Soloist and articulation - general Soloist Q

[jammermatt1]

Hey guys, this is probably the place to ask my question. Anyway, here goes.

I have a Soloist SL-1, loaded with a JB in the bridge, the "stock" Classic Stack at the middle, and Hot Rails neck. I play through a Line 6 Flextone IIXL, usually with a Tube Screamer out front. I have two other axes, a Japanese Dinky w/Screamin Demon/Jazz, and an LP w/Distortion/Jazz.

The other night whilst practicing pulloffs I got to noticing that the Soloist sounds a bit "spongy" in the lower register - i.e. lack of articulation with the E, A and D strings. The other two axes don't seem to have this going on. So, I got to wondering if it's the axe, or the JB (as I have read that it can sometimes be loose in the bottom). I find it difficult to imagine that it is the axe, as I've never heard of this happening with a Soloist, and I was wondering if any of you have had this experience, and what you did about it. I'm guessing it's the JB, which I would probably swap out for a Distortion. The Hot Rails is an 80's vintage, and it's a tad spongy as well. Pots are all stock 250k's.

Or, is there a possibility that I have a misfit Soloist?

Thanks,

-Matt

[straycat]

Re: Soloist and articulation - general Soloist Q

The pots should be a 500k.
Go to rsguitarworks.net and order a pot kit you wont be disappointed.Tell them what you have and they will fix you up.Try one on your L.P. too.

[Newc]

Re: Soloist and articulation - general Soloist Q

If you've got an older Soloist with the JE1000 circuit board in it, that's a 50K pot, not 250K.
If it doesn't have the active board in it, then it should have a 500K Volume pot.

And the sponginess is probably from the JB. It's the same pickup as a Duncan Distortion but has a tad more bass due to having an Alnico rather than Ceramic magnet.

[Inazone]

Re: Soloist and articulation - general Soloist Q

It's the JB. I have a couple of Jacksons with the JB in the bridge, and the low end is never as tight as with other pickups. I consider the Full Shred to have all the good qualities of the JB, with better bass response. That's what I'm using in the bridge of my Soloist.

[jammermatt1]

Re: Soloist and articulation - general Soloist Q

I've got a Distortion sitting around, and I'll check into the 500k pot switch.

So, do you figure I should probably not worry too much that there's some bum wood in this?

Thanks guys.

[xenophobe]

Re: Soloist and articulation - general Soloist Q

No bad wood. It's the pickup. JBs are okay, but a Super Distortion or a EMG 85 or 81 will tighten up the low end quite a bit.

[noodlesatf]

Re: Soloist and articulation - general Soloist Q

I love the JB in most guitars, but the Soloist is one of them. It is just too thick and heavy compared to a RR or Kelly. I've got a Duncan Distortion in mine, and it absolutely smokes.

[toejam]

Re: Soloist and articulation - general Soloist Q

A JB should sound better in a guitar with a 250k pot than 500k pot. With 500k, it will be too bright in the treble and high mids. I'd go with either a Duncan Custom or DiMarzio Super Distortion.

[jammermatt1]

Re: Soloist and articulation - general Soloist Q

[ QUOTE ]
No bad wood. It's the pickup. JBs are okay, but a Super Distortion or a EMG 85 or 81 will tighten up the low end quite a bit.

[/ QUOTE ]

Would a set of EMGs require additional routing to install the battery?

-Matt

[Number Of The Priest]

Re: Soloist and articulation - general Soloist Q

No sir. The control cavity on the SL1 is HUGE and offers plenty of room to store even TWO 9V batteries if you decide you want to go with the two-battery (wired in series or in parallel depending on what you want) method.

[YetAnotherOne]

Re: Soloist and articulation - general Soloist Q

In addition to the JB if you're playing using the Hot Rails that'll be a culprit as well. I've got one in a solid flame maple body and it should be bright as heck but it's anything but. Really flabby and inarticulate on the bottom end, not tight sounding at all.

[noodlesatf]

Re: Soloist and articulation - general Soloist Q

Just to stir the pot, a JB Jr. sounds amazing in the neck of a S/S/H Soloist. Plenty of hot-rodded Les Paul neck pickup goodness.

[Markus]

Re: Soloist and articulation - general Soloist Q

What year is the guitar? Is the body poplar or alder?

-Mark

[jammermatt1]

Re: Soloist and articulation - general Soloist Q

[ QUOTE ]
Just to stir the pot, a JB Jr. sounds amazing in the neck of a S/S/H Soloist. Plenty of hot-rodded Les Paul neck pickup goodness.

[/ QUOTE ]

I like the sound of that, Noodles. The Jazz in my LP sounds fantastic, I want that plus a little more in my HSS soloist.


[ QUOTE ]
What year is the guitar? Is the body poplar or alder?

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm not exact on the year, but I purchased it new in 2002. I'm quite sure it's Alder.

[jammermatt1]

Re: Soloist and articulation - general Soloist Q

[ QUOTE ]
In addition to the JB if you're playing using the Hot Rails that'll be a culprit as well. I've got one in a solid flame maple body and it should be bright as heck but it's anything but. Really flabby and inarticulate on the bottom end, not tight sounding at all.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yup!