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Post by graoully on May 16, 2017 10:53:02 GMT
Hi guys
I've just received my CST-24 T. I find it really amazing except in humbucker mode (even in bridge position) the sound is muddy, miss some treble. It's really better in split coil mode (as expected) but the difference is huge. The output levels seem almost the same while I thought it would be higher in humbucker mode.
Any advice, opinion ?
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78 posts
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Post by doktorsteve on May 16, 2017 12:27:43 GMT
I have a SC custom and I had the same question for a long time. I am guessing that the bridge pickup is hot (13k +) and so is sensitive to the capacitance of your cable and that can roll off the treble. You could try a really short low capacitance cable. The Ironstone bridge pickup on my PAC112 is also alnico 5 but is a lot brighter. This could be the difference in the build but could also be pickups.
I think you have to get used to the idea that the humbuckers sound different to single coils and both sounds are valid. If you want thick overdriven sounds then use the humbuckers. If you want sweet clean sounds then use the coil split. Versatile, eh?
You might also want to adjust the pickup height. I have my pickups level with the top of the surrounds and the output is still too high for my Fender Mustang 2! You may be able to change the tone balance by adjusting the relative heights high and low sides of the pickups.
You can also raise the pole piece screws a bit to get a more single coil character.
sounds like I am an expert, HA HA!
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Post by graoully on May 17, 2017 11:58:28 GMT
Thanks Doktorsteve
I use a CORDIAL 3m long cable...don't know if it's low impedance ?
I totally agree, single coils are definitely brighter but for instance, I tried to tune a crunch AC-DC sound. I find it more realistic with my US Stratocaster than with the CST-24/humbucker bridge. What I really miss is that "hot twang" you get with some humbucker pickups. A hot sound, but ATST cutting like a knife...you know what I mean ? Increasing the treble level with EQ seams useless.
I'm gonna try the adjustments you suggest. Do CST people have an opinion ?
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cerb
Harley Benton Club Member
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Post by cerb on May 17, 2017 14:20:27 GMT
Hi guys I've just received my CST-24 T. I find it really amazing except in humbucker mode (even in bridge position) the sound is muddy, miss some treble. It's really better in split coil mode (as expected) but the difference is huge. The output levels seem almost the same while I thought it would be higher in humbucker mode. Any advice, opinion ? Yeah, change strings.
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Post by Deleted on May 17, 2017 15:14:40 GMT
I never played Seymour Duncan in my life but the guy that bought my Bandit amp brought his humbucker guitar with SD pups and that Bandit sounded real good! Not so good with my Wilkinson pickups. Hence me planning to swap the pickups in my new ST-70 BP (I will go all single coils though). I have no money for SD pickups but will rather try the Irongear or Toneriders instead.
I agree on changing strings and then judge.
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cerb
Harley Benton Club Member
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Post by cerb on May 17, 2017 15:24:15 GMT
I never played Seymour Duncan in my life but the guy that bought my Bandit amp brought his humbucker guitar with SD pups and that Bandit sounded real good! Not so good with my Wilkinson pickups. Hence me planning to swap the pickups in my new ST-70 BP (I will go all single coils though). I have no money for SD pickups but will rather try the Irongear or Toneriders instead. I agree on changing strings and then judge. Try the Fender Pure Vintage pickups if you have the cash. They are pricier than tonerider but anazing value for money. Here's a comparison between the 56's, the 59's (I think those would be for you) and the 65's.
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DefJef
THBC Moderator
Due to musical differences I've decided I can't work with myself any more.
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Post by DefJef on May 17, 2017 15:32:56 GMT
Sorry for hijacking the thread. That's the nature of threads cerb. They flow. Your input is always welcome.
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Post by Deleted on May 17, 2017 15:39:11 GMT
cerb those pups sound more or less like my generic china made Alnico pickups the neck is gone too warm and the bridge too sharp. Also I wish this dude played some fingerstyle to hear them. All this pick attack is making my stomach ache
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Post by bigh on May 17, 2017 20:25:49 GMT
Take a look at the choice of capacitor in the guitar.... I have a te 90 hh, and I changed the value of the cap to bring in more mid and bass, I found too much treble in mine, that is the key I think... I found a small green thing in mine and went to an orange drop, I forget the values, I'm sorry.. but that's how you can tune the tone of the guitar mate, also the pot selection too, if you want to really go ape, consider the value of pot... for example a 500 k will give more range than a 250- the trick is combining the two to make changes that are effective, check out some you tube videos on the subject, and to be honest of your ok with a soldering iron... the parts are cheap enough to buy a selection and experiment, do let me know how you get on...so interested in this subject please.
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Post by graoully on May 18, 2017 6:41:28 GMT
I've changed the strings but that doesn't change the sound. It seems there's much more compression with the humbuckers...ring a bell ?
I'll have a look at electronics change...gonna let you know
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Post by graoully on May 18, 2017 17:43:39 GMT
So, I had a look at the electronics. Soldering is not a piece of art ! I'm not sure what the wiring should be but could it be the reason of the issue ? I mean inverting two cables at the coil split level for instance ?
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Post by bigh on Jun 9, 2017 9:01:19 GMT
This uses the whhb wilkinson pups yes? Mine sound fine, actually really good to b honest and I've had a few with humbuckers.... You could just take the wiring look out and inspect it to start, its fiddly but that's where to start clearly, although I found in my te 90 h h, that the cheap pots and the linear aspect, combined with the cap didn't help the sound, ( the tone pot crapped out on me at 5 months)! My guess is while it's not soldered in a pretty way it's functional, changing out the electrics is a cheap place to start and will give you a good base should you later change pups. I hope you resolve this, please let me know... I am keen to see what you did to rectify mate. Good luck
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