How hard would it be to install a Clapton boost system in my Jimmy Vaughan strat? I would love a Clapton strat, but right now, finanaces will not allow it. The JV Strat is very similar to the EC Strat in feel. I know the pups are not the same, but I might replace those too. Should I even be thinking about installing the boost or just leave it alone?

Thanks!!

Your going to need some kind of noiseless pickups as when you push the mids the noise will go through the roof too. I think gfs offer some good ones for a decent price.
Its an easy enough mod other than that. Loads written on it already.

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No no and no

You can also look to see if you can find a loaded pickguard that has the Clapton circuitry. That would save a lot of time and effort. Just a thought.

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2005 Fender American Stratocaster W/Seymour Duncan Hot Rails in bridge and Seymour Duncan SSL-5 in neck.
1995 Fender American Standard Stratocaster
Line 6 Spider II 150 watt head W/Ampeg 4x12 Cab
Laney Pro-Linebacker PL65R

I vote for leave it alone

I would do that too if I were you.

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I would leave it alone, you're going to have to route out some space under the scratch plate to fit the circuitry, i would just use a pedal to get the boost, turn the distortion down and add some level and voila.

Bluesdog88

You dont have to route the body at all. I've fitted that circuit to two strats and a jackson dinky with no routing required.

Also thats why i wouldnt go down the prewired pickguard road. I know its unlike fender to trim any wires, but if they have on said prewired guard you will need to route the body.

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No no and no

The JV is NOT the guitar for this project if you aren't well versed in electronics. JV has it's own unique circuitry which may not be compatible with the Fender midboost nor, as niki suggests, may the pickups be.

The EMG DG-20, which is the Gilmour rig, can be easily swapped out to your guitar, and the battery stowed in the trem rout by removing the middle spring. It's has it's own voice, but not the 25db's of the Clapton.

At Guitar Center's Memorial Day sale, a used Clapton, with their sales special was purchased for under $900K. If you are patient, and shop around, you may be able to find a 'starter' Clapton to get you going.

Then play a few gigs and save your coin so Todd Krause can do a Masterbuilt version for you some day.

.......'that ain't woik'in, that's the way you do it"


Doc

Dude, for $900,000 you could buy a real Clapton guitar from Clapton himself!

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If you wish to install the kit they can be had for as little as 55 to 65 bucks including shipping from vendors on ebay,and the knowledge to install it can be found with a web search for "Clapton mid boost" the gentleman that wrote this tutorial has installed them with no routing.cheers

......and nikininja will definitely walk you through it including any consultations on pickups, pots, resistors, capacitors and the like.

Me, I'd keep the JV stock and find an nice Squier to mod.

Have fun!

Doc

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"Another day in paradise!"

After reading all of the posts I think I'll leave it alone. I really like the sound it has and the feel. I just thought that this might be as close as I'll ever get to a Clapto strat. I have a powerhose strat that I have cut the resistor to make it a 25db boost, but I think I need to replace the pups, they are kinday noisy with the boost on. Maybe someday I will be able to afford a EC strat!!

The that guitar, with the 12db midboost, was originally, and I'm going back at LEAST 15 years, the first Buddy Guy Artist Series Signature Strat\. I could never find one. They moved out of that quickly and into the present reincarnation. Then came the "Powerhouse".

Nikininja, given the specs on that guitar's circuitry, may be able to advise you as to how to make that guitar do its thing with respect to pickups and the lot. It's a good place to jump off and you may discover something
which will put that guitar in demand.

Go for it and keep us posted


Doc.

If you really like the stock sound of the guitar then dont install the midboost. It alters the tone completely and makes your guitar with normal single coils go from p90 to paf to mega gain like tones dependant on all three controls. You will lose the inherant tone of the pickups. Its very dominant.
I suggest you do like i did. Find a guitar that cant be beat for playability but lacks the sound you want. Install the boost on that guitar coupled with whatever pickups you deem best (low noise are a prerequisite). There are a multitude of options from that point on concerning tone control.

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No no and no

This would likely apply to the Powerhouse as well, unless this is the one you like to tweak. It would be interesting to see how much you could modify the present midboost circuit to give it the tone you want.

Doc

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"Another day in paradise!"