Quack from Z-Coils

[Killed_by_Death]

I've got a Comanche with Z-Coils & can't seem to make it quack like a Strat.
Is it impossible to do with the split-cols?

[cho]

They are different pickups, so they won't sound exactly like a strat, but I find if I roll off the volume a little, then they sound a little more like single coils, and closer to strat.

[yowhatsshakin]

These pups need some "special" tweaking and some of its secrets can be found this Comanche for dummies thread.

- Jos

[Killed_by_Death]

Thanks Guys!
I will sit down & read all that tomorrow & try again.
Fender fans are telling me you NEED a real Strat, but I don't believe it, since my Ibáñez HH can get pretty close, IMHO.

[Craig]

Thanks Guys!
I will sit down & read all that tomorrow & try again.
Fender fans are telling me you NEED a real Strat, but I don't believe it, since my Ibáñez HH can get pretty close, IMHO.

You might try different pickup heights, too. For example, see this post: http://www.guitarsbyleo.com/FORUM/viewt ... 721#p61721.

[john o]

I agree with above, roll back the Vol to 7-8, treble 6-7, and bass 4-5.
Play it through a funky solid state amp, scoop the mids a bit and dial back the presence to 3-4, better strat tones than a tube amp imo, those pups can push tube amp into overdrive type tones pretty easy, though depends on the amp.

[Johnny cache]

I'm finding that my Comanche sounds best clean through my DRRI. I play clean most the time and like most of the sounds I can get. I have to roll back the treble a bit but like what I hear. But sometimes I want a little OD for leads or rhythm. Haven't found a good OD that works for me, I'm more used to Gibson type HB's for OD. The Comanche doesn't do work well with a Boss Distortion Pedal DS-1. I tried a Boss Blues Driver BD-2 which helped a little. Must be something better. Are there any pedals you would recommend? I'd like a nice warm OD not a heave grunge type saturation, more of a tube OD with some sustain.

[john o]

I use the BD-2, and like it through a clean channel.
Try the Fulltone FD-3, a bit more versatile, good reviews.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/FullDrive3Bk/

[Nedmundo]

I think positions 2 & 4 sound great on the Comanche. It doesn't "quack" exactly like a Strat, but as others said, rolling off the controls (especially bass IMO) gets it closer. The comment above about solid state amps is interesting, because my Comanche does indeed sound more traditional through my Roland Cube 60 than through my Fender '68 Custom Deluxe Reverb.

In fact, due to its brightness and minimal EQ controls, I don't think the Fender amp is the best match for the Comanche. I suspect a Mesa Express with multiple modes and five-band graphic EQ would be a better match, and probably worth the expense if I played guitar in a band (I'm mostly a bassist).