Author Topic: Same ole' problems (Miracle Man) (Read 2596 times)

south_coast_melody · « **on:** April 28, 2007, 12:18:28 AM »

Hey guys. I've had the Miracle Man in my PRS Custom 24 for about a month and still have yet to resolve the tightness/brightness issue I'm expiriencing; When compared to the EMG 81 in my Ibanez RG320, the MM lacks tightness and brightness. I've been pretty apathetic about the whole situation, leaving my guitar in it's case for a few weeks, but I'm not considering taking it to a tech, so the problem can be fixed once and for all. I just figured that I'd give it one more shot by myself and hit the forums before I go off and spend money (if it's not necessary).

Anyways.

I have the pickup wired as Tim has suggested, but I'm not getting the same results as everyone else; lacks tightness and brightness. The pickup does sound full-bodied and articulate, but just doesn't have that punch that I get from the EMG 81. Some people think it's strictly a wiring issue, figuring that it might have to deal with the pickup being out of phase. Others think it could be some components in the guitar, or even the pickup itself (which I doubt). What do you guys think???

The more information you guys could give me, the better. Anyways, thanks for the future responses. They're greatly appreciated.

MDV · « **Reply #1 on:** April 28, 2007, 12:57:57 AM »

Well theres no way in hell its out of phase if it lacks brightness.

What are the woods of the two guitars? In my experience, after havint had a miralce man and an 81 in the same guitar, theyre similarly tight, and the 81 is brighter and more attacking. It may be that the differences in woods and construction are emphasising this difference: i.e. you have the 81 in a brighter, tighter guitar.

Give us as much information as you can about the guitars, please.

CJ · « **Reply #2 on:** April 28, 2007, 04:55:52 AM »

different pots?

south_coast_melody · « **Reply #3 on:** April 28, 2007, 05:55:47 AM »

The PRS has a maple top with a mahogany bottom and a glued-on mahogany/rosewood neck. The pots are 500K (I believe) and I'm using the traditional PRS rotary switch.

The Ibanez has a basswood body with a maple/rosewood bolt-on neck. The pots are the 25k pots that came with the EMG 81/85 set.

Both of those guitars run into a voodoo modified Bogner Uberschall and out into a Bogner Uberkab (GT75 and V30s in X-pattern). My rig is completely dry and I'm using monster sp1000 studio cables between the guitars and amp, as well as between the amp and cab.

I understand that the Mahagony from the PRS is going to give a much deeper tone, but I'm asuming the maple top and the natural brightness of the Miracle Man itself would make up for any loss of brightness and punch.

What do you guys think?

MentalTan · « **Reply #4 on:** April 28, 2007, 08:46:35 AM »

Well it sounds like you have a very warm, deep guitar. BKPs are known for bringing out the sound of your guitar, and EMGs are known for sounding similar in every guitar it's put in. So I think that the MM is just bringing out the warm, looser tone of your PRS, as opposed to the EMGs masking it. My advice would be to ask Tim if he can reccomend you a pickup that would sound bright & tight in a warm guitar, then exchange the MMs for what Tim reccomended you.

Peter Antal · « **Reply #5 on:** April 28, 2007, 10:15:23 AM »

If the MM sounds great in LP's, it should also sound great in your PRS. If it were a low-output PAF, I'd guess it's the guitar that caused the problems but
1. it's a very hot ceramic humbucker, it won't show the real subtleties of the guitar,
2. you can't blame the house, if the door doesn't fit ;) you have a very nice guitar, the MM might not be the right pickup for it.

500K pots should be OK, however, if there are 300K or even lower value pots in your guitar, that will seriously soften the attack and decrease punch. I'd make sure the pots are OK. Then I'd try playing with pickup heights and amp settings.

BloodMountain · « **Reply #6 on:** April 28, 2007, 10:15:57 AM »

Quote from: MentalTan

Well it sounds like you have a very warm, deep guitar. BKPs are known for bringing out the sound of your guitar, and EMGs are known for sounding similar in every guitar it's put in. So I think that the MM is just bringing out the warm, looser tone of your PRS, as opposed to the EMGs masking it. My advice would be to ask Tim if he can reccomend you a pickup that would sound bright & tight in a warm guitar, then exchange the MMs for what Tim reccomended you.

+1
Tim = God

Adam.M · « **Reply #7 on:** April 28, 2007, 09:46:30 PM »

Quote from: MentalTan

then exchange the MMs for what Tim reccomended you.

Can you do a straight exchange? :o

MentalTan · « **Reply #8 on:** April 29, 2007, 03:00:58 AM »

Pretty damn sure, BKP has a 100% satisfaction thing. Not really sure though, contact Tim.

CJ · « **Reply #9 on:** April 29, 2007, 04:39:08 AM »

Quote from: MentalTan

Pretty damn sure, BKP has a 100% satisfaction thing. Not really sure though, contact Tim.

really...? i may consider this too. i'm not very satisfied with my miracle man either.

MentalTan · « **Reply #10 on:** April 29, 2007, 06:42:29 AM »

I remember reading that they exchange pickups from an old post, I don't know if they still do it.

Peter Antal · « **Reply #11 on:** April 29, 2007, 08:03:13 AM »

Quote from: Adam.M

Can you do a straight exchange? :o

Yes, within 2 weeks.

Adam.M · « **Reply #12 on:** April 29, 2007, 06:18:56 PM »

Oh bugger i wish i'd known that :/ my nailbomb doesnt suit the guitar/style as well as i'd hoped...

rocks in basswood though.