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Post by vonFrenchie on May 6, 2006 11:30:14 GMT -5
I just read "Quieting the Beast" and I think I understand it. It would be much easier for me to do this because Im building a brand new guitar. It would also come with some difficulties because A: It has no pickguard (back routed) B: Its electronics are set up like a les paul (switch up by the neck on the other side of the pickups) C: Its an Ibanez Iceman (a very odd shape)
Im sure I could insulate the back plate of the electronics but then it wouldnt be in contact with the pickup sheilding or the sheilding for the PA2 (its going where an LP pickup selector goes)
Do you have any recommendations?
-edit- To sum that up there are three sheilding spots instead of one big sheilding.
Also, after looking at the Megaswitch, I think Im gonna stick with the Fender issue 5 way switch.
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Post by CheshireCat on May 6, 2006 12:50:52 GMT -5
I just read "Quieting the Beast" and I think I understand it. It would be much easier for me to do this because Im building a brand new guitar. It would also come with some difficulties because A: It has no pickguard (back routed) B: Its electronics are set up like a les paul (switch up by the neck on the other side of the pickups) C: Its an Ibanez Iceman (a very odd shape) Im sure I could insulate the back plate of the electronics but then it wouldnt be in contact with the pickup sheilding or the sheilding for the PA2 (its going where an LP pickup selector goes) Do you have any recommendations? -edit- To sum that up there are three sheilding spots instead of one big sheilding. Also, after looking at the Megaswitch, I think Im gonna stick with the Fender issue 5 way switch. Stick with the standard fender five way for now. That's all you should need if you are doing standard switching. Also, if you have yet to get all the pickups for this, you might consider ordering everything prewired from EMG. The pickups come with microheaders, so you would just simply install the wiring harness, which basically means putting the pots in the holes, and then after snaking the leads thru the channels into the pickup cavities, you simply plug the microheaders into the pickups (they're set-up for this) and then you screw the pickups in place. The most soldering you might do would be connecting the leads to the output jack. Now, as far as the QTB Mod, I wouldn't worry about that yet. EMG's are completely shielded and completely quiet. You don't even need to ground the bridge. Seriously. No joke. That was their big claim to fame in the early 80's (technically, late 70's) when they first came out. In fact, their noiseless levels set the bar for quiet pickups, and sets it pretty high (or "low" as the case may be). Wire it together first (or order it that way) and then see what you think. If you really want to then do the QTB mod, go for it, but I don't think you'll get it any quieter. Now, that said, if you were mixing passives and actives like I do, then, yes, do the Quieting The Beast mod. Chesh
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Post by vonFrenchie on May 6, 2006 13:37:51 GMT -5
No.. the 81/85/89's are all active (hence the lack of the H prefix)
Also If I used the EMG prewiring id have 3 volumes and 3 tones which is too much. Id like that but its just too big for the electronics cavity. Id have to push all the pots close together which doesnt sound like too good of an idea.
Do you think I could wire it with 2 vols and 2 tones and have the 81/85 on one volume/tone and the 89 with its own volume and tone?
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Post by CheshireCat on May 6, 2006 14:36:24 GMT -5
Also If I used the EMG prewiring id have 3 volumes and 3 tones which is too much. Id like that but its just too big for the electronics cavity. Id have to push all the pots close together which doesnt sound like too good of an idea. Dude, EMG will custom wire it for you. That was my point. You tell them exactly what you want and they'll do it for you. They also made a name for themselves doing that as well, considering the prospect of active electronics proved daunting to many guitarists, even tho it is actually easier. Do you think I could wire it with 2 vols and 2 tones and have the 81/85 on one volume/tone and the 89 with its own volume and tone? The short answer is yes, but for what purpose? Chesh
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Post by vonFrenchie on May 6, 2006 14:50:00 GMT -5
Well I didnt know EMG would custom wire something for me. I could completely scrap the two and two idea. I like to have more control using volume pots rather than switches. I never knew EMG would custom wire something for me.
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Post by CheshireCat on May 6, 2006 18:56:41 GMT -5
Well I didnt know EMG would custom wire something for me. I could completely scrap the two and two idea. I like to have more control using volume pots rather than switches. I never knew EMG would custom wire something for me. Totally. Incidentally, what do you mean, you'd want more control? How so? Do you do a lot of mixed levels effects with your pickups?
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Post by vonFrenchie on May 6, 2006 19:17:57 GMT -5
Basically, Id rather turn the volume on a pickup all the way down that flip a switch to change the combination. I like to have the pickups at different volumes so I can get, what I think is, the perfect sound.
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Post by CheshireCat on May 6, 2006 19:34:08 GMT -5
Basically, Id rather turn the volume on a pickup all the way down that flip a switch to change the combination. I like to have the pickups at different volumes so I can get, what I think is, the perfect sound. Well, no reason why they couldn't do that for you.
