Tue Nov 02, 2021 2:09 pm
Tue Nov 02, 2021 3:40 pm
Tue Nov 02, 2021 5:33 pm
Tue Nov 02, 2021 7:02 pm
dhgleaves wrote:Hello. If it was me, my first choice would be to not modify the S-500 but maybe use pedals to get whatever tone you can't get. For certain songs, maybe play the Les Paul. My second choice would be to put either a stacked humbucker in the bridge, or maybe a dual blade, such as the ones that come in Legacy Specials (https://g-l-online-store.myshopify.com/collections/pickups/products/dual-blade-power-blade-humbucking-pickups). That way, you could more easily go back to the original if you changed your mind.
David
Tue Nov 02, 2021 7:06 pm
Arpeggio wrote:Welcome to the forum and the world of G&L! I'm not an expert on Tributes but your S-500 should have a swimming pool route under the pickguard. You should be able to hear the difference between the solid part of the body and the hollow area around the pickups by tapping the pickguard with your finger.
Also, did you engage the expander switch? I have a US made S-500 and the switch makes a huge difference. Mine can play metal and hard rock with ease when engaged. I believe it's a push/pull on the treble knob on the Tributes.
Swimming pool route looks like this...
Thu Nov 04, 2021 1:51 pm
Thanks for the welcome, I am looking forward to learning a ton!!!
Yes, I did just tap on mine and it sounds like I have the "full route" underneath, so that is a good start!
I have played a little with the push/pull, and also have been trying out the middle pickup for more distortion, and I don't hate it... On top of all of that, the G&L PTR system seems to give a lot more control than a regular setup would, which is making me lean towards being more patient and learning to play the instrument that I have.
The problem is I like to tinker!
If I was to swap pickguards to put a SSH in, is there a better place to order from, or modify a Fender Strat guard??
Thu Nov 04, 2021 8:55 pm
Arpeggio wrote:Thanks for the welcome, I am looking forward to learning a ton!!!
Yes, I did just tap on mine and it sounds like I have the "full route" underneath, so that is a good start!
I have played a little with the push/pull, and also have been trying out the middle pickup for more distortion, and I don't hate it... On top of all of that, the G&L PTR system seems to give a lot more control than a regular setup would, which is making me lean towards being more patient and learning to play the instrument that I have.
The problem is I like to tinker!
If I was to swap pickguards to put a SSH in, is there a better place to order from, or modify a Fender Strat guard??
Then by all means, tinker away! If you're as much of a tweaker as you are a tinker, then I'm pretty confident you can get the S-500 to work for heavy rock/metal as I did. Those MFD pickups are higher output than the CLF100's on a Legacy, especially with the expander switch. As far as pickguards... no, I don't believe a Fender (or USA G&L) would work on a Tribute. G&L used to recommend Pickguard Heaven for replacements but I'm not sure if they still offer them. You nay need to send yours in and have one made. I have seen used ones for sale on ebay and Reverb. so maybe keep an eye on them.