Need help on Guitar pickup and ds/od

[Excalibur]

Hi softies, just found out about this forum through a friend. I think soft rocks.
Anyway, I help some help from you guys.
I'm currently using an Ibanez EX-350. (RG Series)

Intending to change my bridge and neck pickup. Been asking around and was told that Di-Marzio EvoII works well for bridge, and Di-Marzio Evo works for the neck. Any other suggestions?

As for effects, I'm currently using BOSS ME-50. I'm not really satisfied with the ds/od available, thinking of getting another pedal to compliment the ME-50. Any other recommendations besides Sansamp GT-2 and MetalMuff with Top Boost?

Current problem: The ds/od doesn't seem to come out. Like its being hidden.
I don't really know how to put it in words.
If I were to reduce the bass and increase the treble and
mids, I'd get the ds/od but lose the depth.
(I hope you get what i mean)

Playing Style: Rock/Metal

Enlighten me! =)

 

[leecs]

Why do you wana change pickups? I don’t understand. Do not listen or was told that this pickup, that pickups sounds awesome. Try whatever is available then decide.

The ME50 is a good multi-effects pedal. Just that imo the OD/Dist mids are scooped. Bass, mids & Treble knobs on pedals are not meant to pass 12pm. You’ll get artificial highs & lows. Experiment with your amp’s EQ.

What amp are you using?

 

[Whitestrat]

Hi softies, just found out about this forum through a friend. I think soft rocks.
Anyway, I help some help from you guys.
I'm currently using an Ibanez EX-350. (RG Series)

Intending to change my bridge and neck pickup. Been asking around and was told that Di-Marzio EvoII works well for bridge, and Di-Marzio Evo works for the neck. Any other suggestions?

As for effects, I'm currently using BOSS ME-50. I'm not really satisfied with the ds/od available, thinking of getting another pedal to compliment the ME-50. Any other recommendations besides Sansamp GT-2 and MetalMuff with Top Boost?

Current problem: The ds/od doesn't seem to come out. Like its being hidden.
I don't really know how to put it in words.
If I were to reduce the bass and increase the treble and
mids, I'd get the ds/od but lose the depth.
(I hope you get what i mean)

Playing Style: Rock/Metal

Enlighten me! =)

I'm not sure about the ME50, but I used to own an ME30 long ago. If the od/ds are the same (and I think they are), then the problem doen't lie with the guitar. The ME30 for some reason always sounded extremely subdued. It wasn't volume, but rather tone character. Or rather, the lack of it.

I'm going to assume you haven't fooled around enough with this yet, so here are some suggestions. Are you on the right setting? The old ME30 had a selection choice between humbucker and single coil modes. This could be one. 2ndly, did you adjust the level of the effect in the od/ds mode?

 

[Excalibur]

Yep, i do agree that the INF is a good pickup. I'm not intending to change too soon, gonna use my pickups for a while more. Wanted to hear more from the forum users over here so i know what to look out for when i decide to do so.

As for the bass, mids and treble, the ME-50 doesn't have it. What is has are the "tone" and "bottom" settings. I take it that you're suggesting don't set these 2 knobs above 12 o'clock? If yes, i'll take note of that. Thanks for the advice dude =)
I use a 25watt Ibanez Tone Blaster btw, but i guess what's more important is being able to utilize the amps given during performances. They always change.

For now, I'm looking for another ds/od pedal or any other pedal besides the chorus that can compliment the depth or drive to the ME-50.

By the way dude, you said "Just that imo the OD/Dist mids are scooped." I don't really understand what's imo and scooped. Can explain to me? Sorry, i'm not that good with such terms. Thanks =)

 

[Whitestrat]

Yep, i do agree that the INF is a good pickup. I'm not intending to change too soon, gonna use my pickups for a while more. Wanted to hear more from the forum users over here so i know what to look out for when i decide to do so.

As for the bass, mids and treble, the ME-50 doesn't have it. What is has are the "tone" and "bottom" settings. I take it that you're suggesting don't set these 2 knobs above 12 o'clock? If yes, i'll take note of that. Thanks for the advice dude =)
I use a 25watt Ibanez Tone Blaster btw, but i guess what's more important is being able to utilize the amps given during performances. They always change.

For now, I'm looking for another ds/od pedal or any other pedal besides the chorus that can compliment the depth or drive to the ME-50.

By the way dude, you said "Just that imo the OD/Dist mids are scooped." I don't really understand what's imo and scooped. Can explain to me? Sorry, i'm not that good with such terms. Thanks =)

IMO = In My Opinion
Scooped = Frequency levels. Means that you got high bass, high treble, but low mids.

You have a bottom and tone knob for the OD/DS section. tweak those. Should help... Level might be too low too...

 

[Excalibur]

I'm not sure about the ME50, but I used to own an ME30 long ago. If the od/ds are the same (and I think they are), then the problem doen't lie with the guitar. The ME30 for some reason always sounded extremely subdued. It wasn't volume, but rather tone character. Or rather, the lack of it.

I'm going to assume you haven't fooled around enough with this yet, so here are some suggestions. Are you on the right setting? The old ME30 had a selection choice between humbucker and single coil modes. This could be one. 2ndly, did you adjust the level of the effect in the od/ds mode?

