EC-256 Pickups, Electronics

Andy H.Andy H.
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    Andy H.

    Hi all, recently I acquired a Faded Cherry Sunburst model, like new, made in Vietnam 2014. Cool axe, feels great in my hands and very ergonomic.

    I find the stock G&B pickups very thin, nasally, grainy and harsh sounding compared to my LP Studios (3 guitars with Duncan JB & Jazz, Screamin Demon & PAF Pro, and Skatterbrane PAF pickups). So I began swapping the pickups to find out which would improve the tone the most, but they all seem to produce a thin grainy tone in the ec256...

    My next thought would be to replace the pots, wiring, caps etc. but I wonder if the wood or thin body style could come into play with the thin tone (I know, can of worms, dead horse).

    Does anyone have experience with pots and/or wiring causing the funky tone? I want to love this axe but the thin, harsh tone may be a deal breaker, hopefully It's only the electronics. I'd appreciate any advise, Thanks!

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    Kevin B.
    Kevin B. wrote

    is the coil splitter on? or maybe it needs better capacitors? or the tone pot?

    I replaced the pickups on my EC-256's and they sounds fine, Duncan's Hot rodded hums and Bill Lawrence L-500 xl, 

    I have a couple wiring diagrams I made for the EC-256

    .

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      Andy H.
      Andy H. wrote

      Kevin, Thanks for the diagrams. I wired the test pickups without the coil splitting, and just tried a set of Burst Bucker Pro's with the same basic result. Hopefully the electronics is the culprit and not the tone wood, while searching I noticed a complete electronics upgrade for the 256, so I'll order it and see what happens. I'll post an update with the results.

      Thanks again!

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        William M.
        William M. wrote

        Andy, can you give us an update on the electronics upgrade you mentioned and where to find it?

         Thanks 

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