How do you tame an overly hot humbucker?

ChuckManual

It sounds really good with the volume backed-off, but I keep knocking it and nice smooth overdrive turns into totally deafening arsequake in the blink of an eye.

Would replacing the 500k volume pot with a 250k work?

Paul_C

move it away from the strings ?

MikeB

This ^.

Screw down the humbucker which may get you some way to reducing enough volume.

Jack_

Leave it in the freezer overnight.

ChuckManual

I've already tried lowering it.  It helped a bit, but I'd like it to be a bit calmer still.

Perhaps I'll try the freezer method...

ESBlonde

Turn down the input gain to the pedal or amp? (might not be possible)
Screw the PU down away from the strings.
Put a round corn plaster under the knob (against the guitar body), it will create enough friction to reduce the knocking the volume knob effect.
Fit a more classic powered PU instead.

guitars4you

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/index.php?threads/using-250k-pots-on-humbuckers.118336/ - This might help - I don't think there is a specific answer regarding 250K or 500K - There is an opinion - But try it - It will have more impact on the highs then the volume

If you are accidentally knocking the volume pot as you play, then 250K or 500K won't make much difference - Drop the height down a touch will help, but that is then 'tamed' all the time - Don't know what guitar you have or indeed if the pots are good or not, so hard to fully evaluate

ChuckManual

Thanks for that Gear Page link.  Very helpful.

robinbowes

What sort of pickup is it? Could you maybe replace the magnet with a lower-powered one?

I did this recently with a Gibson Lead Pro:

http://thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/55708/gibson-burstbucker-pro-magnet-replacement-with-pics

R.

ICBM

250K vs 500K won't tame it in terms of output - although it will smooth the tone slightly - but if you use a 250K pot with a 250K resistor in series between the pickup and the pot it will - it will be like the pot turned down to about 7 (assuming a Log pot) when it's full up.

If you don't want that all the time, you could make it optional with a push-pull pot. You can also use a different resistor value for more or less volume drop.

220K is the most common 'preferred value', rather than 250K by the way - it won't make much difference. The useful range is likely to be between 100K and 1Meg ohm.

slacker

I bought some Lollars. Have not regretted it. 

OilCityPickups

robinbowes said:

What sort of pickup is it? Could you maybe replace the magnet with a lower-powered one?

I did this recently with a Gibson Lead Pro:

http://thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/55708/gibson-burstbucker-pro-magnet-replacement-with-pics

R.

Replacing the magnet with a lower powered one will change the tone of the pickup significantly. Most of the power comes from the number of turns of wire on the pickup anyway ... changing say from a ceramic to an alnico 5 for example won't lower the output much.

I would flog what you have and fit lower output pickups.

jellybelly

Alternative solution - I put a Rothwell Cool Little Knob in my brothers fat strat. Makes even a Seympur Duncan Invader sound sweet and well behaved.

SNAKEBITE

What's with the freezer idea?

OilCityPickups

jellybelly said:

Alternative solution - I put a Rothwell Cool Little Knob in my brothers fat strat. Makes even a Seympur Duncan Invader sound sweet and well behaved.

A similar ... though not quite the same effect can be obtained by fitting a progressive coil split. one coil is progressively shut down, lowering the output and making the pickup more single coil like.

strtdv

SNAKEBITE said:

What's with the freezer idea?

Presumably the idea is to partially demagnetise the magnets.

I'd imagine this will also change the tone.

DanR

Id assumed the freezer comment was a joke because it was too hot?

ChuckManual

It was a joke.

At least, I hope it was.

Just in case, I'm putting my guitar in the freezer to see what happens...

richardhomer

ChuckManual;864971" said:

It was a joke.

At least, I hope it was.

Just in case, I'm putting my guitar in the freezer to see what happens...

Reputedly that's how you relic a nitro finish - I can only see good coming from it.

thomasross20

Put covers on it?

Sassafras

Try one of these.