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Post by pete12345 on Feb 28, 2009 18:33:21 GMT -5
Hi all. Thought about getting an LP from here and of course, wanting to modify its wiring...  The question is, what to do with it? My first thought would be to use two push/pull volume pots in a binary tree switching arrangement to get either pickup alone plus series/parallel, with the selector switch position housing an overall phase switch. Maybe the tone pots could also become push/pulls for in-pickup series/parallel. Anyone have any better ideas? Does this sound like a good setup? Cheers Pete |
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Post by newey on Feb 28, 2009 19:19:48 GMT -5
Sounds similar to my current P-bass project: P-Bass plus Strat SCWaiting for warmer weather for sanding/refinishing on that one. But you also have, as you note, 2 tone controls. So there are additional possibilities. I assume you have seen JohnH's LP Maximiser. This entails adding 2 rotaries. To stick with push/pulls, there's also the classic Jimmy Page mod. Once again, JH is the man for LP mods with his improved JH's Jimmy Page mod. If it were me, I'd replace the 3-way with a Varitone-type arrangement, in addition to the binary tree switching for series/parallel/each. Uses different value caps for tone effects, and you could use a couple of the positions to split the coils. BTW, £49 for an LP copy? That's dirt cheap- are they any good? |
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Post by JohnH on Feb 28, 2009 19:36:15 GMT -5
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Post by Happyguy on Feb 28, 2009 19:51:20 GMT -5
I built the JohnH Jimmy page and i love it ;D
Good job on finding them there cheap guitars!
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Post by JohnH on Feb 28, 2009 19:55:18 GMT -5
HG - great! Im glad that worked (phew).
Well done on putting it together
J
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Post by ashcatlt on Feb 28, 2009 21:03:45 GMT -5
BTW, £49 for an LP copy? That's dirt cheap- are they any good? Is the neck bolted on? Then it's not a Les Paul. It's a single cutaway HH guitar. Might be decent for that, but... I love the system series setting on my LP. Of course, it is a Les Paul. |
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Post by pete12345 on Mar 1, 2009 4:44:11 GMT -5
Humm... I just thought that the pickups in this thing are unlikely to be 4-wire. With that in mind, perhaps I could adapt JohnH's Stratocaster Dual Sound to a 2hb design, eliminating the middle pickup. I don't mind going to a master volume with blender. Unless I'm mistaken (I probably am) the series/parallel could be done with a DPDT, though I would have to make sure the selector was out of circuit. So with all controls pushed down, it works like a regular LP, but with a master volume control. Pull up the volume and you have series with blending, pull up the neck tone and you have the neck out of phase. Pete |
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Post by JohnH on Mar 1, 2009 7:17:45 GMT -5
If you are interested, and since this is a project anyway, its not too hard to convert pups to 4 wires.
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Post by pete12345 on Mar 1, 2009 12:18:18 GMT -5
I think I'm on to something now ;D One of the volume controls gets yanked, and replaced with a 3P4T rotary, choosing N, N+B, N-B, B. The remaining volume becomes a master volume. An ordinary DPDT (in the selector switch hole) selects series/parallel between pickups. The remaining volume becomes a master volume, separate tone controls for each pickup. If using 4-wire pickups, the tone pots can be replaced with push/pulls for internal series/parallel or series/split. Without the push/pulls, this gives 6 basic combinations. With push/pulls, this is expanded to 20 (I think) The question is: can I fit an LP knob onto a rotary switch... Diagram's on its way Pete |
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Post by cynical1 on Mar 1, 2009 12:57:34 GMT -5
Not to rain on anyone's parade, but doesn't the idea of a new "...full size guitar, comes with a bag, a strap, and a lead, all for £49." ($70.00 US) make anyone else a bit concerned about the neck and frets? The body is probably plywood, which is not the end of the world, but what about the playability of this guitar?
I would venture that a guitar from a pawn shop might make a better launch vehicle...and you get the added bonus of being able to play it before you part with the cash...
Just playing Devils Advocate here...
Happy Trails
Cynical One
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Post by pete12345 on Mar 1, 2009 13:12:34 GMT -5
I see what you mean, but to be fair at the moment I'm playing a chinese made squier, which is quite probably plywood and sounds fine to my ears. I sent an enquiry to them earlier about the wood and pickups, but I may still see if I can find a pawn shop around here though, then see if there's a LP kicking around there.
Pete
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Post by cynical1 on Mar 1, 2009 14:24:22 GMT -5
There is nothing wrong with plywood body guitars. They get a bad wrap, generally, only after the finish is removed and the plywood is discovered...
My personal concern would be the quality of the fretwork, nut, neck and hardware. After the potential repair, replacement or set-up of these concerns the £49 bargain becomes less of a bargain. And if it doesn't feel right, then all the mods in the world won't make it fun to play.
There are probably quite a few very good Japanese and Korean LP copies out there in the UK...and with the economy where it is the resale market should be good for anyone looking to buy. eBay UK had several Epiphone LP's for around £40.
Happy Trails
Cynical One
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Post by ashcatlt on Mar 1, 2009 14:28:11 GMT -5
I put the rotary in the place of the selector switch. Of course, mine is only 2 poles, and is kind of a tight fit. Anyway, with it here, it's very difficult to accidentally flip the switch while flailing around. This is a problem I've always had with LPs, and judging by the duct tape I've seen on other people's guitars, is pretty common. Since I used one of those Tele-style knurled knobs it just hurts now, rather than changing my sound.
Speaking of which, the rotaries I use come in 1/4" shaft only, as far as I can tell. A normal LP knob will not fit this without some reaming. A Ric knob with the set screw will.
Now, most of the time we say that two wire pickups are unsuitable for S/P switching because at least one of the shield wires gets into the signal path. I went ahead and did it anyway on mine, and haven't really noticed a big increase in noise in the series position. These pickups are uncovered, which could make a difference.
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