Triple Humbucker SG Question

[ffs_auggie]

I recently picked up Harley Benton's copy of a 3 HB SG and I have to say, I love the feel, but it sounds like trash.(FYI my rig is the SG-->Treble Booster-->Marshall Class 5 Combo) The sweep on the pots is useless, I have to put my volume at 1/2 if I want any sort of clean tone, I barely turn it up, and its full rhythm distortion. The bridge pickup is harsh, and the neck pickup almost sounds like a bass.

My solution is to replace the electronics completely(may go for a Frampton/Page wiring) but I have two questions.

1) What pots should I go for? I've been torn from people saying Bourns, Alphas, and CTS. (I prefer a stiffer turn on the knob so I don't knock it out of place)

2) Is there a company that makes 3 HB sets that are Gibson's mid to late 60's styling? (Also did Gibson make a pickup dedicated for the middle pickup, or did they just put a random neck/bridge when making them?)

 

[MR D]

I recently picked up Harley Benton's copy of a 3 HB SG and I have to say, I love the feel, but it sounds like trash.(FYI my rig is the SG-->Treble Booster-->Marshall Class 5 Combo) The sweep on the pots is useless, I have to put my volume at 1/2 if I want any sort of clean tone, I barely turn it up, and its full rhythm distortion. The bridge pickup is harsh, and the neck pickup almost sounds like a bass.

My solution is to replace the electronics completely(may go for a Frampton/Page wiring) but I have two questions.

1) What pots should I go for? I've been torn from people saying Bourns, Alphas, and CTS. (I prefer a stiffer turn on the knob so I don't knock it out of place)

2) Is there a company that makes 3 HB sets that are Gibson's mid to late 60's styling? (Also did Gibson make a pickup dedicated for the middle pickup, or did they just put a random neck/bridge when making them?)

Which treble-boost ya got ? Naga-Vyper's are BAD-A$$ ! CTS Pots for moi.The last question is a good one ! I've seen/had SG's w/3 '57 Classics and SG's w/ BB1-2-3 so the BB2 maybe was intended for the Middle Position ? or GIBSON USA just thought it was a cool idea to put all 3 BB's in there ? IDK.....4 sure tho.....and the older GIBSON's ? I've really no clue what the guys that made them were thinking about.

 

[DrBGood]

The bridge pickup is harsh, and the neck pickup almost sounds like a bass.

That is a textbook description of pickups that are way to close to strings.

A screwdriver is the easiest, fastest, cheapest and by far the most efficient way to a good tone. You might replace your pickups a dozen times, if you put them back at the same height as the last ones, the problem will likely persist.

Lower all of them to ring level and star from there. Leave the neck pickup at that height, that's where mine live and the sound clear and articulate.

 

[Norton]

freeway 6 way toggle. the best.

 

[smitty_p]

That is a textbook description of pickups that are way to close to strings.

A screwdriver is the easiest, fastest, cheapest and by far the most efficient way to a good tone. You might replace your pickups a dozen times, if you put them back at the same height as the last ones, the problem will likely persist.

Lower all of them to ring level and star from there. Leave the neck pickup at that height, that's where mine live and the sound clear and articulate.

Plus one to what DrB has said.

Spinning a screwdriver is completely free and is entirely reversible if you don't like the results. There is nothing magical about an electric guitar.

Make your adjustments in 1/4 to 1/2 turn increments - nothing too drastic, until you get something more useable.

As for pots, I prefer Bourns because I like the feel and the construction, but, electronically, one is not going to really sound any different from the other. They may have slightly different tapers in their audio taper pots, but, going from Bourns to CTS to Alpha is not going to change your sound.

Now, if you want to change the wiring and electronics to get some additional versatility, that is an entirely different matter. I've made rather drastic changes (which included using a router and a drill!) to get more versatility from one of my guitars! So, I can feel ya, there. But, that does not eliminate the need for a getting a good height for the pickups. Do that first.

 

[ffs_auggie]

Plus one to what DrB has said.

Spinning a screwdriver is completely free and is entirely reversible if you don't like the results. There is nothing magical about an electric guitar.

Make your adjustments in 1/4 to 1/2 turn increments - nothing too drastic, until you get something more useable.

As for pots, I prefer Bourns because I like the feel and the construction, but, electronically, one is not going to really sound any different from the other. They may have slightly different tapers in their audio taper pots, but, going from Bourns to CTS to Alpha is not going to change your sound.

Now, if you want to change the wiring and electronics to get some additional versatility, that is an entirely different matter. I've made rather drastic changes (which included using a router and a drill!) to get more versatility from one of my guitars! So, I can feel ya, there. But, that does not eliminate the need for a getting a good height for the pickups. Do that first.

I was actually planning on doing the JP Black Beauty wiring since it has out of phase switching and coil tapping.

 

[ffs_auggie]

freeway 6 way toggle. the best.

hell yeah, more versatility

 

[ffs_auggie]

Which treble-boost ya got ? Naga-Vyper's are BAD-A$$ ! CTS Pots for moi.The last question is a good one ! I've seen/had SG's w/3 '57 Classics and SG's w/ BB1-2-3 so the BB2 maybe was intended for the Middle Position ? or GIBSON USA just thought it was a cool idea to put all 3 BB's in there ? IDK.....4 sure tho.....and the older GIBSON's ? I've really no clue what the guys that made them were thinking about.

So its from a website called fuzzdog effects(byoc) and its the omega fet booster, which can do a full range boost to a rangemaster. Only issue is that no fuzz pedals will work with it bc since it is a 2 transistor pedal, it already does fuzz tones. I plan on swapping it out with an AM Sunlion or also a nagaviper(i like how you have a gain and volume knob)

 

[smitty_p]

I was actually planning on doing the JP Black Beauty wiring since it has out of phase switching and coil tapping.

I think you mean "coil splitting," right?

At any rate, yeah, adding some versatility to your wiring scheme can come in handy. The most extreme that I have right now is coil splitting capability on both humbuckers on my Jackson. At one time, I had wired it for out-of-phase operation, as well. I ended up removing the phase reversal switching as I literally never used it.

I do use the split coils from time to time.

 

[MR D]

So its from a website called fuzzdog effects(byoc) and its the omega fet booster, which can do a full range boost to a rangemaster. Only issue is that no fuzz pedals will work with it bc since it is a 2 transistor pedal, it already does fuzz tones. I plan on swapping it out with an AM Sunlion or also a nagaviper(i like how you have a gain and volume knob)

IDK about the SUN LION but the Naga Vyper has really done me a world of good when nailing down the older Tony Iommi material...yes, definitely the NAGA VYPER...from what I here it is a complete RANGEMASTER copy but IDK as I've never had the pleasure of playing thru a RANGEMASTER...if the R.M. was good enough for the Metal-Master Iommi, and the Naga-Vyper gets me there...I must say...there is a winning ticket !

 

[thesjkexperience]

To the OP. Does your guitar have a treble bleed circuit installed? They can cause trouble with Germanium pedals and sound harsh.

 

[beerbelly]

As far as pots go, I find Alphas have a nice, cold molasses feel to them. CTS are top notch pots, but they spin pretty easily I think.