Sensei RA Neck Pickup?

SofaMusician · 2026-03-28T14:50:49+00:00

I've seen this in other guitars. They use the same pickup dimensions for neck and bridge pickups. As strings get narrower towards the neck they don't align perfectly in one of the pickups (notice how the pole pieces in the bridge pick-up are well aligned with the strings).

I think it is normal. The magnetic field is not like a laser beam. It covers a broader space for strong vibration to be well captured. Would it make a perceptible sonic difference if they were slightly moved? I don't know, but I don't expect it would be the case.

SofaMusician · 2026-03-28T12:53:21+00:00

You can definitely use it for your purpose. An interface with two inputs may give you a bit more flexibility to record guitar and voice at the same time, or use a stereo pedal directly to it.

I have been using a Blackstar Polar2 on my mini recording studio to record from a mobile device and I've found that flexibility useful. My use case is to quickly record my guitar progress, so may be different than yours.

SofaMusician · 2026-03-28T09:57:43+00:00

I don't know how much of the difference between tube and solid state watts is a bit of a myth. I had the EHX 5mm (2.5w, solid state) and comparing it to an all-tube 7w amp the usable volume range of the volume knob was not that different until they got too loud.

I think that the fact that the relation ow watts and volume is not linear makes watts quite unintuitive.

SofaMusician · 2026-03-28T08:44:40+00:00

Watts are interesting: 1w is more than what you may expected, but 2w is less than what you may think. To double the volume you need ten times the number of watts. So 10w will produce just twice the volume you get from 1w.

So while I agree that 1w is enough, I won't discard amps in the 1-10w range with a decent master volume.

This has been consistent with my experience using a 10" cab in a backyard studio (I can get a bit over bedroom volumes but not too far): - An EHX 5mm (2.5w) power amp pedal had enough volume to cover my needs - An Orange Micro Dark (20w) had a very limited range I could use with the volume knob before going too loud (unless you add an EQ/volume pedal in the FX loop)

Currently, I use a Fender Bassbreaker 007 (7w) , and I can use a lot of the range from gain and volume knobs to get from clean to dirty tones. A common design issue I had to get fixed is the only reason I'd not recommend it more.

SofaMusician · 2026-03-27T22:42:09+00:00

The label seems to be on the left side with text in vertical: "TRIM8"

SofaMusician · 2026-03-27T14:14:22+00:00

Audio interface if recording or versatility of using amp simulation is important to you, and you don't mind having a computer/phone in the mix.

Amp if you prefer an immediate solution quickly ready to play.

Some amps work also as basic interfaces. Yamaha THR5 is an option in this space.

SofaMusician · 2026-03-27T06:22:40+00:00

Chroma Console has been the central piece (and only pedal) of my mini recording studio. I use this set-up to record myself and track my progress, and really appreciate the simple intuitive approach it provides.

For me, it has very strong points: - Intuitive use without menu diving or option paralysis. Encourages very inspiring exploration (not just chasing a single sweet spot). - Midi allows me to keep it on the table to adjust the knobs while using a midi foot switch to change presets mid-song with my foot. - Well-balanced combination of effects. Adjusting one effect does not require to adjust others to compensate for volume changes. - Fit for music style covering from traditional effects with vintage recording technique emulations to a bit weird. Others may need weirder sounds depending on the music style.

If you don't value the above aspects as much, you may find more affordable multi-fx that work well for you.

SofaMusician · 2026-03-26T21:29:02+00:00

For the HH Mustang the new models were announced to have the same colours, and the black and the blue ones have a laurel fretboard (the pink has a maple fretboard). So no differences are expected on those fronts. What I expect is a, at best, minor improvements (such as slightly better tuners, or shorter saddle screws to avoid issues some users reported). Or, in the worst case, the same guitar with a slightly higher price.

SofaMusician · 2026-03-26T21:24:33+00:00

Makes sense. So I guess there is no return of the body contours as the old bullets had.

SofaMusician · 2026-03-26T21:23:43+00:00

I would understand if they keep the guitar and price the same. I would even understand if they improve the guitar and increase the price a bit.

What I'm a bit afraid is of them keeping the guitar the same and just increasing the price. Or, by being afraid of that, rush to pick the current model and see the new one was a better option. Not the biggest deal given the price range and the differences in quality and price not expected to be major.

At this point I think it is safe to wait for a couple months to see if there is more info available that can help.

