Fixed bridge/trem tone differences? and maybe an SG

[PPPMAT]

Morning tone aficianado's!

As some of you may know - I got hold of my Martamp/MJW amp recently and its just brilliant. I've now done a few rehearsals at gig volume levels and its really really brilliant......

but......let me set the scene

I play my amp at practically full volume (then power scaled of course back to a sensible volume) and get all my tones from the volume and tone pots and switching between pickup positions..

I have a PRS SC245 and using this the sound is all there - lovely jangly chords backed off the volume then real power when I max the guitar volume and lovely thick distortion..its a great combination

I also have a PRS singlecut trem - this still sounds good but its nowhere near as good as the SC245 and (getting to the point finally) there is something in the tone that I can't quite put my finger on that I don't like. Its like a PRS with a bit of fender in it - thats the only way I can describe it.

So I'm wondering is this the trem thats causing this?

I think the problem is that the MJW Martamp really lets the guitars character shine through (which is a good thing) but that means that the match between guitar and amp is much more critical...

I love my singlecut trem - I love the way it plays and feels but it just doesn't sound right now. Also what is becoming more and more apparent from rehearsal is that the lack of 2 volume and tone pots for both pickups is hindering my style.

Which leads me to Gibson. I have a love hate relationship with Gibson - I love the sound, love the look hate the necks. I tried Martins SG HSS which is about the only Gibson neck I've tried that feeled great to play.

Anyway - before you all give up on me because I'm making no sense - Could the trem cause this kind of tone difference or do you think its something else? If its somethig I can't dial out then it looks like a swap over for a 61 Sg reissue or something similar.

[Twinfan]

Here's my opinion Matt - for what it's worth....

The trem WILL affect the tone.  It'll give it some springyness, some vibrato and almost an almost reverb-like effect.  That would explain the Fender-ness to some extent.  Also, the SC Trem has a thinner body than the SC245 (as you're well aware!) and this will 'lighten' the tone somewhat.  The SCT also has the 25" scale length too.  All in all, there are several factors that make the SCT more Fender-like than the SC245.

You've got PRS #6 pickups in the SCT which are clear and powerful pickups.  What you may want to try is some thicker sounding pickups that will fatten the tone a bit.  I think Holydivers would be great for this.

If you want to meet up and try my McCarty with HDs through your amp just let me know  :)

[PPPMAT]

Hi Dave - you're right of course it is a thinner body and also a longer scale length. There has always been a difference in tone between the two guitars (as you would expect) but that difference is now much more apparent.

The pickups on the SCT are more powerful than the SC245 but not as musical at lower guitar volumes. I'll have alook at the Holydrivers!

I might just take you up on your offer to try out your gear - its a bit of a trip 'up north' though  :P

[dave_mc]

i agree with dave. i'm not too well up on the PRS differences, but trems definitely make a difference to the tone. I actually like that difference, but obviously it's personal preference as to whether you prefer it or not. :)

[hunter]

As you have a SC245, just stop looking at Gibsons. They surely do look nice, but if you don't like playing them, why waste time thinking any further? the 245 should give you all the tones a Les Paul would and then some ...

[gwEm]

concentric pots may fit in the control cavity and would then give you 2 vol / 2 tone