OP
Von Herndon Double Neck:
- Thread starter Inspector #20
- Start date
Audio taper is the most commonly used. But, some like linear. For my Jackson mods I bought linear taper pots for tone, just to experiment.
With a linear taper you will notice less of a change early in the sweep.
OP
Good information..thanks...I ordered up a CTS short, split-shaft, splined 1mΩ audio taper port for my experiment...
OP
When performing, I often put a piece of duct tape over buttons or place strips across the back of the guitar to minimize damage that would breach the finish and expose the wood. I admit that I have a lot of swirl marks on the back of the body though and I frequently polish and wax the area during string changes...
OP
@smitty_p - @ivan H - Here's a rough soundclip of the VH/DN's lead tone to one of our demo backing tracks when I was trying to EQ the guitar for improved tone. You can hear how dark and 'mono' sounding the VH/DN is, to my ear anyways.
HOTEL - ON VON HERNDON DOUBLENECK - ROUGH SOUNDCHECK SOLO ONLY
Pickups are Thro-Back SLE-101's - #42AWG, AlNico II - 8.4kΩ / 7.2kΩ - Nickel Baseplates & Nickel Covers Unpotted. 500kΩ pots and a .022uf tone cap on the bridge, volume and tone full-up.
Compare this tone to the tone in this video beginning at 4:30 - It's much more airy and open:
Now, keep in mind the Epiphone website describes these pickups as Neck: Alnico Classic™ Humbucker, Open-Coil Bridge: Alnico Classic Plus™ Humbucker, Open-Coil. The Epiphone Classic Plus Bridge is listed as 13.3kΩ to 14.0kΩ and the Epiphone Classic neck is listed as 7.8kΩ to 8.1kΩ. the Epiphone tech specs show 500kΩ pots with .022uf cpacitors....and both are Alnico V.
Now, what everyone has told me (and this was stressed by Lindy Fralin) was the higher I go in DCR and Mv output, the thicker and darker the pickup will sound. I'm not quite sure what to make of this.
I have a Gibson 498T that specs out at 14.8kΩ, but I seem to have adequate gain with 8.4kΩ. Perhaps I need to shed the covers???
I can replace the Thro-Baks but I really feel that they are made superior to Gibson's current offerings and I am inclined to use them if at all possible.
I'm interested to hear your opinions and conclusions...
HOTEL - ON VON HERNDON DOUBLENECK - ROUGH SOUNDCHECK SOLO ONLY
Pickups are Thro-Back SLE-101's - #42AWG, AlNico II - 8.4kΩ / 7.2kΩ - Nickel Baseplates & Nickel Covers Unpotted. 500kΩ pots and a .022uf tone cap on the bridge, volume and tone full-up.
Compare this tone to the tone in this video beginning at 4:30 - It's much more airy and open:
Now, keep in mind the Epiphone website describes these pickups as Neck: Alnico Classic™ Humbucker, Open-Coil Bridge: Alnico Classic Plus™ Humbucker, Open-Coil. The Epiphone Classic Plus Bridge is listed as 13.3kΩ to 14.0kΩ and the Epiphone Classic neck is listed as 7.8kΩ to 8.1kΩ. the Epiphone tech specs show 500kΩ pots with .022uf cpacitors....and both are Alnico V.
Now, what everyone has told me (and this was stressed by Lindy Fralin) was the higher I go in DCR and Mv output, the thicker and darker the pickup will sound. I'm not quite sure what to make of this.
I have a Gibson 498T that specs out at 14.8kΩ, but I seem to have adequate gain with 8.4kΩ. Perhaps I need to shed the covers???
I can replace the Thro-Baks but I really feel that they are made superior to Gibson's current offerings and I am inclined to use them if at all possible.
I'm interested to hear your opinions and conclusions...
BlackSG91
Ambassador of Anarchy
That Epiphone double-neck looks like a real nice guitar and probably just as good as a Gibson double-neck. How much do you think they fetch for in $ Rockin' Robby?
;>)/
OP
About $900.00 to $1,200.00 USD
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OP
BlackSG91
Ambassador of Anarchy
^
Well that sure is a big price difference between the Epi & Gibby. I'd probably go for the Epiphone since these days they are very well built guitars at a fraction of the price. I own a 2006 Epiphone Les Paul Standard that is one top-notch instrument and very well made. I have a lot of confidence in the guitar since I've had it now for several years. It goes to show you that you don't have to shell out big dollars for a quality instrument.
