U2start.com | U2 & Guitar Gear: Q & A

Since I already own a humbucker equipped Gibson Les Paul (Studio Worn Brown, by the way) I decided to go for something completely different in my Gibson BFG. The neck pickup is already a P90, but at the bridge I replaced the stock zebra Burstbucker#3 with a Duncan P-Rails. Not that the BB3 had been bad... but I wanted something different.

I didn't install the whole wiring and switching that's nesseccary for all 4 P-Rails modes (Rails / P90 / serial / parallel), but I did install a push-pull for P90 / serial humbucker.

This thing rocks! As a humbucker it's an output monster, while as a P90 it growls and bites. Edge doesn't use it but he doesn't need a versatile guitar - he just gets one for every single sound he desires.

The only unexpected Problem was the size. The P-Rails is deeper than the Burstbucker, so I had to extract and bend the metal piece that holds the pickup. But in the end it turned out fine, and thanks to some soft foam rubber it's now exactly parallel to the strings.

The wiring is Gibson standard, by the way. I bought it unwired, so I went for the original layout instead of the killswitch.

Alex

RattleandHum1988

15 years

Originally posted by Alex:Since I already own a humbucker equipped Gibson Les Paul (Studio Worn Brown, by the way) I decided to go for something completely different in my Gibson BFG. The neck pickup is already a P90, but at the bridge I replaced the stock zebra Burstbucker#3 with a Duncan P-Rails. Not that the BB3 had been bad... but I wanted something different.

I didn't install the whole wiring and switching that's nesseccary for all 4 P-Rails modes (Rails / P90 / serial / parallel), but I did install a push-pull for P90 / serial humbucker.

This thing rocks! As a humbucker it's an output monster, while as a P90 it growls and bites. Edge doesn't use it but he doesn't need a versatile guitar - he just gets one for every single sound he desires.

The only unexpected Problem was the size. The P-Rails is deeper than the Burstbucker, so I had to extract and bend the metal piece that holds the pickup. But in the end it turned out fine, and thanks to some soft foam rubber it's now exactly parallel to the strings.

The wiring is Gibson standard, by the way. I bought it unwired, so I went for the original layout instead of the killswitch.

[image]

Nice axe! Too bad about the killswitch, now you can't play Jordan by Buckethead
Alex

Alex

15 years

Nice axe! Too bad about the killswitch, now you can't play Jordan by Buckethead

I don't even know that song... and if I knew it I guess I wouldn't be able to play it anyway. I've heard about the guy, and he's said to be a mean virtuoso.

But every LP toggle can be used as killswitch. Just reduce one pickup's volume to zero and crank the other. This was the main reason for me to choose the standard wiring. In fact I don't really understand why they installed an additional stock killswitch at all. Probably just to keep it in its price range.

Alex

vanquish

15 years

Just bought an M13 off Ebay for only $550 AUS.
Now all I need is an amp, might get that after my exams are over so I'm not tempted to play instead of study

EDIT: Oops, It's coming from the US and I completely forgot about the different power in Australia

Does anyone know if they come with adaptors?

anstratdubh1979

15 years

Vox Pathfinider is a great lil amp. Best $95.00 I ever spent. You can upgrade later and STILL use the Pathfinder to run stereo effects.

As for the Epiphone Explorer, they are actually quite nice. In time, you might want to swap out the pickups for something that will be a bit more Edge-worthy in tone. T-Tops are the one's in Edge's 1976 Explorer. They can be found on line and via Ebay/Craigslist. Other than that, there are other replacement pickup options that will get you a better tone than the stock Epi p'ups. Although, truth be told, the stock pickups are not horrible.

Originally posted by vanquish:[..]

Well, i'm not rich. As I said before i'm pretty frugal lol, I don't tend to spend smaller amounts all the time like most people, instead I spend occasionally and usually BIG.
I guess you just have to sacrifice smaller things to save up for something you really want.

And it's not a proper Explorer, just an Epiphone.

But any suggestions on amps? How are the Vox Pathfinders?

anstratdubh1979

15 years

My heart skipped a beat! That black strat is worthy of not only my moniker (anstratdubh) but of The Edge himself. Nice!

Originally posted by RattleandHum1988:[..]

Good stuff man! I just successfully turned my American Strat into an Edge War Tour Strat!
[image]

Black accessories, Dimarzio FS-1 pickup, brass saddles. Now all I need is the 70's neck, and it's Edgeified!

LikeASong

15 years

Indeed, Alex, that Strat Dubh deserves lots of reverences

vanquish

15 years

Originally posted by anstratdubh1979:Vox Pathfinider is a great lil amp. Best $95.00 I ever spent. You can upgrade later and STILL use the Pathfinder to run stereo effects.

As for the Epiphone Explorer, they are actually quite nice. In time, you might want to swap out the pickups for something that will be a bit more Edge-worthy in tone. T-Tops are the one's in Edge's 1976 Explorer. They can be found on line and via Ebay/Craigslist. Other than that, there are other replacement pickup options that will get you a better tone than the stock Epi p'ups. Although, truth be told, the stock pickups are not horrible.

[..]

Thanks, i'll get the Pathfinder then (it also has a headphone jack which is useful for practicing without waking up the rest of the house)

A question I have about the Epiphone Explorer (maybe Harry can answer since he has one), is it made of actual Korina (limba) wood? Or is it just a Korina veneer over an alder core like some threads i've read suggest.

Note that Epiphone themselves say the body is made out of Korina, so it could be that theyre using a Korina veneer over a core made out of sandwiched Korina boards (which is much cheaper than using a single block of Korina for the body). Anyone know for sure?

Also, I've got to buy guitar leads, I think one comes with the Explorer but i'll need another lead to go from the M13 effects box to the amp. I don't know anything about buying cables - are they like HDMI cables (where a $15 one is as good as a $150 one)? What price should I pay? What type should I get (ie. will a cable from FX box to amp need to be different to the guitar to FX box one?)

I've also managed to sort out my US spec M13 power problem (got a compatible, non-official power supply for $20 bucks) and have bought Herdim picks all the way from Canada (5 for $16! )

Unfortunately, none of the stuff has arrived as yet (does USPS Priority Mail ship by air or sea?) I have exams in two weeks which means im not going to be doing any studying once it do get it

Andrew_C

15 years

Originally posted by vanquish: Just bought an M13 off Ebay for only $550 AUS.
Now all I need is an amp, might get that after my exams are over so I'm not tempted to play instead of study

EDIT: Oops, It's coming from the US and I completely forgot about the different power in Australia
Does anyone know if they come with adaptors?

go to ur nearest Officeworks or bunnings and theyll have an adapter, should only cost u about 10buks.

Andrew_C

15 years

hey guys ill be posting my first vid on youtube soon, its gona be a Beautiful day cover. (me and a mate r having a comp who can get more views in a week so i'll need u all to watch it thanks

) hes doing Better man by PJ.
Anyway does anyone have any tips for me, id especially like to know how to play the bit before the "see the wrld in green and blue" rest of the song i think im pretty set with.