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Big difference in clarity from a 2014 to a 2019…Wiring harness?

tuumbaq

New member
Joined
Apr 11, 2015
Messages
22
After playing my 2019 R6 at home thru my rig, I realized its has SO much clarity to it than both my 2014 CollectorChoice LesPaul and my M2M ES335.My older LesPaul sounds so muddy compare to the new girl and feels like it has way less bit as well…It cant just be the pickups can it ?

Im guessing the wiring harness makes that big difference???The difference is so immense!

Ive seen a lot of posts on upgrading the harness but I was unsure it would make that much of a difference …Have you guys upgraded older reissue LP and noticed a big difference?

Im looking at these 2 at the moment, any other recommendations?


 

MattH

New member
Joined
Aug 23, 2015
Messages
6
The Throbak harness in my 03 R7 made a pretty big difference. The original pots in mine were all over the place spec wise when I checked them. The Throbak is brighter, more clarity, better cleanup/taper.
 

CK6

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 5, 2020
Messages
449
After playing my 2019 R6 at home thru my rig, I realized its has SO much clarity to it than both my 2014 CollectorChoice LesPaul and my M2M ES335.My older LesPaul sounds so muddy compare to the new girl and feels like it has way less bit as well…It cant just be the pickups can it ?

Im guessing the wiring harness makes that big difference???The difference is so immense!

Ive seen a lot of posts on upgrading the harness but I was unsure it would make that much of a difference …Have you guys upgraded older reissue LP and noticed a big difference?

Im looking at these 2 at the moment, any other recommendations?


I have Throbak harnesses and they work fine - you can also buy CTS audio taper pots with 10% tolerance on Amazon. I’d steer away from CreamTone unless you’re ok with waiting 6 months to get your parts..

You can also try the retrospective set from Historic Makeovers.
Cheers
 

jrgtr42

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 24, 2005
Messages
2,308
Maybe start by adjusting the pickups - move them sown a bit further from the strings. That might make a difference.
Start simple and non-invasive, then move on if that doesn't work.
 

TM1

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 27, 2003
Messages
8,349
I think the guitars they build now using all Hide Glue construction are a big step in clarity!
 

El Gringo

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 8, 2015
Messages
5,657
After playing my 2019 R6 at home thru my rig, I realized its has SO much clarity to it than both my 2014 CollectorChoice LesPaul and my M2M ES335.My older LesPaul sounds so muddy compare to the new girl and feels like it has way less bit as well…It cant just be the pickups can it ?

Im guessing the wiring harness makes that big difference???The difference is so immense!

Ive seen a lot of posts on upgrading the harness but I was unsure it would make that much of a difference …Have you guys upgraded older reissue LP and noticed a big difference?

Im looking at these 2 at the moment, any other recommendations?


I swear by ThroBak and that would be my choice !
 

Cranknfrank

Member
Joined
Feb 7, 2011
Messages
64
If your new guitar has P-90 style pickups and your older guitar has regular PAF style pickups, there's going to be a big difference in tone just in that regard. Other electronic considerations factor in as well - pots,etc. but I think the difference in styles of pickups is the main difference.
 

ADP

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 16, 2015
Messages
682
VIP Pots are the only way to go. Don't look back.
 

vim

Member
Joined
Oct 10, 2008
Messages
28
I had the same experience: Loved the sound from several 2018 and 2019 R8 and R9s I tried, but quite dissapointed by my potted 2014 CB in an R8. The guitar is great though, and really came alive with both Montys PAF and Tyson Tone PAF.
Another disappointment was replacing the original pots with Bare Knuckle 550k pots (both with NOS k40y caps). They´re supposed to be good, vintage taper pots, but really dropped most of the volume from 10-8. Nothing wrong with them though - all 4 works the same way. VIP are sold out, so I am now waiting for some vintage tapers pots from Crazyparts.
 
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