Author Topic: VHII Neck - Guns N Roses solo - modded plexi (Read 18952 times)

Bainzy · « **on:** October 29, 2005, 07:33:36 PM »

Guitar: My Custom Strat (ash body, ebony/maple neck)

Amp: Marshall 1959SLP RI (modded by me)
Marshall 1960A cab

Mic: Shure SM57 (40 degree angle off center, bottom right speaker, approx 1.5 inch away from grille)

Clip is at bedroom volume levels, the amp has the volume switch to 60% mode.

EXACTLY same settings here as the Van Halen 2 clip, including the analog delay in the effects loop. The only difference is the neck pickup is on (I believe the tone control was on 10).

This one's a first take, I was glad to find that the VHII neck pickup does a mean Slash sound, even when the rest of my setup is at the settings for a 'brown sound'. The bridge VHII also sounds killer for GnR but I'll post the clips of that when I've got the extra gain stage 'stock #39' mod up and running.

_tom_ · « **Reply #1 on:** October 29, 2005, 09:00:23 PM »

Woah that sounds perfect! I want a damn modded marshall! Still thinkin of swapping out my neck Mule for a MQ, or now one of these, as it sounds much more alive, and more defined.

Bainzy · « **Reply #2 on:** October 29, 2005, 09:05:08 PM »

cheers :D

I need to get round to reviewing these pickups on HC and Shredaholic.com like I promised Tim, so I thought I'd post these clips in the meantime.

willo · « **Reply #3 on:** October 29, 2005, 09:41:51 PM »

yeah VHIIs are awesome, ive spent the past hour jamming some zappa, with mh jcm800, VHIIs and a catalinbread fuzz pedal...the sound was soooooooooooo good. honestly, words fail me right now - you know when you get what you want, even though you didnt know you wanted it? just took me by surprise and i am in love. VHIIS are really adaptable too, Tom. They can do pretty much anything you throw at them.

Bainzy · « **Reply #4 on:** October 29, 2005, 09:45:08 PM »

Quote from: willo

you know when you get what you want, even though you didnt know you wanted it?

that's just what was like when I first plugged in the pickups - it was like that imaginary sound in my head of what the PERFECT rock guitar sound was had suddenly leapt out of my guitar and through my amp!

_tom_ · « **Reply #5 on:** October 29, 2005, 09:53:56 PM »

Hmm maybe I should find someone who wants to swap some VHII's for my Mules. Coz all the clips I've heard of them just kick ass. Mules are great still though, but these seem like they have a bit more "oomph", kick and defenition to em.

Bainzy · « **Reply #6 on:** October 29, 2005, 09:55:46 PM »

that's probably the best way of describing the difference. different strokes for different folks and all that - there's probably someone out there who's after more of the qualities your Mules has to offer, they're both great pickups

_tom_ · « **Reply #7 on:** October 29, 2005, 09:57:42 PM »

Yeah, I mean, I'm not disappointed with the tone of my Mules atall, I think they sound amazing aswell, but the VHII's sound that bit more amazing :lol:

willo · « **Reply #8 on:** October 29, 2005, 10:13:19 PM »

i think your Mules sound awesome tom! when i heard them i was a bit 'ooh, maybe i should have got those instead of my VHIIs'...remember, the grass is always greener, or should i say the 'GAS'?

my advice, just buy another guitar and stick the VHIIs in: you wont be disappointed!

Bainzy · « **Reply #9 on:** October 29, 2005, 10:15:09 PM »

you can never have too many Bareknuckles :twisted:

willo · « **Reply #10 on:** October 29, 2005, 10:18:55 PM »

i was just thinking Tom, maybe you could send your mules back to Tim and see if he could rewind them to get that little extra power you desire, maybe some more of the VHII character if its what you really want? It would probably be the most cost effective option, if Tim does this option (if indeed its possible)

_tom_ · « **Reply #11 on:** October 29, 2005, 10:23:30 PM »

Quote from: willo

i was just thinking Tom, maybe you could send your mules back to Tim and see if he could rewind them to get that little extra power you desire, maybe some more of the VHII character if its what you really want? It would probably be the most cost effective option, if Tim does this option (if indeed its possible)

Hmm yeah I was thinking that. I'll have to email tim, I thought maybe just getting the magnets changed to A5 may give me a bit more bite, if that is possible. I'll email Tim though!

Ratrod · « **Reply #12 on:** October 30, 2005, 01:20:41 PM »

Your Marshall mods really sound cool.

If I ever decide to get a Marshall.........

HJM · « **Reply #13 on:** October 31, 2005, 05:59:25 AM »

That amp does sound good - might have to break out the soldering iron again and try the PPIMV mod.....

Bainzy · « **Reply #14 on:** October 31, 2005, 05:23:41 PM »

HJM - if you're fitting it to a JCM 800, have a go at changing the circuit to having a pair of .1uF coupling capacitors instead of .022uF, and change the 47pf capacitor that these are connected to into a 100pf ceramic disc capacitor - that really helps get "that" sound. If you need any further clarification email or PM me.