Post by ChrisK on May 5, 2009 12:25:47 GMT -5
While somewhat belated, I waited until these were on clearance to get one (and look under the hood).
The VG Strat
The VG has the operating feature that if the batteries are depleted or even missing, the Standard Strat passive magnetic pickup circuit of the guitar will continue to function. As long as the Mode Switch is set to "Normal" (selecting the magnetic signal path), the guitar still functions with the 5-way lever switch and the master volume and master tone controls.
While this infers that the standard Strat Volume and Tone pots would have to be the same as in a standard passive guitar, I wasn't sure if they were shared by the active/DSP circuitry. Inspection has confirmed that both the Volume Pot and the Tone Pot are in fact dual pots, with a lower 250KA audio taper element and an upper 10KB linear element. The 250KA elements control the passive Strat magnetic pickup circuit and the 10KB linear elements are ratiometrically used and connected into the DSP where SW determines the actual level translation for the SW models. The passive magnetic tone pot element is used with a 0.022 uF mylar cap. See the mode switch description for more signal path information.
MOD TIP - These dual element pots rule out the use of push pull pots. They could be replaced with two concentric pots; one for passive volume and tone (dual 250KA) and one for model volume and tone (dual 10KB - which likely exist and/or are used in active bass guitars). Note that the 10KB units, if ratiometrically biased, could be 10K to 50K methinks. Such replacement would solve the constant level issue described below.
The 4P5T Lever Super Switch is used as follows (pole numbering is arbitrary):
Pole 1: Selects either the passive Bridge pickup (Pos 1 & 2) or the passive Neck pickup (Pos 4 & 5)
Pole 2: Selects the passive Middle pickup (Pos 2, 3, & 4).
Both of these poles could have been replaced with one pole of the 5-way Fender lever switch (2P3T shorting w/ detents a.k.a. 5-way).
Pole 3: Unused
MOD TIP - Since two poles are used and a third is free, many things can be done. One can easily modify the two poles for B/B+M/B+N/M+N/N.
Pole 4: Selects one of 5 wires to the DSP.
This pole, which uses 6 wires, could have been replaced with the other pole from the 5-way Fender lever switch (as noted above) and would have used just 4 wires. Software can easily detect the switch position either way. I suspect (as I have not looked at it in this level of detail) that the switch might be used with resistors on the Mode PCB to digitally generate an analog voltage level that is interpreted by the DSP SW on a single analog input.
The Tuning Switch is actually a pot with detents (as it's a three terminal device) that generates a ratio-based level that is interpreted by the DSP SW on a single analog input. Being ratiometrically derived from a common reference voltage, the actual resistive value of the pot does not matter, only the linearity does. It's a lot easier to make things ratiometric than absolute.
The Mode Switch is a 2P8T rotary switch with only 5 positions/throws populated. It is mounted on a PCB that consolidates the wiring from the other switches and pots. One pole is used to select either the passive magnetic signal path (Pos N) or the DSP SW generated output (Pos S, T, H, & A) for the output jack. The other pole generates mode selected information for the DSP.
The Roland pickup has 6 magnetic pickup inputs to the DSP.
The DSP will have the following inputs as a minimum:
6 ADC - one for each Roland string pickup
1 ADC - 5-way lever switch position
1 ADC - Volume pot ratio
1 ADC - Tone pot ratio
1 ADC - Tuning switch position
1 ADC - Mode switch position
There will be at least two outputs from the DSP.
1 - DAC generated modeled voltage output
1 - Obnoxiously bright, blue LED who's primary function, aside from announcing the presence of the VG, appears to be to expeditiously deplete the batteries.
The body is routed HSH, so any mix of pickups compatible with these footprints will fit.
Note that the vibrato cavity cover is anodized aluminum, along with the back electronics cavity. The battery box and holder is of excellent design and apparent quality.
Sounds
The passive pickups sound like a U.S. Am Std Strat.
The Strat model sounds "Stratty" but is not as rich/complex sounding as a passive Strat. It's not bad.
The Tele model sounds like a Tele but is not as rich/complex sounding as a passive Tele. It's not bad.
The Humbucker model sounds like a HH Strat but is not as rich sounding as a passive guitar. It's fairly generic sounding.
I don't know what the Acoustic models are supposed to sound like (and apparently neither does Fender since they don't define them anywhere), but they are not as rich sounding as the acoustic models on my Variax 500.
I guess that an analogy would be that the models sound like I have some wax in my ears. Not a lot, but enough that I want to "pop" my ears.
"A Man of Constant Volume"
Fender solved the "problem" that the Variax had in that the different models had different output levels (uh, like the actual different guitars do). Unfortunately, all of the VG models have nearly identical output levels so one is not going to select the HH model looking/hoping for a solo drive boost. The passive magnetic pickups actually have a slightly higher output level than the modeled sounds. I don't think that the constant output levels can be remedied, but a de-inter-twining solution is proposed in my earlier discussion herein of the volume and tone pots.
