using an ABY box for comparison tests

[dubkitty]

this morning i started out by trying to adjust the pickups on the DeArmond M-75 whose Gold Tone humbuckers are the hottest pickups in the house by 2.5kΩ at least. i was having a terrible time of it because i wanted to back down the pickups to where it has about the same output level as the 1968 ES-335 which is the second loudest even though its pickups measure in the low 7s while the Gold Tones are pushing 10. switching the cable from guitar to guitar was more confusing than helpful and i couldn’t figure out what to do, but then i remembered the cheap Livewire ABY box in my shoebox of utility/miscellaneous pedals and it was just what i needed. i now have the M-75 at a similar output level to the 335. so if you find yourself in a similar situation, a $25 ABY could be your new work buddy.