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Post by closeyetfar on Apr 10, 2009 15:00:24 GMT -5
Hi, I just installed a TBX switch in my Strat last night, and I have to say im less then impressed. Currently the TBX switch controls my middle Fender Lace Sensor. The problem is that while the switch works fine from 1 - 5 acting as a normal tone control, it does nothing from 6 - 10. Basically it sounds the same from 6 - 10 the part where the 1 Meg pot takes over. Im pretty sure I wired it correctly as I checked my work and used new components. Right now im thinking that the whole design of the TBX switch in impractical. The tone control acts as a bleeder switch that bleeds off high frequencies. Im pretty sure that when the pot gets to 250K, it's resistance is so high that there is nothing left to bleed off. So whether its 250K or anything higher it will not make any difference. Anyone with electrical know how have any ideas? Am I right or did I just mess something up? lol Also I did not do the standard TBX install. I used a 220K resister instead of a 82K and wired it parallel to the .022 capacitor. People said this is a better setup. I posted a link to the diagram I used, it is the bottom one, the top one is the normal install. blueguitar.org/tbx_doc.gifAny Ideas Thanks
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Post by JohnH on Apr 10, 2009 16:38:28 GMT -5
It should work, but nearly all the tone action is in the first half, there would be just a very slight extra bit of high treble in the second half, as it puts that 1M resistance between the guitar signal and the cap. To test it, instead of a guitar amp, you could plug into something that has a higher treble response, like a mixer or a stereo system - listen with headphones.
John
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Post by ChrisK on Apr 10, 2009 16:48:24 GMT -5
The basic premise of the TBX is it's a relatively standard high frequency cut from "5" to "0", and a decreasing resistive load (up to 1 Meg Ohm) from "5" to "10".
This reduction of resistive loading is what gives the appearance of a Treble Bbutt eXpander. As the load on a generator is decreased, the higher harmonics (which are the first to go under load) are less impinged.
While the TBX does shunt to ground the higher frequencies in its lower half of revolution, it reduces the loading (perceived as "bleeding") and allows more high frequencies (harmonics) to pass to the output in its upper half of revolution.
However, the effect of the reduced loading is completely dependent on the pickup and what harmonic envelope it's capable of producing in the first place.
You don't indicate which Lace sensor you are using.
Also, a Lace sensor is a transducer. Some of these are not compatible with traditional passive magnetic pickups and hence, do not respond to the same values of tone controls. The modified TBX circuit that you used may not be as useful with the Lace.
The TBX is in the Clapton Strat, and the older versions of these are used some model(s) of Lace sensors.
I've always felt that the the anti-high cut (the treble expansion) of this was subtle at best anyway, and more noticeable on clean signals. The high cut effect is much more evident than the high (not loaded) expansion.
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Post by closeyetfar on Apr 10, 2009 17:47:35 GMT -5
Hey, thanks for the replies. I am using the TBX switch with a Lace Gold Sensor. I checked the wiring and everything seems to be in order. I placed a link to where I got my info from, in one of the messages a person says it does work with lace sensors but from 5 - 10 it is very subtle. I tried it with headphones as well but it made no difference. Thanks for the help www.fenderforum.com/forum.html?db=&topic_number=194509
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Post by vegetablejoe on May 28, 2009 5:00:41 GMT -5
I've used TBX pots with Kinman and SD Antiquity pickups in my guitars for the past few years, and, as you say, the effect is subtle.
Lately I had a MidBoost kit installed in the strat with Kinmans, and the TBX is now more useful than before. The midboost, when engaged, seems to mask quite a bit of treble as the mids are emphasized. The TBX to my ears helps recover a bit of the treble and is quite useful with the bridge pickup in particular.
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