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Author Topic: NGD PRS Siggy - Calling Mr Twinfan for advise  (Read 8076 times)

dvorak

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NGD PRS Siggy - Calling Mr Twinfan for advise
« on: November 18, 2014, 10:40:17 AM »
Hi fellas, sorry about the lack of BKP content in this one, but I need some advise from the 408 expert here.

Just scored a 2012 Signature Limited, got a good deal and the spec was right. Wanted a stop tail siggy, and the looks are just right for me. Could do without the gold hardware though, that will probably have to go.

Anyway, it's a very resonant guitar, tons of cool overtones in many places on the fretboard. Really good split tones and versatile bla bla bla, it's a 408 :)

I do find the pickups quite bright. Almost a little mushy in the top end running the volume control wide open. I find myself putting the tone knob at around 5, which is a little uncommon for me. I almost felt the same way about the 59/09s in my Custom 24, but I've learned to play them as well and have come to LOVE those pickups. My rig is a little bright at home, an Egnater Tweaker 15w head with a suhr riot pedal. I really like the guitar, and I'm asking because I feel there is a lot of unlocked potential.

So Dave, how are you setting the pickups and rig with your 408s? How do you set the height on the bridge pickup?






---
PRS Custom 24 - 59/09
PRS Custom 24 SE - Alnico NB/Coldsweat
Vintage V100 Lemon drop - HD

blue

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Re: NGD PRS Siggy - Calling Mr Twinfan for advise
« Reply #1 on: November 18, 2014, 04:39:54 PM »
two very nice looking guitars, and a particularly groovy rug  :grin:
cry HAVOC!! and let slip the pigs of war!!!

dave_mc

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Re: NGD PRS Siggy - Calling Mr Twinfan for advise
« Reply #2 on: November 18, 2014, 04:44:56 PM »
^ +1 :D

gordiji

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Re: NGD PRS Siggy - Calling Mr Twinfan for advise
« Reply #3 on: November 18, 2014, 09:22:53 PM »
Nice guitar. If you want to swap the gold bridge studs for nickel/steel ones then pm me. I have a 2004 brazilian custom 22 and it has hybrid hardware. I've replaced the nickel pups with gold abraxas and now just need some gold or brass studs to compliment the gold stoptail. Am i alone in liking gold hardware ?

dvorak

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Re: NGD PRS Siggy - Calling Mr Twinfan for advise
« Reply #4 on: November 18, 2014, 09:24:01 PM »
Thanks fellas! I like the rug too :D

I'm really warming up to these pickups. They aren't as bright as I thought.

If I do a stupid analogy: Playing with gain the Custom is like a set 6L6s, smooth yet clear. The Siggy is like a set of EL34s, more articulate.
---
PRS Custom 24 - 59/09
PRS Custom 24 SE - Alnico NB/Coldsweat
Vintage V100 Lemon drop - HD

dvorak

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Re: NGD PRS Siggy - Calling Mr Twinfan for advise
« Reply #5 on: November 18, 2014, 09:25:50 PM »
Nice guitar. If you want to swap the gold bridge studs for nickel/steel ones then pm me. I have a 2004 brazilian custom 22 and it has hybrid hardware. I've replaced the nickel pups with gold abraxas and now just need some gold or brass studs to compliment the gold stoptail. Am i alone in liking gold hardware ?
Nice CU22! I have always wanted something with brazilian but I'm too afraid to import it :)

Thanks for the offer, I will keep the guitar stock for a little while to see if the gold grows on me. I'll let you know!
---
PRS Custom 24 - 59/09
PRS Custom 24 SE - Alnico NB/Coldsweat
Vintage V100 Lemon drop - HD

Twinfan

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Re: NGD PRS Siggy - Calling Mr Twinfan for advise
« Reply #6 on: December 04, 2014, 10:41:16 AM »
Sorry I'm late to this, I've not been on the forum much lately.  Good choice of guitar, obviously!  I only play 408s these days and have spent quite a bit of time dialling them in on several guitars.

