BBD_123

If the universe did not exist, then we would not be able to perceive it. While I leave proofs to mathematicians, I think the probability of the statement being correct is extremely high :-) No, statements aren't dispositive. I can claim to be the king of Old Siam without actually being so.

While nobody would dispute that children perceive reality differently to fully acculturated adults, that's where I part company from AH. Different ≠ better. Different = different. And it's been a good many years since I read AH, so I too might not be 100% accurate in my memory of what he said :-)

I read what you said. The problem is that I'm not sure what you intend by the words existence and reality at this point. If we use definitions that I am comfortable with then if there is no reality (objective, external, universal) then there can be no perception as there would be nothing to perceive...

You can't define now. It's impossible. So you cannot have a definition that is accurate... :-) If you read what I wrote again, you'll see that I was stating Huxley's position, not my own. I also mentioned that he had no evidence for his belief that psychotropic drugs opened the doors of perception - in other words improved our perception of reality. Maybe slow down a touch?

I know, and I didn't suggest that you were :-) All that's happening here is a vocabulary thing. I didn't say that you did :-)

We're at cross purposes here. I've been trying to distinguish between perception (internal, subjective) and reality (external, objective) from the outset. So when you speak of 'reality being a shared experience of existence' you are introducing layers of confusion. Reality is reality. 'Shared experience of existence' is perception :-) Not sure what you mean by this. I get the reference, but Huxley's argument was that perception is limited and reality is not. He believed - without any evidence, note - that psychotropic drugs opened the doors of perception allowing an improved view of reality. So Huxley starts from a position where perception is admitted to be limited and distinct from external reality, which is why I said that Lachdanan0121 could use existence and reality as synonyms for each other, but not for perception.

The fiat before the lux. I don't know. Nobody knows. Exactly :-) Bats and eagles have different perceptions of reality, but it's the same reality irrespective of what sensorium is used to perceive it. You could, but not as synonyms for perception :-)

Since the universe appears to be about 14.5bn years old and anatomically modern humans have been around for no more than 400ky (a generous estimate), then there is good evidence that reality exists without us being here to perceive it...

Reality exists independently of perception. Perception does not exist independently of reality...

WJ may be conflating perception with reality.

It's a bit more subtle than that :-) Now is indefinable. Only the past is definite. But the past is permanently inaccessible - it has gone forever. The future doesn't exist because it hasn't happened yet, so the strong sense of self we experience as conscious beings may be less secure than it feels :-) Where, exactly, do we exist?

Until you get the guitar checked out, there's nothing more to be said. It's the first item in the signal chain. You've been tinkering with the pickups in a way known to potentially cause damage. It does not sound as you would expect it to sound. So the guitar needs to be checked out and confirmed to be functioning normally - or not - before going any further.

Are you sure you are in the right forum? I don't recognise the factory preset #s or names you are quoting...

It is very unlikely that you will get the tone *you* want from a factory preset patch. So you will need to either create a patch of your own or edit a preset. Creating your own patches is not so hard. The simplest way has just two blocks - the fuzz pedal and a combination amp + cab block - like this: [triangle fuzz] - [amp + cab] Try a few different [amp + cab] blocks until you get a tone that you like, then add the [triangle fuzz] in front and dial the fuzz in to work with the [amp + cab] tone. Helix isn't really a plug and play device - patches need to be dialled in carefully to suit your specific needs. Hope this helps...

Some confusion here? Big Muff is a pedal, not a patch. On Helix, you find it in the Distortion library. It is called 'Triangle Fuzz'. How you set the pedal up, plus which amp, cab and mic you use will *all* have significant effects on the final tone... Hope this helps.

^^^^^^ All good advice, this. I should really have said something along these lines last night.

I can't recommend pickups for you because I have no idea what your ears like :-) But there's no need to replace the bridge humbucker unless you don't like it.

Unfortunately, yes. The cheaper modern pickups usually have a plastic sleeve around the pole. With vintage-style pickups, the winds are directly in contact with the poles. So moving a pole down can damage the wind itself. I think. If this is crap, hopefully someone will set me straight. This might be why what worked for the Squier did not work for the Strat and instead left you with a dull neck pickup.

Interesting - I only just saw this thread after responding somewhat to jorgealberto25 about his issues with getting a good Strat tone out of Stomp. I did suggest that he takes the Focusrite out of his chain but he said it did not resolve his general discontent. Sometimes it's a bit like ploughing the sea.

The B string polepiece is the stock height. It's D and G that look wrong. It is a bit odd for a stock new Strat... But the key point is that you've been making pole piece height adjustments... You can damage single coil pickups by tapping the poles in. I think the Texas Specials are vintage style, so with fibreboard flatwork. These can definitely be damaged if you mess with the pole piece height.

Good catch :-) Here's a stock set of SSS Texas Specials - none match those of the middle and neck on OP's guitar:

Well, I'm still not sure what's going on :-( My gut feel - which could be woefully wrong - is that it may be about the way you've built your patches but it's very difficult to be sure. Perhaps now there's a bit more detail here about your setup someone might have further suggestions...

The JBLs are powered and Stomp > JBLs should work fine. Have you tried Stomp > JBLs direct? Not quite sure what the Focusrite is doing in your chain? As opposed to a mini mixer if you are pulling in backing tracks or whatever for practice.

Can I ask what you are monitoring through?

Okay, understood. Sorry, but it's amazing how easy confusion can creep into these discussions, so details do have to be checked... I've not played Texas Specials through Helix and they do seem to divide opinion (bit midsy, can be harsh, sensitive to the wood, not good in some bodies, great in others etc). That said, it should be possible to get a decent spanky tone assuming that the guitar is working properly (good wiring and soldering, good pots, clean jack socket, pickup height set optimally) *and* a Helix patch that is right for what you are trying to achieve. This can take a while, especially if you are new to Helix and still exploring mic / cab combinations, amp choice, EQ etc.