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Post subject: Advice on EC Signature Strat
Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2014 7:37 am
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I have a 1989 Clapton Signature Strat w/ the lace pickups. Love the guitar except for the fact that it must have a battery in it to play. Does anyone have the schematic for an active/ passive switch? My understanding is that the prototypes had this feature.

Barring that, would it be a travesty to replace the lace pickups with passive pickups - say the 1954 series from Fender (or other recommendations)? I would want something that had a vintage Strat sound.


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Post subject: Re: Advice on EC Signature Strat
Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2014 7:43 am
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gkterry wrote:
I have a 1989 Clapton Signature Strat w/ the lace pickups. Love the guitar except for the fact that it must have a battery in it to play. Does anyone have the schematic for an active/ passive switch? My understanding is that the prototypes had this feature.

Barring that, would it be a travesty to replace the lace pickups with passive pickups - say the 1954 series from Fender (or other recommendations)? I would want something that had a vintage Strat sound.


I don't have that schematic, but I think you can find them on the web. You might try searching for "mid boost" or "mid boost bypass".

The Lace Sensors are passive pickups; they were used without any preamps or batteries in the Strat Plus/Strat Plus Deluxe/Strat Ultras and the various Tele Plus models. The only thing active on the Clapton is the mid-boost circuit, but as you say it is always "on" even when it's turned down.


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Post subject: Re: Advice on EC Signature Strat
Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2014 12:15 pm
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I depends on how you define travesty. It's your guitar. Do as you please. Understanding, of course, that modifications can and usually do adversely affect resale value.

My rule of thumb is that you can expect to lose double the amount you invest in mods. Meaning you lose at the start and also at the end. For example, suppose I have a $1,500 guitar which I feel should be worth about $1,000 on the used market. If I then invest another $250 in mods I should expect my resale value to drop to $750 despite the fact my investment is now up to $1,750 rather than $1,500. That's for parts only and based on new parts prices, not used prices. Any structural changes such as drilling holes or routing to change a cavity shape or any other mods which are irreversible should be completely avoided if you ever plan to sell the guitar as it basically renders the guitar almost unsellable. I personally would never buy any guitar that had been hacked up unless they were practically giving it away and I honestly felt the mod(s) were necessary and an improvement. I am not alone in that opinion.

If a guitar is vintage then you should consider any mod whatsoever as being almost the same as irreversible. A single disturbed solder joint means a loss of value.

Only you can define what is a travesty for your guitar. That's not to say your definition, regardless of what it is, won't draw flack from others.

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Post subject: Re: Advice on EC Signature Strat
Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2014 8:49 am
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If you want to sell it someday, you'll get more if it's original.
That said, it's your guitar and you can modify it if you like.
I think the battery in mine lasts about 3 years, but I don't play it every day.
I like the way it sounds stock so I won't change it - especially the boost.

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Post subject: Re: Advice on EC Signature Strat
Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2014 11:35 am
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For your convenience a set of Vintage Noiseless pickups is an alternative if you want a more "traditional" Strat sound but keep the TBX and MDX circuits. Otherwise you must place an internal dummy coil beneath the pickguard to suppress the buzz associated with regular single-coils.

In many cases you can install a mode switch to turn off the Elite preamp, here's an useful tutorial with all the necessary installation instructions you're looking for:

http://areyouexperienced.net/fender_cla ... st_kit.htm


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Post subject: Re: Advice on EC Signature Strat
Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2014 5:05 pm
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Thanks for all the tips and suggestions. I really like the EC guitar; it is super to play. I think I may just leave it alone for now. Sounds like this might be an excuse for a second guitar.
:D

Greg


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Post subject: Re: Advice on EC Signature Strat
Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2014 5:37 pm
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gkterry wrote:
Sounds like this might be an excuse for a second guitar.
:D

Greg


Now you're getting the hang of it. There were things I didn't like about my Clapton. So, this is how I handled it:

Image

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Post subject: Re: Advice on EC Signature Strat
Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2014 12:39 pm
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Drew365 wrote:
There were things I didn't like about my Clapton. So, this is how I handled it:Image



The result is this beautiful daphne blue hardtailed partscaster with a custom Warmoth neck and a pearloid pickguard.

Amusing detail - the 5-way selector is placed between the volume and tone controls. :P


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Post subject: Re: Advice on EC Signature Strat
Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2014 12:47 pm
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gkterry wrote:
Thanks for all the tips and suggestions. I really like the EC guitar; it is super to play. I think I may just leave it alone for now. Sounds like this might be an excuse for a second guitar.
:D

Greg



+1

Keeping your guitar stock might preserve its value.


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Post subject: Re: Advice on EC Signature Strat
Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2014 2:50 pm
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chromeface wrote:


The result is this beautiful daphne blue hardtailed partscaster with a custom Warmoth neck and a pearloid pickguard.

Amusing detail - the 5-way selector is placed between the volume and tone controls. :P


I did the wiring and modded the pg myself. It was a bit of work, but I'm happy with it. If I make another loaded pg for this guitar, I'll probably do the same mods.

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'66 Guild Starfire IV w/Bigsby
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