;>)/
Well that sure is a big price difference between the Epi & Gibby. I'd probably go for the Epiphone since these days they are very well built guitars at a fraction of the price. I own a 2006 Epiphone Les Paul Standard that is one top-notch instrument and very well made. I have a lot of confidence in the guitar since I've had it now for several years. It goes to show you that you don't have to shell out big dollars for a quality instrument.
;>)/
OP
Here are the Epiphone pickup specs used in the G-1275:
Epiphone 57CH(Classic) (Alnico5) 7.8 - 8.13 KO
Epiphone HOTCH(Classic +) (Alnico5) 13.3 – 14 KO
NECK Pickup
"F" Stamp means pole spacing: 50mm (1-15/16")
-8.1k ohms
-Alnico-V magnet
-output 6.5 out of 10.0 max - Average 8.5k
Model numbers include but are not limited to:
G-400 Neck = Alnico Classic with Chrome cover
57CH (G) = Alnico Classic with Chrome cover
HB6N (OPEN) = Alnico Classic Uncovered Six Neck
BRIDGE Pickup
"R" Stamp means pole spacing: 52mm (2-1/16")
-13.3k ohms
-Alnico-V magnet
-output 10 out of 14.0 max - Average 13.5k
Model numbers include but are not limited to:
G-400 Bridge = Alnico Classic Plus with Chrome cover
HOTCH (G) = Alnico Classic Plus with Chrome cover
HOTHB8B (OPEN) = Alnico Classic Plus Uncovered Bridge
On the back of the pup will be sometimes be found a sticker that will say either "HOTCH(G) or 57CH(G)"
Epiphone 57CH(Classic) (Alnico5) 7.8 - 8.13 KO
Epiphone HOTCH(Classic +) (Alnico5) 13.3 – 14 KO
NECK Pickup
"F" Stamp means pole spacing: 50mm (1-15/16")
-8.1k ohms
-Alnico-V magnet
-output 6.5 out of 10.0 max - Average 8.5k
Model numbers include but are not limited to:
G-400 Neck = Alnico Classic with Chrome cover
57CH (G) = Alnico Classic with Chrome cover
HB6N (OPEN) = Alnico Classic Uncovered Six Neck
BRIDGE Pickup
"R" Stamp means pole spacing: 52mm (2-1/16")
-13.3k ohms
-Alnico-V magnet
-output 10 out of 14.0 max - Average 13.5k
Model numbers include but are not limited to:
G-400 Bridge = Alnico Classic Plus with Chrome cover
HOTCH (G) = Alnico Classic Plus with Chrome cover
HOTHB8B (OPEN) = Alnico Classic Plus Uncovered Bridge
On the back of the pup will be sometimes be found a sticker that will say either "HOTCH(G) or 57CH(G)"
OP
Ivan really nailed what I was trying to describe as my goal here...an "airy, 3D tone." After much EQ-ing, and even working with our producer on the tone, I've found that the darkness, the 'monaural' nature of the double neck, cannot be simply EQ'd away and needs surgery to correct.
Step #1 will be the switch to a 1MΩ Audio Taper Tone Control and 0.01uf Tone Capacitor.
Step #2 will be removing the covers from the Thro-Bak SLE-101's
Step #3 will be a pickup swap
Now, when I put this VH/DN together, I adopted a rather foolish "nothing but the best,' or "no expense spared" mindset. In some ways, that produced a really great product. As far as pickups are concerned, the $549.00/pair Thro-Bak's - of which I bought two pair - one pair for each neck - sound really good on the 12 string side, but are very monaural and one-dimensional on the six string side. And you must also keep in mind that to get a really great tone out of the 12 string, it requires a totally different EQ, to such a degree that I run a dedicated amp on the 12 string side, just for this purpose.
I have a couple of Gibson's in stock - an unknown model number 14.8kΩ and a likewise mysterious 8.7kΩ - but I am actually inclined to try a set of the Epiphone pickups, which are built by Artec, are plentiful and free. Beyond that, I may try a Duncan IM1 139kΩ AlNico II in the bridge and perhaps a '59 in the neck, or, I could duplicate the setup in my Gibson SG of a 57 Classic Plus in the bridge and a Burstbucker Pro in the neck.
