Mk Suhr mod for EMG 85 and mid pickup combination in a Luke II

[max salas]

Hi guys, I just can't find a wiring schematic of the John Suhr mod done to the Pensa Suhr MK 1 guitar.
I've read he wired a capacitor and resistance together to make the 4th position (or 2nd ? ) bridge and mid combination sound more like a strat, as the EMG 85 is not splittable.
Looking to get this done to my EBMM Luke at some stage.

Anyone has the wiring diagram that can share please?

Thanks in advance
Max

 

[beej]

The idea is to put a resistor and capacitor in series on the wiring harness where the 'bucker meets switch position 2 (bridge + middle). Apparently he used 22k / .033uf. This drops the volume of the bucker a bit and reduces some of the bass. Makes it combine with the single and quack better.

Haven't seen the actual wiring, but presumably you'd want the output of the bucker wired right to position 1 (bridge) and then want the cap + resistor in series from that position to switch position 2 (bridge + middle). This assumes there is a separate switch position for that position ... e.g. a 4-pole 5-way megaswitch.

 

[max salas]

In series wow interesting. Thanks for that beej
If anyone has a diagram or photo would be awesome

Thanks

 

[Samoht]

I couldn't find it. I'd suggest an array of capacitors, resistors, and alligator clips for testing until you find that bridge/middle sound you're looking for. Backloaders were made for tinkering.

 

[kimonostereo]

It's in a thread called "New routing pos 2 on luke guitar" but the image is missing. Here's the full text of the post by user ily. I've added the photo from my archive of the post.

-----

Like i've promissed to some of you
i've customized position 2 on my 5 way switch of my Luke
this mos is very interisting for who doesn't use (or like) the original routing
pos 1 and 2 are so similar
The sound is very similar to a pos 2 on a standard SSS F.....r
this mod is reversible
the 2 component added in serial are
resistence : metal film 22Kohms 0.25 Watt capacitor : 33 nF (0.033) 63 volts
remove the original shunt beetween 1 and 2 move the orange cable from 2 to 1
you have to soldering the 2 components in serial (no polarity) and soldering them beetween 1 and 2
THAT'S ALL
all is on this pic

 

[Samoht]

Now that's service!

 

[kimonostereo]

Now that's service!

I tend to archive stuff that might be useful later. I really hate hunting for stuff like this, especially since you never know when databases go bad or photos get pulled by the original poster.

 

[max salas]

I tend to archive stuff that might be useful later. I really hate hunting for stuff like this, especially since you never know when databases go bad or photos get pulled by the original poster.

thanks so much for this! very helpful indeed

 

[max salas]

I wanted to thank everyone that helped on this topic.

I finally got to do this over the weekend and let me tell you, it works exactly as it claims to.
I loved the results.
Worth noting that I now use 85/SA/SA combination in my EBMM Luke II

To my tastes, the SLVs are too dark sounding for this specific guitar so I swapped them and I couldnt be happier than I did

 

[kimonostereo]

Awesome!

 

[max salas]

Thanks!

I have recorded something just to show you how it sounds, hope you like it.
Put special attention to the bridge+mid combo; in the recording I start from the humbucker towards the neck for your reference

mermelada de perlas sin tempo by Max_Salas | Max Salas | Free Listening on SoundCloud

Please dont kill me for my sloppy playing, just an amateur player here

 

[GoKart Mozart]

Thanks!

I have recorded something just to show you how it sounds, hope you like it.
Put special attention to the bridge+mid combo; in the recording I start from the humbucker towards the neck for your reference

mermelada de perlas sin tempo by Max_Salas | Max Salas | Free Listening on SoundCloud

Please dont kill me for my sloppy playing, just an amateur player here

Sounds great! Thanks for posting that.

 

[max salas]

Sounds great! Thanks for posting that.

Thanks

 

[stratamania]

I know this is an older thread but I had a question related to it.

Does the order the cap and resistor in series are placed make any difference?

Pos 1 <-> Cap <-> Resistor <-> Pos 2 (Similar to photo above)

or

Pos 1 <-> Resistor <-> Cap <-> Pos 2

Thanks in advance...

 

[max salas]

I think i remember reading that it does actually, I did the mod exactly as per the photo and I love it to this day

 

[stratamania]

I think i remember reading that it does actually, I did the mod exactly as per the photo and I love it to this day

That is good to hear. If it does matter on the order then I suppose the question then is why?

 

[max salas]

not sure, maybe because you're trying to lower the volume of the bridge pickup, not the middle.

Give it a try and see what happens

 

[beej]

Does the order the cap and resistor in series are placed make any difference?

Pos 1 <-> Cap <-> Resistor <-> Pos 2 (Similar to photo above)

or

Pos 1 <-> Resistor <-> Cap <-> Pos 2

No, the order doesn't matter when they're in series.

 

[max salas]

No, the order doesn't matter when they're in series.

thank you very much

 

[GoKart Mozart]

This is how I did it on my last Luke. Sounded nice & quacky in the bridge + middle position.