Replace a Microphonic Gibson 57 Classic

[odgeuk]

Hi all :)

First post here. Often spend some time on the Seymour Duncan forums but having heard good things about Bare Knuckle, thought I'd put this post to you guys. Particuarly as it always makes more sense to go 'local' for guitar gear.

My 1997 Orville by Gibson Japanese Les Paul seems to have a problem with the Classic '57 pickup in the neck. At high gain settings on the amp (even when I'm not playing, just standing close to the amp) there is a high pitched squeal. By High Gain, I mean a Marshall JMP cranked with a little Master volume to help it along.

I'm a bit surprised by the squeal as the Classic '57 are potted pickups according to the Gibson blurb. But then I guess the guitar is now 12 years old.

I had a Seymour Duncan '59 in the neck of an old Washburn N4 I used to have and I really loved it. Bell like cleans and smooth when overdriven. Very Jimmy Page like, think 'Rain Song' or the clean bit to "Over the Hills and Far Away" (live versions)

The guitar itself is an all-Mahogany Les Paul Custom. I'd say it's a fairly 'Dark' sounding guitar compared to maple-topped Les Pauls I've played it against.

I play 70's Rock covers by bands like Skynyrd, Zeppelin, ACDC, ZZ Top. In the Bridge I have another Classic 57 which is pretty OK, if not a little lacking in sustain.

[HTH AMPS]

so are you wanting to replace just the neck pickup? - you could always get Tim (BKP gaffer) to re-pot it if its just gone microphonic.

however, if you're into Zep and classic rock, you could do far worse than a set of Mules - they will kick the arse of your 57 Classics.

[odgeuk]

so are you wanting to replace just the neck pickup? - you could always get Tim (BKP gaffer) to re-pot it if its just gone microphonic.

however, if you're into Zep and classic rock, you could do far worse than a set of Mules - they will kick the arse of your 57 Classics.

Yeah, replace the Neck. I figured that by the time I paid for the pickup to be posted off and potted I wouldn't be far off the price of a new pickup. And it's a perfect excuse to buy something new!! (GAS anyone :) ) To be honest, I'm not 100% it IS microphonic but the squealing seems to be a pretty positive indicator. Just surprised that Potted pickups like the 57 can go microphonic, I though the idea of wax potting was to prevent microphonics for the life of the pickup?

Mules eh? Great, I'll check those first. Although are the Black Dogs not more Page voiced?

[HTH AMPS]

so are you wanting to replace just the neck pickup? - you could always get Tim (BKP gaffer) to re-pot it if its just gone microphonic.

however, if you're into Zep and classic rock, you could do far worse than a set of Mules - they will kick the arse of your 57 Classics.

Yeah, replace the Neck. I figured that by the time I paid for the pickup to be posted off and potted I wouldn't be far off the price of a new pickup. And it's a perfect excuse to buy something new!! (GAS anyone :) ) To be honest, I'm not 100% it IS microphonic but the squealing seems to be a pretty positive indicator. Just surprised that Potted pickups like the 57 can go microphonic, I though the idea of wax potting was to prevent microphonics for the life of the pickup?

Mules eh? Great, I'll check those first. Although are the Black Dogs not more Page voiced?

Black Dogs are voiced for that particular track, but I wouldn't say that is typical Page in terms of tone - its dark and fuzzy (he recorded the guitar direct to the board - can't remember if he went in via a Fuzz pedal or just overloaded the console like the Beatles did on Revolution).

Definitely Mules for Zep, 100%

[FELINEGUITARS]

A big welcome to the forum
I'd agree with HTH over the Mules - my favourite all round choice for classic rock tones
One thing I might add is to consider having new pots in there as well to get the max benefit and maybe upgrade the capacitors as well.
The Orvilles are nice guitars and quite a few of th forum guys have owned them so certainly worth the upgrade

Whereabouts are you based?
You mentioned "going local" with BKPs

I do a lot of wax potting in my workshop  so if you were near to London I'd be happy to help!

[odgeuk]

Hi Feline Guitars, the lead guitarist in a band I'm in has some of your guitars! his name is Baz.

I am down on the South Coast, in Worthing but work up in Gatwick, so not a million miles from you.

Potting is certainly the cheaper option. I'll take the pickup out this weekend and check to make sure there's not some really obvious reason why the pickup is squealing. I played the squealing pickup to my Bass player last night though and he said 100% it was microphonic. He had bought a bass many years ago with a microphonic pickup which had been caused by the previous owners 'enthuiastic' Slap Playing literally shaking the pickup so much that the wax must've broken up and disintegrated!

[FELINEGUITARS]

Hi Feline Guitars, the lead guitarist in a band I'm in has some of your guitars! his name is Baz.

I am down on the South Coast, in Worthing but work up in Gatwick, so not a million miles from you.

Potting is certainly the cheaper option. I'll take the pickup out this weekend and check to make sure there's not some really obvious reason why the pickup is squealing. I played the squealing pickup to my Bass player last night though and he said 100% it was microphonic. He had bought a bass many years ago with a microphonic pickup which had been caused by the previous owners 'enthuiastic' Slap Playing literally shaking the pickup so much that the wax must've broken up and disintegrated!

Hello there - say Hi to Baz for me !
I made those guitars for him when he was in "Dirty Deeds" and they were touring supporting Iron Maiden back in 1998

Wax can break down as it dries out over time - that may be the main cause for a pickup to slowly go microphonic.
Also slapping on a bass pickup will encourage wax to break down too.
I have wax dipping here in Croydon so we could certainly address that issue - or if you do make the jump to BKPs I can help as we are a stockist.
Give me a shout in the New Year and feel free to pop in
I must catch up with Baz as well.