New Silver Sky owner , pickup questions

jmartin32

New Member
Joined
Nov 21, 2019
Messages
4
Hey guys! Just bought a silver sky the other day!
Really like it but I feel it doesn’t have enough of that Strat unpredictable flux when you dig in. Almost like it’s too perfect.
I was wondering if anyone had changed the neck pickup ?
It so did it change the sound of the guitar a lot?
Or is it that the guitar is just designed in a way the doesn’t allow the typical strat ( not as perfect )sound?
Really love the clarity ( hearing every note) but maybe want it a bit in between both?

I hope I’m making sense!
 
Fat 50's are my go to Strat pickup. I don't have personal experience with the S.S. however so take that fwiw.
 
Give it some time and play with the controls some, it is not a strat , the neck pickup is clearer ( brighter ) and the bridge is bigger and fuller sounding. ( and the middle pickup rules )
If you want more edge just dial it into your amp then use the killer volume control.
Also pickup height changes things a bunch along with floating the bridge.
I am running mine a bit lower than the factory setup
 
Give it some time and play with the controls some, it is not a strat , the neck pickup is clearer ( brighter ) and the bridge is bigger and fuller sounding. ( and the middle pickup rules )
If you want more edge just dial it into your amp then use the killer volume control.
Also pickup height changes things a bunch along with floating the bridge.
I am running mine a bit lower than the factory setup


Thank you! I’ll try all those adjustments!
 
Unpredictable flux?
Lol sorry for the terrible explanation.
I guess I meant , even when using the same strings that are on my 50s roadworn strat , the tension feels like I’m playing 11s instead of 10s when playing the silver sky.
I did tune it down a whole step and they feel a lot more alike. The strings have a bit more bounce to them now.
Haven’t tried removing a spring and floating the trem yet though.
 
As far as tension, did you buy new or used? If someone else had it before you they might have over-tightened the claw.
 
You just never know what people might have done - maybe they tried to setup a floating trem and then changed back, messed the springs, used heavier strings, etc. If it's relatively new to you, I would go ahead and change the strings and do a fresh setup. If you know how, go for it. If not, might be worth having a quality store do it for you, and before you do mention what issues you're having and see if they can adjust to your liking. Who knows, maybe your prior owner lowered or raised the neck pickup and it needs adjusting. Explaining what you like and don't like to the tech may yield positive results, or at least give you feedback someone who can confirm the limitations. Good luck!
 
Unpredictable flux?

For Unpredictable Flux, you need to check your capacitor on the guitar and make sure it's a flux capacitor, which was invented on Nov 5, 1955. :)

But in seriousness, I wonder if it's the lack of ice picking from the staggered pole pieces with Fender pickups vs the more uniform slope of the pole piece height on JM PRS pickups.
 
I've had issues with unpredictable flux in the past. It boils, it spits, it run all over over the place. Just like like my kids tends to do.

First, you have have to dig in and spank it to figure out what that flux is up to. Then, use the control knobs to dial it in. If that doesn't work, a bit of attitude adjustment (EQ or compression) will gain back your your control. Do the the reverse if you want more of an unpredictable situation.

Of course, adjust your pickups, the controls, and your amp. Its a balancing act......but its worth it!
 
Lol sorry for the terrible explanation.
I guess I meant , even when using the same strings that are on my 50s roadworn strat , the tension feels like I’m playing 11s instead of 10s when playing the silver sky.
I did tune it down a whole step and they feel a lot more alike. The strings have a bit more bounce to them now.
Haven’t tried removing a spring and floating the trem yet though.

The bridge on the silver sky is supposed to be tightened against the body. if your 50s roadworn strat has a floating trem, that would definitely make the difference between feeling like the SS strings have more tension. The floating trem will have a lot more give to it.
 
I run 9.5 -42 on my Silver Skys so they feel like the 10s on my other PRS , also set my trems to float :)
 
First thing I did on mine was loosen the bridge springs to have the tremolo base plate parallel to the body, and lower the action to about 4/64-5/64”. That made the guitar comfortable and with a noticeably looser string tension.
Prior to that I would have returned it,YMMV.
 
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