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Post subject: Re: Xhefri's Custom RED Flame Build
Posted: Mon Apr 01, 2013 7:13 am
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Xhefri wrote:
Miami Mike wrote:
The Moab Haunting :wink: Hmm...yes, something different from black pups would be cool, but we trust your instincts...and I kinda like (Duncans)

Mr Miami, Moab eh? I have been there many times and spend a good part of my summer and fall 2012 down there in the Grand Canyon, Bryce, and Moab areas. Yes the colors are reminiscent of the mesas at sunset! Also, I love Duncans too, but my forte is the Strat Plus series, and since this guitar has an Ultra neck, I wanted to keep the Ultra type of pickup configuration. Maybe Duncans next time!

MORE TO COME SOON!


Maybe next time sounds promising and I'm intrigued with the chambered body. 8)

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Post subject: Re: Xhefri's Custom RED Flame Build
Posted: Mon Apr 01, 2013 7:31 pm
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Well, this will again be redundant from one of my last builds, but for those who might be new to this, I will show these steps again and try to add a few things I missed last time. First off, to make things easy, I solder a lead from one outside lug to the other and then the lead wire that will go to the volume pot. This make things easier than trying to solder these mounted on the pickguard. (Please note, this is not a standard 5-way switch but is a 2-lug 5-pole Super Switch). :wink: If this switch was going to be wired EXACTLY like an Ultra, there would be a wire coming off the back lug that would go to the TBX. I do it differently because I do not like the TBX in the loop all the time (as it goes straight to the volume control the way Fender does it). Instead I wire so it only affects the middle and bridge pickups. I will show you later.

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Here is a precautionary move—test each pickup before installing. Lace's have had some quality control issues over the years. I think they had some fairly inexperienced people putting them together. A couple years ago I places a pretty large order and one out of 5 had a problem—either dead or stripped mount holes. It was so bad that Jeff Lace called me and apologized for the problem and assured me that he had a talk with the workers and thing were going to be different now. They have had less problems the last 2 years, but you will note that these pickups can vary a bit in k's. One Hot Dome is 12.4 and the other is 12.7. ummmm.

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I mounted two in the new pickguard and it is looking nice. Color is off due too shooting under halogen lights.

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There has been some talk on the Forum lately about what a Dually is. Actually it is two Lace Sensors pickups placed side by side (dual - comprising of two) and then was nicknamed Dually. So this is NOT a humbucker and that is why one can wire this to a 3-way mini-switch to get 3 voices = lower pickup alone, both is series, or upper alone. Note that they are strapped together with a small clip using two screws. This was the way Fender mounted all their Duallys in the Ultra Strat guitars. A Chrome Dome is nothing more than a Lace Sensor with a Chrome cover. The standard is a Hot Gold and the bridge is a Red, again, which chrome covers.

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Next I will be wiring up the pots, TBX and the mini-switch. Are you bored yet? 8)

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Post subject: Re: Xhefri's Custom RED Flame Build
Posted: Tue Apr 02, 2013 4:38 am
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Xhefri wrote:
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Jeff, a couple of questions. I love Sensors but I've never used a Dually. Do they come with that little clip, and if not, where do you source the clips, please?

Also, off-topic and just out of curiosity, have you ever tried Alumitones? I'm still scratching my head trying to decide how I feel about the look, but after reading you're rundown on that other thread on the tones of all the different coloured Sensors I'd be fascinated to hear what you think of the Alumitone sounds.

Cheers man - C

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Post subject: Re: Xhefri's Custom RED Flame Build
Posted: Tue Apr 02, 2013 9:45 am
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Ceri wrote:
Jeff, a couple of questions. I love Sensors but I've never used a Dually. Do they come with that little clip, and if not, where do you source the clips, please?

Also, off-topic and just out of curiosity, have you ever tried Alumitones? I'm still scratching my head trying to decide how I feel about the look, but after reading you're rundown on that other thread on the tones of all the different coloured Sensors I'd be fascinated to hear what you think of the Alumitone sounds.

Cheers man - C

Dear Mr. C, I get these small clips directly from lace music. They don't use them very much anymore and so the last couple times I placed orders I asked for quite a number of them. The last time I place fairly large order so they toss them in for free for me. That's the only place I know where you can get these small clips.

I have never used the Alumitones. I was asking the guy that works at lace music about these and ask them how they sound. I told them that I thought they sounded cheap because they're called Alumi-tones like aluminum and it just sounded like a cheap pot metal. He told me that they're actually really great pick ups and that they work really good for playing heavy metal and music like that. Like you I've been a little hesitant because of their looks. Not to mention their name as well!