Musings
The Variax had the option of saving two sets of five settings in two positions of its rotary model selector switch. This was great pre-Workbench for generating one's "set of guitars" for performance as one could switch within each group solely with the 5-way lever switch. Post-Workbench, one could redefine the planet.....
There is no capability for any of this in the VG. It is what it only is. One is not going to "shift gears" with the VG without touching two and possibly as many as four controls.
I suspect that the VG was developed more because it could be, and may not have been based on valid marketing that ascertained valid customer demand (VOC). While it is an American Standard Strat and it models an ash Strat, a Tele, an HH Strat, and somethings apparently acoustic, it neglects some of the more iconic Fender sounds.
While one may not need as many Fender guitars with the VG, one certainly still needs the other brands of guitars and, lacking a stable of such, the Variax or something else. If one already has a Roland pickup and a VG-88 or VG-99, one already has one of these. I have the Godin xtSA that is HSH with RMC piezos and a three-band graphic equalizer for the acoustic output. It also drives a VG-88/99. That plus a VG-99 (or used VG-88 which are very affordable) is about the same currency as a VG at its pre-clearance price.
The VG may have had the effect of the convertible pickup truck/SUV; while they created significant interest, they were purchased by those that would have bought a pickup truck or SUV anyway, and hence no measurable additional business or market share was gleaned.
This unit was dated in the fall of 2007 and "lingered on the lot" until May 2009 when the price was reduced to $999 (I paid $949 w/HSC included). Apparently, at the prior price point (~~$1,500), the customer's next best alternative was to do nothing......or something else.
Clearance is.
Did I mention that the Battery Discharge Device (the blue LED) is blindingly annoying?
There is room to modify in the VG. One can change the super switch wiring to realize more preferred combinations. One could move the blue LED inside (it's bright enough to shine thru the pickguard, shielding foil and all) and re-purpose the hole for a mini-toggle switch (or my favorite 8P3T rotary that fits in a 1/4" mounting hole).
I can see a Mike Richardson plus scheme that does B/B+M/B+N/M+N/N and B+M+N/B*M/B*N/M*N/B*M*N AND the second group with some phasing. Add in some dual concentric pots for differing passive and modeled volume and tone levels, as well as some designer shades for the blue laser, and it's on its (nutty) way.
Front
Back
Inside Pickguard
Control Harness
Dual Element Pot
Holy cow, the VG Strat really is a semi-hollow guitar turned inside-out.
The VG Strat
The VG has the operating feature that if the batteries are depleted or even missing, the Standard Strat passive magnetic pickup circuit of the guitar will continue to function. As long as the Mode Switch is set to "Normal" (selecting the magnetic signal path), the guitar still functions with the 5-way lever switch and the master volume and master tone controls.
While this infers that the standard Strat Volume and Tone pots would have to be the same as in a standard passive guitar, I wasn't sure if they were shared by the active/DSP circuitry. Inspection has confirmed that both the Volume Pot and the Tone Pot are in fact dual pots, with a lower 250KA audio taper element and an upper 10KB linear element. The 250KA elements control the passive Strat magnetic pickup circuit and the 10KB linear elements are ratiometrically used and connected into the DSP where SW determines the actual level translation for the SW models. The passive magnetic tone pot element is used with a 0.022 uF mylar cap. See the mode switch description for more signal path information.
MOD TIP - These dual element pots rule out the use of push pull pots. They could be replaced with two concentric pots; one for passive volume and tone (dual 250KA) and one for model volume and tone (dual 10KB - which likely exist and/or are used in active bass guitars). Note that the 10KB units, if ratiometrically biased, could be 10K to 50K methinks. Such replacement would solve the constant level issue described below.
The 4P5T Lever Super Switch is used as follows (pole numbering is arbitrary):
Pole 1: Selects either the passive Bridge pickup (Pos 1 & 2) or the passive Neck pickup (Pos 4 & 5)
Pole 2: Selects the passive Middle pickup (Pos 2, 3, & 4).
Both of these poles could have been replaced with one pole of the 5-way Fender lever switch (2P3T shorting w/ detents a.k.a. 5-way).
Pole 3: Unused
MOD TIP - Since two poles are used and a third is free, many things can be done. One can easily modify the two poles for B/B+M/B+N/M+N/N.
Pole 4: Selects one of 5 wires to the DSP.
This pole, which uses 6 wires, could have been replaced with the other pole from the 5-way Fender lever switch (as noted above) and would have used just 4 wires. Software can easily detect the switch position either way. I suspect (as I have not looked at it in this level of detail) that the switch might be used with resistors on the Mode PCB to digitally generate an analog voltage level that is interpreted by the DSP SW on a single analog input.