Yep, i think its the lack of tone character from the od/ds. I've tried fooling around with the tone settings, usually use "fat", "presence" and "enhanced". This changes the tone of your guitar. Just to confirm by changing the level in my od/ds, it'll only increase my drive volume right? Won't really change the quality of the drive right? Thanks for the suggestions man =)
May i know what od/ds you're using right now?

 

[Whitestrat]

Yep, i think its the lack of tone character from the od/ds. I've tried fooling around with the tone settings, usually use "fat", "presence" and "enhanced". This changes the tone of your guitar. Just to confirm by changing the level in my od/ds, it'll only increase my drive volume right? Won't really change the quality of the drive right? Thanks for the suggestions man =)
May i know what od/ds you're using right now?

no, you're talking about the tone modify knob. that's a group of pre-set EQs. that's not what leecs and I are talking about.

It's the 4 knobs below you should pay attention to. The tone modify is meant to emulate some amps, I think.

I'm talking more about the tone knob at the bottom. Switch the tone modify OFF and tweak the controls at the bottom.

Changing the level knob should only adjust the volume. Changing the drive knob should adjust the amount of drive you want.

I'm using a Boss MT2 and a MI Audio Tubezone Overdrive.

Also, when you say it's not coming out, what are you playing against?

 

[Excalibur]

no, you're talking about the tone modify knob. that's a group of pre-set EQs. that's not what leecs and I are talking about.

It's the 4 knobs below you should pay attention to. The tone modify is meant to emulate some amps, I think.

I'm talking more about the tone knob at the bottom. Switch the tone modify OFF and tweak the controls at the bottom.

Changing the level knob should only adjust the volume. Changing the drive knob should adjust the amount of drive you want.

I'm using a Boss MT2 and a MI Audio Tubezone Overdrive.

Also, when you say it's not coming out, what are you playing against?

Ok, i'll take note of that. Thanks.
Also, when you say it's not coming out, what are you playing against?
Sorry don't really get what you mean by playing against?

 

[Whitestrat]

Ok, i'll take note of that. Thanks.
Also, when you say it's not coming out, what are you playing against?
Sorry don't really get what you mean by playing against?

What's your backing? a CD? or a band? or alone?

 

[joshuak]

As for effects, I'm currently using BOSS ME-50. I'm not really satisfied with the ds/od available, thinking of getting another pedal to compliment the ME-50. Any other recommendations besides Sansamp GT-2 and MetalMuff with Top Boost?

Current problem: The ds/od doesn't seem to come out. Like its being hidden.
I don't really know how to put it in words.
If I were to reduce the bass and increase the treble and
mids, I'd get the ds/od but lose the depth.
(I hope you get what i mean)

I was a ME-50 user myself and know exactly what you mean. The OD/dist sounds are either too thin or overly harsh. Never hitting the right tonal spot. This becomes very obvious especially when you are playing with another guitarist with good sound setup.

imo, the ME-50 is a very good multi-efx unit for practice. Especially good as introduction to various types of stomp boxes. For serious gigging, the OD and distortion options are not adequate.

For a start, standard stomp boxes such as Boss BD-2, DS-1 and MT-2 are safe bets. Available for 2nd hand from softees for less than $100 each.

 

[Indigo_blues]

I think the ME-50 was designed to be paired with a good amp(no amp simulations). That's why the OD/Distortions sound weak when going into a small practice amp.

 

[joshuak]

I used the ME-50 through a Roland Cube 60's clean channel, indigo_blues bro. The tones couldn't make it... Cube 60 good enuff or not?

 

[Indigo_blues]

the cube 60's amp sim must be on I guess for a good sound... otherwise it will be a flat frequency response curve resulting in overly accentuated mid-scoop.

the ME-50 was designed specifically to complement an amp, not as a stand-alone do-everything multifx like the podxt or GT-8..

 

[joshuak]

Drawing from what Indigo_Blues is saying, maybe Excalibur should try the ME-50's ODs and distortions through a good non-digital amp first. Then decide whether you want to use the onboard effects or buy new OD/dist stomp boxes.

 

[Whitestrat]

For a start, standard stomp boxes such as Boss BD-2, DS-1 and MT-2 are safe bets. Available for 2nd hand from softees for less than $100 each.

Isn't this very same circuitry supposed to be what's inside the ME50? At east that's what they tell you right?

 

[joshuak]

ME-50 is digitally simulating these pedals. Don't think it's the actual thing.

 

[Whitestrat]

ME-50 is digitally simulating these pedals. Don't think it's the actual thing.

Hmm... that's what they claim though... Thanks for the heads up...

 

[Indigo_blues]

it could be a simple thing like a gain mismatch or maybe overly processed dynamics in the multi-efx.. probably have to tweak around abit more.. best place to start is to turn off everything in the unit, then add on efx one by one..

 

[joshuak]

I tried to tweak. My band members also tried to help me tweak. Until they gave up and threatened to kick me out of the band if my tones didn't improve.

Excalibur, let me know if you have a success story. I might want to buy back a Boss ME-50.

 

[Indigo_blues]

I tried to tweak. My band members also tried to help me tweak. Until they gave up and threatened to kick me out of the band if my tones didn't improve.

Excalibur, let me know if you have a success story. I might want to buy back a Boss ME-50.

Haha! That's funny!

I think the thing needs to be paired to a decent amp to sound good..