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Post new topic BL 705 Distortion problem! HELP!
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Author Topic:  BL 705 Distortion problem! HELP!
Tim Carlstedt


From:
Helsingborg, Sweden
Post  Posted 14 Jun 2014 5:44 am    
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Hi!

I recently Bought a pair of original chromed BL 705's. The Pickups sound great but their output is way to hot! When plugging in to my ProFex 2 I can't even play through it with the input gain dialed down as fas as possible. When playing through my steel king I need to use the Pad Function and then have the gain at around 9 o´clock.

The Pickups aren't that close to the strings and they both read 19,9 Ohms. I'm using all George L's cables.

What could be the problem?

Kind Regards
// The Frustrated Swede Tim
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Tim Carlstedt, Helsingborg, Sweden
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Fessenden Sd10, Peavey ProFex II, Lil' Izzy Buffer, Fender Steel King, BJS bars.
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Lane Gray


From:
Topeka, KS
Post  Posted 14 Jun 2014 5:52 am    
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When you say "not that close," what do you mean?
Most pickups like about 3.5 mom, and the 705 has a reputation for liking a greater distance, like almost 6.
Give that a try first.
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Tim Carlstedt


From:
Helsingborg, Sweden
Post  Posted 14 Jun 2014 6:04 am    
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They´re about 3,5 to 4 mm from the bottom side of the strings. Would Lowering them 3 mm effect the output of the pickups?
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Tim Carlstedt, Helsingborg, Sweden
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Fessenden Sd10, Peavey ProFex II, Lil' Izzy Buffer, Fender Steel King, BJS bars.
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Jon Light


From:
Saugerties, NY
Post  Posted 14 Jun 2014 6:37 am    
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Tim Carlstedt wrote:
Would Lowering them 3 mm effect the output of the pickups?


Yes---this parameter is surprisingly sensitive. A small movement can make a large difference. And I agree that this is the likely solution. Experiment. Ultimately, the ears are the most important tool in pickup adjustments.
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Tim Carlstedt


From:
Helsingborg, Sweden
Post  Posted 14 Jun 2014 6:49 am    
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ok! Thanks.

The problem is that the pickups are as low as they can be. I will have to get new baseplates for the pickups in that case. Any ideas for where one might get new baseplates?
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Tim Carlstedt, Helsingborg, Sweden
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Fessenden Sd10, Peavey ProFex II, Lil' Izzy Buffer, Fender Steel King, BJS bars.
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Jon Light


From:
Saugerties, NY
Post  Posted 14 Jun 2014 7:07 am    
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No--that's a problem. No ideas.
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Lane Gray


From:
Topeka, KS
Post  Posted 14 Jun 2014 8:08 am    
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I wonder if one could remove the tray and just put the pickup in the cavity, possibly with screws into the wood a la Sho-Bud?
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More amps than guitars, and not many effects
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Tim Carlstedt


From:
Helsingborg, Sweden
Post  Posted 14 Jun 2014 9:26 am    
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There's nothing between the baseplate and the wood. No foam or springs.

I have a friend who bought a pair of thinner widemount baseplates from Jerry Roller to put BL705's in his LeGrande III. But he has gone back to the original pickup and don't need them. So problem probably solved.

I'm also gonna try and put a 500k Resistor on the output wire in hope of damping the signal a bit.

The same friend just said his BL705's measured around 18 K. Perhaps mine are wound a bit moore or something.
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Tim Carlstedt, Helsingborg, Sweden
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Fessenden Sd10, Peavey ProFex II, Lil' Izzy Buffer, Fender Steel King, BJS bars.
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Stephen Cowell


From:
Round Rock, Texas, USA
Post  Posted 14 Jun 2014 6:17 pm    
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Don't just put a series resistor, the tone will suffer.

Use a potentiometer, 500K... just like a spanish electric guitar has. Put the pickup across the pot and take the output from the wiper to the ground side, just like a guitar. Set it, then tuck it inside the guitar.
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Jerry Roller


From:
Van Buren, Arkansas USA
Post  Posted 15 Jun 2014 2:38 pm    
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Tim, if you are running thru the Profex II then out of the outputs of the Profex II into the front of a combo amp you are most likely using two pre-amps which could cause overdrive. The best way to set a Profex II for use with a combo amp is to edit each effect in the program change by reversing the values of the mix and outputs for each effect. Place the curser under the effect and hit edit and note the mix reading then place the curser under the + or space following the effect and hit edit and note that reading. Reverse those readings and remove EQ from the program and it should be good. Email me at rollermusic@cox.net for clearer explanation.
Jerry
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