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Post by markT on Jul 7, 2014 15:23:49 GMT -7
Just thought I'd update the Gold Top ride. After more playing and comparing, The GT is way warmer, thicker & deeper sounding than the 290. Even unplugged.However, I'm having the same issue with it as I had with the Imperials in the I-35LC. The neck pickup is too dark. It gets lost in the mix quickly. (The Lollars are great on the 290 and never thought about changing them) But...After some research and speaking with Mark @ Collings & Jon @ Throbak....I have a Custom set of Throbak P90's being made up as we speak. I'm getting a set consisting of '52/'54 for the neck and Special - SB MXV for the bridge. Jon recommended this combo for the wraptail bridge version. If they are as mojo laced as the humbuckers ...I'll be happy soon! We shall see~ Besides that, I love the Gold Top! Kinda like the I-35LC...the thing feels alive in your hands. Collings uses some good wood! My Fenders & Gibson are getting nervous sitting in the closet!
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Post by nmz on Jul 7, 2014 15:34:47 GMT -7
Dude!
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Post by Maddog on Jul 7, 2014 17:01:03 GMT -7
Interesting about the mismatch stock pups....Great about the throbaks!!! That's quite a "beaut" of a family pic there, Mark!!!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 7, 2014 17:01:06 GMT -7
Oh that Gold Top!!
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Post by El Gato Blackie on Jul 7, 2014 17:24:12 GMT -7
Nice! All of them.
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Post by simpleton on Jul 7, 2014 21:59:59 GMT -7
Now that I don't play with other guitarist I've found that I love darker pickups and they don't get lost in the mix because I'm the only guy using that frequency I hope that the throbaks help. Beautiful set up you've got.
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Post by strat59 on Jul 8, 2014 4:31:58 GMT -7
I bet they sound as good as they look. Congrats.
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Post by Christopher on Jul 8, 2014 5:21:59 GMT -7
I love that pic Mark but I have a rule in my house against putting any set neck guitar on a flat surface to lean b/c like a statue when they fall they don't take the impact well. Learned that after a friend in Nashville leaned his Heritage LP against the wall of his apartment and the fall from the wall to the floor left the headstock snapped clean off. Eager to hear your report on your custom pups after you get them installed. Maybe a video clip before and after and/or a comparison clip with the two Collings would be in order?
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Post by markT on Jul 8, 2014 5:41:56 GMT -7
I love that pic Mark but I have a rule in my house against putting any set neck guitar on a flat surface to lean b/c like a statue when they fall they don't take the impact well. Learned that after a friend in Nashville leaned his Heritage LP against the wall of his apartment and the fall from the wall to the floor left the headstock snapped clean off. Eager to hear your report on your custom pups after you get them installed. Maybe a video clip before and after and/or a comparison clip with the two Collings would be in order? I normally use stands, but use lean at times for photo's. GREAT idea! May need to get out the video equipment today!
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Post by lowbudget on Jul 8, 2014 5:50:04 GMT -7
I love a happy family shot!
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Post by markT on Jul 8, 2014 12:37:04 GMT -7
Ok...Again, with help from my video guru, Mark N....and a suggestion from Christopher, I shot this little clip. Took me 3 min to record....3 hours to get it here!!!..lol
It actually does not show the tonal differences as much as it is in person. But on the neck pickup, the wound strings on the 290 are piano like vs the Gold Top are kinda muffled and get jumbled together...especially with more drive than I used here...The bridge pickup is great on both instruments.
The amp is set with volume about 9:30, treble, bass & cut within 30 min from noon...2 clicks on the BrakeLite... PCNS Maxx XP cable...straight in...
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Post by Deleted on Jul 8, 2014 12:39:12 GMT -7
Great job Mark!!! damn man! I LOVE LOVE LOVE that tone!!! Would anyone like to take up a donation for the needy? I NEED a Z Wreck! ha ha!
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Post by Christopher on Jul 8, 2014 12:49:13 GMT -7
I heard the neck a little more muddy on the GT than the neck of the longer scale TV 290. Did you try lowering the neck pup at all? Thanks for posting that BTW. I now have to sell off all my gear so I can get a Wreck combo. That swirling vortex of tone is killer. I'm sure she likes to be a lot louder, too. Now for the after video.....(patiently waits for the MarkT's post that the pups are installed)
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Post by Mark and his Maz on Jul 8, 2014 12:53:02 GMT -7
Those are 3 really pretty guitars!
