Post by ozboomer on Nov 10, 2010 5:05:45 GMT -5
This design is based on SimpleMod-c, which isn't really a design, as such, being just the installation of a pre-loaded pickguard that I bought.
It's a sort-of an interesting mod, as the changes in sound come from simply cutting a wire here and there... and replacing a couple of components. No major re-wiring was required.
Background
SimpleMod-e is a very simple modification to the wiring and components of the pre-loaded pickguard. In detail:-
Schematic (757x684, 9kB):
Wiring Diagram (628x943, 122kB):
Pickup Combinations:
...with + = combined in parallel
These are the normal pickup combinations available with standard Stratocaster wiring; the differences in sound come predominantly from the interaction between the standard single coil pickups and the P-90 style pickup.
Sample Sounds
SimpleMod-e-P1.mp3 - Some simple chord sounds when switching from 5-Way Position 1 (Bridge pickup only) through to Position 5 (Neck pickup only).
Note: The Installation Notes supplied with the Dream 90 pickup mentioned that when you select the "in-between" positions, the output might sound "thin", which means the pickup has been wired into the circuit "out-of-phase". I had a 50-50 chance of getting it right... and naturally, I got it wrong
So, at some time in the not-so-distant future, I will swap the wiring on the Dream 90 and will post some further sound files.
SimpleMod-e-P2.mp3 - The same sounds as above but in this case, the Dream 90 pickup has been wired into the circuit "conventinally" rather than "out-of-phase".
NOTE: Missing sound files will be available once I've created them(!)
Discussion
This is an interesting arrangement as I have a GFS Dream 90 installed at the bridge pickup position. This pickup attempts to provide some sort of similar sound to the original Gibson P-90 pickup, but in a humbucker-shaped/sized package.
When I was re-assembling the components on the pickguard, I made a discovery that will be of interest to like-minded modders: BE AWARE that the pickguard you use needs to have the humbucker cutout of such a size that it can accommodate a humbucking pickup with its cover; this pre-loaded pickguard contained a humbucking pickup that did NOT have a cover, so I had to enlarge the opening so it would take the Dream 90.
To get an idea of what (minimal) changes have been required in this design, here are both a "before" and "after" circuit diagram; I've maintained the overall layout so you can more easily infer the changes made...
Comparison (1024x550, 39kB):
Some Photos
A view of the rear of the pickguard once all the changes and additions have been made:-
...and a view of the top of the body of the guitar, showing the
different pickups:-
Here's a diagram of the (somewhat) modular nature of this design (see all my modules at ozboomer's Modular Library):-
It would be best to post any further thoughts, comments, etc about "SimpleMod" in the SimpleMod + ToneMod = ... thread.
Hope this proves useful...
John
It's a sort-of an interesting mod, as the changes in sound come from simply cutting a wire here and there... and replacing a couple of components. No major re-wiring was required.
Background
SimpleMod-e is a very simple modification to the wiring and components of the pre-loaded pickguard. In detail:-
- The Neck tone pot is moved to become a Master Tone control for the entire guitar
- The Middle Tone pot is moved to become a Bridge pickup tone control
- The join between the two tone capacitors effectively makes a single capacitor with a value of 0.066uF. I've broken the join between the caps and have replaced each of the 0.033uF caps with 0.012uF versions (which will apply to each Tone control individually), purely because I prefer these values.
...and for no particular reason, I've also tried using MKT type caps; I don't really know what difference they will make - The humbucking pickup at the bridge position is replaced with a GuitarFetish Dream 90 P-90- style pickup (rated at 8.4k)
- A "treble bleed" circuit is added to the Volume pot, to help maintain higher frequency levels at lower volumes
Schematic (757x684, 9kB):
Wiring Diagram (628x943, 122kB):
Pickup Combinations:
| 5-Way | Pickups |
| 1. | B |
| 2. | B+M |
| 3. | M |
| 4. | M+N |
| 5. | N |
...with + = combined in parallel
These are the normal pickup combinations available with standard Stratocaster wiring; the differences in sound come predominantly from the interaction between the standard single coil pickups and the P-90 style pickup.
Sample Sounds
SimpleMod-e-P1.mp3 - Some simple chord sounds when switching from 5-Way Position 1 (Bridge pickup only) through to Position 5 (Neck pickup only).
Note: The Installation Notes supplied with the Dream 90 pickup mentioned that when you select the "in-between" positions, the output might sound "thin", which means the pickup has been wired into the circuit "out-of-phase". I had a 50-50 chance of getting it right... and naturally, I got it wrong
So, at some time in the not-so-distant future, I will swap the wiring on the Dream 90 and will post some further sound files.SimpleMod-e-P2.mp3 - The same sounds as above but in this case, the Dream 90 pickup has been wired into the circuit "conventinally" rather than "out-of-phase".
NOTE: Missing sound files will be available once I've created them(!)
Discussion
This is an interesting arrangement as I have a GFS Dream 90 installed at the bridge pickup position. This pickup attempts to provide some sort of similar sound to the original Gibson P-90 pickup, but in a humbucker-shaped/sized package.
When I was re-assembling the components on the pickguard, I made a discovery that will be of interest to like-minded modders: BE AWARE that the pickguard you use needs to have the humbucker cutout of such a size that it can accommodate a humbucking pickup with its cover; this pre-loaded pickguard contained a humbucking pickup that did NOT have a cover, so I had to enlarge the opening so it would take the Dream 90.
To get an idea of what (minimal) changes have been required in this design, here are both a "before" and "after" circuit diagram; I've maintained the overall layout so you can more easily infer the changes made...
Comparison (1024x550, 39kB):
Some Photos
A view of the rear of the pickguard once all the changes and additions have been made:-
...and a view of the top of the body of the guitar, showing the
different pickups:-
Here's a diagram of the (somewhat) modular nature of this design (see all my modules at ozboomer's Modular Library):-
It would be best to post any further thoughts, comments, etc about "SimpleMod" in the SimpleMod + ToneMod = ... thread.
Hope this proves useful...
John