Humbucker-Hollowbody...Which Caps... .022 or .047?

jbear · #1 10-28-2010, 02:24 PM

I am installing (more accurately...having installed) a couple of split Seth Lover's in an Ibanez AK 100 (all maple ES-175 style) along with 500 CTS pots and Orange Drops. I am wondering about the caps. I was going to put .047's in there, but my tech wants me to try .022's and he's willing to swap them out if I don't like them. Any thoughts? My first thought was that .022 would be too bright with an all maple guitar, but obviously I am going to agree to be the guinea pig...why not right? I am just curious what others use and why. I'm no expert, but I will know if I like the sound.

Just want to add...
I use this guitar strictly for jazz (Metheny, Rosenwinkel, Kreisberg...not that I'm close to that good). I use the neck PUP primarily...almost exclusively.

Drifter · #2 10-29-2010, 04:17 AM

I've recently changed the pups, pots and caps on my AK105. CTS 500 pots, Lollar CC + NOS P&O VQ .033 (neck) and Gibson P94 + Orange Drop .022 (bridge). Sounds wonderful. I'd go for .022 with humbuckers. By the way, the pot-holes needed to be drilled a little bit bigger. The CTS pots have a bigger shaft that doesn't fit in the existing holes.

jbear · #3 10-29-2010, 08:16 PM

Thanks for the response. I'm doing the same thing with an AS103 (Duncan 59's...w/ split neck, CTS 500's and .047s). Great instruments. I was tempted to leave them stock, but...I just can't seem to do that with any of my guitars. Gibsons, Fenders...doesn't matter...I just can't leave things alone. Maybe I have issues? Well, issues or not...my guitars sound great.

Meggy · #4 11-04-2010, 09:17 AM

Having re-wired a few guitars now, I too would go for the .022. In my opinion, the .047 is just too much. In fact, I doubt many people would ever turn the tone all the way down even on a .022 - it is still pretty muddy I find. But it does give a more usable control over the full range in my experience.