nopainkiller
Thunderkicks McStrum'em
I've adjusterd my pick-up height years ago. It's just too bassy. They're already really far from the string. can't beleive you said the width of a nickel. that's crazy close!
danw
cheap bastard
I agree that bringing the treble side of the pickup up could improve the sound.
Yes, your pickups are already running in parallel. When the switch is in the middle position, it connects both of the end lugs to the center one, making a parallel connection. This is the usual setup.
I would think that yes, using a larger cap value (.1uf or so) would be better for the bass cut if you do that. Larger-value caps let more pass through. This is why the tone controls on bass guitars tend to use higher-value caps -- their frequency spectrum is lower, so you need to knock off more of the top end to be able to hear a difference. For the bass cut, since the high part is what we're keeping, the bigger-value caps would allow you to keep a little more of the original sound. I think this is a good idea in this case.
The whole bass-cut setup would hook to the middle lug on the 3-way switch on one end and the jack on the other, taking the place of your current master volume. How much this reduces your output (or what it actually sounds like) is anybody's guess; I've never actually seen it implemented. It was just an idea I had.
This is a separate idea from the treble bleed -- you're correct in wiring a .001uf cap between the first two lugs on the volume for that. If you want the effect for both pickups, you'll want to put a treble bleed on both volumes. Be aware, though, that if your volume has a treble bleed installed, you may not be able to get total silence. Even with the volume all the way down, a little bit of the signal will go through the cap.
Also, I notice nobody has addressed the idea that the extra bass sound could be a feature of the amp. What are you playing this thing through? Also, are you using heavy-gauge strings on the low end? If you think it's the hollowness of the body, you can also try stuffing it full of socks or something. Just don't put anything in there you can't get out, and don't jam stuff in next to the electronics.
Yes, your pickups are already running in parallel. When the switch is in the middle position, it connects both of the end lugs to the center one, making a parallel connection. This is the usual setup.
I would think that yes, using a larger cap value (.1uf or so) would be better for the bass cut if you do that. Larger-value caps let more pass through. This is why the tone controls on bass guitars tend to use higher-value caps -- their frequency spectrum is lower, so you need to knock off more of the top end to be able to hear a difference. For the bass cut, since the high part is what we're keeping, the bigger-value caps would allow you to keep a little more of the original sound. I think this is a good idea in this case.
The whole bass-cut setup would hook to the middle lug on the 3-way switch on one end and the jack on the other, taking the place of your current master volume. How much this reduces your output (or what it actually sounds like) is anybody's guess; I've never actually seen it implemented. It was just an idea I had.
This is a separate idea from the treble bleed -- you're correct in wiring a .001uf cap between the first two lugs on the volume for that. If you want the effect for both pickups, you'll want to put a treble bleed on both volumes. Be aware, though, that if your volume has a treble bleed installed, you may not be able to get total silence. Even with the volume all the way down, a little bit of the signal will go through the cap.
Also, I notice nobody has addressed the idea that the extra bass sound could be a feature of the amp. What are you playing this thing through? Also, are you using heavy-gauge strings on the low end? If you think it's the hollowness of the body, you can also try stuffing it full of socks or something. Just don't put anything in there you can't get out, and don't jam stuff in next to the electronics.
nopainkiller
Thunderkicks McStrum'em
i use extra light gauge in standard E. I used to play in standard C with extra heavy strings. That was fine, cuz the bass was supposed to be there. But now it's a lot less pleasant.
So are you saying that with treble bleed, there will be noise when I turn the volume down? Like a hum? I need to go back and check, I just put in the treble bypass. I did it with .0022 value, tho, cuz it's all I could find layin around. I will get the .001 soon.
I also put in different caps on the tone pots. The ones I had were labled 503, so that's .050, right?? And the oens I put in were labeled 223 so I think that's .022, correct? I put them in, but could you verify how it's supposed to sound with what I think it sounds like? It sounds like witht he lower value caps, there is more bass left in. Is this my imagination?
So are you saying that with treble bleed, there will be noise when I turn the volume down? Like a hum? I need to go back and check, I just put in the treble bypass. I did it with .0022 value, tho, cuz it's all I could find layin around. I will get the .001 soon.
I also put in different caps on the tone pots. The ones I had were labled 503, so that's .050, right?? And the oens I put in were labeled 223 so I think that's .022, correct? I put them in, but could you verify how it's supposed to sound with what I think it sounds like? It sounds like witht he lower value caps, there is more bass left in. Is this my imagination?
nopainkiller
Thunderkicks McStrum'em
Hey, Danw, how do we get an expert expert expert to weigh in on these blender control, and bass control queries?????
btw which side is the treble side? u don't mean t he side with the thinner strings? well anyway, I adjusted ity. still alot of bass.
btw which side is the treble side? u don't mean t he side with the thinner strings? well anyway, I adjusted ity. still alot of bass.
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danw
cheap bastard
By the treble side, I mean the one with the higher-pitched strings, yes.
Not like a hum, like the volume won't go all the way down. You may still hear a little bit of the strings.
As to an expert opinion, nothing to do but wait and see, I'm afraid. Honestly, at this point I think you're learn a lot more by trying stuff and seeing if it works than by sitting around here waiting for a verification.
Not like a hum, like the volume won't go all the way down. You may still hear a little bit of the strings.
