It is currently Tue Mar 17, 2020 12:19 am

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 31 posts ]  Go to page Previous  1, 2, 3  Next
Go to page Previous  1, 2, 3  Next
Author Message
Post subject: Re: Clapton Strat Restoration
Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2014 10:40 am
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Wed Apr 13, 2011 6:54 pm
Posts: 1175
danagos wrote:
chromeface wrote:
From what I see you're going to make a modernized version of "Brownie" rather than recreating the famous "T-Mobile" guitar! :lol:

Another thing chromeface,

on the website with your favorite mid-boost installation pictures, was a paragraph or two on installing a 2 way mini toggle "kill switch" to cut power to the Circuit Board.

:idea: I'm wondering if a 3 way mini toggle could add an "Neck/Bridge Pickup On" position. :arrow:

That would be versatile. :D

http://areyouexperienced.net/fender_clapton_mid_boost_kit.htm

_________________
Took me a long time to learn that a Good Set-Up is the best Parts money can buy


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: Clapton Strat Restoration
Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2014 10:55 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Thu Dec 31, 2009 10:34 pm
Posts: 10760
Location: Athens, Greece
David Gilmour has a mini toggle on his Black Strat which allows the 7-way pickup switching you're craving for.

From my understanding the whole concept is to have a switchable MDX mid boost with 7-way pickup switching via a pair of mini toggles.

In your place I would put two push-pull pots - one on the master volume to add the neck & bridge pickups and another one on the MDX control knob to completely turn off the Elite preamp - rather than drilling two extra holes into the pickguard.

Quote:
on the website with your favorite mid-boost installation pictures, was a paragraph or two on installing a 2 way mini toggle "kill switch" to cut power to the Circuit Board.


Clapton rejected that configuration when the design for his signature model was finalized, stating his preference for the plug-powered preamp activation.

This was not the case for Richie Sambora, who opted for that mode switch in the form of a push-push button.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Clapton Strat Restoration
Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2014 11:12 am
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Wed Apr 13, 2011 6:54 pm
Posts: 1175
chromeface wrote:
David Gilmour has a mini toggle on his Black Strat which allows the 7-way pickup switching you're craving for.

From my understanding the whole concept is to have a switchable MDX mid boost with 7-way pickup switching via a pair of mini toggles.

In your place I would put two push-pull pots - one on the master volume to add the neck & bridge pickups and another one on the MDX control knob to completely turn off the Elite preamp - rather than drilling two extra holes into the pickguard.

Almost...
...I'd like to install One '3 way mini toggle switch'. The look would be nearly, or in the case of StratCat, identically, as discrete as Gilmour's. 8)

I'm finicky about push-pull pots, as much as I'd like authenticity, I'd rather not.

But "Never Say Never" said someone or other. :D

_________________
Took me a long time to learn that a Good Set-Up is the best Parts money can buy


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Clapton Strat Restoration
Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2014 12:37 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Thu Dec 31, 2009 10:34 pm
Posts: 10760
Location: Athens, Greece
Why not putting a pair of push-push buttons to bypass the active electronics (Richie Sambora) and have the 7-way switching (Deluxe Players) at the same time :?: :idea:


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Clapton Strat Restoration
Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2014 1:40 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Wed Apr 13, 2011 6:54 pm
Posts: 1175
chromeface wrote:
Why not putting a pair of push-push buttons to bypass the active electronics (Richie Sambora) and have the 7-way switching (Deluxe Players) at the same time :?: :idea:

All good ideas, I'm opposed to complicating the appearance.

The Richie Sambora Strat Service Diagram inc. wiring, for those who are interested, is here:

http://richiesambora.weebly.com/uploads/3/9/7/1/3971951/010-2602b_sisd.pdf

_________________
Took me a long time to learn that a Good Set-Up is the best Parts money can buy


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Clapton Strat Restoration
Posted: Thu Sep 18, 2014 5:02 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Wed Apr 13, 2011 6:54 pm
Posts: 1175
Today I had an exceptional experience, thanks to forum member martian.

I took a couple of guitars down for him to look at. It's a pleasure to see a master at work, especially one who so generously shares his love and knowledge of instruments.

In less time than it takes to make a banana split, martian set up my "Glossy Relic" better than any guitar I've ever played before!

No rulers or spec sheets, just a screwdriver and allen wrench, totally by feel...I sat there amazed. :shock: It almost left me at a loss for words, but not quite.

He evaluated the Clapton Neck, told me the frets could be dressed again but we agreed to refret in slightly larger vintage wire (note: when you get a REAL expert, go all the way) and he's going to set up the guitar...

..and all the guitars I ever need set-up, if I can get him to do it. hehe :lol:

I brought the pick guard home to complete, btw, the Vintage series do not have shielding.

