Duesenberg Starplayer TV 'hidden' sound

[@bb_lz9790]

Great video! What it sounds like to me is that in the normal middle position, the bridge pickup is being split in addition to being combined with the neck pickup. That would add some extra twang. In the hidden position, I suspect that you're hearing the full bridge pickup being combined with the neck pickup, so it's more Les Paul like, than Tele like. If there was a phase reversal in the middle position, the tone would be really hollow (my findings with a two pickup Carvin with coil splitting capability and a phase reversal switch on one pickup).

[@rossgriggs6433]

Thanks for that! Whatever is going on, it's a very useful tone.

[@buska100]

Great playing and info on 'hidden' tone very cool. Lovely Guitar Cheers Mate

[@rossgriggs6433]

Cheers!

[@BergOficial]

i have mine for years ,still love it like it was the first day! you play awesome !

[@rossgriggs6433]

Yeah, truly great instruments. Thanks for your kind words!

[@cooper5882]

I own a 2013 Duesenberg Starplayer TV and love it . Same color as yours .

[@rossgriggs6433]

Cool - fantastic instruments!

[@_left_eye]

Wow! Such a tasteful playing👏👏👏👏

[@rossgriggs6433]

Thanks Alfie!

[@ikigai47]

Speaking as someone that just ordered one (hasn't arrived yet) this is very disappointing news to me. On my strats the neck / mid pickup position is by far my favorite. So if Doozy is holding out on the quack as if they're Fender circa 1960, then... why? Granted these don't have a middle pickup but it sounds like the "hidden" position will reveal that tone I like. To add to my confusion, the model I've ordered is he Starplayer TV Phonic, which doesn't have the same style selector switch. It's a much more unique type of switch, so I'm not even sure I could mod the guitar to do it. Arg

[@rossgriggs6433]

Hi, thanks for viewing. As mentioned in previous replies, I found this by mistake and consider it a bonus to the three fabulous standard switch positions. I am also, primarily, a Strat player and can honestly say the Duesy sound isn't as 'Stratty' as the Strat. As such, I always use the Strat for that certain tone. Also, I can't imagine anyone would be disappointed with a Duesenberg - they are phenomenal instruments. Best of luck and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

[@ikigai47]

@@rossgriggs6433 - Thanks. Yeah I know this won't sound just like a strat, but I guess my point is, it sounds like they limited the guitar's capabilities by only allowing 3 pickup positions when they could have easily offered 5. And since the two 'missing' positions are out of phase (my favorite sound) that is a big deal. I know the old strats with the 3 ways switches, players had to stick a match stick or something to get it to stay in the hidden position. So I will be left scrambling to find a way to easily have this in the unintended out of phase position, assuming my weird Phonic selector switch will even allow it like your Doozy's more normal looking selector switch does. And yeah I know this guitar is a gem and I will love it anyway, I was just hoping for no frustrating caveats. No matter, I'll get it done one way or another even if I have to mail the guitar to an expert luthier. Thanks again

[@rossgriggs6433]

Yep, I totally understand and reckon that, if I used the guitar more live, I might do a permanent mod. I also still don't understand why it isn't a 4 way switch, allowing for easy access to the hidden tone. I'd had the guitar for a couple of years before doing this video, as I initially thought that, perhaps, my guitar was an oddity, as I couldn't find any reference to the hidden tone anywhere. Was I really the person who discovered the Duesy hidden sound in the same way someone originally discovered the hidden Strat in-between out of phase tones? Surely not...

[@ikigai47]

@@rossgriggs6433 My mistake. 4th position not 5 (keep forgetting this isn't 3 pickups, just 2). I'm surprised you didn't ask Duesenberg about it. I'll shoot them an email over the weekend inquiring, maybe I'll link your video for them to see. if I find out anything cool I'll touch back here and let you know. Thank you sir!

[@andyrock1207]

Nice playing. I am thinking of getting one of these.

[@rossgriggs6433]

Thanks Andy. Yep, would be a nice addition to your collection.

[@PanosNikolakopoulos]

Damn ! Just tried this on my 49er and it sounds amazing ! Instant Brian May on OD ! Also twang for days ! I think it's an out of phase sound. Thanks mate !

[@rossgriggs6433]

No worries. Yep, definitely out of phase - glad you found it useful.

[@frantisca]

Hey Ross ! I play a Senior '52: great instrument, impeccable appointments, 1 P90 and 3 posisition switchblade (Dieter Gölsdorf used a smart-switching between caps & stacked bobbins). Very nice guitars and I particularly like the neck carve on the '52. Cheers

[@rossgriggs6433]

Hi Rene, thanks for watching. Yeah, the '52 looks nice - is that the Goldtop? In fact, I don't think I've seen a Doozy that I haven't liked.

