Tonal issue need some help please

[BrentSSL]

I will just echo what most everyone else has already said.

I have a similar set up with my Single Rec Rectoverb, Schecter C1+, V30s (in a Mesa 4x12), play rock and metal.

Big difference is I swapped out the duncan designed stuff for proper SD Custom Custom TB11 and a '59 set up. I definitely did not buy the guitar because of the pickups it had. I'd have to say the X2 and/or EMGs might be a bit too far in the other direction - at least for me. I'd keep it in the passive Custom/Custom Custom/ALt8 kind of realm.

Other difference is I also boost mine

I grabbed a Tung Sol and a Groove Tube 12AX7 to mess around with but pretty happy with JJs all around. Running Mullard EL34s right now too IIRC.

I'd say it needs volume but not like my Quick Rod does. I had to look at my settings because I couldn't remember and what I have now is Gain around 12 noon. Channel vol and Master Output vol around 10 am and Pres/Bass/Mid/Treb were all at 1pm LOL. Basically the 666 EQ

The quickrod is an amazing amp but that gets loud lol and yes I need to figure out a better pickup situation.

 

[jc986]

If you haven’t already, the Mesa manual is a really good read to help you get a good understanding of the tone stack.

 

[skullfxr]

Well I have Duncan design distortions in all my guitars so it's time to switch any pickup suggestions? Also the Avatar cab is pretty old so I believe the speakers are well broken in.

It depends on what you are looking for and what you are willing to spend. The SD JB/59 set is very common. The jazz is a nice pickup also. I don't know what you are looking for, but SD black winters are solid. Then there are active options. But we need to know what you want to sound like.

I play mostly rock and metal I would like an all around pick up the in kinda lacks imho was considering the x2n or emgs possibly

I bought an X2N over a decade ago because I thought that the more output the better. I HATED it. It was in several guitars. All absolutely terrible. You may think different though.

I would look at lace alumitones and deathbuckers over EMG. also the SD black winters are great. Railhammer may also be a good option.

 

[BrentSSL]

By the way my settings usually the gain is at 3 o'clock the treble around 11 o'clock the mids at 9 or 8 o'clock bass at 1:30 and presence 1030ish. As for volumes I keep the channel volume at 9 o'clock to tighten up the preamp section. Then I turn up the main volume until it's around a favorable level. The solo volume seems to open up and add some volume when it's not engaged.

 

[mchn13]

Try these settings with a boost on modern:

Channel 3 - Modern
Presence - 3.5/10
Gain - 6/10
Bass - 10/10
Mid - 4/10
Treble - 6/10

Without a boost back off on the bass and up the mids a bit.

Ok dumb question but 10 is all the way up

Yep, it’s really not as much as you think, especially if you have a boost that cuts a bit of low end. If it seems overwhelming at 10, leave it and increase treble or miss a bit to compensate. The Mesa tone stack is filtered in such a way that the higher the treble and mids are up, the less total bass is available. So the bass value fluctuates as you adjust the treble and mid even if you don’t touch the bass.

You just blew my mind lol

Yeah the unique tone stack and everyone runs them different. I always used a slight boost, and ran bass- 4/10, mids -7/10, treble- 4/10, then brought the presence up to probably 7-8/10, to open it back up with it being set dark. sounded like it had a lot of gain with the presence high as well

 

[cardinal]

So admittedly I’ve not used a Single Rec, and there’s definitely no wrong way to use an amp: if you’re happy with it, then it’s all good.

But from the Rectos I’ve used, I can’t imagine using the bass on 10. I think it usually had it like mchn13. Bass around 4. Mids around 6. Presence no lower than 5 (lower than that the amp was just lifeless). Treble to taste but usually no lower than 5.

I personally didn’t like the preamp gain higher than 6, I think. Which is a lot of gain. Pushed beyond that, it got fizzy and mushy (same experience with the SLO). So if that just wasn’t enough gain, I would need to use a hotter pickup and/or OD pedal to boost it for more.

 

[jc986]

I was also apprehensive about maxing the bass but I read an article about Mark Tremonti’s rig and that is how he runs his. I tried it and it sounded great.