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Post subject: Re: Xhefri's Custom RED Flame Build
Posted: Tue Apr 02, 2013 10:12 am
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Hello, it's always a pleasure to see a guitar built with passion like you did and "what a beautiful body!" :)
How lucky to live in a country where there are components U.S. without being taxed by customs. :roll:
I can not wait to see the result and the result, but with the time difference between our two continents, it is not easy, but I follows.
Of great encouragement and congratulations from France :roll:

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Post subject: Re: Xhefri's Custom RED Flame Build
Posted: Tue Apr 02, 2013 2:41 pm
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Xhefri wrote:
I get these small clips directly from lace music. They don't use them very much anymore and so the last couple times I placed orders I asked for quite a number of them. The last time I place fairly large order so they toss them in for free for me. That's the only place I know where you can get these small clips.

Ha - I should think so too! Apart from being a great customer you are also an excellent advocate for their product. You've certainly reinforced my taste for Lace over the years! :D


Xhefri wrote:
Like you I've been a little hesitant because of their looks.

Dunno why, I feel they belong in a Duesenberg. This, say - this is crying out for the Alumitone look:

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Anyway. Apologies for the hijack, and thanks for the info! :)

Cheers - C

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Post subject: Re: Xhefri's Custom RED Flame Build
Posted: Tue Apr 02, 2013 3:11 pm
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LOL! Speaking of Duesenbergs, last time I was in Montana State, I visited an old bass player friend of mine who works for this place called Zip's Auto. They do classic restorations and such. They have a bunch of cool cars tucked away in the basement. There is a sweet 1929 Duesenberg sitting there along with a very old Bentley roadster. A lot of other cars there I better not mention, but you would be shocked! (OK now who is highjacking??)

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Last edited by Xhefri on Sat Apr 13, 2013 3:01 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: Xhefri's Custom RED Flame Build
Posted: Tue Apr 02, 2013 3:37 pm
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Great thread on building this guitar. It looks like a beauty!

Do you get that metal bar that sits across the back of the lace sensor with the pickup? Or is that a separate part? My ultra has the metal bar, but product photos from lace just show an all plastic pickup body.


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Post subject: Re: Xhefri's Custom RED Flame Build
Posted: Tue Apr 02, 2013 8:55 pm
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CAUTION!!! LOTS OF PICTURES!!!!

But first to a question:
FatBuck wrote:
Great thread on building this guitar. It looks like a beauty!

Do you get that metal bar that sits across the back of the lace sensor with the pickup? Or is that a separate part? My ultra has the metal bar, but product photos from lace just show an all plastic pickup body.

I buy these small clips (brackets) separately. Fender used them on all their Ultra guitars and Lace use to sell their Duallys with this clip (bracket) to hold them together. Lace does not do that any more as they now build the Dually on a frame similar to a humbucker using two small mounting screws. Just seems a little flaky too me.

Ok almost down wiring and I am going to give you a lot of detail and some writing tips. Yes, blow by blow detail! :roll: The first thing I am going to do is wire up the first tone pot. This is a linear 250k standard tone pot. I have grown fond of these Sprague "Orange Drop" .022 mfd 200 volt Capacitors and use them on both the TBX and the neck tone pot. If you like to wire guitars you need to buy one of these clamp devices. Some guys use these to tie flys for fly fishing. They are invaluable for wiring. Note the 3rd picture, I added the wire to make it easier to solder up when mounted on the pickguard.

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The pickups are now in place and I must say, it is looking good. I Use a 1/2 inch Snap-On socket on a T-bar to tighten the pots—and you can snap them off if your not careful. One thing I don't like is having the pots coming loose in about a year.

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The 3-way mini switch has a small tab for mounting it on the upper garnish plate. I guess it is designed to go in a small set-hole to prevent it from turning. I always grind that off and then simply tighten the switch down really well using a 8 mm socket. It is important you place this in just right position or it will hit the TBX or the body route.

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After it is in place, the wires for the Dually are measured out and cut to length. The first wire soldered on the mini-switch is the green ground wire. Note how the clamp helps hold the wire in place.

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Here is what is happening with this switch. BTW, You will see how LAce now mounts their Duallys in this diagram:

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The next wire to be connected it the hot lead from the upper Lace Sensor[/b (closest to the neck)]. This bridges across the lower two lugs. You can see how the wire lie as well. The first pict is not soldered yet. I press the wires tight in place before soldering using needle nose pliers. :)

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The next step is to solder the two wires from the [b]lower Lace Sensor.
I like to braid the wires together. After you sees how this is done, you will better understand why I test all my pickups first, because taking this apart later is a pain in the behind. :cry: I really dislike messy wiring jobs. You can see the orange wire goes on the upper right lug while the white wire goes on the left center lug. Then the next wire is the hot lead that will go to the 5-way switch which goes on the middle right lug. Again I feed the wire through a lug, I use a dental tool (Hey this is like dentistry) and then crimp the wire with some small needle-nose pliers. This makes the soldering job clean.

