Redsand Posted December 18, 2013 Posted December 18, 2013 So I quenched my thirst for a solid bodied Heritage a few months back with this wonderfully preserved H-157! She sounds great, plays great and looks killer but here comes the but….. While I have really enjoyed getting to know her, the guitar's 3 pickup configuration has been really difficult to adjust to, I'm a 60/40 fingerstyle/hybrid player which awkwardly places my fingertips directly onto the middle pickup when I play without a pick. I've tried lowering the middle pickup but wasn't crazy about the results, do I dare compromise the integrity of this guitar by removing the pickup all together or is that just crazy talk? What are some realistic options here?
PunkKitty Posted December 18, 2013 Posted December 18, 2013 I don't like having more than 2 pickups on a guitar. But if you don't have a pickup there, it will leave a gaping hole.
rockabilly69 Posted December 18, 2013 Posted December 18, 2013 When you lower the middle pickup raise the polepieces slightly, and lower the neck and bridge pickup a bit too so they they balance. And add a little gain on the amp end. I have two, 3 pickup guitars, and I've gotten used to them when I thought I wouldn't.
Number8 Posted December 18, 2013 Posted December 18, 2013 I don't know what your options are...but that thing is bad a$$.
Guest HRB853370 Posted December 18, 2013 Posted December 18, 2013 Send that guitar to me Matt and problem solved!
Yooper Posted December 18, 2013 Posted December 18, 2013 Interesting problem. Can you play over the fingerboard? Maybe switching off the pickup you play over would help. This still leaves you three position options. I can see playing a Strat with 3 narrower single coil pickups would be much easier.
barrymclark Posted December 18, 2013 Posted December 18, 2013 I have come to not wanting more than one.... but I don't care how many it has so long as it sounds good to me.
Redsand Posted December 18, 2013 Author Posted December 18, 2013 When you lower the middle pickup raise the polepieces slightly, and lower the neck and bridge pickup a bit too so they they balance. And add a little gain on the amp end. I have two, 3 pickup guitars, and I've gotten used to them when I thought I wouldn't. Yeah, I definitely need to do some more tinkering with this one, I'll get her on the bench this weekend and try out your suggestion….thanks! Interesting problem. Can you play over the fingerboard? Maybe switching off the pickup you play over would help. This still leaves you three position options. I can see playing a Strat with 3 narrower single coil pickups would be much easier. Hey Dave! I actually gave some brain cells to the notion of installing a single coil in that middle position (a la Alvin Lee) to free up some space, unfortunately, I'm not so sure playing over the fingerboard would work for me.
Redsand Posted December 18, 2013 Author Posted December 18, 2013 Send that guitar to me Matt and problem solved! Haha, your raincheck's in the mail!! I don't know what your options are...but that thing is bad a$$. Thanks Otto! I'm still pulling up the photo of your Blue Millie from time to time with hopes of persuading a music buddy of mine who's been waffling on a Heritage purchase fore-evah.
DetroitBlues Posted December 18, 2013 Posted December 18, 2013 I played KBP's ultra custom 157 with mini hums. I found the middle pickup just gets in the way of my picking. Never found a use for that middle pickup. With a Strat I only use the middle with either the bridge or neck for that quack tone....
Number8 Posted December 19, 2013 Posted December 19, 2013 Matt - The Blue Troia is always up for sale. Just let me know. In fact, you just sell this 157 and buy her. You'll be left with money to spare I'm sure. (Seriously though, don't mod her. You should sell her if you're not happy.) best- Otto
Redsand Posted December 19, 2013 Author Posted December 19, 2013 Matt - The Blue Troia is always up for sale. Just let me know. In fact, you just sell this 157 and buy her. You'll be left with money to spare I'm sure. (Seriously though, don't mod her. You should sell her if you're not happy.) best- Otto Despite my fickle pickup gripe, the guitar is literally everything I'm looking for in a Heritage solid body, I'd be silly to sell it! However, I'd probably be willing to hear out a very specific trade offer, say a Blue Millie tricked out with chrome hardware, Seths and a 1989 HFT 445
HANGAR18 Posted December 19, 2013 Posted December 19, 2013 I don't have anything important to add. I just wanted to say that guitar looks incredibly awesome!
big bob Posted December 19, 2013 Posted December 19, 2013 I also have several three pup guitars and would totally agree you will get use to the feel after a bit of time. DB, you are dead wrong, the middle and neck pups together on a three mini hum guitar is heaven!
