Franz "P-90's" - how do you use them?

[carljoensson]

Hi,
Maybe the topic seems stupid. As I've declared in the Bigsbythread I have a '62 CE-100DP with Franz pickups. Compared to my Fender strat these pickups are really hot, and I will really need to work a bit on my playing style to tame them. Otherwise my sound very easily becomes too boomy.

For me the easiest way has seemed to be the wimpy setting inbetween the neck and bridge-pickup. I keep all volume controls and tone controls on max, since I'm usually too busy singing and can't be bothered with such stuff.

So, in all I'm just a bit curious how other Franz-players take benefit of the characteristics etc. Especially those of you who play rhythmguitar, and yes, why not Rockabilly.

Thanks,

Carl - who in all honesty has got better guitars than his skills are worthy. So I tend to play a few strings too much now and then, strumming that is.

 

[billydlight]

if your guitar sounds wimpy in the middle position, you are probably out of phase. Should get that looked at. also you probably need to get the pickups potted that keeps down the microphonic feedback and woofiness.

 

[Walter Broes]

Compared to my Fender strat these pickups are really hot, and I will really need to work a bit on my playing style to tame them. Otherwise my sound very easily becomes too boomy.

For me the easiest way has seemed to be the wimpy setting inbetween the neck and bridge-pickup. I keep all volume controls and tone controls on max, since I'm usually too busy singing and can't be bothered with such stuff.

First of all, I completely agree with Billy - if your middle switch setting is very wimpy, your pickups might be out of phase.
The middle position on any two pickup guitar is always going to be a little softer and lower output than either pickup full-on, but wimpy it shouldn't be.
And I also agree with Billy on the potting - all of mine are wax-potted.

What I've found with Franz pickups is that they're extremely sensitive to how close they are to the strings, and the difference between "just right" and "too close" is very small.
If they're too close to the strings, especially the neck pickup, they will get boomy and hard to control.
You can adjust the height of these pickups by taking off the cover, unscrewing and taking out the pickup, and (VERY carefully!!!) bending the ends of the baseplate.

I've found that the neck pickup usually needs to sit almost as low as you can get it to balance nicely with the lead pickup, and to get rid of excessive bass and boominess.
I start out with the lead pickup, set that one to optimum height, and go from there to adjust the neck pickup.

I also keep the bass control on my (Fender) amp between two and three, any higher and I get feedback, muddy tone, too much bass, and imbalance between the bass and treble strings.

 

[carljoensson]

Hi there Walter and hi Billy,

Thanks for helping out!

To clarify, no the middle position isn't really whimpy, but its output is lower than the other two. In fact, playing rhythm in the middle position and then switching to either bridge or neck pickup for lead could be a pretty good boost. But yes as you describe: if I play in middle position (with both volume knobs on max) and turn down the volume on the bridge pickup - the output volume goes up. So I guess everything is in order.

Waxpotting should maybe be considered then! Regarding the distance to the pickups, my Guild indeed has pretty low action and plays beautifully. I can't take a measurement right now however since the tailpiece, bridge and strings are all gone for the moment (bigsby-process).

Reading more closely, yes what you describe Walter about the neck pickup is probably what I need to get fixed. I think the bridge pickup sounds pretty alright. But the neck is very boomy, feedbacks more easily. I too have kept my Vibrolux's Bass knob on 2.

Wooops!! While writing I reread both your posts I got curious and decide to take the pickupcovers off to have a look. Turns out the neck pickup is covered with aluminum foil, there's a thin steel wire running "slalom" between the screws (poles) of the pickup, thereby connecting them all. (If they are waxed at all, I cannot see.)

I know really nothing about electronics and pickups - but is this NORMAL?? :shock:

It does look neatly done, but...

Ooh, and the same treatment has been given to the bridge pickup.

What do I make of all this???? :shock: :x
Thanks again,

Carl


PS. Ok, Walter I see what you mean about bending the bottom plate carefully. It doesn't look too hard. DS.

 

[Walter Broes]

Perfectly normal there, don't worry!

But if you turn one pickup down a little bit in the middle position, and the volume goes UP - your pickups are out of phase!

 

[carljoensson]

Ok!
So the foil and the steel thread is fine? But if I waxpot the pickups will I need to put new foil on?
Ok, so the pickups are out of phase. Thanks for telling me! What should be done about it? Did someone do something wrong in the past - is it an original flaw from Hoboken, or somebody messed up later on.

Maybe my old Guild is in for a real SPA-treatment at the luthier.

I need to fix:
1. Mounting my B6 Bigsby
2. Intonate the new bridge etc
3. Wax the pickups?
4. Fix the neck pickup height?
5. Fix the pickups being out of phase.

...or can I do it all myself. ?? (I got soldering iron etc...)

Thanks again,

Carl

 

[Walter Broes]

That is quite a bit of work indeed.

I think you'd be the best judge re: if you're up to the task or not.
If you have a lot of experience tinkering with guitars and are very confident about it, I'd say "go for it" - but if you have access to a good luthier you have good communication with, you might want to at least have him advise you or help you, if not do the work entirely.

Reversing the phase on those pickups is not something I'd do if didn't have experience around those things - it's pretty easy to break something.

I saw your questions about the Bigsby install on the other thread btw, and about those new holes you have to drill : DO NOT drill holes that are too small in diameter, and lube the screws (candlewax works great) before you screw them in - otherwise you stand a good chance of breaking the screws when they're halfway in the guitar, or even splitting the wood.
Having to put too much force on a screwdriver is NEVER a good idea.

 

[carljoensson]

Thanks for the tips Walter! I'll probably just ask the luthier to take care of the whole thing. On the other hand, when am I ever gonna learn to be my own guitar tech. But I guess you should start out on Squire strats etc, not on 45 year old vintage guitars.

Regarding the phase problem, you mean what I have is altogether wrong, right? I'll not do it myself - just curious what the difference will be once I have my guitar fixed.

Foil on the pickups etc? - I suppose the foil is there to shield the pickup from "electric disturbance" from lights and machines etc. Will a waxpotted pickup also need foil?

Thanks for taking the time replying to all these questions!

Carl