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Post by markT on Jul 8, 2014 13:03:51 GMT -7
I heard the neck a little more muddy on the GT than the neck of the longer scale TV 290. Did you try lowering the neck pup at all? Thanks for posting that BTW. I now have to sell off all my gear so I can get a Wreck combo. That swirling vortex of tone is killer. I'm sure she likes to be a lot louder, too. Now for the after video.....(patiently waits for the MarkT's post that the pups are installed) You can't tell as much from this vid as in person. My playing was pretty bad, but the tone sounds pretty good on that video!...lol BTW...those two gutars are the same scale. 24 7/8" Scale length. It may be an optical conclusion with that wraptail on the GT. Thanks for the push to get it done Chris... ...And without Mark N, I could have NEVER got it done!! I'll do another in a few weeks once I get the Throbaks installed in the CL Gold Top~
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Post by Christopher on Jul 8, 2014 13:20:48 GMT -7
I understand the fiddles are both 24 7/8" but there's more string length on the yellow one than the wraptail I think. Anyhow, thanks for knocking out the video bud. Your playing was great and worked fine for the purpose of demoing the pups. I appreciate it and I'm sure our Z bros do, too. AFA the strats in the closet - I'd sell one of those and hang on to the Collings collection you have. Those are some fine guitars there sir.
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Post by doctorice on Jul 8, 2014 13:52:01 GMT -7
I agree the 290 has more snap and bite on the neck pup, Mark. Seems pretty apparent on your video. Lovely guitars. Nice mates for the Wreck.
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Post by Sean on Jul 8, 2014 14:07:42 GMT -7
290 wins.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 8, 2014 14:09:10 GMT -7
I heard the neck a little more muddy on the GT than the neck of the longer scale TV 290. Did you try lowering the neck pup at all? Thanks for posting that BTW. I now have to sell off all my gear so I can get a Wreck combo. That swirling vortex of tone is killer. I'm sure she likes to be a lot louder, too. Now for the after video.....(patiently waits for the MarkT's post that the pups are installed) You can't tell as much from this vid as in person. My playing was pretty bad, but the tone sounds pretty good on that video!...lol BTW...those two gutars are the same scale. 24 7/8" Scale length. It may be an optical conclusion with that wraptail on the GT. Thanks for the push to get it done Chris... ...And without Mark N, I could have NEVER got it done!! I'll do another in a few weeks once I get the Throbaks installed in the CL Gold Top~ give yourself some credit for sticking with it Mark! Awesome vid as always! You're a wicked cool player, wicked cool fella too!
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Post by KeithA on Jul 8, 2014 14:57:32 GMT -7
Great job Mark!!! damn man! I LOVE LOVE LOVE that tone!!! Would anyone like to take up a donation for the needy? I NEED a Z Wreck! ha ha! I'd chip in Keith
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Post by markT on Jul 8, 2014 15:00:33 GMT -7
Great job Mark!!! damn man! I LOVE LOVE LOVE that tone!!! Would anyone like to take up a donation for the needy? I NEED a Z Wreck! ha ha! I'd chip in Keith Mark N's Wreck Fund?
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Post by Maddog on Jul 8, 2014 15:56:35 GMT -7
Cool stuff, Mark! CANNOT wait for the Throbaks!!! OBTW, Nice licks, brother!
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Post by brayks on Jul 8, 2014 23:36:53 GMT -7
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Post by Pete aka shouldb on Jul 9, 2014 2:03:45 GMT -7
290 - DUDE!
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Post by Jefferson on Jul 9, 2014 12:31:47 GMT -7
love both of those sounds. have had 2 of the 290's in the past and a CL deluxe. was very close to pulling the HB's in the CL and putting in lollar P90's in a HB size.
regardless, both those guitars are spectacular...
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Post by markT on Jul 12, 2014 18:58:19 GMT -7
I said good bye to the Lollars and the Gold Top tonight....... The next time I see it, it will be tawkin' with these!! I normally do all my repair work....pickup swaps....tune ups, set ups, etc... However, for this one, it's packed up and headed back to Collings for a factory install. If the Throbak's sound as cool as they look, I'll be happy!! Notice the vintage correct pole screw's vs. the Lollars. I also got them medium aged...with "no" dirt. So they are slightly more yellowed on the ends, but with no scratches, tarnish or rust. See ya back here in a few weeks.
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Post by dock66 on Jul 12, 2014 20:44:14 GMT -7
Love the 290.
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Post by markT on Aug 6, 2014 17:39:39 GMT -7
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Post by Stan on Aug 7, 2014 5:27:38 GMT -7
Glad you got the healthy Lead Free CAPS. :>)
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Post by Dustin on Aug 7, 2014 6:05:25 GMT -7
That pic in the first post is killing me. I don't know what I'm lusting for more; the I-35 or the goldtop (I'm a sucker for wraptails ). The 290 and the 'Wreck ain't bad either.
Thanks for the follow up review on the pups!
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