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Post by vonFrenchie on May 6, 2006 19:35:50 GMT -5
Thats what I thought. I can do that with my basses. Why not with one of my guitars?
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Post by bluethunder on May 6, 2006 23:29:13 GMT -5
You might find it really simple to call EMG. I have done that a few times and always received an email with wiring diagrams that were easy to use. Even wiring that is not "standard" was available even if it meant that it was drawn by hand. The company is really very small and they are very friendly. They even helped me with using a PS2 as a unity gain for an effects loop. They Techs name is Rick.
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Post by dunkelfalke on May 7, 2006 1:58:57 GMT -5
Now, as far as the QTB Mod, I wouldn't worry about that yet. EMG's are completely shielded and completely quiet. You don't even need to ground the bridge. both still pays off, if you play near a tft display. okay, they are quiet without it, but with shielding and grounding there is even less hum.
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Post by CheshireCat on May 7, 2006 2:07:10 GMT -5
You might find it really simple to call EMG. If so, you want to make a "tech" call, and not a "sales" call, to get your info. I've had issues with their sales department. Don't know if the guy I had trouble with is still there or not, but it was not a good experience, in what has otherwise been an excellent experience overall all these years. Their tech guy is way cool!
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Post by vonFrenchie on May 7, 2006 9:06:21 GMT -5
Ive emailed their tech guy a few times and hes always been very kind and usually knows exactly what I wanted.
Also, I tend to stay away from televisions, monitors, microwaves, et cetera, while I'm playing an instrument.
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Post by CheshireCat on May 8, 2006 0:43:47 GMT -5
Ive emailed their tech guy a few times and hes always been very kind and usually knows exactly what I wanted. Coolio. Also, I tend to stay away from televisions, monitors, microwaves, et cetera, while I'm playing an instrument. Bummer. There goes your post-modernist stage decor.
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Post by vonFrenchie on May 8, 2006 16:19:24 GMT -5
Apparently they dont do custom wiring now.
And yes... I am longing for that style in my house but I'm goin to stick with what I have.
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Post by CheshireCat on May 8, 2006 18:14:31 GMT -5
Apparently they dont do custom wiring now. And yes... I am longing for that style in my house but I'm goin to stick with what I have. Well, I was thinking more along the lines of stage decor for when you perform. Kinda like what Rush did for their R30 tour.
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Post by vonFrenchie on May 8, 2006 19:27:11 GMT -5
aaah... those crafty canadians... really they are pretty smart guys.
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Post by CheshireCat on May 9, 2006 2:48:56 GMT -5
aaah... those crafty canadians... really they are pretty smart guys. Indeed.
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Post by vonFrenchie on May 11, 2006 20:52:17 GMT -5
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Post by CheshireCat on May 11, 2006 22:23:33 GMT -5
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Post by bluethunder on May 13, 2006 20:33:31 GMT -5
Hey you can ship the guitar to Guitar Electronics and they will do the work for you. I visit their shop often and have a big mail in business.
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Post by vonFrenchie on May 14, 2006 11:24:20 GMT -5
I realized how useless that would be.
I might make the five-way switch or a Les Paul style (1 3-way switch that controls the neck and bridge while the middle is always on)
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Post by CheshireCat on May 14, 2006 14:18:19 GMT -5
I realized how useless that would be. I might make the five-way switch or a Les Paul style (1 3-way switch that controls the neck and bridge while the middle is always on) Actually, that four-way switching looks like the best bet (assuming I'm not getting my threads mixed up).
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Post by vonFrenchie on May 15, 2006 19:53:58 GMT -5
Im not sure how I'd wire a four way so I can use all three pickups at once.
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Post by CheshireCat on May 16, 2006 1:46:14 GMT -5
Im not sure how I'd wire a four way so I can use all three pickups at once. You don't. That's what a SuperSwitch and my UUSS is for. Mainly because the above post was in the wrong thread. *ROFL*
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Post by vonFrenchie on May 16, 2006 18:39:43 GMT -5
that explains it... i was thinkin wtf mates but nope... wrong thread haha
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Post by vonFrenchie on May 20, 2006 0:20:51 GMT -5
One last thing. Could this be done with a three way switch for 3-pickup usage. Like this one. www.guitarelectronics.com/product/SWM23Ive never seen a gibson firebird up close but the three pickup models look like they have 3 way switches and not slide switches. Thats the only reason why im wondering
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Post by sumgai on May 20, 2006 17:52:47 GMT -5
frenchie, If I read your intent correctly, yes, that switch will do the job - one position, one pickup. Here's a link to Wolf's ingenious wiring diagram: 3-pup selection with one mini-switchHTH sumgai
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Post by vonFrenchie on May 26, 2006 23:39:00 GMT -5
Yeah... makes sense but knowing that its not quite what I'm looking for.
Thanks alot for all your help.
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