Think I may have to ditch my Starfire IV

[fishlog]

I have only had it a short time, gorgeous guitar but I wish I could do a pick up swap!

They are just to dark!

 

[GAD]

Beautiful guitar! I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone say that LB1s are too dark. What kind of tone are you after? Maybe something more single coil?

 

[GGJaguar]

Have you tried raising the bridge pickup? My SF IV is bright and chimey and I have the bridge pickup set about 6 mm from the strings and then adjusted the pole pieces as needed for string-to-string balance.

 

[fishlog]

Beautiful guitar! I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone say that LB1s are too dark. What kind of tone are you after? Maybe something more single coil?

Something closer to my Eastman T59/v I guess? Which is clearer and bluesy-er. This is mostly on leads. As far as chords and rythym it's pretty hard to beat.

Have you tried raising the bridge pickup? My SF IV is bright and chimey and I have the bridge pickup set about 6 mm from the strings and then adjusted the pole pieces as needed for string-to-string balance.

Oh yes... I obsess about this stuff. I got them to the best possible height I think they can be at.

I don't know I was thinking about listing it here. I already have it on Reverb just looking to get talked out of it maybe lol.

 

[mavuser]

no advice from me on the guitar or pickups, but you certainly have fantastic taste in music!

the green Guild is a looker...what amp you using?

 

[fishlog]

no advice from me on the guitar or pickups, but you certainly have fantastic taste in music!

the green Guild is a looker...what amp you using?

I promise there was no ad placement intended... albums and sticker just happened to be in pic but thanks!

Using a Deluxe reverb 65 RI with a Celestion Red and a Princeton Reverb 65 RI with a Celestion Gold ( <--- Match made in heaven).

I plan on Cracking out the Guild tonight been sitting in a case for a few weeks.

 

[mavuser]

hmm not sure what to tell u there. maybe just try turning the bass down on the Fender amps??

could swap in an original 60s version of that bridge pickup also.

keep us posted!

 

[GAD]

I wonder if you’re experiencing the pickup imbalance issue. LB1s are 7k in the neck and 5k in the bridge. A lot of people never notice and it’s more obvious in some guitars than others but it drives me nuts.

 

[fishlog]

hmm not sure what to tell u there. maybe just try turning the bass down on the Fender amps??

could swap in an original 60s version of that bridge pickup also.

keep us posted!

I wonder if you’re experiencing the pickup imbalance issue. LB1s are 7k in the neck and 5k in the bridge. A lot of people never notice and it’s more obvious in some guitars than others but it drives me nuts.

I don't really think there is a problem to be solved here I think it is just the natural tonal characteristics of this particular guitar.

Going to take a deep dice with it next couple nights.

 

[DrumBob]

I have never felt the pickups in my SF-IV were too dark, but you could probably get them rewound by a qualified pickup maker if that's an a final option. I would do as others have advised; try adjusting the height of the pickups first.

 

[fishlog]

I have never felt the pickups in my SF-IV were too dark, but you could probably get them rewound by a qualified pickup maker if that's an a final option. I would do as others have advised; try adjusting the height of the pickups first.

Yup... adjusted pickups many times.

 

[matsickma]

The LB1's are an acquired tone. I personally like them in a semihollow guitar and have a vintage SF5 with them. However I don't care for the tone in hollow body guitars. Everyone has their preference.

If you like the tone of DeArmond single coils like model 2000 (vintage or reissue) or the modest P90 ish sounding model 2k, they can fit into the existing LB1 routing. If you angle the mounting screws you can use the existing LB1 holes. Not perfect cosmetic wise but it works.
M

 

[mavuser]

The LB1's are an acquired tone. I personally like them in a semihollow guitar and have a vintage SF5 with them. However I don't care for the tone in hollow body guitars. Everyone has their preference.

the original LB-1's and the (full hollow) 60's Starfire 3 sound amazing together. I have posted many videos on this (Norah Jones, Will Bernard, Jerry Garcia) . and others here have made similar posts about those SF-3's. However I cannot really speak to the recent reissues (I did briefly play them on a Thunderbird at Sam Ash...thought they sounded great but a Tbird is not for me)

 

[Uke]

I have only had it a short time, gorgeous guitar but I wish I could do a pick up swap!

They are just to dark!

That's really weird. My Starfire 2 is very bright and jangly (almost too much so for my ear at times).

 

[fishlog]

That's really weird. My Starfire 2 is very bright and jangly (almost too much so for my ear at times).

Maybe... mine is more of that flat "jazz" tone.

But I did play it for a while last night. Its a very good guitar and I really like it.

I just try to minimal with gear believe it or not. Only have/want what I need and more importantly what I use.

 

[Ixtlan]

I have only had it a short time, gorgeous guitar but I wish I could do a pick up swap!

They are just to dark!

I like this "Close to the Edge Green" you have!

 

[fishlog]

I like this "Close to the Edge Green" you have!

I was trying to color-coordinate!

Closer to the Edge... favorite Yes album.

Wish I could play like Steve Howe...

 

[Ixtlan]

Have you tried the Steven Wilson remixes? I will say no more....

 

[Shakeylee]

both of the amps you mention are truly great.
but,they're both 2x6v6 ,which can be nice and warm and creamy,
if you have access to an EL84 powered amp, you might lose the darkness,worth a try

 

[guitarlover]

Erm... compared to a Gibson 335 these pickups do not sound dark normally...