So back in 2005 I did something I never thought I would do. I sold my Purple '91 EBMM EVH. The offer was too good to give up. I had sellers remorse for a long time. Fast forward to 2018, I had a strong urge to purchase another EBMM EVH. As of last week after searching high and low I have two sitting in my studio that spoke to me. Both are 1995 and have gorgeous quilted tops. One is Natural the other Trans Gold. The problem is, I can only keep one.
I like both, but they are two different animals. One has a neck that is slightly thicker, one sounds slightly warmer. One sounds slightly more articulate. I will play one for a while and think, yes, this is the one. Then I will pick up the other and think, no, this is the one. I went as far as having my wife blind fold me. I was constantly able to identify the Trans Gold from the Natural one. They are that distinct, one from the other.
Here are some of the specs:
Trans Gold
Bridge Pickup = 17.46 Ohm
Neck Pickup = 14.56 Ohm
Volume Pot = 620 Ohm
Natural
Bridge Pickup = 17.00 Ohm
Neck Pickup = 15.11 Ohm
Volume Pot = 411 Ohm
I was surprised at the variance in the pots. especially since one was +120 Ohm and the other was -89Ohm. I am typically used to a +/- 10% variance. I am sure age has something to do with it.
Here is my question, could the perceived difference in warmth/articulation be due to the pot variance? I realize that guitars have slight differences, but before making a final decision, I would like to get the guitars as close as possible. In other words, same strings, same reading on pots, etc. Before going down a rabbit hole, I thought I would ask you guys before switching out the pots with ones that read exactly 500 Ohm.
Also,
Could you post your pickup and pot measurements? I'd like to get an idea of what the EVH's look like in that regard. If there is a thread with this info already in it, please point me to it. Thanks in advance.
I like both, but they are two different animals. One has a neck that is slightly thicker, one sounds slightly warmer. One sounds slightly more articulate. I will play one for a while and think, yes, this is the one. Then I will pick up the other and think, no, this is the one. I went as far as having my wife blind fold me. I was constantly able to identify the Trans Gold from the Natural one. They are that distinct, one from the other.
Here are some of the specs:
Trans Gold
Bridge Pickup = 17.46 Ohm
Neck Pickup = 14.56 Ohm
Volume Pot = 620 Ohm
Natural
Bridge Pickup = 17.00 Ohm
Neck Pickup = 15.11 Ohm
Volume Pot = 411 Ohm
I was surprised at the variance in the pots. especially since one was +120 Ohm and the other was -89Ohm. I am typically used to a +/- 10% variance. I am sure age has something to do with it.
Here is my question, could the perceived difference in warmth/articulation be due to the pot variance? I realize that guitars have slight differences, but before making a final decision, I would like to get the guitars as close as possible. In other words, same strings, same reading on pots, etc. Before going down a rabbit hole, I thought I would ask you guys before switching out the pots with ones that read exactly 500 Ohm.
Also,
Could you post your pickup and pot measurements? I'd like to get an idea of what the EVH's look like in that regard. If there is a thread with this info already in it, please point me to it. Thanks in advance.