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.

http://blueguitar.org/tbx_doc.gif

Any Ideas
Thanks

You did Doc's mod which is a good mod if your unhappy with its stock performance. It doesnt necessarily mean its better.

The original wiring does give a strangled tone at 5 but its no big problem if your prepared to tweak your amp and play with some mid boost on.


I'd try regular wiring before i made my mind up. I like and use Doc's wiring aswell as a 62k resistor on the output wire of the circuit. The only conclusion i can come up with is that non are better, some are just more suited.

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I like the way it sounds from 1 -5, I just wish it would sound different from 6-10. I feel like its only half working. Also im using a Lace Gold Sensor with it, is that ok?

Im pretty sure it is supposed to cut treble from 1-4, 5 is unloaded, and 6-10 it cuts out bass. Is this correct?

Thanks for the reply

Is supposed to act as a tone control from 1-5 and a treble frequency focus from 5-10 provided you dialed your normal sound in with it set at 5.

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Hey why did you add a 62k resistor to the circuit and which output terminal of the pot did you add it too?

Thanks

[quote="CloseYetFar"]Hi, I just installed a TBX switch in my Strat last night, and I have to say im less then impressed.




You do not say what you hoped to gain from this mod.


Though I claim no credit for the circuitry referenced you are into subject matter which is dear to my heart, and of which niki possesses in depth knowledge.

As is read the history in A.R. Duchossoir's treatise on the Stratocaster, TBX tone pot was R&D'd specifically for use in the Clapton circuit along with the 25db midboost, an outgrowth of the DMX pot and 12 db midboost active circuitry in the Elite series which was it's predecessor.

I don't know that you are going to derive much from this mod, nor do I think it will lend itself to a passive pickup circuit. Interestingly, the CS and Masterbuilt guitars do not have one, nor do Eric's stage instruments.

Fender's Deltatone circuit is something you should look into, and may be more interesting to you if your present guitar does not have it. It eliminates the tone pot from the circuit completely, on the neck pickup, I believe.

You might also have a look at EMG's DG-20 pickguard.(David Gilmours's powerplant for the Red Strat.). That might suit you. It's a drop in, and we have some suggestions for the placement of the battery if you go that route. There is much disussion in Forum Search on these matters.

Keep us posted.

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"Another day in paradise!"

I put the resistor to the hot side of the input jack in an attempt to tame the ridiculously high output of the midboost circuit which is always on even with the pot on zero.

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Does he have BOTH components in the guitar or just the tone pot?? It's not clear to me that the preamp was installed as well.

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"Another day in paradise!"

No, I just have the TBX pot installed, no mid-boost circuit.

Ok I rewired it back to the normal Fender TBX setup and it seems to be working. When I set it to 6-10 the tone sounds a little stronger. I think I am gonna stick to this wiring.

With docs mod I could not hear any difference between 5 and 6-10. That was why I was unhappy. It seemed like something was wrong. Im still not sure what the problem was, maybe it had something to do with my Lace Sensor at middle position. Im still kind of thinking the 220k resistor was expanding the treble and bass tone as far as it would go, so the 1Meg pot could not really do anymore without active electronics.

Thanks for all the help guys

One last question, is the 82K resistor always pulling a little of the signal? Im thinking it is because its fairly low in resistance. This is the normal Fender TBX wiring.

I cant help with that one mate sorry. You need a electronics guru, im just a bloke with a soldering iron.

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Nikininja: Do you have a mid-boost installed with your TBX Switch?

zzDoc: Are you the Doc that wrote up Doc's TBX mod? If you are, did you design it with a mid-boost in mind?

Thanks Guys

Yep i do have the midboost installed. Quite a easy mod if your considering it.

The two Doc's arent the same person.

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I just got done wiring up my strat. With the mod 220k setup, there was little difference from 6-10 as you mentioned. Very slight difference in the highs I though.. but nothing to warrant having the TBX installed. I just went in and detached one lead of the 220k and installed the 82k at stock and I can now hear a difference. This is with Lace Sensor Golds, no mid boost.

I'm thinkin the 220k mod might be best with the boost.

This actually reminds me of my brothers strat..I think it is and 80s Am Delux that I think has an S1 push/pull and I'm guessin a TBX for the bridge tone since it sounds similar.

Yea I had the same experience. I think Docs 220k mod is really for a guitar with a mid-boost kit installed.

I don't have a mid-boost kit installed so I decided to remove the TBX switch and install a push/pull phase switch for the neck. The out of phase sound does not sound all that great by itself but with effects on top of it, it can sound really good. The out of phase sound is kind of thin but super bright. As for distortion, I don't like the sound of any setup other then the bridge pickup with distortion because the other pickups just make the distortion sound muddy. But the out of phase sound is great with distortion. The phase switch gives me 3 more positions where distortion sounds great and not muddy. Running the neck out of phase with the middle pickup sounds awesome with thick distortion.

Just thought I would tell you about my adventures with guitar wiring.