cpattrun
Rookie Solder Flinger
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
|
Post by cpattrun on Feb 9, 2007 10:08:55 GMT -5
I just bought a 2006 American Hardtail. I am performing the QTB mod and thought that I would do a few more while I have the guts out. I have 2 questions: 1. Is it necessary to move the tone control from the middle pickup to the bridge if the guitar has a Delta tone pot? My understanding is that this controls the tone for both the middle and bridge pickups. 2. When I install the push/pull volume pot to engage my bridge pickup, does this make the bridge in series with the other pickups or in parallel? What's the difference?
Thank you for your time, I've really learned a lot from this forum.
|
|
|
Post by sumgai on Feb 9, 2007 15:26:22 GMT -5
cpattrun, Hi, and to the forums! This is a new axe, have you given yourself time to figure out everything you want to do? My first thought on your proposed mods is somewhat generic in nature. I think that before you go chopping into the guts of your rig, you might wanna ask yourself this question: "What benefit will I get from doing this?" I could expand on that with additional questions, but you get the point. I'm not familiar with the Delta tone control setup, and several web pages that do mention it are all in conflict! I'll have to ask you to describe what it does for me, please, before I can comment any further. A push-pull switch to engage the bridge pickup? Seems like overkill to me, but hey, what do I know? The way it will connect everything together is up to you. Which is one reason that most Nutz use a mini-toggle switch for this job - they get both options! HTH sumgai
|
|
cpattrun
Rookie Solder Flinger
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
|
Post by cpattrun on Feb 9, 2007 17:14:43 GMT -5
"What benefit will I get from doing this?"
That's a very good question. I've performed the QTB on 2 other Strats I've owned and that is all of the modifications I've ever done. I thought it was pretty much a normal thing to do once you buy a Strat. My knowledge of wiring is very basic. I have a small amount of hum from this new one but nothing like I had on the other 2. Will it hurt to shield it? Do you think I should play with it awhile first? As far as the Delta Tone System, I can't find out much about it either. My understanding of it is that the middle and bridge pickups are connected to the tone pot, when the pot is used in positions 1-9 it acts as a regular tone control. When you place it on 10 it makes the pot a no-load pot, bypassing the pot and giving a brighter, louder sound. I'll know more when I open it up and check the wiring. Can't I just put a shunt across the switch terminals and use the tone control for both the middle and bridge? I haven't played around with it much, as the first guitar I ordered came with the rosewood neck, and I wanted the maple, so I'm waiting on the new one to get here (should be any day now). About the push/pull pot, I've read on other sites of people doing this and to me it makes sense because I want the guitar to look stock from the outside (no toggle switches). Having it on the volume pot makes sense because it is closer and also gives me one stop shopping. I can turn it on/off and control the volume at the same time. Which is better series or parallel? Thanks again!
|
|
|
Post by sumgai on Feb 9, 2007 22:22:09 GMT -5
cp, (Not quoted, a bit too long. ) One stop shopping - check. Stock appearance (stealth operation) - check. Fulfills needs simply and quickly - check. 3 for 3..... yep, that's good enough reason to do it! Although personally, I really like the Fender S1 switch (push-push, within the volume control), but to each his own, that can't be argued. Since you've already shielded at least one guitar prior to this, then we don't need to sell you on the benefits, do we? I have the pups that Fender touts as being their quietest (short of Lace Sensors), and they still had a tiny bit of hum, under adverse bar lighting conditions. An hour of tinkering with some foil (certainly not my first job, by a long shot!), and now it's so quiet that I have to look at the amp's pilot light before I make a fool of myself, strumming to pure silence. ;D Series versus parallel...... that's a tough question. No doubt about it, series will be louder to the ear, but it will also lack some highs (trebles), that will also be obvious. Both conditions can be alleviated, but only with more work. Chances are, you won't mind the slight shortcomings. In fact, you may find that parallel sounds 'thin', or 'tinny', and too soft a volume. Personally, I like it that way - all three in parallel is the shiz-nitz for playing Robert Cray-style blues! ;D The switch will give you both worlds to play with - make up your own mind! But I'll bet that you keep, and use, both - they provide useful tones for different songs. HTH sumgai
|
|
cpattrun
Rookie Solder Flinger
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
|
Post by cpattrun on Feb 10, 2007 6:31:34 GMT -5
Thanks alot! You've been a big help. I'll let you know what I decide, and how it works out.
|
|
|
Post by ChrisK on Feb 10, 2007 14:56:24 GMT -5
|
|