Robben Ford Discussion

jimfog · Member Joined: 09 Nov 2003 Posts: 9 Location: Phila, Pa.

Hey Daved,
Thanks for your participation on this site!

I've always wondered.........how do touring pro guitarists deal with that nasty single-coil HUMMMM? Obviously, many go for noiseless, or active set-ups........but personally, I find most of them lacking. Robben's tele is all vintage (and vintage style) pickups, and I imagine the power and light sources are not always optimal in all the venues you guys play.....so how much of an issue is this?

I know I just tend to put up with a certain amount of noise, and use my volume control a lot when I'm not playing........same with Robben? After using many other single-coil p'ups, noiseless and otherwise, I'm just NOT giving up my Fralins!

Real curious on your thoughts on this....

Thanks,
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Daved · Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2003 1:08 am Post subject:

Yes, single coil noise can be a problem. I have worked with many artists who use a variety of means to deal with it.... gates, active circuitry, etc. But these create their own set of problems or parameters that need to be adjusted for and one inevitably ends up 'chasing his tail'.

I just mess with AC sources, grounds & lifts, and gear placement to get the clearest signals I can.

Robben himself has 2 solutions. One is the one you mention... just dealing with it and working his volume controls. The other is, in the severest cases, using a different guitar. Robben loves his mid 50's Les Paul, but we rarely take it on the road as it can be virtually unusable in some venues. We COULD shield it or alter it in a number of ways, but Robben prefers that it's integrity remain untampered with, so he preserves it for studio use almost exclusively.
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Leftbender · Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2003 1:57 am Post subject:

As I do not have a guitar tech, I use the Boss TU2 floor tuner. You can connect it in a way that is disconnects while tuning. I also use it in this way when I'm not playing on the stage and when I have to change my guitar. When pressed there is no hum or noise anymore. Laughing

Ian Hurtt · Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2003 11:45 pm Post subject:

Hello from a Newbie!

I use a combination of a noise gate and the volume control on the guitar to handle the hum. But, I use several different guitars, and I really only have problems with my Fender Tele Jr. with P90's. Howver, I love the tone too much to change anything.

Ian

edpesco · Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2003 12:26 pm Post subject:

Aeolian · Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2003 7:43 pm Post subject:

Having two different volume controls can get confusing. How many folks are using a volume pedal and still play with the guitar knobs? Ever turn the guitar back up in the heat of battle and wonder what was wrong? Then remember that thing on the floor? Wink

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jaybee · Member Joined: 12 Nov 2003 Posts: 8 Location: Belgium

I use my volume control a lot to control dynamics and overdrive, but as an alltime strat player I found iit difficult to do the same with my Epiphone Sheraton. solution: a volume pedal - I use a BOSS pedal, that I can set up so that in the 'off' position there still is sound, volume at about 33% = ideal for rhythm. then when I have a solo, I can push the amp harder.

as far as accidentally stepping on it... it happens, buthen again, when I turn up or down on the strat, I sometimes pass the point where I want to be too... just go and fix it and keep on playing Wink

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edpesco · Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2003 3:11 am Post subject:

marinblues · Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2003 10:30 am Post subject: Kinman

For single coil noise issues, check out Kinman pickups from Australia ( www.kinman.com).

Forget Fender Noiseless or any other noiseless stuff that's out there, these pups are something else.

Apart from being noiseless, they are simply exceptional single coil pickups.

marin

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StratCat · Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2003 6:36 pm Post subject:

re volume controls - I've used a floor based volume pedal and had very few problems as far as getting confused with volume levels goes.

But, the number of times I try to *wah* using the volume pedal is ridiculous! Embarassed

re Kinman pickups - these are seriously good pickups. I've recently swapped out my EMG assembly for Kinmans in my Strat and am very happy with the results. They breathe a lot better than the EMG's and they're still very quiet; they're also head and shoulders above Lace Sensors (which I personally never liked).

Chris Kinman also used to make a strat years ago which were great guitars but stopped doing these to concentrate on pickup production. Worth getting your hands on one if you see one S/H but there probably aren't that many outside of Australia.

chris
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garylamarLOUDguitar · Member Joined: 14 Nov 2003 Posts: 14

I can echo the recommendation for Kinmans. I have them on a Strat and they opened up some tones that I never really accessed before, particularly the 2 and 4 positions on the switch. They are truely quiet, as advertised. I got them from Griblin Engineering. I had him wire up a whole new pickguard with one of his custom wiring harnesses and the pick-ups. Check out his site if you'd like to know more.
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