The Biggest Problem with SG Basses solved- That Mudbucker is too damn muddy!!

[Ken R]

Back in the late 70's, Craig Anderton wrote a piece in Guitar Player magazine on how to wire a replacement tone pot to roll off low end instead of high end on an EB-3. I think it was the issue with Robbie Robertson on the cover, but I'm not 100% sure.

 

[Deleted member 271037]

I think it's worth pointing out that current SG basses have T-bird pickups which are completely different sounding compared to the sidewinder mudbuckers in old EB-basses. SG-basses and EB-basses may look similar but the tone is not even remotely the same. SG-basses are really more like a short scale T-bird with a different body shape IMO.

Also, the sidewinders in current Epiphone EBs may look the same as the classic sidewinders from vintage Gibson EBs (plus some other vintage basses) but these are also completely different spec. The wiring/tone circuit in Epis is also different.

In threads like these there always seem to be lots of people referring to very different sounding basses while they seem to think they are talking about the same thing. It's certainly confusing with these more or less identical looking basses that are in fact very different "under the hood" and have a COMPLETELY different tone.

 

[NKBassman]

I think it's worth pointing out that current SG basses have T-bird pickups which are completely different sounding compared to the sidewinder mudbuckers in old EB-basses. SG-basses and EB-basses may look similar but the tone is not even remotely the same. SG-basses are really more like a short scale T-bird with a different body shape IMO.

Also, the sidewinders in current Epiphone EBs may look the same as the classic sidewinders from vintage Gibson EBs (plus some other vintage basses) but these are also completely different spec. The wiring/tone circuit in Epis is also different.

In threads like these there always seem to be lots of people referring to very different sounding basses while they seem to think they are talking about the same thing. It's certainly confusing with these more or less identical looking basses that are in fact very different "under the hood" and have a COMPLETELY different tone.

The stock pickup was stated as being replaced in the first post.

 

[NKBassman]

I’d expect a high pass filter pedal like the Broughton would do the trick. Kill off some of those extra lows.

+1. Might help.

 

[Deleted member 271037]

The stock pickup was stated as being replaced in the first post.

I know, but in the rest of this thread you will find people referring to SG basses, Epi EB-basses and vintage sidewinder equipped basses, seemingly for comparisons sake. To me that's more or less like referring to Rickenbacker tone circuits in a thread about P-bass pickups.

 

[Doug4321]

I know, but in the rest of this thread you will find people referring to SG basses, Epi EB-basses and vintage sidewinder equipped basses, seemingly for comparisons sake. To me that's more or less like referring to Rickenbacker tone circuits in a thread about P-bass pickups.

Yes it’s not clear what pickup is on the bass now. The SGs are said to be less bassy/muddy than the old EB mudbuckers but still the OP is complaining about the same bass heavy occurrence. Anyways I qualified my suggestion to turn down the volume on the bass as I don’t really know if the current pickup is really hot.

 

[Giraffe]

I think the mahogany necks in the EB basses were a bad idea, and contribute mightily to the mud in the Mudbucker. With the possible exeption of the T-Bird, I can't think of a bass with a mahogany neck that I really wanted to play.

 

[gucdude]

I think the mahogany necks in the EB basses were a bad idea, and contribute mightily to the mud in the Mudbucker. With the possible exeption of the T-Bird, I can't think of a bass with a mahogany neck that I really wanted to play.

I dunno man, my epiphone looks like a maple neck, or some kind of other lighter wood. I know this just because I've made a repair at the scarf joint, and it still is muddy as all getout

 

[Gilmourisgod]

Nice color! I always wanted an SG style bass, but was put off by the mud buckers and neck dive on some models. How’s that one hang?

 

[mikewalker]

Should have a photo posted in its current state!

Beautacious!!

 

[two fingers]

Seems like the easier way around would he to put a dual coil in the sweet spot and be done with it. Then you can play an SG without it having to sound like.... an SG.

 

[gucdude]

Seems like the easier way around would he to put a dual coil in the sweet spot and be done with it. Then you can play an SG without it having to sound like.... an SG.

I coil split this one on my previous wiring harness but then it thinned out TOO much, and it lost all the midrange character of the mudbucker which I like a lot!

 

[gucdude]

Nice color! I always wanted an SG style bass, but was put off by the mud buckers and neck dive on some models. How’s that one hang?

So moved the strap button on the body a bit higher up and it helped slightly, but still dives. I've seen people go as far as to put weights in the electronics cavity, but adding weight is the last thing I wanna do. might just be something to have to live with. Maybe a high mass bridge would help, but I've seen people deliberate for so long about this issue to no end

 

[Andy Marshman]

I love the look of this bass in the seafoam green. I've owned an original Gibson EB-0, and EB4L and currently have a Gibby SG.
Someone correct me if I'm wrong - to me, the Epi discussed here (and I have one) is their EB-0 not an SG. To me, an SG has the mudbucker and a mini humbucker bridge pickup. No varitone like an EB-3 has either. I've seen them sold as Epi E-1 as well, still one mudbucker only.
Moving on.... I admire the efforts put in by gucdude to dial in the tone he wants. I agree that EQ is the way around this problem. I would try an EQ pedal - Boss, or perhaps better if necessary, rather than try to make the bass sound better. I say that because in the Epi, more than a Gibson, just about any Vol + Tone combination with caps isn't going to make this bass sound like you want it to. It's just reality.

 

[andruca]

I wired a series/single/parallel switch in my Epi EB-0 and I like the tines I got. Can't see much use for the parallel position but still a valuable (+easy&cheap) mod overall. My EB-0 is always on roundwounds, necessary for having more than just the mud.

 

[ctmullins]

So moved the strap button on the body a bit higher up and it helped slightly, but still dives. I've seen people go as far as to put weights in the electronics cavity, but adding weight is the last thing I wanna do. might just be something to have to live with. Maybe a high mass bridge would help, but I've seen people deliberate for so long about this issue to no end

That Hipshot bridge you have is already pretty heavy.

What you need are lighter tuners.

 

[Bassamatic]

What no mention of the DiMarzio DP120 Model One? That is the original un-mudbucker. MUCH more open and clear than the original.

ALSO - be sure to use proper short scale strings! Long scale strings cut to length will not be pulled to proper tension and will be MUD-DY.

 

[mcnach]

So moved the strap button on the body a bit higher up and it helped slightly, but still dives. I've seen people go as far as to put weights in the electronics cavity, but adding weight is the last thing I wanna do. might just be something to have to live with. Maybe a high mass bridge would help, but I've seen people deliberate for so long about this issue to no end

I put Hipshot Ultralite tuners on mine, the version with the mini clover type button which is even lighter. It completely cured the neck dive on mine using the existing strap buttons. Not cheap, but well worth it so that it balances right, for me.

 

[DavidEdenAria]

Welcome to the world of neck mounted mudbuckers..
I fought that battle for about 6 years ( In a Epiphone Newport no less).
Roundwound strings helped. An MXR 5 band EQ helped even more.
You know what really helped?
The day I bought a Pbass.
Great lookin SG though.....love the seafoam!

Semi parametric EQ is where its at with these basses.....plus i play with a pick and thumb so a variety of tones are achieved....i rarely play with fingers, pick or thumb.

 

[DavidEdenAria]

Had no idea that was their bass rig, always thought it was a P! Very cool

Yep....it aint Jack Bruce tone lol! Ive mentioned this several times and folks were not aware.