Dimarzio Model One - Epiphone Rivoli

[ButlerBob]

Hey

I've recently put a Dimarzio Model One in to my Epiphone Rivoli (90s one) - i'm having to really crank the gain on my amp compared to my Jack Casady Bass and my P Bass. Anyone used this pickup and noticed it has a low output??

Is it possible something in the circuit is causing a low output - pot value etc??

Appreciate any help

Thanks

Rob

[MPU]

How close to strings are the pole pieces? Try raising them if they are more than 3mm from strings.

[ButlerBob]

Cheers for that - just tried it.

They're quite a bit further away than 3mm when at a normal looking position.

Closer to a cm i'd guess. The Dimarzio sits pretty low in the body - it could do with something raising it...

If you see this link - 6th photo down (not my guitar, but same) you can see a side shot of string distance - http://www.m221b.com/EpiRivoli/RivoliHI.html

I raised the poles right up to 3mm away - it looked mental! But also - only really boosted the output a small amount.

It's not a massive deal - it just seems weird that i'm turning the gain on my amp a whole quarter of the dial more than my other basses.

[Meddle]

Originally Posted by MPU

How close to strings are the pole pieces? Try raising them if they are more than 3mm from strings.

3mm seems mighty close.

[ctmullins]

Did you wire it series or parallel? Series will have more output, but a darker tone.

[ButlerBob]

I wired it in series. So if that's the higher output option i wonder if there's anything else in the circuit that makes it so low. Pot values? The transformer that is to do with the baritone button?? Anyone any ideas??

I have a Zvex Super Hard On that i was thinking of using for a signal boost before my amp...

[ctmullins]

You might try opening it up, putting alligator clips directly on the pickup leads, and clipping the other ends to an instrument cable. Effectively, bypassing the pots (and anything else in your circuit).

See if that makes a difference.

[ButlerBob]

Nice one Ctmullins - i'll give that a go.

[Bearded Wizard]

The Model One is a pretty beefy pickup, not as beefy as a vintage mudbucker, but it should have some pretty hefty output. Should outdo a P Bass pretty easily. I'd think there's something funky going on.

[ButlerBob]

So i wired a jack socket directly to the pick up as a test - therefore bypassing all the other components in the circuit - and the output level was exactly the same.

Any Model One users out there?? Do you find it to be a lower level pick up than other basses??

Cheers

[GlennW]

I'm unfamiliar with these pickups, but if they're made like the Gibson mudbucker they have two magnets on the outside of the coils, both pointed at the middle. If that's the case, I'd GUESS one or both magnets are facing the wrong direction. With the Gibsons, both magnets have SAME polarity towards the middle. That's both have north facing the middle, or both have south facing the middle. Since the magnets are 4-sided, it's also possible that one (or both) is sideways. Incorrect magnet positioning WILL generate a weak output from the pickup.

If it was mine, I'd find out how the magnets are supposed to be, check, and make the necessary adjustment/s.

[rrbasic]

I've got that pickup in the same bass, an Epiphone Rivoli, and I've never thought of it as having low output. I've also got a 51P reissue and I think the epiphone is hotter.

[Stealth]

Originally Posted by GlennW

I'm unfamiliar with these pickups, but if they're made like the Gibson mudbucker they have two magnets on the outside of the coils, both pointed at the middle. If that's the case, I'd GUESS one or both magnets are facing the wrong direction. With the Gibsons, both magnets have SAME polarity towards the middle. That's both have north facing the middle, or both have south facing the middle. Since the magnets are 4-sided, it's also possible that one (or both) is sideways. Incorrect magnet positioning WILL generate a weak output from the pickup

They're built like a regular humbucker, not like a sidewinder.

[Atomic Al]

I have this pick up in the neck position of my Yamaha Attitude, it should have plenty of output.
I'II post the wiring diagram from the LTD2 manual, I'm sure you won't be wiring it the same since there is a high cut switch in this diagram but it should at least let you know if you've used the proper value for the pots.


Hope this helps, cheers.

[T-Bird]

Hi.

Originally Posted by ButlerBob

Any Model One users out there?? Do you find it to be a lower level pick up than other basses??
Cheers

I have one in my Epi T-Bird, and it's definitely not a weak PU.

When You wired it in series, in or out of phase?

Regards
Sam

[rumblethump]

I ran one for years with a series / parallel switch. The pickup should measure around 12 to 13K ohms on a meter. It sounds like one side shorted out. Its a 4 wire pickup so I would start checking there?

[mellowgerman]

I'm willing to bet there's something wrong with your pickup. I've had several model one pickups (my favorite pickup of all time). They are loud. Much louder than a normal p-bass pickup.

[SGD Lutherie]

Originally Posted by ButlerBob

If you see this link - 6th photo down (not my guitar, but same) you can see a side shot of string distance - http://www.m221b.com/EpiRivoli/RivoliHI.html

That pickup is way to far away from the strings. Raising the poles only helps a little because the coils are still the same distance, and raising the poles moves them father from the magnets.

I would make a spacer the same size as the pickup to raise it closer to the strings.