DIY Small clone issue

[wui223]

I recently have my DIY small clone to test by a luthier friend. As he played a vintage small clone several years before. His comment on my small clone is : too much colour, the original guitar tone was affected too much, and the sound become thinner with some cut of mid.

My question is: Is there anyone here have the same thinking for their own/ friend's DIY Small Clone? Is there any possible way to improve the tone quality to make it less "colour" or minimize the effect on the guitar tone?

[Steben]

You could make the 20k from point D (in tonepad circuit) a bit higher, giving less modulated signal. Or you could put in a pot there as a "blend" control. The mid problem is a remark I cannot figure out. EQ?