Reflex Pickup Selector Question

[BUC]

I have a 25th Anniversary Reflex (which I love BTW) but I might have a problem with it and wanted to see if I could get some input from anyone else who has one.

The difference in tone between position 2 and 3 is very...shall we say, subtle. To the point where I'm not sure there's any difference at all and I suspect that there's something wrong with my 5 way selector.

It's the same with the series parallel switch in either position. There's a difference between series and parallel but 2 and 3 still sound the same. I can truly can't tell the difference between the two. Position 4 is definitely a different tone but it's a subtle difference too.

Just to be on the same vernacular, I'm saying position 1 is the bridge pickup and position 5 is the neck pickup.

Anyone else with a reflex weigh in on how big a difference in tone they have between the middle pickup positions?

Thanks

 

[Miqueas92]

Right,

On mine there is a difference but its not that big either, just a little louder, fuller than 2 or 4. I seem to notice the difference more in series.

 

[beej]

In series mode, you will find a subtle difference as move the lever through pickup selections. The difference is more notable in parallel mode. There you should hear a greater difference as you slide the lever through.

In series, you're going to have a more midrangey, louder pickup combination. In parallel you'll have more highs, more single coil-esque sounds.

Without hearing, it's hard to say. One thing you can do is tap on the pickups with a small screwdriver, above the different coils, as you go through the switching. Make sure all the coils are working in the right arrangements.

I'd make sure your amp is set clean when you're trying this out so you can really hear the differences. But I'd say if there's really not much of a difference, drop the customer service guys a line and they can take it from there.

 

[BUC]

Without hearing, it's hard to say. One thing you can do is tap on the pickups with a small screwdriver, above the different coils, as you go through the switching. Make sure all the coils are working in the right arrangements.

Of course! I'll try this today and let you know what I find out. Thanks

 

[ozzyrules]

+ 1 with what Beej said. Make sure you're not using too many effects. Do it clean & you will notice the biggest difference.

 

[douglasspears]

a - The difference in tone between position 2 and 3 is very...shall we say, subtle.

b - It's the same with the series parallel switch in either position.

c - There's a difference between series and parallel but 2 and 3 still sound the same. I can truly can't tell the difference between the two.

d - Position 3 is definitely a different tone but it's a subtle difference too.

a - ok, 2 and 3 are different, but subtle
b - oh wait, 2 and 3 sound the same?
c - ok, good, 2 and 3 sound the same? You sure? We're getting somewhere now....
d - 3 is definitely different?

Haha, just giving you a hard time, but this back and forth will make it tough to diagnose. When speaking with EBMM Customer Service, I'd recommend picking one or the other description, and sticking with that.

For what it's worth, position 2 should be single coil and more Strat or Tele sounding. Position 3 should be both humbuckers and more thick/powerful sounding.

Good luck.

 

[BUC]

OK, partly my unrecognized use of sarcasm and partly my inability to proofread.

A-Sarcastically saying it was subtle, next sentence "To the point where I'm not sure there's any difference at all and I suspect that there's something wrong..."
B-Correct. In agreement with A above
C-A,B and C all correct. Wanted to clarify the 2&3 were the as each other in both series and parallel. Both change when S/P switch is changed.
D-Oooops, mahbad. I meant position 4 is different, but that the difference is not huge. I will edit my original post.

My ears tell me that position 2 sounds more like what I would expect 3 to sound like. It's pretty full for a "strat" in-between position.

Cannot touch the pole pieces directly in a way that would answer my question without removing the pickup covers. Not sure I want to go to there yet.

 

[BUC]

Without taking the pickup covers off I tapped the pole pieces and the pickup covers in various places and as far as I can tell, I get the correct response, so I'm going to guess that everything is working OK.

OK, not a dis, because there's plenty of things that I really love about this guitar and it's my 3rd EBMM if that's any indication, but I don't think most musicians could tell the difference between positions 2/3&4. 4 is discernable when compared, but I honestly can't hear a difference between 2/3.

I have 4 strats and I don't find the position 2 be much like a strat pos 2. A little bit of cluck in the attack but the Reflex is much fuller sounding in pos 2, More like a two humbucker sound than a two single coil sound.

 

[beej]

Yeah, in parallel, position 2 and 3 are close. If you play clean, you can hear a little more meat in position 3- more midrange. But they're close. As you say, position 4 is more pronounced than the other two.

None of those positions is going to sound like a strat, purely due to the distance between the coils. You get sort of a strat/tele thing. Position 4 is a little more quacky, the coils are closer (inside coils). Also keep in mind the woods are different and the Relfex/25th is chambered. It's its own thing.

 

[ozzyrules]

Cannot touch the pole pieces directly in a way that would answer my question without removing the pickup covers. Not sure I want to go to there yet.[/QUOTE]
Wow,
I had a similar conversation with Hamilton Loomis(EBMM endorsee). Here's what a 25th looks like w/o pup covers. Really interesting story of how he found out the difference in tonal quality w/o the covers.

 

[BUC]

Yes, I have considered this guitar to be much more in the line of a telecaster. Never owned a thinline but I'm guessing that the chambered body gives it some of the same characteristics. Especially considering that many mod the tele to give it series capability.

I really like it's acoustic sustain and the natural growl you get from this guitar without pushing the amp as hard. I call the attack "tortured". A very cool sound. I'm no genius but I attribute most of that to the chambered body.

I've had a guitar where the 5 way went bad and would only switch between 4 of the 5 positions so I thought maybe I was in that same boat again. Thanks for your help.

To Ozzie: Lets hear that story eh? I've actually never owned a guitar that had pickup covers and I've heard that removing them makes a slight but noticeable difference in output.

 

[BUC]

Alright, I think I have finally found it.

When played on a clean setting and staying on the wound strings and below the 5th fret I can clearly hear the difference now between all three positions. As you move higher up the neck, the difference quickly fades away.

Ironically I can sometimes hear the difference with some medium gain on the amp as there is a difference between the chimey-ness of the tone, but not much change to the bottom end.

 

[beej]

Hey, that's great. Glad it's working right.

On the p'up covers- ya, I'd like to hear that story too. The general deal is that a piece of metal near a pickup coil, like a metallic cover, will induce eddy currents. Robs some high end. So depending on what a cover is made out of, there can be an effect. Haven't tried removing the covers from my 25th or HH AL, so can't personally say how they react.

 

[ozzyrules]

Hey, that's great. Glad it's working right.

On the p'up covers- ya, I'd like to hear that story too. The general deal is that a piece of metal near a pickup coil, like a metallic cover, will induce eddy currents. Robs some high end. So depending on what a cover is made out of, there can be an effect. Haven't tried removing the covers from my 25th or HH AL, so can't personally say how they react.

Beej,
He had a gig in Texas in the middle of summer in excess of 100 degree heat. The heat melted the wax in his Les Paul pup's so he took the covers off. The rest of the band asked what he had done to brighten & enhance the tone of his sound. Ever since then, he has taken the covers off & notices a distinct and identifiable difference. He had me investigate with my 25th vs. my Reflex. I looped a couple of tracks with each,and yes, there's a big difference.

 

[beej]

Hah ... wow, sounds like a hot gig.

Well that makes me want to give it a try at some point (though I do love the look). I actually have a set or two of those (Axis) pickups laying around. I might try some experimenting in another guitar.