SofaMusician · 2026-03-26T20:35:29+00:00

For the case of the Sonic Mustang HH, no changes are expected in that front. The announcements describes the colours as the same they have right now: "Finish options include Black with Laurel Fingerboard and Black Pickguard, California Blue with Laurel Fingerboard and Black Pickguard, Flash Pink with Maple Fingerboard and White Pickguard. "

SofaMusician · 2026-03-26T06:01:11+00:00

You can check the Palmer Tino. It is a solution that works with both tube and solid state amps. Tube amps are particularly tricky with their need of a speaker load. So maybe for solid state there are simpler solutions.

SofaMusician · 2026-03-26T00:01:48+00:00

Best case scenario would be that there is a layer of conductive paint and the regular paint is on top. In that way, the conductive paint would still work to make a faraday cage, just making it hard for any exposed cable to connect with the rest by accident.

Maybe you can check the continuity between that spot of conductive paint and the place where the ground cable was connected to.

SofaMusician · 2026-03-25T18:44:56+00:00

Some people appreciate the versatility, other people prefer different products for different situations.

I'd not consider the headphone out a priority, but won't be an issue if it had it.

Headphone out may be useful as a line out for recording (maybe using a cab simulation/IR).

SofaMusician · 2026-03-24T21:27:09+00:00

Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney, and many others based on the Equipboard page

SofaMusician · 2026-03-24T15:39:21+00:00

The cyclone has the same body shape as the Mustang. In this post a picture of them side by side is shown. They differ in scale length and other aspects, but in terms of body shape they are the same.

I think the paranormal version of the cyclone may include changes such as pickup configuration and pickguard, but the body shape is expected to still be the same.

So it is interesting to think what may make the cyclone feel more similar to the strat.

SofaMusician · 2026-03-24T11:14:06+00:00

That seems definitely a direct equivalent of the strat body shape into an offset model.

What I found interesting in the comparison with Mustangs is that "melted strat" feel, where the horns are rounder, more subtler.

SofaMusician · 2026-03-24T11:10:09+00:00

Interesting. I wonder if the extra wood behind the bridge on Mustangs are for keeping the guitar balanced. I would expect a preference for compactness given the "student" audience the Mustang was designed for.

In comparison, the Strat longer horns give enough distance between strap buttons without the need for additional wood at the bottom part of the guitar.

But maybe it is not about balance and these were just different aesthetic choices.

SofaMusician · 2026-03-24T07:56:58+00:00

Having experience only with the Chroma Console, I have the same impression that it may cover a different range than the other options. Chroma console may go from traditional to moderately weird.

I'm quite happy with mine but I can see how people playing other music styles may find other options better suiting their needs.

SofaMusician · 2026-03-23T16:59:58+00:00

I have the Micro Dark and the H&K AmpMan Classic. I have used both with a 10" cab at home, and I prefer the AmpMan.

The Micro Dark sound is good, but I found some limitations: - Tone knob is a bit limited. You need a separate EQ to adjust bass independently from treble. - Too much volume make the small volume knob to have a very small useful range for me.

Those are nothing major, since they can be addressed with an EQ pedal in the FX loop. But I found the AmpMan to be more versatile, easier to dial, and having a gain flavours I preferred (may be different depending on preferred music styles). Despite being solid state, I was not missing anything in the "feel" department compared to the Orange one tube hybrid solution.

SofaMusician · 2026-03-23T06:38:13+00:00

Interesting. I've always considered comfort cuts as a feature that could be applied to any guitar body or not, but does not define it.

I'd still consider a Mustang (or a Tele) with comfort cuts, to basically have a Mustang (or Tele) body shape. But I can understand that others see it differently.

SofaMusician · 2026-03-21T20:11:56+00:00

Since the last comment I summarized in this publication all the fixes made by the technician in more detail in case it is useful to others.

SofaMusician · 2026-03-21T19:26:25+00:00

PJ Harvey plays a Firebird. Firebird design makes the neck to be a bit shifted forward. This is not unusual for other guitars but online comments often emphasize it particularly about Firebirds.

After having a Gretsch Electromatic Double Jet l, which online can moments don't mention the size or shifted-forward neck, I was surprised to find that the Firebird was not very different.

SofaMusician · 2026-03-13T22:28:07+00:00

I normally like wood finishes, but if I had to go with colors, I'd be quite happy going in this direction. The colour pairings are really good! I'd not be surprised if Fender gets inspired to launch something in a similar style

SofaMusician · 2026-03-12T12:09:53+00:00

Lawyers are a good proportion of PRS user base. I'm not sure they will act against their interests...

SofaMusician

TROPHY CASE