Offset Mustang90 tone

[Mr Bigglesworth]

I don't really care for tone of this guitar. I have a Squier CV Mustang, love the sound, neck, color, every thing about it.
Have used a few different amps with it. It sounds kind of dull and lifeless.
Sell it, new pickups??
MikeB

[theslack5]

I have the player Mustang 90, I really like the sound of mine. Was thinking though if the specs are the same on the offset version then it will have 375k pots, you could swap them out for 500k which may help with the dullness instead of spending a load on pickups.

[Mr Bigglesworth]

Thanks for the reply. Had the plate off, my pots 375 as well. In searching for info, many suggestions pointing to 500k pots also. I am going to try that. Seeing 022 and 047 caps being suggested. Think I will try the 022 first.
Before I do all that though, I am going to raise the pickups, I think they are a bit low. I did loosen the screws but they did not come up, so I am going to remove pickguard to help move them along.
How high are the strings above the pickups?
Thanks again, MikeB

[theslack5]

Not got a ruler to hand but by eye I would say that the strings are about 3 to 4 mm away from the bridge pickup, the neck pickup is further away 6 or 7 maybe. My neck pickup is slightly quieter as a result.
I’ve not had mine that long, about 3 or 4 weeks but have been playing it a lot at home and I’ve done 2 band rehearsals with it, I wanted a bit punkier sound than my Jazzmaster, It’s working out pretty well so far although I’m sure it will get a few extra tweaks as time goes on.
Will be interesting to hear how you get on.

[Mr Bigglesworth]

I pulled the pickups out and put a couple springs under each pickup. The jack was buggered up so I replaced that as well. Playing through Champion 600 RI with 8"speaker. Sounds much better. Pickups are much closer than they where. The bridge pickup became very bright and the neck sounds great, smooth and full of tone. I will play a little more with heights. I was getting a lot of noise from the amp. Forgot to turn off the down stairs lights, get a lot of noise with them on. I'll try it again with the lights off

[windmill]

The cheap and easy things to try when you are unhappy with sound of your guitar are
1 pickup height ( you are already on to this )
2 strings , may be change the type or gauge of string
3 pick. Use a different thickness or type of pick.

Then you can start changing pots and resistor values.

Try all of these before spending money on new pickups.

Hth
☺