FUQ (eff -yu - cue) - FAQ's with an EDGE

Tagged As: Vox Tube Amp

Question:
I have an old (mid 60's) Vox tube amp with a single speaker. I play a mid 60's Fender MusicMaster II through it and do not get a lot of volume, but my friend with a newer guitar plays MUCH louder when hooked up to it. I would assume it is the pickup in the fender but do not want to change parts on it, because it is in mint condition and I want to keep it original. Any suggestions on what might be wrong with the pickup. I have not even pulled it apart to look because I can't play that well and don't mind the low volume.

Answer:
If you're happy with the sound of your MusicMaster, then there's probably nothing wrong with the pickup. Some pickups are just significantly stronger than others. And some people sound much louder than other people when playing too. If I handed the guitar I was just playing to a stronger player, he's just going to sound a lot louder. It's like two different piano players sitting down at the same piano. One player might play quietly, and the other person might know how to fill the piano with sound, and make it come alive. Same thing with guitars and basses. From what you've said so far, I'm assuming that nothing is wrong with your MusicMaster. You might want to consider getting a second instrument, or replacing it, if that one doesn't suit your needs. I probably wouldn't change the PU either on that one, just because it's a bit of an oddity.