View Full Version : Pickguards and tone impact
michaelomiya
02-25-2009, 05:23 PM
http://members.cox.net/eddyrox/TAG%20DTC%20whole.jpg
at the risk of splitting hairs here, I recently had the priviledge of landing this NAMM show piece. It's got an alder back and maple cap.
Acoustically, it has a pronounced low mid voicing, a lot deeper than my other DT's (also alder/maple).
Question: does the pearloid pickguard (3 ply) figure into the slightly darker voicing? If so, how would a thinner p/g change the tone?
Or is it a result of a more resonant piece of alder?
Or am I hearing more alder quality because of the cavities on a DTC vs on a DT?
Devnor
02-25-2009, 05:25 PM
I don't really know...but I love that Cajun Magenta DTC!
geoangus
02-25-2009, 07:13 PM
Would love to hear the answer. If I opt for a bridge 'bucker on my Hollow Classic, I'll be needing a new pickguard, and that white pearloid has my number.
we think the hanging pickups are fuller and wider sounding. that's one of the reasons we semi shock mount all our pickups in pickguardless guitars. i don't believe that different plastics sound different from one another, but vinyl can be more susceptible to static than the pearl.
michaelomiya
02-25-2009, 08:38 PM
we think the hanging pickups are fuller and wider sounding. that's one of the reasons we semi shock mount all our pickups in pickguardless guitars. i don't believe that different plastics sound different from one another, but vinyl can be more susceptible to static than the pearl.
thanks tom, but even acoustically, this DTC sounds fuller/rounder on the low mids when compared to my 2 drop tops (both maple/alder). could the cavity cuts on a DTC (vs a DT) result in a more resonance/overtone which in turn brings out more of the alder character?
could be? could also be a combo of that and just the piece of wood.
Harry
02-26-2009, 03:18 PM
How do they sound plugged in?
michaelomiya
02-26-2009, 06:00 PM
How do they sound plugged in?
it's really difficult to isolate the impact on tone when plugged in. First off, the bridge pickup is a HN3+. So sonically, this guitar is a flamethrower. Tight, tight lows, but with enough mids to rip through the mix. (neck H1-, middle SF1).
so that's why I chose to compare the guitars unplugged. plus, the sonic qualities of the body (as with any Anderson) are typically not colored (significantly) by the pickups. And what I am "hearing" through my amps is LOT more low mid (compared to my other Drop Tops).
and in another "duh" moment, I realized that what I really maybe hearing are the 10's (as opposed to 9's on the other DT's) on a long-scale guitar.:rolleyes:
mikey, miley, mikey... that would be a significant difference!
michaelomiya
02-26-2009, 10:16 PM
mikey, miley, mikey... that would be a significant difference!
:rolleyes: I know:D ...over the last couple years, it's literally been all Cobra/Atom (and other big-boy company guitars) with them "big" ol' 10 gauge strings. I forgot how slinky - and thin-sounding - 8's (yes 8's) and 9's are on a guitar.
But, the "thicker", super resonant, alder body "theory" sure sounded good....;)
But, the "thicker", super resonant, alder body "theory" sure sounded good....;)
I was going to say yesterday that I usually find Tortoise guards sound darker than Pearloid 3-ply (but everyone was being so nice and helpful) :D
Glad you tracked it down. We can all sleep better this weekend.
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