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Ok…look at this neck picture carefully. Yes you are looking through a magnifying glass. I always check every solder joint to make sure that are clean, solid and that no small stray wire is touching another lug. After a close inspection the wires are again braided together and you are ready to pop in the 5-way switch. Also the 2nd pict show the green ground wire now soldered to the tone pot.

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Ok Tomorrow we will wire up the TBX and show you what this is starting to look like when placed on the body!

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Last edited by Xhefri on Wed Apr 03, 2013 7:33 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: Xhefri's Custom RED Flame Build
Posted: Tue Apr 02, 2013 10:15 pm
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Mr. Xhefri, you truly are a master at work. And camera skills to boot! Thank you for putting the time into making such an informative thread! I am your grasshopper. :mrgreen:

Happily awaiting the final result!


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Post subject: Re: Xhefri's Custom RED Flame Build
Posted: Wed Apr 03, 2013 4:09 am
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Toronado wrote:
Mr. Xhefri, you truly are a master at work. And camera skills to boot!

Happily awaiting the final result!


Agreed - What camera are you using? Amazing clarity!!!

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Post subject: Re: Xhefri's Custom RED Flame Build
Posted: Wed Apr 03, 2013 4:40 am
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Yeah this is very informative and educational :)

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Post subject: Re: Xhefri's Custom RED Flame Build
Posted: Wed Apr 03, 2013 5:55 am
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Ditto to the above compliments. And I don't want to hijack this thread any further, but I gotta say, this photo is just fabulous! I simply love everything about this - oh my, oh my!

Xhefri wrote:
Image


Was there an instrument case on the passenger seat? Did it contain a piano? A Chicago piano...? I suddenly have a strange urge to wear spats...

Thanks for that picture.

8) - C

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Post subject: Re: Xhefri's Custom RED Flame Build
Posted: Wed Apr 03, 2013 6:45 am
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This thread will teach me about not checking in more often!! I almost missed this most enjoyable thread. Thank you Mr.X for sharing!! 8)


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Post subject: Re: Xhefri's Custom RED Flame Build
Posted: Wed Apr 03, 2013 8:14 am
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Ceri wrote:
Was there an instrument case on the passenger seat? Did it contain a piano? A Chicago piano...? I suddenly have a strange urge to wear spats... - C

LOL! I think there should have been a violin case in passenger side seat containing a tommy gun…

Miami Mike wrote:
What camera are you using? Amazing clarity!!!

I use a Canon T2i. Love this camera and bought it mostly for its video capabilities. The problem I have in shooting pictures is the lighting. This guitar workshop is inside of a bigger shop used to work on cars. The lighting is somewhat limited to two windows and varies throughout the day. Then I sometimes shoot at night under the small halogen lights (and often have then on during the day as well) so the camera struggles with a proper white balance.

OK ---- WIRING THE TBX!

First of all, before we wire up the TBX, what is with Lace putting all this shrink tubing over their wires? This is the first batch of Laces (Domes) that have this and it is a pain to peel back without cutting the wires inside. Good thing is, I now how a lot of Shrink tubing to use later!

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The TBX is not an active system, as some believe, (using a battery as found on the 25db boost on the Clapton Strats), but simply consists of a detented 250k/1 Meg stacked set of potentiometers, a .022uF standard film capacitor, and an 82k-ohm carbon-film resistor - which cuts either treble or bass, whereas a standard tone control (pot) only cuts the treble. So we have: T (treble) B (bass) X (Cut) thus = TBX. When you turn this knob, you can feel a halfway point (detent)—this is suppose to be tone neutral (#5 on the knob! duh!). TBX does NOT mean Treble/Bass Expander as some people say on the web. Expanding is a totally different thing all together and is usually done in connection with an active system, again, like on a Clapton Strat. A TBX simply CUTS (X) treble or bass. The TBX control gives the bridge and middle pickup a unique variety of sounds

To solder in the resistor, I like to bend out the lower right lug and the upper middle lug. This makes threading the resistor wire through a lot easier. Solder the lower lug first and then push it back in place then soldier the upper lug, then do the same.

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I am replacing the stock Fender .022uF standard film capacitor with a Sprague "Orange Drop" .022 mfd 200 volt Capacitor. I just like these better, but not sure the tone is all that different. After that cap is soldered on, lay the TBX on it's side and solder on the lead wire which will go to the 5-way switch. Again this makes things easier after you put the TBX in place on the pickguard.

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here you see the TBX mounted in place and the wire is braided with the others, getting ready to solder to the 5-way Super switch. Check out how all the wires are neatly braided in an orderly fashion. (did I mention I am OCD)? :roll:

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Well I ran into another problem. The Dually does not fit in the route for the humbucker—one reason the good'ol swimming pool route used on the Strat Plus and Ultra guitars are so much easier to work with. At least you can get an idea what this is going to look like. After I finish up wiring the 5-way switch I will look into solving that problem. Ummm. :evil:

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I will finish up the wiring in the next post..... then on to the neck and body!

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