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Stoner/Doom Bassists Thread, Part 90: Maxed Out

#53,401
Random guitar question - what’s the easiest way to permanently alter the max volume of a guitar? I bought an old Ibanez 7 string 7 or 8 months ago, and it has Seymour Duncan Black Winter pickups. They’re waaaay too hot and make everything too overblown sounding, but I like the EQ curve overall and when I turn the guitar down a quarter of a turn, they’re much more usable. Can I put a resistor on the pot? Get a new pot with a different value? I realize I can just use the volume knob, but I find that I never want full volume with this guitar, so I’d like to make this my “full volume” if possible. Thanks.
 
#53,402
volume pot is a voltage divider so measure the ratio from the center lug to the pickup and the center lug to ground. you want to create that same ratio between 1. the pickup and the volume pot outer lug and 2. the volume pot value
that should get you close enough. increased resistance to ground should load the pickup less making it brighter but the series resistor should cut highs so hopefully they even out. need not be exact with the resistor value. choose the closest standard value

even easier would be to adjust the volume down further down the chain
or get pickups that aren't so hot
 
#53,403
thetragichero said:
volume pot is a voltage divider so measure the ratio from the center lug to the pickup and the center lug to ground. you want to create that same ratio between 1. the pickup and the volume pot outer lug and 2. the volume pot value
that should get you close enough. increased resistance to ground should load the pickup less making it brighter but the series resistor should cut highs so hopefully they even out. need not be exact with the resistor value. choose the closest standard value

even easier would be to adjust the volume down further down the chain
or get pickups that aren't so hot
Click to expand...
It’s cost prohibitive to get new pickups. Figured a few caps or something would be far simpler, and I always run into trouble doing pickup swaps. Also, I like the general tone, just want less. I bought this because I wanted to try these pickups anyway, and found the guitar for only $50 more than buying the pickups themselves. I spent about an hour jamming earlier, and think I’ve found the “right” volume and tone controls for my needs.

Lastly, I don’t really understand the process you describe. I can do basic soldering, but don’t know the terminology. Do you mean the DC resistance of the pickup? I can find that info.

And thanks!
 
#53,406
kleinenenten said:
It’s cost prohibitive to get new pickups. Figured a few caps or something would be far simpler, and I always run into trouble doing pickup swaps. Also, I like the general tone, just want less. I bought this because I wanted to try these pickups anyway, and found the guitar for only $50 more than buying the pickups themselves. I spent about an hour jamming earlier, and think I’ve found the “right” volume and tone controls for my needs.

Lastly, I don’t really understand the process you describe. I can do basic soldering, but don’t know the terminology. Do you mean the DC resistance of the pickup? I can find that info.

And thanks!
Click to expand...

It may change the timbre just a tad, but maybe lowering em a little will take the volume down enough to work.
 
#53,408
kleinenenten said:
Yeah, tired that. No adjustment ability. Screwed to the guitar itself. May just keep the volume down for now. Really liking them not so hot!
Click to expand...

Bummer! Do the pickups have exposed slugs for poles? Never tried it, but I know it's possible to move them up and down. That's how staggered strat pickups came about or so I've read.

Can't remember what kind of pickups you said they were.
 
#53,417
Not sure if it's been brought up, but it seems like the Mesa TT800 is one hell of an amp. I really dig the idea and I've always wanted to try a mesa 400 but never saw one in the wild. I wonder if it's going to be a hit with the heavies.

I mean they can't keep up demand with it right now during the pandemic, couldn't imagine how much it'd blow up in normal times.

On a side note I really dig how they've been focusing so much on creating output power amp tube emulation capabilities. I've really wanted to try one of the newer subways for when I don't wanna haul the big stuff.
 
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#53,418
Novarocker said:
Not sure if it's been brought up, but it seems like the Mesa TT800 is one hell of an amp. I really dig the idea and I've always wanted to try a mesa 400 but never saw one in the wild. I wonder if it's going to be a hit with the heavies.

I mean they can't keep up demand with it right now during the pandemic, couldn't imagine how much it'd blow up in normal times.

On a side note I really dig how they've been focusing so much on creating output power amp tube emulation capabilities. I've really wanted to try one of the newer subways for when I don't wanna haul the big stuff.
Click to expand...
It's really hard to judge demand now vs. "normal". It seems like spending on a lot of accessible activities is actually up. May be a case of less competition for disposable income and fewer spending options - not vs other amps, but everything. Vacations, eating out, entertainment ... Still seems a really sweet amp and I'm happy Mesa's doing well.

And a 400 story:
20 some years ago, a buddy of mine bought one in need of a re-tube cheap of off a regional touring guy. He and I and a couple other players regularly traded gear to try. I had his 400 for a while and sure enjoyed it. A couple years later, he took a teaching job overseas. When his semester was over, he decided to stay on. Meanwhile, his dad decides to move, and asks what to do with the bass gear stored at the house. Buddy says sell it at the local shop and send me the cash. And none of the local players new about it until it was all done. I was a broke student, but I could have gotten it for what my buddy had in it, which was more than the shop gave him for it. Still miss that dude.
 
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#53,419
Completed my rack and did some home recording this weekend. This rig really rattles the walls. I'm really happy with it.
 

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