First thing, don't swap out any of the gold coloured parts e.g. tuners or stoptail posts.  They're brass and have all been chosen specifically to give tone/resonance/whatever.  Leave well enough alone!   :grin:

Right, on to the pickups.  They're wound with the same wire that's used in the 59/09 pickups and the general specs are quite 59/09-like.  I've found that 408s are very sensitive to how they are set - overall pickup height, treble and bass height balance and pole piece balance.  They'll need adjusting for your particular guitar (done by ear) but my starting position is:

* Measure pickup height with the last fret pressed down, top of pickup screw to bottom of string
* Top E and bottom E pickups screw edges are level with the plastic bobbin, with the crown/head of the crew rising up out of the bobbin
* Both pickups low E and bottom E are set to 2/32" as an overall height
* Raise the screws for the A/D/G/B strings so that they are also set to 2/32"

From there, I check the overall volume balance of the pickups raising or lowerering both sides of the pickup by 1/4 of a screw turn at a time.  Once the volume is about right I'll adjust the bass/treble balance for each again by 1/4 of a turn at a time.  I've generally found that I like the bridge 408 flat but the neck pickup higher on the treble side than the bass side (to remove some wooliness caused by the way I play).

I hope that helps?

By the way, here are my two favourites - they're freakin' awesome...


38thBeatle

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Re: NGD PRS Siggy - Calling Mr Twinfan for advise
« Reply #7 on: December 04, 2014, 09:26:46 PM »
May I too join the throng of well wishers for as lovely looking brace of guitars and, as has already been said, a rather splendid rug. In fact that has to be one of the best rugs I have seen underneath a guitar.
Send three and fourpence we're going to a dance
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dvorak

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Re: NGD PRS Siggy - Calling Mr Twinfan for advise
« Reply #8 on: December 05, 2014, 08:44:20 AM »
Sorry I'm late to this, I've not been on the forum much lately.  Good choice of guitar, obviously!  I only play 408s these days and have spent quite a bit of time dialling them in on several guitars.

First thing, don't swap out any of the gold coloured parts e.g. tuners or stoptail posts.  They're brass and have all been chosen specifically to give tone/resonance/whatever.  Leave well enough alone!   :grin:

Right, on to the pickups.  They're wound with the same wire that's used in the 59/09 pickups and the general specs are quite 59/09-like.  I've found that 408s are very sensitive to how they are set - overall pickup height, treble and bass height balance and pole piece balance.  They'll need adjusting for your particular guitar (done by ear) but my starting position is:

* Measure pickup height with the last fret pressed down, top of pickup screw to bottom of string
* Top E and bottom E pickups screw edges are level with the plastic bobbin, with the crown/head of the crew rising up out of the bobbin
* Both pickups low E and bottom E are set to 2/32" as an overall height
* Raise the screws for the A/D/G/B strings so that they are also set to 2/32"

From there, I check the overall volume balance of the pickups raising or lowerering both sides of the pickup by 1/4 of a screw turn at a time.  Once the volume is about right I'll adjust the bass/treble balance for each again by 1/4 of a turn at a time.  I've generally found that I like the bridge 408 flat but the neck pickup higher on the treble side than the bass side (to remove some wooliness caused by the way I play).

I hope that helps?

By the way, here are my two favourites - they're freakin' awesome...
Thanks mate, appreciate it!

I've noticed the pickups are quite sensitive to height, still haven't found the sweet spot but I'll take your advice and see if that gets me closer.  I feel I'm getting there though.

Incredible pickups, very clear and defined. I used to think my CU24 was the most versatile guitar I've played but this one beats it by quite some margin. I've never played a guitar with electronics that cleans up so well. Even the tone pot is usable, not something I find common.

Regarding the gold hardware I've found a solution, black pickup rings. Already got them, will change them next time I change strings :)

Your guitars are absolutely stunning mate, I can't even imagine how good a PS or a Collection guitar would be. Congrats and thanks for always sharing the great pictures! I love looking at them.




