shimmilou
Established in 1963
- Joined
- Mar 15, 2018
- Messages
- 2,662
Ordered this new SE Custom 24, based solely on looks and description, hoping for a great feel, and great, unique sound. I hate to say that I was partly disappointed. Although I loved the look, and the guitar functioned perfectly, the fret ends were rough and I really didn't like the sounds of the pups (85/15 "S"). It wasn't fret sprout, the fret ends were just rough, which seems very odd since the crowns looked and felt smooth, they were rounded, very nice and shiny. I debated sending it back, but decided to "fix it up" myself because of the very unique and beautiful look of this particular guitar.
First, sanded the fret ends, didn't take long, and now they are much smoother and more comfortable to play (may work on them some more next string change). Next, tried adjusting the pups every-which-way, and could only get the bridge to sound nearly decent, but overall it was just too "woolly", lacking clarity or character in all switching positions, the split coils sounding just OK.
Wanting this guitar to sound unique, unlike any of my others, and the pups to be lower output, something great for blues and classic rock, I started researching different pup options. After checking info on many sets, the 59/09 set seemed to be very close to what I wanted, but eventually decided to try the JB/Jazz set first (much cheaper experiment). Turns out that was a great choice, very versatile and can produce a wide variety of sweet sounds.
The JB in the bridge is hot, very tight and crunchy, great articulation and note definition, bright and much higher output than the Jazz. The JB is great for classic rock sounds, and even metal, and shines particularly well with medium gain, bluesy rock sounds. The Jazz in the neck is warm and rich, and also bright and articulate, retaining great clarity when using more gain, and it has a wonderful PAF tone, chirpy and smooth. The middle switch position, really brings both pups together nicely, very P90-ish.
So, after dialing in the pup and pole heights, I have just what I wanted, a terrific variety of killer sounds, and not too much like any of my other guitars. Great clean sounds and great gain sounds. This guitar sounds dreamy on a Deluxe Reverb, mean and nasty on a Bugera, commanding on a Mesa, just wonderful on every amp that I've tried. I can find a seemingly endless variety of sounds, using all 6 switching positions, and the volume and tone controls, on many different amps.
OK, enough babbling, some pics of the guitar now, then will post a few before/after pics later (as well as discussing adding the pup covers).
Matteo Blue, Burled Ash veneer (head-stock too), Ebony fret-board, Maple neck, natural Mahogany back.
First, sanded the fret ends, didn't take long, and now they are much smoother and more comfortable to play (may work on them some more next string change). Next, tried adjusting the pups every-which-way, and could only get the bridge to sound nearly decent, but overall it was just too "woolly", lacking clarity or character in all switching positions, the split coils sounding just OK.
Wanting this guitar to sound unique, unlike any of my others, and the pups to be lower output, something great for blues and classic rock, I started researching different pup options. After checking info on many sets, the 59/09 set seemed to be very close to what I wanted, but eventually decided to try the JB/Jazz set first (much cheaper experiment). Turns out that was a great choice, very versatile and can produce a wide variety of sweet sounds.
The JB in the bridge is hot, very tight and crunchy, great articulation and note definition, bright and much higher output than the Jazz. The JB is great for classic rock sounds, and even metal, and shines particularly well with medium gain, bluesy rock sounds. The Jazz in the neck is warm and rich, and also bright and articulate, retaining great clarity when using more gain, and it has a wonderful PAF tone, chirpy and smooth. The middle switch position, really brings both pups together nicely, very P90-ish.
So, after dialing in the pup and pole heights, I have just what I wanted, a terrific variety of killer sounds, and not too much like any of my other guitars. Great clean sounds and great gain sounds. This guitar sounds dreamy on a Deluxe Reverb, mean and nasty on a Bugera, commanding on a Mesa, just wonderful on every amp that I've tried. I can find a seemingly endless variety of sounds, using all 6 switching positions, and the volume and tone controls, on many different amps.
OK, enough babbling, some pics of the guitar now, then will post a few before/after pics later (as well as discussing adding the pup covers).
Matteo Blue, Burled Ash veneer (head-stock too), Ebony fret-board, Maple neck, natural Mahogany back.
