7
Play the guitar and make a mental note of the bass response, tap the top to get an idea of the
tap sensitivity. Crank it up to see where it starts to feedback.
Then in turn, one at a time, set the current switch back to the inactive UP position, and activate
the next switch to the DOWN position. Play and listen and tap, then set it back to the inactive
UP position. For each successively lower switch number, you should be hearing less bass and
less feedback sensitivity.
At some point as you go lower in number, you may start hearing more bass. The switch position
with the least bass is the setting for maximum feedback suppression. (This position will
typically be in the middle range between position 3 and 9, but could be at the lower or higher
extremes.) It is quite possible that two positions will be about the same. In that case, the higher
of the two should be considered the setting for maximum feedback suppression.
The optimum setting will be the next higher switch position, or possibly the one after that. It is
up to you to decide as you fine tune the sound to your liking in the next section.
5. Fine tune to taste
While playing the guitar plugged into a full range amplifier, listen to the difference in sound between the
following two scenarios:
1. Feedback suppression at minimum – switch position 12 is active (DOWN)
With this setting, the pickup will have the most bass. Depending on your specific guitar where
the best feedback suppression position is, it will likely be somewhat muddy in the low end, and a
bit dull in the highs. Try tapping on the top and turn up the amp to get a sense of how easily the
guitar feeds back.
2. Feedback suppression, but with more bass – switch is set to the optimum setting
With this setting, the pickup will have a lively but controlled bass response, and not be boomy or
muddy at all. You should still get plenty of top plate sensitivity to tapping.
Additional useful info:
With this switch set to the max feedback suppression position the sound may be a little too dry and
tight, and the bass a bit too thin.
Higher switch numbers will give progressively more bass and more top responsiveness, with
progressively less feedback immunity. Those positions won’t take anything away from the direct string
sound.
Lower switch numbers than the max suppression position will usually have progressively more feedback,
and less direct string sound. These positions usually don’t sound as good and are not recommended.
6. Wrap it up
Mount the circuit board with endpin jack in the end block of the guitar, in the usual way. It’s important
to keep the wires from contacting the top or back of the guitar during normal playing and moving. You
can twist the assembly to shorten the span so that the wires hover inside without touching anything. If
necessary, you can use a tie-wrap or some self-fusing silicone rubber tape to hold the wires together
midway. Alternately, you might use an aluminum tie down clamp stuck to the guitar side to hold the
wires, especially for the volume control wire.
