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Post by thetragichero on Jul 22, 2010 23:24:44 GMT -5
i have a 65 guild hollowbody with a single coil that HOWLS like a banshee whenever i get within ten feet of my half stack obviously the pickup is extremely microphonic, but would potting/rewinding (and potting) help this? it also can sound a bit dull.... how much effect would winding have on the tone? my last question is a bit unrelated but... how would i go about getting in to change the electronics (pots/jacks/etc) on something like this (that one looks like it's in much better shape than mine): xoxo --chris
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Post by ashcatlt on Jul 23, 2010 0:07:31 GMT -5
I can't say that I've ever heard microphonic pickup feedback that I would describe as a howl. Screech, squeal, whine, scream maybe, but not a howl. Of course, these are all very imprecise terms and maybe you mean the same kind of very high-pitch noise that I'm talking about. "Howl" sounds lower to me. Not saying that a poorly potted pickup couldn't do that, but I've never heard it. Makes me wonder if maybe it's not the top of the guitar itself vibrating, and taking the pickup along with it. Can't say as I've ever seen this happen before either, but I haven't played too many of these archtop types in high gain settings. Anyway, I'd say you'd oughta decide about the re-winding before you go and pot the thing. It's a neck pickup, after all, so it's going to be somewhat dark sounding. Is it much worse than other neck positions on other guitars through the same cable/amp? If it's just a little dull or dark sounding, I'd suggest trying bigger value pots before modding the pickup itself. How big are the pots in there now? Double or even quadruple the value for both of them and you should be able to get a lot more of whatever treble that pickup is capable of producing. That leads to removing the electronics. Is there a hole under that pickup that goes into the body? Can you fish the pots and jack through there? WAIT!!! Tie a string around each pot shaft before you remove the nuts! You'll probably have to take the nut off the jack before you attach a string, but you might not have to remove it to begin with. If you can't get them out where the pickup is, you've got to pull gently by the wires and bring them out the f-hole. The string helps you fish them back through to re-install. Try running the pickup straight to the jack. Disconnecting the grounded lug of each pot (or the grounded end of the tone cap, depending how it's wired) is the same thing. If that sounds better to you, then start looking for bigger pots. Some experimentation may be necessary. Fixed resistors are much cheaper than pots to help you find the right value. If that just doesn't get you there, and you've got a whole bunch of patience, then re-winding is your only remaining option. Well, you could just replace the thing, but it sounds like you're up for an adventure. Re-winding will definitely get you a different tone of some sort. There's two ways you can go to get more treble out of it: 1) Use the same guage wire as stock, but less windings. This will give less total resistance and less inductance. The overall output will be quieter but brighter. 2) Use thinner wire and less windings. This should allow you to get closer to the original total resistance and still have less inductance. I think this means the output will be closer to original overall, and brighter at the same time.
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Post by thetragichero on Jul 23, 2010 9:39:29 GMT -5
i suppose 'screech' would be a better word the pots are scratchy as hell, and 45 years old, so unless there is some 'vintage mojo' they put into these things back then that you know of, i would like to replace the pots (and probably cap/wires/jack/etc) in terms of rewinding/potting the pickup... i would probably go the route of having the guy who makes my other single coils wind/pot them (i wouldn't want to replace it if at all possible, merely for the fact that i don't know if i could find something that looks the same) i appreciate the tips (especially about how to get these durn pots out) xoxo
--chris
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punkkitty
Rookie Solder Flinger
Posts: 5
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Post by punkkitty on Aug 9, 2010 10:57:00 GMT -5
When you pull the original wiring harness, do not throw it away. Hold on to it in case you decide to sell the guitar at some point in the future. A 65 Guild should have some value in the vintage market.
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Post by newey on Aug 9, 2010 22:25:25 GMT -5
PK-
Hello and Welcome!
(I know you posted before, the greeter gets behind around here . . .)
Absolutely. The Guild cult is small but dedicated.
In general, changing out pots and the like won't seriously affect the "vintage value", provided the replacements are equivalent. Making the guitar work properly is generally a valuable thing (excluding things like Nocasters and '59 Gold Tops, which are valuable just for what they are).
But saving the original harness is a good idea; you don't even have to reinstall it for a sale, just having it is enough.
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Post by thetragichero on Aug 25, 2010 10:31:13 GMT -5
i will either be buried with the guitar or pass it on if i have kids it's the first guitar i ever owned, so it has TONS of sentimental value i do wish i could find some replacement volume/tone knobs, though, since i lost them when i was too young to appreciate the thing spoke to my pickup guy and he'll be able to rewind/pot them.... but i've got pickups coming for the other two guitars so i think i'll wait until i have at least one playable guitar before taking it apart
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Post by ijustwannastrat on Aug 25, 2010 12:36:53 GMT -5
May I say, beautiful?
Seriously, I would love a beast like this. Raise the action a bit, and slide all day.
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Post by jcgss77 on Aug 31, 2010 16:36:00 GMT -5
If I may put in my .02...
I have heard of guys putting tape over their f-holes to reduce the feedback of hollowbodies. If you haven't already tried that, see what kind of difference that makes-I would suggest the blue painter's tape, it leaves no residue behind, and doesn't stick very bad. Maybe trying this will help you devise a plan of action.
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