Alder Soloist Tone Question

[xenophobe]

The JB is thin and nasaly compared to more even output pickups. I personally think it sucks if you want growl or bottom end. The JB is a great hair metal pickup, but for drop tuning and more aggressive music, it can't really handle it.

Personally, I'd say drop in a Super Distortion or EMG. I don't particularly like the super high gain modern pickups that are out there now.

[Viper_Roxx]

What model of SG is it? Standards come with the 490R/498T unless they are a special run. Historic versions come with 57 Classics.

Just wondering because a 498T is a hot bridge compared to a 57.

Damn, you're completely right. It's definitely the 498. It's the standard model.

[DonP]

498T is closest in spec to a Custom 5 (about 13.5K, Alnico 5 magnet). But you would need to adjust for the Gibson's shorter scale and wood. Also the floyd in an SL2H makes it brighter. Do you have a Floyd upgrade?

[Viper_Roxx]

A Floyd upgrade? If we're on the same page regarding this I have a 32mm brass block to install, a brass spring claw, and heavy springs. Is that what you're talking about?

[murkat]

It could be that this particular Soloist just isn't a very good one. I have three USA Soloists from the mid to late '80s, and all three sound completely different from each other, regardless of pickups.

say it isn't so! not a dud soloist! never...... :dead:

[CowboyFromHell]

Just a thought, but I have heard of wiring being the cause of such issues, even if everything "looks" fine. If nothing else be sure to check all your grounds, maybe even to the point of putting the iron to the connections to remelt the solder.

[j2379]

A big difference in the tone is from scale. My Jackson's are brighter and tighter sounding than my all maple short scale guitars. Finish also is a big factor in tone and how lively a guitar sounds. Not sure about the newer Jackson's but the older C/J's used a ton of white primer shit under the paint.

[84sups]

I just had a wiring issue on my KV3. The ground was cold soldered. I was tearing it apart to change pickups and moved the wires and it just came of. I just resoldered and all good. Definitely worth checking

[Chad]

A big difference in the tone is from scale. My Jackson's are brighter and tighter sounding than my all maple short scale guitars. Finish also is a big factor in tone and how lively a guitar sounds. Not sure about the newer Jackson's but the older C/J's used a ton of white primer shit under the paint.

Scale length has no direct effect on tone. Feel, yes. Tone, no.

[DonP]

I'm not so sure. If you take it to extremes, baritones sound different. We are only talking 3/4", so the effect is small.

[j2379]

You my friend are wrong. Having owned almost identical guitars with only difference being scale there is a HUGE difference in tone between 25.5 and 24.75 scale guitars. And the difference in feel is only really noticeable past the 17 th fret. As for string tension feel I use 11s on short scales and 10s on long scale so the string tension is pretty close. Btw my short scale guitars are BCRichs that are actually 24 5/8 not 24 3/4.

Scale length has no direct effect on tone. Feel, yes. Tone, no.

[xenophobe]

And the difference in feel is only really noticeable past the 17 th fret.

Being used to long scale necks, I'd have to disagree with this one. Anywhere after the 5th is noticeable to me.

[Chad]

You my friend are wrong. Having owned almost identical guitars with only difference being scale there is a HUGE difference in tone between 25.5 and 24.75 scale guitars. And the difference in feel is only really noticeable past the 17 th fret. As for string tension feel I use 11s on short scales and 10s on long scale so the string tension is pretty close. Btw my short scale guitars are BCRichs that are actually 24 5/8 not 24 3/4.

Here is an easy test you can do on any guitar: play the guitar like normal. Then tune the guitar down a half step and place a capo at fret 1. That effectively changes the scale length of the instrument. Does it sound drastically different? No. Any differences would be due to the sound of the open strings ringing off of the nut vs the first fret. To eliminate that variable you can start with a capo on fret 1, then tune down a half step and move the capo to fret 2.

That capo method is probably the best test, but even it is mostly pointless because the scale length of a string is constantly changing as a person frets different notes up and down the neck. Scale length DOES NOT directly and solely affect tone. It does indeed affect feel because it is a component of tension (along with pitch and string mass).

I don't doubt you hear differences among your guitars, but it isn't due to their scale length. Likely string gauge, string mass, tuning, the guitar's inherent tone from body wood and forth, or any number of other factors.

[Hellbat]

What about shorter scale with lemon oil?

[Chad]

What about shorter scale with lemon oil?

On the short scales, Fret Doctor gives the best tone. On the longer scales, I prefer clarinet bore oil.




Yes, this post is a joke.