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SurfGuitar101 Forums » Gear »

Permalink Yamaha SVG800 pickups

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hey SG101, Im getting my shit together and am enjoying the experience of playing some surf tunes.

Im looking to use my SVG800 for surf tunes though the pickups just dont seem to have enough high frequencies for me. When I play my other guitars the sound is much closer to what Id like, typical tele and strat single coil sounds.

Please does anyone have any advice on alternated that mat go well into the SVG800? I could get a more traditional style Fender but I really like this Yammy and th short scale suits my my short arms!

Cheers
Z

Maybe you could solve the issue with some higher resistance pots.

I'm not sure how this comes to be. Most of the 800 series demos I hear are quite surfy (as was the intention by Yamaha). I have an 80's 300 (strat like) which has TONS of highs and is very strat like. I wonder if the issue is highs vs clarity? Sometimes lowering the pickup's heighth just a bit can do wonders. After that, you may want to look at installing a 500 cap. Good luck! Other than some rusty saddles which have been effectively replaced, I'm in love with mine. Guitar Guitar Guitar Guitar

mj
bent playing for benter results
Do not attempt to adjust your TV set.
https://www.facebook.com/Bass-VI-Explorers-Club-179437279151035/
https://www.facebook.com/Lost-Planet-Shamen-366987463657230/

Cool

500k pots might help.

The artist formerly known as: Synchro

When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.

Hey thanks for your imput fellas.

I think Montereyjack66 may be giving ne the good oil. I remember now that i also have been noticing that when i pick real hard (frequently) that im getting a snappiing kinda sound. I bet the pickuos just need neoght adjustment.

I will gove it a try in a bit and let ya know of the results.

Cheers
Z

I've been wantonly playing around with pickup heights and what a difference that makes! Totally changes the sound. I've got some edition of the single coils and I do notice it sounds more "growly" or low-endy and crunchy when the pickups are super, close to the string. Then too low and they get thinner and almost airy, and quieter, with no crunch. I'm trying to find the sweet spot which seems to be just a little above the pick guard. I have a super heavy stroke so it's not really noisier, just not crunchy and a little thinner.

Why is there no pickup sticky-ed thread?!! There are twenty different kinds of Fender single coils and I wanna know what people think of them. Dammit.

Anyhow I am curious how a 500k pot would help, and is a potentiometer also called a "cap?" Would that mean the tone adjustment range is different or something? Apologies for being a dummy but this is new lingo to me sorry! Plus I am dumb. I've always kicked myself for not taking some basic electronics courses...

Dan

Daniel Deathtide

Hey Deathtide, cap is short for capacitor which is a different component that a pot which is short for potentiometer.

I reckon the pickup is too high in my guitar. It rocks out for high gain but just doesnt cut the twang. Considering its all factory stock standard, something doesnt quite marry up with other reports.

Z

Ah! Thanks! I take it a capacitor tweaks the freq somehow? Adding between the pickup and its pot changes the frequency? I know I could look this up but this is so much more fun, sorry if that's annoying!

Daniel Deathtide

The cap is part of the tone circuit. I wouldn't bother changing it if you have improved the sound by adjusting pickup heights. Cap values for tone circuits are no great mystery.

The artist formerly known as: Synchro

When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.

DeathTide wrote:

I've been wantonly playing around with pickup heights and what a difference that makes! Totally changes the sound. I've got some edition of the single coils and I do notice it sounds more "growly" or low-endy and crunchy when the pickups are super, close to the string. Then too low and they get thinner and almost airy, and quieter, with no crunch. I'm trying to find the sweet spot which seems to be just a little above the pick guard. I have a super heavy stroke so it's not really noisier, just not crunchy and a little thinner.

Why is there no pickup sticky-ed thread?!! There are twenty different kinds of Fender single coils and I wanna know what people think of them. Dammit.

Anyhow I am curious how a 500k pot would help, and is a potentiometer also called a "cap?" Would that mean the tone adjustment range is different or something? Apologies for being a dummy but this is new lingo to me sorry! Plus I am dumb. I've always kicked myself for not taking some basic electronics courses...

Dan

Glad you're making progress. Pickup adjustment is one of the dark arts. There's little magic in the doing as much as arriving at the legendary and magical "sweet spot". Company's may have specs as to "correct " pup height but this is really more a matter of "trust your ears, Luke". This requires time and patience and can take days as you hone in, but you can get close in fifteen minutes. It IS true that some people's hearing is in trouble, under which case, a trusted second opinion can be helpful. What you are mostly looking for (unless you play exactly one kind of song- and you probably don't) is the balance point , before all of the pedals get turned on, where you get a nice clear clean more or less but when you crank on your strings you get more dirt/grunge/power etc > you and your playing come through as intended and felt. Warning: pre amps are good, but can change the equation so if you use one, adjust with it on. A secret part of this is "it's not just the pickups; it's you too". This includes not only what you like to play but also how you as an individual play. The sweet spot for you, me, or Dick Dale may differ a little bit, but probably not a lot. Also, the sweet spot can change over time. Good luck, and keep your phillips handy.

mj
bent playing for benter results
Do not attempt to adjust your TV set.
https://www.facebook.com/Bass-VI-Explorers-Club-179437279151035/
https://www.facebook.com/Lost-Planet-Shamen-366987463657230/

Cool

Last edited: May 07, 2018 18:41:00

Yeah youre on the money MJ. Diffrent strokes for diffrent folks.

This guitar just hasnt been right independant of which amp. Im currently pressing a 5e3 clone into service but its been the same with my vibroluxe Rev and DRRI.

Its gotta be the pickup height...

Z

Zedmaniac wrote:

I remember now that i also have been noticing that when i pick real hard (frequently) that im getting a snappiing kinda sound.
Z

That’s the characteristic sound of the SGV 800. There is a YouTube video of a Russian guitar store dude really getting into that boing sound that the SGV does so well. Kind of beyond Strat.
I wanna hear how changed pots alter the guitar’s sound. It never occurred to me but maybe I’d like that mod. It’s a rocking axe with a unique vibe and great build quality!
image

Squink Out!

Last edited: May 07, 2018 23:52:57

Ok pickup height adjust has made a Vast difference. I pmayed it through a Twin today and was really happy with the sound. I love easy fixes when they happen! Thanks again for the help dudes!

Z

I would really love to have one of those Yamaha SGV's. Cool

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