andy474x
Knows the Drill
A few friends being one of my trusty SE's, a new Dimarzio, and a tasty Founder's Breakfast Stout (if you've ever had one, you know).
This SE has seen a new set of locking Grovers, strap locks, a TUSQ nut, 2 push-pulls for coil taps, and, thanks to my girlfriend for my birthday, a Dimarzio Gravity Storm bridge pickup. Very nice pickup, tight on the bass, very similar output to the SE HFS, but a bit more detailed and a pronounced mid punch, perfect for 80's rock and modern lead stuff. While I was on good terms with the original SE HFS, the SE VB in the neck was never my flavor - a bit too low in output to match the bridge, and too "flutey" and hollow sounding to have much cut. It was the whole reason I started swapping pickups in the first place. I was planning on the Gravity Storm neck pickup to complete the set, but after some looking and listening, it had the same tonal vibe going. So I decided to go for the FRED instead, since it's supposed to have mid presence and definition, and better harmonics when gain is added. Plus, I wanted it to match the matte finish and hex screws of the Gravity Storm... vanity gets the best of us all.
Ended up being a perfect match, the pickups are nearly identical in output to my ear, and the tone of the FRED is fantastic. Has a very single coil flavor, but without the hum - nice snappy bass, and plenty of articulation thanks to those mids. I despise muddy neck pickups, so this one is a winner!
I think I enjoy working on my guitars just as much as I enjoy playing them (although some of my soldering jobs would make others cringe, but hey, everything works afterwards). I would love to get to the point where I could make a little cash on the side fixing guitars, but I need a lot more experience. Working on my own guitars has gotten me in some trouble before, as they often are my canvas for experimentation and practice, but hey, if you want to learn, gotta start somewhere. I think my next project will be a refret on a strat, but that's a story for a different day. Hopefully it won't be a tale of disaster!
Who else is addicted to working on their axes? Are you confident enough to take on new jobs and learn new skills on your beloved guitars?
This SE has seen a new set of locking Grovers, strap locks, a TUSQ nut, 2 push-pulls for coil taps, and, thanks to my girlfriend for my birthday, a Dimarzio Gravity Storm bridge pickup. Very nice pickup, tight on the bass, very similar output to the SE HFS, but a bit more detailed and a pronounced mid punch, perfect for 80's rock and modern lead stuff. While I was on good terms with the original SE HFS, the SE VB in the neck was never my flavor - a bit too low in output to match the bridge, and too "flutey" and hollow sounding to have much cut. It was the whole reason I started swapping pickups in the first place. I was planning on the Gravity Storm neck pickup to complete the set, but after some looking and listening, it had the same tonal vibe going. So I decided to go for the FRED instead, since it's supposed to have mid presence and definition, and better harmonics when gain is added. Plus, I wanted it to match the matte finish and hex screws of the Gravity Storm... vanity gets the best of us all.
Ended up being a perfect match, the pickups are nearly identical in output to my ear, and the tone of the FRED is fantastic. Has a very single coil flavor, but without the hum - nice snappy bass, and plenty of articulation thanks to those mids. I despise muddy neck pickups, so this one is a winner!
I think I enjoy working on my guitars just as much as I enjoy playing them (although some of my soldering jobs would make others cringe, but hey, everything works afterwards). I would love to get to the point where I could make a little cash on the side fixing guitars, but I need a lot more experience. Working on my own guitars has gotten me in some trouble before, as they often are my canvas for experimentation and practice, but hey, if you want to learn, gotta start somewhere. I think my next project will be a refret on a strat, but that's a story for a different day. Hopefully it won't be a tale of disaster!
Who else is addicted to working on their axes? Are you confident enough to take on new jobs and learn new skills on your beloved guitars?
