Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum
Forum Ringside => Pickups => Topic started by: Yellowjacket on May 29, 2017, 07:11:54 PM
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So, I ended up performing major surgery on my Godin Redline III. Basically, my perception of the EQ curve on these pickups was heavily coloured by the Korean made LFR bridge in the guitar. Below, I will include a clip of the guitar through a MB Electra Dyne for the time being. You will note how articulate the Juggs are and how much midrange they actually have. Just a rough recording which reminds me, I need to figure out why I'm getting so much latency for audio playback in my DAW... I makes laying down tight rhythm tracks difficult =-(
https://www.dropbox.com/s/au9pvcnl9qa860e/Redline%20III%20Tone%20Test%20Electra%20Dyne.mp3?dl=0
This is very interesting. My redline III with just a volume pot was always dark and phat. About 3 weeks ago the D saddle stripped where the locking screw secures. I tried monkeying around with a replacement oem saddle but it did not fit right. In frustration, I upgraded to Schaller bridge and now the guitar is behaving much more the way you are describing.
For the install, by some miracle the pins lined up, the rout fit, and the stud holes were the correct size. I am now sad that I will never win the lottery.
I have a 0 load pot and a 0.022uF cap on order for the guitar. Also saddle shims to fine tune my action.
I converted the guitar to Ibanez wiring by spinning the neck pickup 180 degrees and wiring it backwards to the BKP diagram. I am also using a 331pF cap on the volume pot to preserve the high end as I roll down the volume pot.
Once all the components arrive, I will update you. It is just weird to think that my perception of the pickups was so heavily coloured by the influence of the OEM bridge.
OK, further updates on this topic: So, all the components came in and I have them all installed: Saddle / Nut shims, Killer Guitar Components 5/8" 32mm block, and the resistor / capacitor combination across the input and output lugs on the volume pot.
Comments: The 32mm block seems to be slightly shorter than what was in the guitar stock. So, I had to run off to L&MQ to acquire and install more tremolo tension springs, but the system is balanced and working wonderfully.
FR Style Locking Trem system comments:
Korean LFR: Scooped mids, decent sustain, and a generally dark and phat sort of a tone.
Schaller FR: Way more sustain and way brighter with a real focus on the upper mids. Lively and almost strident. VERY articulate.
Schaller FR with KGC aftermarket block. Even, warm, and sweeter sounding while still being articulate. Detailed mids and a very balanced tone overall. Even more sustain.
So, with this mod alone I am absolutely FLOORED by the performance of this guitar.
resistor / capacitor volume pot mod with the tone pot. Well, since the guitar has highs it was worth installing a tone pot but the 0 load tone pot means there is high end when I want it. With the KCG block, it is fantastic to have the option to decouple the tone pot from the circuit entirely. The capacitor and resistor / treble bleed circuit is great because the massive output from the Juggernauts can be neutered for more vintage style tones as well.