Gibson Explorer users

[ytse_jam]

Last week I became the happy owner of a Gibson Explorer (the 'standard' version). I love the guitar and how it sounds even w/ clean settings. Overdrive tones are thick and organic sounding, although a bit... wouldn't say really muddy, but boomy and undefined on the lower strings. We play in D standard (a whole step down that is): I first chose Ernie Ball Beefy Slinkys .011 - .054 then went with D'Addario .011 - .049 and that solved the problem only partially (Beefy Slinkys also had too much tension). Then I looked at the guitar's specs and realized it's got a 300K volume pot, while most humbucker equipped guitars come with a 500K one. I wonder if switching to 500K would help solving that problem or if it'll make the Gibson 500T bridge pickup sound overly trebley and harsh (the 496R in the neck has already got some well enhanced high frequencies, I don't want it to sound too piercing). I'm using it with my Mesa Studio Pre (Bass setting at 2, lowest eq slider just a bit above the middle line).

So, have anyone here ever had experiences in switching from 300K to 500K in a Gibson Explorer or similar guitar? In addition, is anyone using the Gibson 500T with a 500K volume pot? How does it sound? Thanks guys.

 

[littlephil]

Gibsons come with 300k pots from the factory. 500k pots should help reduce some muddiness, and make it slightly brighter.

 

[Jackie]

My bandmate had a Jackson SL2H soloist that had 250K pots, from the factory. Sounded like a humbucker with the e-brake engaged. Switched to 500K, it sounded a little more open and crisp.

 

[guitar99]

Ive got two gibby X's, ones a natural, and the other black...Great instruments..Love the way they play..

 

[Gtr_Pkr]

I've got 500K pots with my humbucker equipped guitars. Swap the pots and see how it sounds. Also, if you are going to do that, look at the value of the capacitor on the volume pot. It should be 0.22 uf. You could try putting in a 0.15 uf capacitor to get some of the bass out. Of course, I presume you are handy with a soldering iron. Good luck.