On martian's recommendation the new Pickups are humbuckers to combat the howling a mid boost can create with just a little 60 cycle hum. I owned a MIM Powerhouse Strat and didn't like the Mid-Boost with any pickup.

This is a set of DiMarzio VV Area 61-58-67, a stacked single set, and I'm putting a lot of faith in martian and DiMarzio's sound files. They should arrive tomorrow.

The final piece is a push-pull pot to turn the Bridge pup On, which martian graciously diagrammed for me. :)

The Mid-Boost is here so other than knobs I'm good to go. I've gotta buckle down and get my push-pull pot diagrammed with the mid boost circuitry and do some solderin'.

This is getting exciting. :D

Image

_________________
Took me a long time to learn that a Good Set-Up is the best Parts money can buy


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Clapton Strat Restoration
Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2014 1:35 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Thu Dec 31, 2009 10:34 pm
Posts: 10760
Location: Athens, Greece
EC doesn't use Ernie Ball strings anymore, I've read on the Web he switched to D'Addario EXL110s recently.

Image


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Clapton Strat Restoration
Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2014 2:27 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jul 24, 2007 7:33 am
Posts: 8461
Location: Mars, the angry red planet.
danagos wrote:
Today I had an exceptional experience, thanks to forum member martian.

I took a couple of guitars down for him to look at. It's a pleasure to see a master at work, especially one who so generously shares his love and knowledge of instruments.

In less time than it takes to make a banana split, martian set up my "Glossy Relic" better than any guitar I've ever played before!

No rulers or spec sheets, just a screwdriver and allen wrench, totally by feel...I sat there amazed. :shock: It almost left me at a loss for words, but not quite.

He evaluated the Clapton Neck, told me the frets could be dressed again but we agreed to refret in slightly larger vintage wire (note: when you get a REAL expert, go all the way) and he's going to set up the guitar...

..and all the guitars I ever need set-up, if I can get him to do it. hehe :lol:

I brought the pick guard home to complete, btw, the Vintage series do not have shielding.

On martian's recommendation the new Pickups are humbuckers to combat the howling a mid boost can create with just a little 60 cycle hum. I owned a MIM Powerhouse Strat and didn't like the Mid-Boost with any pickup.

This is a set of DiMarzio VV Area 61-58-67, a stacked single set, and I'm putting a lot of faith in martian and DiMarzio's sound files. They should arrive tomorrow.

The final piece is a push-pull pot to turn the Bridge pup On, which martian graciously diagrammed for me. :)

The Mid-Boost is here so other than knobs I'm good to go. I've gotta buckle down and get my push-pull pot diagrammed with the mid boost circuitry and do some solderin'.

This is getting exciting. :D


Dan,

Thank you so much for your kind words and faith in me. Of course, I'll be happy to set up all of your guitars. Good luck with your wiring job and if you get stuck, holler!

_________________
You dig?


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Clapton Strat Restoration
Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2014 6:57 am
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Wed Apr 13, 2011 6:54 pm
Posts: 1175
UPDATE......

...after a long session with the soldering iron the pick guard is ready for installation...I hope!

It's difficult to keep the harness neat with the Circuit Board wiring added into the mix. :?

A change from the norm, the TBX is dropped in favor of a 250k pot w/ push/pull switch. That gives me the option of turning the Bridge pup on in switch positions 3, 4 & 5. (or 1, 2 & 3 depending on your perspective) :)

In order to make more room in the control cavity, the p/p pot has been moved to the "Tone 2" position on the end and the Boost Control is in the middle.

The Pups are a new set of DiMarzio Area 61-58-67, stacked single coil humbuckers. I have high hopes for them as they are supposed to be superior to full size humbuckers in cancelling 60 cycle hum, necessary when using Mid-Boost.

Hopefully there will still be room for the battery next to the 5 way, if not, it will move to the Tremolo cavity.

...martian has the neck & body and the re-Fret is underway. The last owner scratched the Maple fingerboard all to heck, maybe a Steel Wool cleansing? (Kids, don't do this at home!)

And as stated earlier, attempted to file away the indentations on the frets, and martian is dealing with that as well. He's definitely got the HARD part! :lol:

I've played a LOT of electric guitars in the past 5 years and NONE was a easy and pleasurable to play as the "Glossy Relic" martian set up for me. It made a HUGE difference, I can't stress it enough. The same guitar after a proper set-up... HUGE DIFFERENCE! :lol:



Image

_________________
Took me a long time to learn that a Good Set-Up is the best Parts money can buy


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Clapton Strat Restoration
Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2014 7:17 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Thu Dec 31, 2009 10:34 pm
Posts: 10760
Location: Athens, Greece
So you have the wiring scheme Clapton uses in his guitars with the added versatility of the 7-way switching from the push-pull pot as a bonus.

