FregGarvinMP
Member
- Joined
- Aug 16, 2021
- Messages
- 44
Wish I had used a varitone years ago. They are a great tonal option for humbuckers.
For over 20 years, I had a varitone in a pedal. It sat around. I never used it. I didn't understand its usefulness until recently. Back then I was mainly a strat/tele player. However, now I'm primarily 335, Les Paul, and Firebird. I think I like it better and that it works better with humbuckers. A couple of settings really soften a humbucker in a subtle way. Single coils are already softer sounding, which is why I didn't find it useful on my strat.
A couple of settings are really useful and practical. I don't know how I've done without them. Others are usable, but you usually have to tweak your gain/tone so it's not too bassy.
In the past, I would always want to add a coil split push/pull on my humbucker guitars to have available that softer single coil tone. It was never a replication of a quacky strat pickup, which was fine. I just wanted that softer alternative to a humbucker. This gives me that option and makes it very versatile.
So recently, I pulled out that pedal. After really liking the sounds, I bought a Mike D varitone switch and installed it on my Murphy Lab Les Paul, in place of the neck's tone control. It's wired to be on for both pickups.
I customized a matching top hat reflector knob to fit the varitone solid shaft, so I could preserve the cool vintage look of the Les Paul.
I love it. Anyway I recommend people consider it. I'm kinda surprised it's not a more common mod. For years, all I heard was it was a mistake by Gibson; a tone sucker. But if you like blues, country, jazz, or basically anything other than heavier stuff, I think it'll come in handy.
I felt a bit naughty installing this on my Murphy Lab Les Paul, but I'm a player, not a collector. I didn't drill any holes; just wiring, so no harm, but still it felt weird to do that. I'm glad i did though. It's made it more of a swiss army knife.
Anyone else into varitone switches?
For over 20 years, I had a varitone in a pedal. It sat around. I never used it. I didn't understand its usefulness until recently. Back then I was mainly a strat/tele player. However, now I'm primarily 335, Les Paul, and Firebird. I think I like it better and that it works better with humbuckers. A couple of settings really soften a humbucker in a subtle way. Single coils are already softer sounding, which is why I didn't find it useful on my strat.
A couple of settings are really useful and practical. I don't know how I've done without them. Others are usable, but you usually have to tweak your gain/tone so it's not too bassy.
In the past, I would always want to add a coil split push/pull on my humbucker guitars to have available that softer single coil tone. It was never a replication of a quacky strat pickup, which was fine. I just wanted that softer alternative to a humbucker. This gives me that option and makes it very versatile.
So recently, I pulled out that pedal. After really liking the sounds, I bought a Mike D varitone switch and installed it on my Murphy Lab Les Paul, in place of the neck's tone control. It's wired to be on for both pickups.
I customized a matching top hat reflector knob to fit the varitone solid shaft, so I could preserve the cool vintage look of the Les Paul.
I love it. Anyway I recommend people consider it. I'm kinda surprised it's not a more common mod. For years, all I heard was it was a mistake by Gibson; a tone sucker. But if you like blues, country, jazz, or basically anything other than heavier stuff, I think it'll come in handy.
I felt a bit naughty installing this on my Murphy Lab Les Paul, but I'm a player, not a collector. I didn't drill any holes; just wiring, so no harm, but still it felt weird to do that. I'm glad i did though. It's made it more of a swiss army knife.
Anyone else into varitone switches?