I'm not sure exactly what you're saying. But you agree that the tone sounds terrible, right?
I'm not tech savvy at all. These are the 2 capacitors I'm assuming:
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How Can I Upgrade My Ibanez?
- Thread starter MycooLeeyun
- Start date
I'm not tech savvy at all. These are the 2 capacitors I'm assuming:
I just went by your description. The fact that the "J" is almost silent is also bothersome. I've attached the install PDF and FAQS for reference. I'm hoping somebody more experienced will chime in. You should be able to trace a red 9v conductor "feeding" each of the pickups. Do all the controls work as they should?
https://www.audereaudio.com/assets/classic_install.pdf
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Yes, all of the controls seem to be working. The volume and blend work fine. Then the bass/treble and high mid/low mid all work fine.
I'm going to have to revert back to the original pickups because my band is recording in 2 weeks and I was hoping this was going to be a nice upgrade.
It's possible that I just hate the tone of these EMGs...
This is why I hate to change two variables (pickups & pre) at one time...sometimes hard to discern which is the culprit.
Riis
Let's put it like this and with the emphasis on the Audere: I don't recall hearing any issues where there was such a severe degradation of tone upon installation. May not be everyone's cup-of-tea as it is a very transparent pre and allows (...or should) the pickups' natural tone to shine-thru.
Riis
I'm sorry to hear that. Changing strings can't hurt but I think @Zooberwerx has the right idea too, make sure that everything is installed correctly before you completely despair.
I wish I knew anything at all about preamp wiring, but I don't, so that's deal I've got for advice.
As far as the height adjustment goes, your tech probably should have done a fill & drill - This is pretty easy and you can do it yourself. Find a wooden skewer the right width to fit snugly in the screw hole for the pickup, usually a tooth pick or shish kebab skewer for a small hole like that (you can also drill that hole out wider if it doesn't quite go in, just be sure to measure how deep the hole goes and mark that spot off on your drill bit with some take so you don't go too far). Smear some wood glue on the skewer, push into the hole, then trim or small snap off the excess. Once it dries you can file or sand down the rough ends and carefully drill new holes that properly line up with the pickup. I am sorry to say that if your tech didn't do this, he was cutting a corner and if he did it here it's but hard to imagine that he also did so with the electronics.
I actually don't know why I would've chosen the Audere if it's known as a very transparent preamp. I like some color. My band gets pretty heavy at times but we're very dynamic.
That’s actually the design intent: let the character of the pickups strut their stuff without over-colorization via the onboard preamp.
Riis
The winning combo for me on this Ibanez form-factor was DiMarzio Model P/J + Audere 3-band classic preamp. DR Stainless Lo-Riders (or Nickel works too) in .45-.105 gauge.
Fingerstyle, pick, pop/slap...all sounded fantastic. FWIW, I'm also a GK RB guy too. The AFR are nice pickups, but if you don't want to experiment with strings too much and pickup height adjustment doesn't help...might want to try out replacing the preamp first. If it's still not doing it for you, try a pickup swap.
**PLEASE NOTE**
Mine had pickup routs that were undersized from your normal P and J-sized pickups, so I had to bust out the dremel to make them fit. Just a word of warning before buying a pair of pickups.
Fingerstyle, pick, pop/slap...all sounded fantastic. FWIW, I'm also a GK RB guy too. The AFR are nice pickups, but if you don't want to experiment with strings too much and pickup height adjustment doesn't help...might want to try out replacing the preamp first. If it's still not doing it for you, try a pickup swap.
**PLEASE NOTE**
Mine had pickup routs that were undersized from your normal P and J-sized pickups, so I had to bust out the dremel to make them fit. Just a word of warning before buying a pair of pickups.
This is super helpful!
I switched out the preamp and the pickups all in one swoop.
I went with EMG PJAs and an Audere Classic 4B
The luthier had to increase the pickup route size to fit the EMGs, but he didn't do something right cause I can't raise/lower pickup heights cause the screw holes are off or something.
Now I'm at the point where I know for sure I'm taking out the EMG's, but I don't know if I'm going to replace it with different pickups or just revert to the originals.
My band is recording in 2 weeks so I'm trying to make quick decisions and reverting to the originals seems to be the best option for now until I have more time to breathe and experiment.
I was using an all-tube amp (Traynor YBA200) and the bass had lower output levels than I wanted at that time (this was probably 5 or 6 years ago). My original intention was to go full-passive with the bass. After a while, I wanted some more tone shaping (and the option to lower volume without tone loss), so I went with the Audere. Very good preamp, I do not regret the decision at all. Also, those DiMarzios are freakin beastly pickups....I get nothing but compliments from bandmates when using that bass.
Strings are not that old. Maybe 2 months and I don't play that much.
I can record another demo later today as you mentioned.
UPDATE:
I'm returning the EMGs, they're not terrible but I don't love them.
I ordered a set of Bartolini's to try out.
However, my band is recording on March 10 so I need to decide if I'm going to put in the Barts and risk it, OR revert to original Ibanez AFR pickups and stick to what I know for the recording.
I'm returning the EMGs, they're not terrible but I don't love them.
I ordered a set of Bartolini's to try out.
However, my band is recording on March 10 so I need to decide if I'm going to put in the Barts and risk it, OR revert to original Ibanez AFR pickups and stick to what I know for the recording.
I still think the one you posted sounded fine. Did you try the EMGs in the band too or just at home?
I played with the band through my Shuttlemax 9.2 amp and it didn't sound great, especially recorded.
But then we played last night at my place just going DI and it sat in the mix quite well. However, I still don't like its tone when solo'd, but I have to say in the mix it's pretty good.
I still don't think I'm sold on them though. Changing strings today and will make final call.
