Guitar Workshop

[dixon]

Hey everyone! I was just wanting to see if anyone would be interested in some tips on how to install the right pickups for the sound you want, pickup wiring, bridge adjustments, Fender and Floyd Rose tremolo block set (you can rest your hand with no pitch change), how to get the best out of your guitar synth,etc. If anyone would like some workshop tips (free) just respond to this message, or you can email me [e-mail]

[cummo]

Hi,I have an Epiphone casino with the original pickups and wondering if I could replace them with pickups to emulate the sounds of Beatles,Rolling stones etc I play through a Peavey classic 30 amp Regards Cummo

[dixon]

Hi Cummo, aah yes I remember the 60's. First of all the Casino is a fine guitar, it has had a few changes in the past, if it was made in the 80's I would suggest buying new pickups, but in the 90's to present the pickups are OK. The Peavey Classic 30 is full of tone (always liked Peavey), the classic British amps in the 60's were mainly Vox, before you go buy anything else try some tone adjustments on your amp. Here are a few settings that could emulate a Vox. Set the bass and mid on 5 adjust the treble to about 7 or 8 the presence 3 - 10 reverb 2 - 5
being a open back cabinet place the back close to the wall or a sound board 1/2" thick. This should get you close to the Vox AC-30 a very widely use amp. Try your clean sound first then you can dirty it up, most amps back then didn't have a master volume they just cranked them up so watch your saturation. Adjusting your pickups, the bridge should be about 3/16" below the strings and the neck about 1/4" below the string while pressing down on the last fret. This should give you plenty of warmth. If these adjustments still don't satisfy you you should try going to www.behringer.com and check out the V-amp2 it has some sound files to see if you like it first. I am a tone junky, so I bought one, love it. If you are interested in buying one you can check the prices at www.musiciansfriend.com I payed $99 this beats $299 for a Line-6 Pod they both are about the same. The software is user friendly. One draw back is the connection is a standard midi din pin, you have to have a device to connect to your computer, there are many, I use a MOTU midiman usb 2 midi ins & outs. This is about the most economical route, Gibson PAF pickups are about $125 each and I don't want to look at the price of a Vox amp or effects. Let me know how this works for you. Have a good one. Dixon

[cummo]

Hi Dixon,thanks for the reply. I'll try your suggestions and see how it goes..thanks again...Cummo