A/B Of Bluesboy/Mfd and Bluesboy/Anico.

[darwinohm]

Both of these guitars have new strings but different brands. In the Seth Lover neck position, they sound remarkably alike so the strings may not be a big factor.

I compared the Equatorial Mahogany Chambered f hole with a special wound Alnico,from G&L, in the bridge with the Spalted Maple /Ash Bluesboy with the standard BB pickups. I have both guitars set up similar and the output levels are pretty much identical in both guitars. I had the Custom 15 amp set pretty neutral for tone settings and the volume controls on the guitars fully on. In the neck positions, both guitars sounded the same to me. It is when you use the middle positions and the bridge positions that the differences become more evident. Overall, Ii would describe the MFD setup as well defined and very articulate in any position. The Alnico model has more brilliance with tone all treble and more bassy with the treble backed off completely, in other words it has an overall wider range from end to end. They both, in the bridge position at mid setting on the tone, are quite similar with the Alnico being a bit brighter, a little more spank and more overtones. The MFD is very focused from one end to the other in the tone range. The Alnico has more brilliance in the full treble and goes to more bass, (lack of treble) in the full treble off position. The lower, and especially the low E string still has some twang in that position. Overall I would describe the Alnico as having a wider range of tone, more overtones and definitely quack. I was a bit surprised by the dynamic range of the alnico. I am not an expert on Fender tone but I would describe these Alnicos as able to really get the Fender or vintage sound if you want it. The Bluesboys pickups are a nice combination and I like the alnico paired with the Seth Lover. Overall I think it gives you a little more sonic range. The MFD with the SL is very focused from one end to the other. I wish I knew more about distortion as I wonder how the Alnicos would overdrive. Again the outputs levels seem pretty much identical. Jos, I would suggest that if you have compared some of the Alnico and regular classics that you give us your opinion.-- Darwin

[astutzmann]

thanks very much for this, great report!

[louis cyfer]

on the bluesboy it's not ptb, so i would not use the tone control halfway as a REFERENCE. the tone is simply a passive roll off, so full on is the default zero position. what you are describing is the pickups reaction to the to the bleed off from the tone cap. not what i would call dynamic range. the dynamic range would be how the pickups respond to the pick attack input from the player, nothing to do with the reaction to tone control.

[darwinohm]

Louis, what I have done is very basic, only an A/B with the two guitars side by side, plugged in to the same input channel on the amps. This is just a plain comparison. It doesn't take into account any picking or fingering dynamics or touch sensitivity. It is just a straight comparison of the sound side by side. You are absolutely right that the tone control may be doing what you have described. I have probably used the term dynamic to describe the wrong thing. Both guitars should be wired the same and respond to the tone controls the same way. This is very unscientific but probably does basically point out what I have described, the difference between the two when it comes to range and brightness/low frequency. This would hopefully not make a person pick between one or the other. We all have our ideas of what we like for tone. I wish I had your experience/knowledge of pickups, however in my case it could put me in the poor house. I still think the Alnicos are more vintage sounding and the MFDs more level, not as wide ranged overall as used in the Bluesboy. You make a good point that the tone control is rolloff and not PTB.-- Darwin.

[willross]

Thanks, D-dog! Now I want an Alnico BluesBoy...


Cheers,

Will

[darwinohm]

Will, i sit here and think I want one of everything! It is funny though, when I walk in the guitar store, there isn't much that I want. I would like a T-Type Grosh though. I look at the one at AGB when I am in there but it has a chunky neck, I think that is a good thing for me!--D-Dog.

[willross]

I've tried an S-type Grosh, but a T is new to me. I feel the same way when actually out at the store. I guess no time to ponder...