[@frantisca]

Ross Griggs Yep, the GoldTop. I had shortly a StarPlayer, but it was the III, with a flat top, and the neck was not for me… other than that, excellent guitar !

[@rossgriggs6433]

@@frantisca - I have a Gold Top Gibson ('57 Custom Shop). It's totally different to the Duesenberg, of course, but is also wonderful to play. But I can honestly say the quality of the build and finish on the Duesenberg is better than the Gibson.

[@frantisca]

Ross Griggs With Gibson, it’s a bit of a lottery, but they have some pretty nice builds as well, in particular the CS, that are quite inspiring. Cheers !

[@rossgriggs6433]

Cool, would be interesting to hear what they have to say and, by all means, please link the vid. Yeah, one would imagine the obvious thing would be to contact them however, for some reason, I didn't haha...

[@roderickbalt8993]

Great video and great playing!

[@rossgriggs6433]

Thanks Roderick!

[@hardoise667]

0:22 no science of marketing just let your heart speaks! thanks!

[@rossgriggs6433]

Absolutely! Thanks for watching.

[@MrRFasters]

Did anyone already check with Duesenberg themselves?

[@rossgriggs6433]

Not sure. I've had no direct contact with them and, although I found this out shortly after buying the guitar, I assumed it might be common knowledge or, at least, there'd be something online. But, there didn't seem to be...hence I made the vid.

[@MrRFasters]

@@rossgriggs6433 It's rather funny. I have the Starplayer Custom, with 3 Dtrons, and it seems to work also. Wouldn t dare to gig it, for the knob want to "clack" into the middle or bridge position. The Custom has the mixed tone ctrl - one side classic tone, one side mixing the middle pup in, but it seems to work as welll. Effect not as pronounced as this vids example though. Very, very funny indeed.

[@mattwiscombe3384]

Thanks for the video! How in the world did you get your trem bar so loose? My star player came stiff and doesn’t drop out of the way when I let go. Can’t figure out how to loosen it up.

[@rossgriggs6433]

Good question. It came like it, as I don't recall ever adjusting it. Not sure whether there is an adjustment anyway.

[@karlwanninger7675]

@@rossgriggs6433 There is a screw nut above the spring where the tension can be adjusted.

[@MrStratster]

Nice playing Ross

[@rossgriggs6433]

Thank you kindly!

Question about the neck pickup, that is the same as I have on my Duesenberg Imperial. When the volume is turned all up and the neck pickup is selected hear too much of a very high twangy treble sound. It somewhat sits on top of the otherwise great tone of the pickup. It can be reduced by the guitar's tone control but then the same pickup sounds a bit too dark when I turn the volume down to 75 %. Do you have the same?

[@rossgriggs6433]

Hi, I'm not sure about that. Both pickup are a bit brighter when volume is full, but I suspect that's because there's no treble bleed on the pot. The tonal effect of turning the volume down varies according to what amp is being used and also gain and EQ settings. It's pretty much the same as my Strat, which I rarely use on full volume, as I prefer a slightly less 'brash' top end.

[@xlp3t3r]

Nice playing, very Bill Nelson like..👍

[@rossgriggs6433]

Many thanks! Any comparison to BN is gratefully received.

[@standingbadger]

Just watched this so very late to the party but Bill Nelson was the first name that came to mind when you were playing 🙂

[@dennisgabbeart1814]

Hi Ross, thanks for sharing. Have you or anyone else following this video install a 4 way switch incorporating this "hidden" position with the other 3 standard positions? Wondering if it can be done? I do really like this hidden sound. By the way, nice playing as well!!!

[@rossgriggs6433]

Hi Dennis, no problem. I haven't fitted a 4-way switch. I've been tempted, but don't really want to mess with the guitar and mostly use it for recording, so don't need to access the sound quickly. Wouldn't rule it out in the future though.

[@thewaldfe9763]

@@rossgriggs6433 the TV Phonic actually comes with a 4-way switch, so they probably even sell the parts. Great playing, by the way!

[@rossgriggs6433]

@@thewaldfe9763 - many thanks!

[@damienomusic]

Phonic has a 4 way switch with the same pickup configuration

[@rossgriggs6433]

Aah, OK, thanks Damien - will check that out.