Redsand Posted December 19, 2013 Author Posted December 19, 2013 I don't have anything important to add. I just wanted to say that guitar looks incredibly awesome! Thanks Man! I kinda wish mine was a Trans Black like the one you've got, I really liked the one (Bolero) brought to PSP 6.
Number8 Posted December 19, 2013 Posted December 19, 2013 Despite my fickle pickup gripe, the guitar is literally everything I'm looking for in a Heritage solid body, I'd be silly to sell it! However, I'd probably be willing to hear out a very specific trade offer, say a Blue Millie tricked out with chrome hardware, Seths and a 1989 HFT 445 Ahhh, unfortunately the Blue Troia has Phat Cats...and the 445 stays.
bolero Posted December 19, 2013 Posted December 19, 2013 that is a beauty allright, you rarely see a 3 pup H157!!
shook494 Posted December 19, 2013 Posted December 19, 2013 That 157 is awesome looking! Just wanted to say that.
Hfan Posted December 19, 2013 Posted December 19, 2013 There are very low pick up rings available, typically used for the neck position, some are lower than others, maybe that would buy some room? I suppose the radical fix would be to remove it and have a good luthier fill the hole and re finish the area..it is flat black..but with the cost of that, I would sell it and find a two pick up model. Would be kind of a shame to molest it like that.
Gitfiddler Posted December 19, 2013 Posted December 19, 2013 3 P'up 157's rule! Yes, the middle pickup can take a bit to get used to it. But over time you will. Muscle memory will kick in if you stick to playing that guitar and no others for about a week. Make the adjustments to the pickups as mentioned above and you'll get great tones from that axe. How is your 3-way switch wired?
HANGAR18 Posted December 19, 2013 Posted December 19, 2013 There are very low pick up rings available, typically used for the neck position, some are lower than others, maybe that would buy some room? I suppose the radical fix would be to remove it and have a good luthier fill the hole and re finish the area..it is flat black..but with the cost of that, I would sell it and find a two pick up model. Would be kind of a shame to molest it like that. It would be better to leave the middle hole there and do an Ace Frehley thing with smoke pouring out of it. hahaha
HANGAR18 Posted December 19, 2013 Posted December 19, 2013 So I quenched my thirst for a solid bodied Heritage a few months back with this wonderfully preserved H-157! She sounds great, plays great and looks killer but here comes the but….. While I have really enjoyed getting to know her, the guitar's 3 pickup configuration has been really difficult to adjust to, I'm a 60/40 fingerstyle/hybrid player which awkwardly places my fingertips directly onto the middle pickup when I play without a pick. I've tried lowering the middle pickup but wasn't crazy about the results, do I dare compromise the integrity of this guitar by removing the pickup all together or is that just crazy talk? What are some realistic options here? Do the finger picking on the 535 and use a pick on the 157.
Redsand Posted December 19, 2013 Author Posted December 19, 2013 3 P'up 157's rule! Yes, the middle pickup can take a bit to get used to it. But over time you will. Muscle memory will kick in if you stick to playing that guitar and no others for about a week. Make the adjustments to the pickups as mentioned above and you'll get great tones from that axe. How is your 3-way switch wired? Once upon a time Brent actually owned this guitar and installed a 6 way toggle, works great!
DetroitBlues Posted December 19, 2013 Posted December 19, 2013 I also have several three pup guitars and would totally agree you will get use to the feel after a bit of time. DB, you are dead wrong, the middle and neck pups together on a three mini hum guitar is heaven! That wasn't possible on KBP's... He had a funky wiring configuration.... Middle still got in the way for my aggressive playing style.... I heard my pick constantly "clicking" on the pup...
HANGAR18 Posted December 20, 2013 Posted December 20, 2013 Once upon a time Brent actually owned this guitar and installed a 6 way toggle, works great! I suspected your guitar might have been that particular one. I remember that thread. If I ever get my hands on another solid black H157 with two pickups, I'll check in with you to see if you want to trade.
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