The Tuning Switch is actually a pot with detents (as it's a three terminal device) that generates a ratio-based level that is interpreted by the DSP SW on a single analog input. Being ratiometrically derived from a common reference voltage, the actual resistive value of the pot does not matter, only the linearity does. It's a lot easier to make things ratiometric than absolute.
The Mode Switch is a 2P8T rotary switch with only 5 positions/throws populated. It is mounted on a PCB that consolidates the wiring from the other switches and pots. One pole is used to select either the passive magnetic signal path (Pos N) or the DSP SW generated output (Pos S, T, H, & A) for the output jack. The other pole generates mode selected information for the DSP.
The Roland pickup has 6 magnetic pickup inputs to the DSP.
The DSP will have the following inputs as a minimum:
6 ADC - one for each Roland string pickup
1 ADC - 5-way lever switch position
1 ADC - Volume pot ratio
1 ADC - Tone pot ratio
1 ADC - Tuning switch position
1 ADC - Mode switch position
There will be at least two outputs from the DSP.
1 - DAC generated modeled voltage output
1 - Obnoxiously bright, blue LED who's primary function, aside from announcing the presence of the VG, appears to be to expeditiously deplete the batteries.
The body is routed HSH, so any mix of pickups compatible with these footprints will fit.
Note that the vibrato cavity cover is anodized aluminum, along with the back electronics cavity. The battery box and holder is of excellent design and apparent quality.
Sounds
The passive pickups sound like a U.S. Am Std Strat.
The Strat model sounds "Stratty" but is not as rich/complex sounding as a passive Strat. It's not bad.
The Tele model sounds like a Tele but is not as rich/complex sounding as a passive Tele. It's not bad.
The Humbucker model sounds like a HH Strat but is not as rich sounding as a passive guitar. It's fairly generic sounding.
I don't know what the Acoustic models are supposed to sound like (and apparently neither does Fender since they don't define them anywhere), but they are not as rich sounding as the acoustic models on my Variax 500.
I guess that an analogy would be that the models sound like I have some wax in my ears. Not a lot, but enough that I want to "pop" my ears.
"A Man of Constant Volume"
Fender solved the "problem" that the Variax had in that the different models had different output levels (uh, like the actual different guitars do). Unfortunately, all of the VG models have nearly identical output levels so one is not going to select the HH model looking/hoping for a solo drive boost. The passive magnetic pickups actually have a slightly higher output level than the modeled sounds. I don't think that the constant output levels can be remedied, but a de-inter-twining solution is proposed in my earlier discussion herein of the volume and tone pots.
Musings
The Variax had the option of saving two sets of five settings in two positions of its rotary model selector switch. This was great pre-Workbench for generating one's "set of guitars" for performance as one could switch within each group solely with the 5-way lever switch. Post-Workbench, one could redefine the planet.....
There is no capability for any of this in the VG. It is what it only is. One is not going to "shift gears" with the VG without touching two and possibly as many as four controls.
I suspect that the VG was developed more because it could be, and may not have been based on valid marketing that ascertained valid customer demand (VOC). While it is an American Standard Strat and it models an ash Strat, a Tele, an HH Strat, and somethings apparently acoustic, it neglects some of the more iconic Fender sounds.
While one may not need as many Fender guitars with the VG, one certainly still needs the other brands of guitars and, lacking a stable of such, the Variax or something else. If one already has a Roland pickup and a VG-88 or VG-99, one already has one of these. I have the Godin xtSA that is HSH with RMC piezos and a three-band graphic equalizer for the acoustic output. It also drives a VG-88/99. That plus a VG-99 (or used VG-88 which are very affordable) is about the same currency as a VG at its pre-clearance price.
The VG may have had the effect of the convertible pickup truck/SUV; while they created significant interest, they were purchased by those that would have bought a pickup truck or SUV anyway, and hence no measurable additional business or market share was gleaned.
This unit was dated in the fall of 2007 and "lingered on the lot" until May 2009 when the price was reduced to $999 (I paid $949 w/HSC included). Apparently, at the prior price point (~~$1,500), the customer's next best alternative was to do nothing......or something else.
Clearance is.
Did I mention that the Battery Discharge Device (the blue LED) is blindingly annoying?
There is room to modify in the VG. One can change the super switch wiring to realize more preferred combinations. One could move the blue LED inside (it's bright enough to shine thru the pickguard, shielding foil and all) and re-purpose the hole for a mini-toggle switch (or my favorite 8P3T rotary that fits in a 1/4" mounting hole).
I can see a Mike Richardson plus scheme that does B/B+M/B+N/M+N/N and B+M+N/B*M/B*N/M*N/B*M*N AND the second group with some phasing. Add in some dual concentric pots for differing passive and modeled volume and tone levels, as well as some designer shades for the blue laser, and it's on its (nutty) way.
Front
Back
Inside Pickguard
Control Harness
Dual Element Pot
Holy cow, the VG Strat really is a semi-hollow guitar turned inside-out.
