Bright channel vs. Y-cord

[mikhailwatt]

I dunno... I think I'm finding that, with my Gibsons, I'm tending to like the bright channel alone on my 2-holer DR504 (with the bass dimed) vs. using a Y-cord and blending the channels.

With my Warmoth (which is a bit brighter sounding) it was a different story. Also, if I recall, I prefer the channels jumpered on my 4-holers, no matter what guitar I'm using.

Discuss.

[philmanatee]

I pretty much just use the bright channel on my DR 504 with my Yamaha SG 2000, but I'm not sure if I can comment here since mine's a biacrown. Phil

[Dr.HI-TONE]

I remember once in the early 1990's being told that the bright input was best for humbuckers and the normal input (this was generically regarding any vintage style 2 channel amp) for single coil pickups. I don't remember exactly who it was now...............

I typically use either the normal channel or jumper them.

maybe I will have to experiment!

[OldSchoolDave]

Personally, I hate to leave a knob unused...

I always jump (or "Y) the channels and modify the balance according to the instrument.

Dave

[mikhailwatt]

At less than "dimed" conditions, blending the channels probably works ok.

But my usual modus operandi is to dime the preamp and wind up the master volume to about "7" (using an attenuator).

I've experimented with blending in a little normal channel and reducing the bass. It sounds good, but the low/low-mids can get a little furry (again, with the Gibsons). Using the bright channel alone with the bass dimed seems to give a little slightly tighter, more focused tone.

Again, this is just with my 2-holer... even though it has the "resistive mixer mod," the V1 component values differ from the earlier circuit (1k5 + 150uF shared cathode vs. 2k2 + 47nF/2k2 split cathode), probably giving it a bit more gain in the low end.

YMMV

[Zells]

At less than "dimed" conditions, blending the channels probably works ok.

But my usual modus operandi is to dime the preamp and wind up the master volume to about "7" (using an attenuator).

I've experimented with blending in a little normal channel and reducing the bass. It sounds good, but the low/low-mids can get a little furry (again, with the Gibsons). Using the bright channel alone with the bass dimed seems to give a little slightly tighter, more focused tone.

Again, this is just with my 2-holer... even though it has the "resistive mixer mod," the V1 component values differ from the earlier circuit (1k5 + 150uF shared cathode vs. 2k2 + 47nF/2k2 split cathode), probably giving it a bit more gain in the low end.

YMMV

Do you have the 470k ohm or 1000k ohm resistors on the mod?

I liked using the Y-cable on a '78 DR103 that I recently sold. I installed 1000k ohm resistors for the de-fizz mod with a resistor attached to each side of V2 rather than the resistive mixer type mod.

[mikhailwatt]

Do you have the 470k ohm or 1000k ohm resistors on the mod?

470k

[mhuss]

That's funny, every with my age-and-abuse dulled ears, the BRILL channel is too bright for me, I always use the NORMAL channel, humbucker or single-coil.

--mark

[thames]

I like the fuller tone of the normal channel... but usually I use the bright channel with my LP and the Y cable with my strat/tele, gives nice & addictive mids (kinda "hollow"!!) that I like.

[mikhailwatt]

That's funny, every with my age-and-abuse dulled ears, the BRILL channel is too bright for me, I always use the NORMAL channel, humbucker or single-coil.

--mark

I used to think the same thing... until one day when I tried it 'cause I didn't have a Y-cord and the normal channel alone was too dark. It's not piercing at all and sits in a live mix quite well.

That said, again, this is a modded 2-holer... the BRILL channel alone on a 4-holer might be too bright... haven't really tried it 'cause I always jumper them. YMMV