james
Rookie Solder Flinger
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
|
Post by james on Jan 26, 2008 22:30:07 GMT -5
Hello, all. I just found the Guitar Nuts site... What a great resource! I love the internet. I'm hoping someone may have some insight into my current project. I have a 96 American Strat which has been modded heavily with locking tuners, roller nut and string tees, graphite saddles, etc. It had SD humbuckers (cool & vintage rails) with an odd wiring scheme. I recently got a set of Custom Shop '69 Strat pickups and have been trying to figure out what to do with 'em. I decided on the "Mega Strat" scheme as seen here: www.guitartechcraig.com/techwire/tech01.jpg, with the addition of the stock TBX Tone Control modded as follows: blueguitar.org/tbx_doc.gif. It's all wired up, but not working out. All of the parts were recycled from previous projects, so to rule that out, I replaced the 5 way switch and push pull pot. Wiring these in still render the exact same results. I switched the diagram up a bit, because the 5 way switch was laid out backward and I needed it to be more clear. This is the end result: medinaline.net/pics/megastrat-wiring-fixed.jpgThe details: - With the push/pull down, in positions 5-3 (neck, n&m, middle) I get basically the same thing, strong neck, very weak middle and bridge. In positions 2&1, I get complete silence. - With the push/pull up, I get nothing at all in any position. - The "blend" doesn't seem to have any effect at all. - I can hear in the "buzz" that the modded TBX seems to be doing its job properly. The guitar is not strung up. I tested by tapping the pickup poles. I am certainly not a pro, I'm not going to say that there is not something retarded that I have done, but I have cleaned up every connection that looked shady to me, and as I said, replaced the pieces that looked like they had been heated too many times. And have gotten the exact same results at each step of the way. Does anyone have some insight into this? Have you heard of this mod and does the diagram make sense to you?
|
|
|
Post by ChrisK on Jan 27, 2008 1:31:25 GMT -5
Well, I have some observations: The lever switch cannot be in backwards in the design since it is symmetrical. It can be mounted backwards for the design in the body after it's been wired, simply remedied by rotating it 180 degrees. The pictorial of the switch terminals is skewed. It actually looks like the one in this template. I would suggest measuring the resistance of each pickup out of circuit (only one lead each needs to be unsoldered - I measure and record such info before I wire anything) and then measure the resistance of the circuit at the output jack for each and every possible combination of all switches and blending. Measure to x.xx K Ohms (at least three significant digits). Using parallel and series resistor equations, one can often discern wiring and component errors prior to "opening up the chest" anew. Is the pot being used for the blend pot reused? Is it a Fender Delta tone pot? Does it work? Does it work throughout its entire rotation?
|
|
james
Rookie Solder Flinger
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
|
Post by james on Jan 27, 2008 9:13:58 GMT -5
Thanks, ChrisK. The lever switch cannot be in backwards in the design since it is symmetrical. It can be mounted backwards for the design in the body after it's been wired, simply remedied by rotating it 180 degrees. You are right, I originally had it all wired up exactly as listed in the diagram, not leaving enough wire to rotate the switch. Since I replaced the switch, I photoshopped the diagram so I could "think as little as possible" while wiring it up. The pictorial of the switch terminals is skewed. It actually looks like the one in this template. The actual switch does look the same as the standard 2P3/5T on the templates page. I replaced the original OEM Strat switch with a drop in replacement. I would suggest measuring the resistance of each pickup out of circuit (only one lead each needs to be unsoldered - I measure and record such info before I wire anything) and then measure the resistance of the circuit at the output jack for each and every possible combination of all switches and blending. Measure to x.xx K Ohms (at least three significant digits). OK, this is next on my list to do. Is the pot being used for the blend pot reused? Is it a Fender Delta tone pot? Does it work? Does it work throughout its entire rotation? Yes, the middle "blend" pot is a standard 250K pulled from the middle tone of the original strat pickguard. I simply pulled the capacitor off. When in a pickup position that works, the same signal comes through with the blend knob rolled all the way from 0 to 10. Thanks again for your insight and the links to the switch templates will help me clear some things up. The switch template makes me wonder if that far right terminal on the 5 way switch really should be unused. It is highlighted in red on the diagram, but not connected to anything... One more question, is it possible that I have wired the push/pull upside down? I treated the wiring diagram's pin layout as is, with the shaft pointing down.
|
|
james
Rookie Solder Flinger
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
|
Post by james on Jan 27, 2008 12:48:35 GMT -5
Sorry for the double post... I have been further browsing the site (love it love it love it) and some other posts raised a question in me.
(Apparently there are lots of conversations here regarding "blend pots", at least one referencing the same wiring diagram from gutiartechcraig.com - None of them use the term "mega strat", which is what he called it on the site, so I didn't find the previous posts when searching - sorry again)
The original wiring diagram is showing only three terminals on the "blend" pot. True "blend" pots have 6 terminals, right? That's why I assumed this was a standard 250K pot. Is that the wrong assumption to have made?
|
|
|
Post by floored2112 on Jan 20, 2013 15:07:24 GMT -5
In regards to a blend pot having six lugs, that is wrong. The only need for six lugz is if you choosing to blend 2 different items like bass on one set of lugs and treble on another. I made a 12 position varitone and created a blend pot using a 250k pot to blend in the tone with the natural pup tones.
|
|
|
Post by floored2112 on Jan 20, 2013 15:11:44 GMT -5
Also there is no wrong or right way to put a pup selector in. some guys do spring away from pots but really either way would be the same. You could wire it wrong going N/M/B instead of B/M/N then it would be a simple turn around but then you are left with more wire than needed in the cavity.
|
|
|
Post by JohnH on Jan 20, 2013 15:37:09 GMT -5
Hi floored, welcome to GN2. I think you are replying to a question posed nearly 4 years ago - so you may not get much feedback. But I hope you will join in some of our current threads.
cheers John
|
|