 

[cardinal]

Yeah, I never tried it, so it might be awesome.

Probably also depends on speakers. I almost always use a 4x12 with G12-65s, which is not the most common pairing with Rectos. So what I’m getting may be darker and more bass heavy than a typical 4x12 with V30s.

 

[romanianreaper]

Get a real Duncan Distortion and boost the orange channel.

This!!!! I used to gig with a Duncan Distortion in an SG bridge position and sounded fantastic. I love all of the Seymour Duncan stuff but the Distortion specifically was a great pickup for metal.

I don't think Dunan Designed are horrible but they are just stock pickups with no real personality. That is why people fall in love with a certain type of pickup, because it gives you that tone you were looking for. I had a Super Distortion in my Les Paul and was like "meh, that sounds ok". As soon as I put a Motor City 2nd Degree Blackbelt in there, it was like all of these tones I'd never heard came out of my amp.

 

[napalmdeath]

So it's more than likely a pickup problem?? Bummer

Yep. Shitty pickups, indeed.

 

[BrentSSL]

So a little update I got some new preamp Mesa tubes took off the shields to put them off and the stiffness is gone. I don't know if it's those garbage shields or the new tubes but it sounds way better. I can still hear the issue with my HB103 but they are not that big if a deal now

 

[skullfxr]

So a little update I got some new preamp Mesa tubes took off the shields to put them off and the stiffness is gone. I don't know if it's those garbage shields or the new tubes but it sounds way better. I can still hear the issue with my HB103 but they are not that big if a deal now

The pickups are like a going to have a massive effect. Trust me. I have been there. But if you are happy then you are happy.

Cheers

 

[BrentSSL]

So a little update I got some new preamp Mesa tubes took off the shields to put them off and the stiffness is gone. I don't know if it's those garbage shields or the new tubes but it sounds way better. I can still hear the issue with my HB103 but they are not that big if a deal now

The pickups are like a going to have a massive effect. Trust me. I have been there. But if you are happy then you are happy.

Cheers

Oh don't get me wrong the pickups have a massive impact and the search will continue lol always the GAS

 

[mchn13]

dude I'm not aware of your pickup configuration, but I have a SD jb bridge(tb4), and a direct mount dimarzio evo, that I pulled from a couple guitars, if youre interested. both are killer rock/metal pups. $50 shipped ea.

 

[BrentSSL]

dude I'm not aware of your pickup configuration, but I have a SD jb bridge(tb4), and a direct mount dimarzio evo, that I pulled from a couple guitars, if youre interested. both are killer rock/metal pups. $50 shipped ea.

Thanks but I'd need to try then first

 

[mchn13]

dude I'm not aware of your pickup configuration, but I have a SD jb bridge(tb4), and a direct mount dimarzio evo, that I pulled from a couple guitars, if youre interested. both are killer rock/metal pups. $50 shipped ea.

Thanks but I'd need to try then first

then I would buy a Duncan from my nearest guitar store, and return there. they used to have a pretty easy return policy.

 

[Bob Savage]

Well I have Duncan design distortions in all my guitars so it's time to switch any pickup suggestions? Also the Avatar cab is pretty old so I believe the speakers are well broken in.

What type of tone are you going for? I’ve been dropping Duncan Hybrid Custom/59 in the bridge and a 59 for the neck over the last few years and love this pup combo. This config covers a lot of tonal ground.

 

[BrentSSL]

Well I have Duncan design distortions in all my guitars so it's time to switch any pickup suggestions? Also the Avatar cab is pretty old so I believe the speakers are well broken in.

What type of tone are you going for? I’ve been dropping Duncan Hybrid Custom/59 in the bridge and a 59 for the neck over the last few years and love this pup combo. This config covers a lot of tonal ground.

I'm honestly not sure I did play a guitar with Fishmans in the other day and holy crap

 

[311boogieman]

^ you are not sure what tone you are going for?


what kind of rock and metal to you like to play mostly or listen to for that matter? Favorite bands? You know. Stuff like that.

 

[BrentSSL]

Testament Metallica Power Trip Soulfly and The Haunted