan on May 06, 2009, 09:07:01 AM
Just an update on this thread for everyone.

After having left the VHIIs in the guitar for a while, and gigging them a couple of times, I wasn't happy with the tone.  The VHIIs were a bit too much like a single coil, and in combination with the solid rosewood neck the tone was too scooped.  Great for cleaner stuff, but with more gain in a band mix they were too thin and lacked punch.

So my other McRosie (with Holydivers) has become the #1 gigging McCarty and has been named 'Slash'.  The old skool maple top with mineral streaks and zebra pickups remind me of his Kris Derrig LP replica.  The guitar in the first post has been renamed 'Perla' ( Slash's bird, get it?  ;) ) and is awaiting some overwound PAF-style pickups I have on order.  Hotter pickups seem to work well with a rosewood neck to bring back some thickness (but not too much!).

I thought Hunter, Gizmo and anyone else who owns (or may own in the future) a McRosie might find the info useful.

And just because I love them, here's a gratuitious pic of the pair of them chiling out on the sofa together  ;)

(http://www.doppelganger-rock.com/Twinfan/McRosies.JPG)
Title: Re: It's a bit Slash-like...
Post by: Gizmo on May 06, 2009, 09:39:00 AM
Thanks for the post Twinfan.

I am actually looking to change my pups in my McRosie. The bridge pup is quite good but the neck is a bit mushy and dark especially with my cornford amp.

For my Neck pup, I'm looking for a clear almost strat type sound when split and warm sound when HB.

I want more powerful pup in the bridge.

I played it next to my LP which has a Mule and Blackdog in and both pickups were clearer and leaning towards the sound i want.

I would like a smooth overdrive sound so was leaning toward abraxas or crawler for bridge but wasnt sure on the neck pup. Had considered a P90 but wasnt sure if this would limit the variety of sounds compared to a HB with split coils.
Title: Re: It's a bit Slash-like...
Post by: Twinfan on May 06, 2009, 09:48:09 AM
Abraxas or Crawlers may work well, but I've never played those so I can't give an opinion.

I think Brow has a set of Abraxas in a Custom 22 so he might be worth a PM?
Title: Re: It's a bit Slash-like...
Post by: hunter on May 06, 2009, 11:33:01 AM
Just received mail that my covered RebelYells have returned from Tim. Gotta pick them up later and smash them in the Mc, can't wait to try 'em. The major downer for me was feedback with the stock pickups, they are microphonic like hell.
Title: Re: It's a bit Slash-like...
Post by: Brow on May 06, 2009, 12:41:43 PM
Abraxas or Crawlers may work well, but I've never played those so I can't give an opinion.

I think Brow has a set of Abraxas in a Custom 22 so he might be worth a PM?

You played the Abraxas in my CU22 at the meet up mate!!! :)

The Abraxas in my PRS are a very versatile set of pickups; the bridge pushes well (can be tamed with volume control) and the neck is very smooth, but not overly compressed
Title: Re: It's a bit Slash-like...
Post by: Ian Price on May 06, 2009, 12:45:14 PM
Just installed an uncovered black mule in the neck of my Sig LP. It looks awesome. Saving the pennies to get an uncovered black bridge now. Still not sure what bridge to go for - I've been listening to lots of AC/DC lately (especially If You Want Blood) so that may sway me a little!
Title: Re: It's a bit Slash-like...
Post by: Crazy_Joe on May 08, 2009, 01:25:20 PM
I want that PRS!
Title: Re: It's a bit Slash-like...
Post by: Twinfan on May 08, 2009, 01:49:26 PM
I want that PRS!

If you're serious, give me a shout.  I have my eye on something else and could be tempted to sell....
Title: Re: It's a bit Slash-like...
Post by: d1dsj on May 08, 2009, 02:30:08 PM
Dave, if Crazy Joe doesn't go for it... let me know how much and I'll see what I can do. I'm waiting on insurance at the moment to see how much they'll pay out for my '57! Cheers.
Title: Re: It's a bit Slash-like...
Post by: Twinfan on May 08, 2009, 02:58:20 PM
Hi Don  :)

I'd be after what I paid for it, which was £1500....
Title: Re: It's a bit Slash-like...
Post by: d1dsj on May 08, 2009, 03:09:44 PM
Ok then, sounds good to me.... I just hope my insurance pays up! If it goes just let me know otherwise I'll be in touch once I hear from my insurers. All the best bud.
Title: Re: It's a bit Slash-like...
Post by: Ian Price on May 08, 2009, 05:56:47 PM
I have my eye on something else

What have you got your eye on Dave?
Title: Re: It's a bit Slash-like...
Post by: Philly Q on May 08, 2009, 06:03:16 PM
I have my eye on something else

What have you got your eye on Dave?

This one, I'm assuming:

http://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=17265.0 (http://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=17265.0)
Title: Re: It's a bit Slash-like...
Post by: Ian Price on May 08, 2009, 06:33:52 PM
Aaaah - I've not read that thread for a while. My mind changes a lot as well!! i.e. I was going to sell my LP and then decided to put some Mules in it. I'm glad I didn't sell it but will probably have the thought of selling it again.
Title: Re: It's a bit Slash-like...
Post by: Crazy_Joe on May 08, 2009, 06:45:09 PM
If i had 1500 i would take it right now, but i am skint! :(
Title: Re: It's a bit Slash-like...
Post by: Philly Q on May 08, 2009, 06:56:14 PM
Aaaah - I've not read that thread for a while. My mind changes a lot as well!! i.e. I was going to sell my LP and then decided to put some Mules in it. I'm glad I didn't sell it but will probably have the thought of selling it again.

I've been pretty good recently - I've sold some stuff and will probably sell some more.  But I change my mind too, almost gave in to GAS last week, in fact I went all the way to Andertons to buy something, but I didn't like it.   So I felt good about not spending that money.  :lol:

I'm more into Warmoth projects at the moment, which is still GAS but doesn't feel quite as bad because you're buying things in bits rather than dropping hundreds of quid in one go.
Title: Re: It's a bit Slash-like...
Post by: Twinfan on May 08, 2009, 07:07:55 PM
If i had 1500 i would take it right now, but i am skint! :(

Cheers anyway, Joe.

Ok then, sounds good to me.... I just hope my insurance pays up! If it goes just let me know otherwise I'll be in touch once I hear from my insurers. All the best bud.

Give me a shout if you're interested matey  :)
Title: Re: It's a bit Slash-like...
Post by: d1dsj on May 08, 2009, 07:32:42 PM
Oh I'm interested alright, I just hope I get paid for the '57! It would be good to get a PRS Mac as I was too attached to the '57 R.I custom and I think I would be always paranoid about it not feeling the same if you know what I mean? I'd love a Mac so let's just wait and see if I can get yours. Cheers  :)