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Throbak MXVs on my R8 - need help here

Slashburst

Active member
Joined
Sep 14, 2010
Messages
682
Hi guys,

I'm sure you can help me! Installed throbak mxvs pu's on my r8 for 2 years now. Playing it through a Marshall class5 and an Okko Diablo oD. Recently the feedback when playin with the okko on, through both pu's has been terrible.

Any thoughts?

Thx so far
 

Mars Hall

Active member
Joined
Nov 26, 2008
Messages
1,829
Where the covers removed then replaced? Is there anything else you do differently or have changed? One pu, I could see going south but both, at the same time, is highly unlikely.
 

Triburst

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 12, 2006
Messages
4,353
Sometimes microphonic tubes will get started on their song with a little feedback.
 

Slashburst

Active member
Joined
Sep 14, 2010
Messages
682
Where the covers removed then replaced? Is there anything else you do differently or have changed? One pu, I could see going south but both, at the same time, is highly unlikely.

Yeah, I have both PU covers off. Not at the same time, but both have feedback when selected!
 

toxpert

Active member
Joined
Jul 2, 2005
Messages
3,068
You should contact Jon regarding the performance of the pickups. He provides excellent tech support for his products....and in a timely manner.

You indicate that the pickups were modified (covers on/off).
 

jwalker

Les Paul Forum Sponsor
Joined
Dec 10, 2004
Messages
2,592
Yeah, I have both PU covers off. Not at the same time, but both have feedback when selected!

I just replied to your latest email.

I believe you have had these pickups for 2 years. Was there no feedback issue for the past two years? Are the covers on the pickups now? Where the covers taken off then reinstalled? Have magnets been swapped? Where these recently installed in a new guitar? Poor cover installation, poor magnet installation and even a cold solder joint or shot pot from poor installation can cause the feedback.

Basically I don't have enough information yet to diagnose the problem completely. Reply to the email I sent and I we can go from there.

Just for the record you have sent two emails since yesterday and I have replied to both of them in less than a day. I do get many, many emails every day so if takes me a day to reply to one just know that it just takes that long sometimes for me to get to them. I appreciate your patience.
 

Slashburst

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Joined
Sep 14, 2010
Messages
682
I just replied to your latest email.

I believe you have had these pickups for 2 years. Was there no feedback issue for the past two years? Are the covers on the pickups now? Where the covers taken off then reinstalled? Have magnets been swapped? Where these recently installed in a new guitar? Poor cover installation, poor magnet installation and even a cold solder joint or shot pot from poor installation can cause the feedback.

Basically I don't have enough information yet to diagnose the problem completely. Reply to the email I sent and I we can go from there.

Just for the record you have sent two emails since yesterday and I have replied to both of them in less than a day. I do get many, many emails every day so if takes me a day to reply to one just know that it just takes that long sometimes for me to get to them. I appreciate your patience.

Hi Jon,

I am busy now and haven't checked you second email. I will check it!

Well, the pu's were installed two years ago in my R8 LP without the covers from minute one. Never touched or modded them in any way. They are the same pu's as they left your production line. Never had feedback issues before, they appeared now.

Thanx for the prompt response and attention!
I would buy from you again in a heartbeat.

Rock on
 

Slashburst

Active member
Joined
Sep 14, 2010
Messages
682
As you explained, they are wax unpotted in order to be vintage correct, and this way they will remain.

I am pretty sure there is no defect on the pu's.

What I am seeking here, is some pro tips in order to avoid these feedbacks. There must be some way to avoid it setting up amp, pu height or anything like that.

Just to make clear there are no defects or problems with the PU's. They sound awesome and I love to play this geetar and blame it on the Throbaks.

Rock on
 

jwalker

Les Paul Forum Sponsor
Joined
Dec 10, 2004
Messages
2,592
If you had the pickups in the guitar untouched for two years and there is now a feedback issue it seems like there is probably an issue with your pedal and amp setup. I was in a band once with a guy that used a Mesa RectoVerb combo. For solos he would switch on a FullDrive pedal and would usually get squeal feedback With the Fulldrive on other pedals were not an issue with his set up. He played a Strat. I actually have an Okka Diablo OD and like it and have never had a feedback issue with it. So maybe check the tubes?
 

Slashburst

Active member
Joined
Sep 14, 2010
Messages
682
If you had the pickups in the guitar untouched for two years and there is now a feedback issue it seems like there is probably an issue with your pedal and amp setup. I was in a band once with a guy that used a Mesa RectoVerb combo. For solos he would switch on a FullDrive pedal and would usually get squeal feedback With the Fulldrive on other pedals were not an issue with his set up. He played a Strat. I actually have an Okka Diablo OD and like it and have never had a feedback issue with it. So maybe check the tubes?

That's the point. I have another LP (perryburst DJ makeover) and a Fender Strat Jimi hendrix 97, and none of them have the same squeal...
 

jwalker

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Dec 10, 2004
Messages
2,592
That's the point. I have another LP (perryburst DJ makeover) and a Fender Strat Jimi hendrix 97, and none of them have the same squeal...

If nothing has changed in your guitar or gear setup then I'm stumped. Maybe a pot has gone bad on the guitar or a bad solder joint. But that would usually appear right after installation. What you describe sounds like somebody playing high gain and high volume with unpotted pickups 3 feet away from a speaker in a small room. But if you are playing the same setup you have for the last two years this could not be it?
 

orangedrop

Member
Joined
Jul 30, 2002
Messages
324
I have the same problem with high gain pedals combined with unpotted PU:s, such as Throbacks and and even the new Custom Buckers and vintage P90:ies. :welcome

If you want the unpotted sound - maybe this is something you'll have to get used to live with. :bh
 
Last edited:

Slashburst

Active member
Joined
Sep 14, 2010
Messages
682
Was the guitar new when ya put the pickups in it?

Nope, already used. It is a 2008 R8, bought it in 2010. Also installed RS vintage kit of pots and bumblebees. It was six months before the throbaks
 

Slashburst

Active member
Joined
Sep 14, 2010
Messages
682
Is the weather there basically constant?

Hm, not so constant! Pretty hot and high humidity in the summer and not so cold and very dry some days of winter. And the Weather varies a lot during the season...
 
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