As to an expert opinion, nothing to do but wait and see, I'm afraid. Honestly, at this point I think you're learn a lot more by trying stuff and seeing if it works than by sitting around here waiting for a verification.
nopainkiller
Thunderkicks McStrum'em
Bwah! I know, it's jsut that I'm waiting for the freakin pots to get here!! thanks fer the help.
nopainkiller
Thunderkicks McStrum'em
then again, trying to figure out the blender control is a mind bender. even you could'nt figure it out. how will I. I can't beleiuve no one has read this who has wired a blender control before?
nopainkiller
Thunderkicks McStrum'em
Im still wondering where I should hook up the bass control. I'm doing it right now. You say it should hook to the jack and the center on the 3way switch. Put where do I hook the center of the 3 way switch??? I have two choices! middle top or middle bottom
danw
cheap bastard
Well, I meant wire that bass cut control in the exact position currently occupied by your master volume. I only saw 3 lugs on your switch, though. Could you post a picture that shows 4?
nopainkiller
Thunderkicks McStrum'em
I know you meant in place of the master. The small blender knob. But the small blender knob that came has 6 lugs. And after the two grounds, the jack and the cap, I have two lugs. But I only have one wire, from the 3-way switch. I wire it up, and only get signal on that side.
danw
cheap bastard
Oh, ok. Hook it to both middle lugs on the blender. That way the signal goes in parallel through both sides, and the blender adjusts how much of each.
nopainkiller
Thunderkicks McStrum'em
I wired the blend pot in several different ways. But it is redundant. It's just another volume control for teh stupid pickups.
But now I'm wondering about different mods. I want to make it so I can coil tap both humbuckers and make it singal coil tone. Right now, I have the neck pick-up wired in parallel, and the bridge in series. I also have a little distortion pot I bought on the internet. I could make one myself, it was really overpriced. I'm also gunna try this passive midrange control, and a bass contour pot I found. I'm pretty sure how to do all this,
but the real big question is, can I wire a master tone pot? Like have two volumes and two tones, and use the 5th control as a master bass cut or master distortion pot?? If not, why the hell would I even need this 5th pot! I dunno how I'd do it, please help?
But now I'm wondering about different mods. I want to make it so I can coil tap both humbuckers and make it singal coil tone. Right now, I have the neck pick-up wired in parallel, and the bridge in series. I also have a little distortion pot I bought on the internet. I could make one myself, it was really overpriced. I'm also gunna try this passive midrange control, and a bass contour pot I found. I'm pretty sure how to do all this,
but the real big question is, can I wire a master tone pot? Like have two volumes and two tones, and use the 5th control as a master bass cut or master distortion pot?? If not, why the hell would I even need this 5th pot! I dunno how I'd do it, please help?
S
stevieb
Just another guy, really.
This is in no way meant to be the definitive answer, but the "extra" wires are for things like coil taps and coil splitters, etc. I am by no means expert on such things, having only a tenous grasp of that stuff, myself, but I thought I'd mention that, as no one else has addressed it, yet.
Just found these sites that may help you:
http://www.dancetech.com/aa_dt_new/articles/item.cfm?THREADID=153&LANG=0
http://www.guitar.com/kimonf/blog/tutorial_modding_the_circuit_getting_the_most_out_of_one_guitar
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danw
cheap bastard
You might be interested in doing a coil rolloff:
http://www.seymourduncan.com/support/wiring-diagrams/schematics.php?schematic=2h_2v_3w_2sas
The way it works is that the two knobs which are currently your tone controls become controls for the second coil of each pickup. When the knobs are all the way down, each one is a single-coil. When they're all the way up, each is a humbucker. You could then use your 5th pot for a master tone (or something else).
http://www.seymourduncan.com/support/wiring-diagrams/schematics.php?schematic=2h_2v_3w_2sas
The way it works is that the two knobs which are currently your tone controls become controls for the second coil of each pickup. When the knobs are all the way down, each one is a single-coil. When they're all the way up, each is a humbucker. You could then use your 5th pot for a master tone (or something else).
nopainkiller
Thunderkicks McStrum'em
thanks, but could I have two volumes and two tone pots for each pickup and then, a master tone pot for both?? Also, I've heard you could do a coil tap with a SPDT two way switch. I'd like to do this, and just put another hole in my pickguard. So I could throw both pickups into single coil, then hopefully control both their tones, then have a master tone.
Also, I read about the blend knobs they sell at stewmac, and people say they aren't even real blend pots. That you should buy them elsewhere. In my guitar it's just another volume for both pickups. But could I also use as the volumes for both pick-ups, then have FOUR knobs controlling tone?? AND the coil tap switch. that would be cool.
Also, I read about the blend knobs they sell at stewmac, and people say they aren't even real blend pots. That you should buy them elsewhere. In my guitar it's just another volume for both pickups. But could I also use as the volumes for both pick-ups, then have FOUR knobs controlling tone?? AND the coil tap switch. that would be cool.
danw
cheap bastard
In order not to put more holes in the pickguard, most people I know use push-pull pots. It's basically a way to hide the switch; it's just a pot that has a switch attached to it. You flip the switch by pulling the knob up and pushing it back down. I'm putting two of them on my current project.
nopainkiller
Thunderkicks McStrum'em
I know about the push/pull pots. But I just wanna know if I could have a master tone after already having a tone for each pickup. I aklready plan on using the push pull switches. In combination with the coil tap switch. Cuz, I'm gunna have the bass contour and a middle scoop, and a distortion pot, and regular tone, and see if I can fit in parallell switch with that. But I could use an SPDT to switch both humbuckers to single coil, right? And could I have the master tone?
rayc
retroreprobate
Tie them all in a knot in the middle and see what comes out!
I think this is one excellent troll bridge!
I think this is one excellent troll bridge!
nopainkiller
Thunderkicks McStrum'em
I ain't no troll, fool!
You don't wanna cross my bridge, go around!!
You don't wanna cross my bridge, go around!!
S