In fact all his personal stage and studio custom shop guitars are equipped with a 250K pot since March 2000.
The changes also occurred on his slide/capoed axes in February 2010.


Clapton went to the 250K pot after finding the vintage noiseless pickups bright enough to his taste.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Clapton Strat Restoration
Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2014 7:26 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jul 24, 2007 7:33 am
Posts: 8461
Location: Mars, the angry red planet.
danagos wrote:
Martian...He's definitely got the HARD part! :lol:

That's what SHE said!!! :lol: :lol: :lol:

danagos wrote:
I've played a LOT of electric guitars in the past 5 years and NONE was a easy and pleasurable to play as the "Glossy Relic" martian set up for me. It made a HUGE difference, I can't stress it enough. The same guitar after a proper set-up... HUGE DIFFERENCE! :lol:

Dan, I'm glad to see that you are having a "pleasant problem" in the sense that you were going to unload the "Glossy Relic" and now you can't bring yourself to do it. I've done my job!:D :D :D

Enjoy!!

_________________
You dig?


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Clapton Strat Restoration
Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2014 1:44 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Wed Apr 13, 2011 6:54 pm
Posts: 1175
chromeface wrote:
So you have the wiring scheme Clapton uses in his guitars with the added versatility of the 7-way switching from the push-pull pot as a bonus.

In fact all his personal stage and studio custom shop guitars are equipped with a 250K pot since March 2000.
The changes also occurred on his slide/capoed axes in February 2010.


Clapton went to the 250K pot after finding the vintage noiseless pickups bright enough to his taste.

I can only hope he (Clapton) would like this guitar.

I sure plan to. :D

Actually the P/P Pot gives and add'l. 3 switch positions; Br + N, Br + N + Mid, Br + Mid; total 5 + 3 = 8.

I have a blender pot on my "Glossy Relic" to gradually add Neck to the Bridge or vice versa. It will be interesting to compare the two on the same equipment.

Now If I can start using the new M- track, I could make digital sound samples. woo-hoo


Martian wrote:
danagos wrote:
Martian...He's definitely got the HARD part! :lol:

That's what SHE said!!! :lol: :lol: :lol:

...but not lately martian :roll:

danagos wrote:
I've played a LOT of electric guitars in the past 5 years and NONE was a easy and pleasurable to play as the "Glossy Relic" martian set up for me. It made a HUGE difference, I can't stress it enough. The same guitar after a proper set-up... HUGE DIFFERENCE! :lol:

Dan, I'm glad to see that you are having a "pleasant problem" in the sense that you were going to unload the "Glossy Relic" and now you can't bring yourself to do it. I've done my job!:D :D :D

Enjoy!!

I made the "Glossy Relic" to be my personal guitar, best single coils I ever used, etc.

It's hard to explain how much easier it is to play.

Sounded good before your set-up, now it plays effortlessly and sounds better.

I knew how to set it up to the specs and tweak it my way...

...but this is what a working, or not, musician needs done for their instrument.

Your SECRET treble bleed no-mod helped a LOT! :lol:


(please direct all questions regarding the SECRET treble bleed no-mod to martian)

_________________
Took me a long time to learn that a Good Set-Up is the best Parts money can buy


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Clapton Strat Restoration
Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2014 1:31 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Thu Dec 31, 2009 10:34 pm
Posts: 10760
Location: Athens, Greece
You've reversed the tone controls, Clapton usually pulls his thumb on the botton tone knob where the mid boost is normally located.

In your place I would put a small black knob in that mid boost pot and add a push-push preset button.

Image


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Clapton Strat Restoration
Posted: Tue Sep 30, 2014 1:18 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Wed Apr 13, 2011 6:54 pm
Posts: 1175
Bit of an update...despite not being able to devote Full Time to my Re-fret job :lol:

...martian finished it faster than expected...and set up the guitar...and it played wonderfully...Thank You so much martian


Image

Image

The Pick Guard is another matter...I had it bench tested operational...then the leads started dropping off the Mid-Boost PCB...and I tried to solder them back...NOT PRETTY :lol:


Image

All the connections have continuity...Except those through the PCB...%&*)#...Back to ebay...

...meanwhile Photobucket has been on the fritz for over a week...so no editing pics...

_________________
Took me a long time to learn that a Good Set-Up is the best Parts money can buy


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Clapton Strat Restoration
Posted: Tue Sep 30, 2014 6:37 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Thu Dec 31, 2009 10:34 pm
Posts: 10760
Location: Athens, Greece
Good job! :wink:


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 31 posts ]  Go to page Previous  1, 2, 3  Next
Go to page Previous  1, 2, 3  Next

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: