January 2009

I've had my trustful Ibanez RG570 for about 10 years now and a few years back the tone started sounding dull, and due to other projects at the moment I didn't take my time to look at it.
I've recorded a bunch of songs since then but always thought the tone lacked "life" and the "sound" I had grown fond of.

Then I bought a Ibanez SAS36FM and thought I could replace my old RG570 but oh I was so wrong.
The SAS can't handle the "low" string height I'm used to (yes, I play alot of tapping since I'm the worst plectrum player ever...hehe). The neck is also alot fatter and isn't really comfortable. The only good think about it, is the look. It has a real nice finish.

So yesterday I took my Ibanez RG570 and started to see if I could find the root of the problem with the "dull" sound.
After a quick search on the internet I found the coupling-scheme (wiring diagram) for the electronic 5-way switch and the mic system of the RG. After doing a quick comparison with my guitar and the scheme I realized that Ronnie (one of the former guitarplayers in my band Embracing) had manage to connect a few wires at the wrong inputs of the switch when he was mounting a new volume pot in my guitar.

So I got my solder-gear out and rewired the switch at the correct positions according to the diagram.
Plugged the guitar to my soundcard and into Revalver Mk3 in Cubase 4...and guess what? Yes, my good old sound is back.

The guitar now sound as good as it did 10 years ago.

Now I just have to replace the pivot-studs for the tremolo (since one of them broke, and it's impossible to change the string-height without adjusting these. Maybe I'll go for one of these.

Now I have to re-record all guitars for my latest songs (like Shape of another soul etc.).