Recent content by stumble

Thanks, f5joe ! Those Tokai semis really are something special once you've found the right set of PUs. Cheers, stumble

Pretty guitar ! Bad job on the f-hole binding though, not what I'd expect from a top of the range Tokai to be honest. This type of binding/finish issue tends to get worse over the years ime. And then (purely subjective, ymmv) the ebony fingerboard is a matter of taste sonically. That was...

f5joe, thanks, sounds like great choices ! In my MIJ Sheraton I have the '57 Classics myself, mellow but very versatile vintage Gibson tone like you said. My '05 ES-120 has "a voice like a horny angel" (quote Jim Steinman) since she got a pair of Pearly Gates . We recently did a comparison...

Nice trio ! Seems like the perfect chance to inquire about the tonal variations between those three twins ? :wink: What PUs do they have, and how do you rate them ? Thanks, stumble

http://www.tokaiforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=9259&highlight=vintage+mk2

But now for something completely different ... The guys who do the naming/numbering @ Tokai must be big fans of that old Monty Python sketch with the young couple wanting to buy a bed ... Do new Tokais come in tea chests ? :P Cheers, stumble

Do a search and you'll find there are 2 different sets of MK IIs, the older more vintage one made by Gotoh and the newer much hotter set by a different, never heard of manufacturer. The ones that came in my 2005 ES 120 already were the hot variety. Man, what a difference since I put in the...

The Alnico 2 Pros are very similar to the Classic 57s both in (medium to low) output and tone imho, maybe a bit darker if anything. The 57+ is hotter than the Alnico Pro II bridge.. Not really close to the Mk IIs. Cheers, stumble

There are several ways to achieve "sustain" in a classic rock setting. - the classic way is a loud tube amp with mostly power amp compression / saturation, all the mentioned bands mostly used that approach. All my amps (slight exception Fenders) can nail those singing tones with any humbucker...

Same here. ... almost, that is. Schaller straplocks on every strap I will ever own, on the rest of my guitars I have cheap Schaller straplock compatible buttons, a few cents a piece including slightly oversized screw and felt washer. http://www.goeldo.de/artikel/detail.php?artnr=EP13C come in...

Exactly like John says: Free: PAFs all the way Bad Co: mostly PAFs, some P90s (and a little bit of Strat) Classic AC DC: PAF style PUs, recent albums : Gibson A.Young Signature PU (probably) All 3: Any tube Marshall turned up loud will get you so close it's not even funny, most other tube amps...

Sure, anytime, at least if I have to buy them untested. There are BB1&2s out there that behave well with microphonics and sound great, most that I've heard don't. The trick is to find the good ones. The 57s I've played all were decent, none was microphonic. They do vary considerably in impedance...

Correct, but the BB Pros are the only BBs that are supposed to be lightly potted, and even they were squealing like hell here. The Les Paul forum is full of complaints about this issue, too. Don't get me wrong, all the BBs are good PUs, but they do vary quite a bit and imho they were more...

For classic '70s style rock tone I think your best bet are vintage output, potted Alnico II types, e.g. Gibson Classic 57/+, Duncan Alnico II Pro, Seth Lover, Pearly Gates and so on. Most of the Burstbuckers I've played were microphonic as hell (uncontrollable squealing as opposed to harmonic...

That's a question nobody can answer without actually holding the guitar in his hands. If I were you I'd go to the shop where you bought it and let them have some fun ! :wink: If that's not possible either return the guitar or visit an experienced guitar tech, truss rod repairs are not funny...