38thBeatle: Thank you very much for the kind words. Glad you are liking the rug, I feel it livens up my home with some colour! :D

---
PRS Custom 24 - 59/09
PRS Custom 24 SE - Alnico NB/Coldsweat
Vintage V100 Lemon drop - HD

Twinfan

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Re: NGD PRS Siggy - Calling Mr Twinfan for advise
« Reply #9 on: December 05, 2014, 09:19:52 AM »
No problem matey, enjoy the tweaking.  If you're going for black pickup rings, go for the selector switch tip too!

The Collections are indeed something else, which is why I bought a second one.  #2, 'Stevie Ray', is now my main guitar - home, rehearsals, gigs, the lot.  You know it's a good one when after one song at rehearsal with it your bass player and singer stop what we're doing to ask what guitar I'm using as "it sounds awesome!".

As you're finding, 408s are really versatile and I can get anything I want out of them.  They can do Tele-ish, Strat-ish, P90-ish and LP-ish - what more does a man need????!

dvorak

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Re: NGD PRS Siggy - Calling Mr Twinfan for advise
« Reply #10 on: December 05, 2014, 10:06:26 AM »
No problem matey, enjoy the tweaking.  If you're going for black pickup rings, go for the selector switch tip too!

The Collections are indeed something else, which is why I bought a second one.  #2, 'Stevie Ray', is now my main guitar - home, rehearsals, gigs, the lot.  You know it's a good one when after one song at rehearsal with it your bass player and singer stop what we're doing to ask what guitar I'm using as "it sounds awesome!".

As you're finding, 408s are really versatile and I can get anything I want out of them.  They can do Tele-ish, Strat-ish, P90-ish and LP-ish - what more does a man need????!
I'm really enjoying the tweaking, this guitar is outstanding. This one has been an eye opener for me. I know it sounds silly but it really defines what a great guitar does for me that a good guitar doesn't. For me that's the harmonic overtones and the dynamics. Works very well with my playing style. I think that's the catch really, play them with a one channel amp, or approach it like that.

I do agree with all the things it can do except the strat tones, I think the Custom does that much better. What settings are you using for that in the 408? I've tried with full bridge humbucker and split neck like the Custom but I don't get the quack.

Someday I will get a PS, I bet they sing even more! Man I though that little story was great about the compliments from your band mates.  :afro:
---
PRS Custom 24 - 59/09
PRS Custom 24 SE - Alnico NB/Coldsweat
Vintage V100 Lemon drop - HD

Twinfan

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Re: NGD PRS Siggy - Calling Mr Twinfan for advise
« Reply #11 on: December 05, 2014, 10:13:04 AM »
For Strat-type tones I use the middle position, both pickups split, slightly rolled off tone control to about 7-8 and volume down a touch to about 8-9.  It's close enough to the Sultans of Swing vibe for me...

Telerocker

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Re: NGD PRS Siggy - Calling Mr Twinfan for advise
« Reply #12 on: December 05, 2014, 10:16:07 AM »
What a stunning twin! Jealous.....  :blank:
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Twinfan

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Re: NGD PRS Siggy - Calling Mr Twinfan for advise
« Reply #13 on: December 05, 2014, 10:28:24 AM »
Cheers - when I saw it for sale I couldn't resist.  They made less than 10 of this spec so they don't exactly come up for sale very often...

dvorak

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Re: NGD PRS Siggy - Calling Mr Twinfan for advise
« Reply #14 on: December 05, 2014, 11:00:15 AM »
For Strat-type tones I use the middle position, both pickups split, slightly rolled off tone control to about 7-8 and volume down a touch to about 8-9.  It's close enough to the Sultans of Swing vibe for me...
Thanks mate, I'll try those settings!

Interestingly I never have the tone on 10, and especially not on this guitar. I think 8 max is fine with my setups.

I really like the sounds with bridge bucker, neck split, middle position and volume and tone at 2-3 both. With a crunch channel it sounds like a LP. Very cool
---
PRS Custom 24 - 59/09
PRS Custom 24 SE - Alnico NB/Coldsweat
Vintage V100 Lemon drop - HD