Hmmmmm....
Step #1 will be the switch to a 1MΩ Audio Taper Tone Control and 0.01uf Tone Capacitor.
Step #2 will be removing the covers from the Thro-Bak SLE-101's
Step #3 will be a pickup swap
Now, when I put this VH/DN together, I adopted a rather foolish "nothing but the best,' or "no expense spared" mindset. In some ways, that produced a really great product. As far as pickups are concerned, the $549.00/pair Thro-Bak's - of which I bought two pair - one pair for each neck - sound really good on the 12 string side, but are very monaural and one-dimensional on the six string side. And you must also keep in mind that to get a really great tone out of the 12 string, it requires a totally different EQ, to such a degree that I run a dedicated amp on the 12 string side, just for this purpose.
I have a couple of Gibson's in stock - an unknown model number 14.8kΩ and a likewise mysterious 8.7kΩ - but I am actually inclined to try a set of the Epiphone pickups, which are built by Artec, are plentiful and free. Beyond that, I may try a Duncan IM1 139kΩ AlNico II in the bridge and perhaps a '59 in the neck, or, I could duplicate the setup in my Gibson SG of a 57 Classic Plus in the bridge and a Burstbucker Pro in the neck.
Hmmmmm....
OP
Tone...what a subjective science...and while many strive for that quintessential clean, vibrant, almost sparkling tonal quality, I strive for something nasal and almost chainsaw in nature. I all of Randy Rhoad's work, I liked his tone on 'Flying High Again' best of all.
I suppose my tone is not very refined, but I can hear it in my head....
I suppose my tone is not very refined, but I can hear it in my head....
I don’t think your approach was foolish. You had a dream, which developed into a plan, and you executed it.
No regrets necessary!
You didn’t know this project would come along when you built it.
So, you have to adjust a little...
Big deal! You’re learning and growing through the process.
Enjoy the drive!
No regrets necessary!
You didn’t know this project would come along when you built it.
So, you have to adjust a little...
Big deal! You’re learning and growing through the process.
Enjoy the drive!
OP
Its a little like madness....
I still fail to see the problem, here!!!
OP
Ha!!! MADNESS!!!!
OP
And so, it would seem, when one least expects it, good things come from a very unlikely source. I have been seriously thinking about uncovering the pickups on the six string side for a while now, and likely going with a hotter pickup in the bridge. But, I haven't found anything that I thought would be a "good fit" tonally speaking and work with the oddball 2..700" bridge post to adjustment screw spacing.
Tonight, one of our esteemed colleagues herein offered me a double black bobbin, hand wound humbucker of such an interesting configuration, that I became immediately intrigued. Double-Black Bobbins, Nickel-Silver Baseplate, Vintage Two-Conductor Wiring. This pickup is a Kevin Taylor hand wound 50mm replica of EVH's modified ES-335 PAF. It's wound to over 9kΩ, but retains AlNico II magnets.
Now, to find a neck pickup that will not only compliment this bridge pickup, but also the 1mΩ pot and 0.01uf K40Y tone capacitor...
More to come...
Tonight, one of our esteemed colleagues herein offered me a double black bobbin, hand wound humbucker of such an interesting configuration, that I became immediately intrigued. Double-Black Bobbins, Nickel-Silver Baseplate, Vintage Two-Conductor Wiring. This pickup is a Kevin Taylor hand wound 50mm replica of EVH's modified ES-335 PAF. It's wound to over 9kΩ, but retains AlNico II magnets.
Now, to find a neck pickup that will not only compliment this bridge pickup, but also the 1mΩ pot and 0.01uf K40Y tone capacitor...
More to come...
OP
Interesting tonal experiment. By employing my Boss GE-7, I was able to effectively EQ all of the darkness and muddiness out of the double neck, although the sliders looked like headstones in an old cemetery when the best tone was achieved...however, this experiment tells me the pickup is in no way defective, neither is it's placement - 1.200" closer to the nut than an SG or Les Paul - responsible for the dark, muddy tone.
Thoughts???
Thoughts???