Silhouette Special Pickups

[beej]

I agree with DrKev. Start by using the correct p'up heighs and dial your amp to be somewhat neutral and go from there. (P'up height should make a big difference.)

I'm somewhat confused. Is it just this pickup that sounds off? The other ones sound ok? Do you hear it in the quack position or just on it's own? Have you tried different cables (rule out a low capacitance cable that's making it too bright, etc.)?

If it's *just* the pickup that's weird, get a replacement. If it's the other p'ups as well I'd suspect your gear. There's no magic here, it's just pickup plus a few resistors. But start from scratch by setting everything up the way it's supposed to be and go from there.

 

[johanguitarist]

Ok thanks for your suggestions guys!

One last question: If I decided to change the pups, would any passive single-coil work with the SC, or are the stock Dimarzios optimized for that system?

 

[candid_x]

I think the SC is optimal with the stock DM p'ups. Does very little in my Fralin blues specials Silo Special.

 

[beej]

It'll work with different p'ups, within reason. There's a trimpot on the back to adjust the output.

 

[candid_x]

What is "within reason", Beej? Even trimmed to the max (and everything in-between), the difference with the blues specials is hardly discernible. I've read the same about Suhr's and CS69's.

Don't get me wrong, I think it's an ingenious and effective design, just not suited to all single coil pickups.

 

[beej]

I haven't measured, but it seems to work for single coils near the 5-6k range (for me). Some work better than others.

You can always make something similar and tune it to your needs ... take an old single coil p'up and remove the magnet, so it's just wire on a bobbin. Mount it under the p/g. Wire it up to a little op-amp. Presto

 

[candid_x]

Ah, ok. The BS's are 6.2, 6.2, 7.2. Not that hot, but hotter than the 5.9 stock. I guess 6 (or so) is the magic number.

I have no idea what you said after that, LOL. Too bad ya don't live closer!