[@davidpehrson3707]

The Phonic is AMAZING!!!!!! It sounds like the in between positions on a strat put on steroids and cocaine! Like all duesenbergs, it's a really great guitar👍🏾

[@frantisca]

The Phonic is a great sounding guitar, but you've got to like the Gretschy gold and sparkle... which is not my kinda thing ;-) I'd rather have the Gran Majesto in Racing Green 😜

[@davidpehrson3707]

@@frantisca I agree. I'm hoping they come out with some different colors. I'm really not into the Gold Hardware

[@toneydavis9802]

Very nice Ross. Excellent noodling...i have long wanted a Dues but can't make up my mind. I have an Italia Maranello 61 that is an amazing semi hollow guitar but with the Wilkinson tremelo. If you get a chance you should play it. A smaller body to be sure but lots of tone. I am sub 16 I guess. Looking fwd to more content.

[@rossgriggs6433]

Thanks Toney, hope you find the right Duesenberg. Yeah, those Italia guitars look great.

[@DaviePlaysGuitar]

Hiya, nice demo - what is your amp / fx setup if you don't mind me asking?

[@rossgriggs6433]

Thanks Davie! I can't remember exactly what I used for this demo, but it was definitely straight into Logic with, I think, a Guitar Rig sim and some on-board effects. If you message me again to remind me, I'll happily re-visit the session and be a bit more specific. Cheers.

[@DaviePlaysGuitar]

@@rossgriggs6433 Thank you for taking time out to reply, much appreciated. I love the feel of my Deusenberg but I can;t seem to clean up the pups to get a beautiful jazz tone, its fine on rocky stuff etc. Mind you I've got all new gear too - Quilter tone block and line 6 helix so I should'nt have any excuse with a range of amp models at my disposal. Cheers and keep up the great work.

[@rossgriggs6433]

@@DaviePlaysGuitar - no problem, thanks for taking an interest. I did re-visit the Logic project and, without going into too much detail (obviously can't post a screenshot either), I did use Guitar Rig 5 with signal chain as follows: Tube Compressor-Coolplex-Control Room-Twin Delay-Studio reverb. Obviously, all were tweaked to taste. Thanks for subscribing! Although not a prolific vid producer, I will shortly be doing another featuring the Doozy and a new amp...

[@mannypallchizaca7194]

What are the actual names of the pick ups? I want order them

[@rossgriggs6433]

Hi Manny, they are stock pickups - according to the Duesenberg site (www.duesenberg.de/en/guitars/starplayer-tv/), they are Grand Vintage humbucker and Domino P90. But the sound on the video is just the 'hidden in-between' setting - a kind of out of phase (like a strat) sound. But they sound great anyway.

[@mannypallchizaca7194]

Thank you for the information, I appreciate it.

[@pierreg8562]

hello thanks for that, what is it plugged to? / how is it recorded? it sounds amazing

[@rossgriggs6433]

Hi Pierre, thanks! It's going straight into Logic Pro X using one of the amp sims tweaked a bit - can't remember which one (prob a small tweed...). Hope that helps.

[@siberianfastfood]

@@rossgriggs6433 Hi Ross, is that without any pedal?

[@rossgriggs6433]

@@siberianfastfood Yes, no pedals. Just using a Logic amp sim.

[@ivansimpson9655]

I love the trem system

[@rossgriggs6433]

Yes, a great piece of engineering.

[@yanmetcaluire]

Hi all; I tried to understand what was this hidden position but as a french Man (nobody's perfect) I couldn't really understand what it was !!! Please someone here can explain me this trick ? This sound is really great anyway !!! Thanks Ross

[@rossgriggs6433]

Hi Yannick and thanks! To find the 'hidden' sound, you need to find the point between the middle switch position and the bridge pickup switch position. If you move the switch slowly, you should hear a point where the sound changes. If so, you've found it.

[@yanmetcaluire]

@@rossgriggs6433 Ok, thank you, I'm gonna take a ear at that

[@Sm-ne8ff]

How do you find this compared to a Vox Virage SC ?

[@rossgriggs6433]

Hi Steve, I've not tried the Vox I'm afraid, but they look interesting. To be honest, the Doozy was a random purchase whilst intending to buy something else. I was so impressed with it, it had to come home with me.

[@fredfloyd68]

Right....The look on that guitar is a bit off pudding..now it does have a sweet sound to it...

[@rossgriggs6433]

I love it, but everyone's taste is different. One man's 'pudding' is another man's poison...

[@mackyow2614]

Is it me or he just sounds like Phil Collen from Def Leppard?

[@rossgriggs6433]

Haha! Maybe the voice...probably not the playing...