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Post subject: Tex-Mex Pickups with Fender TBX Pot or Fender No Load Pot ?
Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2015 2:18 pm
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Hello

I would like to opinions, and some explanation, and here is the best place to have an answer when it is a Fender Stratocaster, here in the forum have the best experts I'm sure.

I'm upgrading my Strato, I want to put Tex-Mex Pickups but I have doubts on the potentiometer.

Which one works best with Tex-Mex Pickups, Fender TBX tone and Fender No Load tone?

I read some topics about, and did not get a conclusion, I realized that the Fender TBX tone may have more control in tone, and Fender No Load only the direct tone unchecked.

Some people say that are the same, only the price is different TBX TONE is more expensive,

http://www.guitarelectronics.com/category/wiring_resources_guitar_wiring_diagrams.wiring_faqs/

Fender TBX Tone Control T (treble) B (bass) X (Cut) that cuts either treble or bass instead of a tone pot that cuts treble frequencies only. This is done with a ganged 500K-1M ohm control pot that is wired to work as a low-pass filter in one direction and a high-pass filter in the opposite direction. A center detent in the middle position is provided for the off or "flat" position. Although Fender altered their Start tone configuration to have the TBX control the middle and bridge pickups, it can be also be wired as a master treble/bass control. The TBX can also be used in place of any standard tone control on any guitar.

Fender No Load Pot is used on some USA Strats, Teles and Fender basses and is wired like a standard tone control. From settings 1-9 it works like a standard tone then clicks in at 10 (full clockwise/ bright setting) and removes the pot and capacitor from the circuit. This eliminates the path to ground that exists with standard pots even in the full treble position. By eliminating the path to ground thru the pot, the only load on the pickup is the volume pot. So if 250K pots are used, the load is reduced from 125K to 250K and if 500K pots are used, the load is reduced from 250K to 500K (high resistance = low load) The reduced load allows more power output from he pickup and reduces the amount of high frequencies that bleed off to ground. This gives a noticeable increase in brightness and output in the full treble setting. The no load pot can be used in place of any standard tone control on any guitar or bass.

What potentiometer works best with Tex-Mex Pickups?


Sorry my English is not my mother language !!


Peace to all !!

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Post subject: Re: Tex-Mex Pickups with Fender TBX Pot or Fender No Load Po
Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2015 5:09 pm
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Hi and welcome.
I use 2 TBX pots on the Stratopartster build I thread that I posted here in the build thread section.

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=51950&hilit=stratopartster+builds

Also wired up to Tex-Mex pickups. The no load pot will not allow you to control treble or bass the way the TBX can. I find the Tex-Mex pups in need of a TBX as they are a bit too shrill..

It is all about tone color.

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Post subject: Re: Tex-Mex Pickups with Fender TBX Pot or Fender No Load Po
Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2015 5:36 pm
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53magnatone wrote:
Hi and welcome.
I use 2 TBX pots on the Stratopartster build I thread that I posted here in the build thread section.

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=51950&hilit=stratopartster+builds

Also wired up to Tex-Mex pickups. The no load pot will not allow you to control treble or bass the way the TBX can. I find the Tex-Mex pups in need of a TBX as they are a bit too shrill..

It is all about tone color.



Hello
Thank you for the reply but I still have doubts.

What is the benefit of 2 TBX pots?

And what wire, should I buy to make the connection in pots (the gauge I mean), some special wire?
please in millimeters, will be of great help.

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Fender American Deluxe Strat RW 3CSB
Gibson Dobro Hound Dog Round Neck
Epiphone EL-00 PRO
Epiphone DR-212
Classic Sakura
Fender Mustang I VII.

Peace to all.


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Post subject: Re: Tex-Mex Pickups with Fender TBX Pot or Fender No Load Po
Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2015 5:46 pm
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AND-BR-blues wrote:
53magnatone wrote:
Hi and welcome.
I use 2 TBX pots on the Stratopartster build I thread that I posted here in the build thread section.

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=51950&hilit=stratopartster+builds

Also wired up to Tex-Mex pickups. The no load pot will not allow you to control treble or bass the way the TBX can. I find the Tex-Mex pups in need of a TBX as they are a bit too shrill..

It is all about tone color.



Hello
Thank you for the reply but I still have doubts.

What is the benefit of 2 TBX pots?

And what wire, should I buy to make the connection in pots (the gauge I mean), some special wire?
please in millimeters, will be of great help.


This should answer your questions ....

http://www.premierguitar.com/articles/T ... rol_Part_1

And that ...

http://www.premierguitar.com/articles/T ... Mod_Part_2

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Post subject: Re: Tex-Mex Pickups with Fender TBX Pot or Fender No Load Po
Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2015 2:24 am
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The question is would you like Tex Mex pickups ?


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Post subject: Re: Tex-Mex Pickups with Fender TBX Pot or Fender No Load Po
Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2015 2:53 am
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I answered that in the 1st post. I do like the Tex Mex pups but found them much more versatile with TBX tone pots. BTW I change both tone pots to TBX.

For me the Tex Mex are sharper, edgy as in too much high end treble when played thru my Pro Junior. But they do not have that bite when I play them thru my 1960's Magnatone amp... Very different amps old versus new school. The TBX controls allow me to adjust both bass and treble.

The real question of " Would I Like the Tex Mex " is really irrelevant to the OP. I hear things differently than he does and for that matter so does everyone else.
Yes but they needed more coloring to my ears... :?

I posted those two links because they explain TBX much better than I can here. It should be simple enough. But isn't.
Not satisfied with the tone then the 1st question from us should have been..
OP what are you using for the other 50% of your sound... Amp ? Peripherals ?

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Post subject: Re: Tex-Mex Pickups with Fender TBX Pot or Fender No Load Po
Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2015 6:11 pm
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stratele52 wrote:
The question is would you like Tex Mex pickups ?


I've been reading Tex-Mex has the more warmer sound, my pickups have very bright sound, I would like a warmer sound.
Do you have any tips?

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Fender American Deluxe Strat RW 3CSB
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Epiphone DR-212
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Fender Mustang I VII.

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Post subject: Re: Tex-Mex Pickups with Fender TBX Pot or Fender No Load Po
Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2015 6:17 pm
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53magnatone wrote:
I answered that in the 1st post. I do like the Tex Mex pups but found them much more versatile with TBX tone pots. BTW I change both tone pots to TBX.

For me the Tex Mex are sharper, edgy as in too much high end treble when played thru my Pro Junior. But they do not have that bite when I play them thru my 1960's Magnatone amp... Very different amps old versus new school. The TBX controls allow me to adjust both bass and treble.

The real question of " Would I Like the Tex Mex " is really irrelevant to the OP. I hear things differently than he does and for that matter so does everyone else.
Yes but they needed more coloring to my ears... :?

I posted those two links because they explain TBX much better than I can here. It should be simple enough. But isn't.
Not satisfied with the tone then the 1st question from us should have been..
OP what are you using for the other 50% of your sound... Amp ? Peripherals ?


I did not find any information to help me.
I listen to a lot SRV and when, I caught my Strat is terrible, screams a lot, sounds more like country music.

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Lover of Eternal Blues,

Fender American Deluxe Strat RW 3CSB
Gibson Dobro Hound Dog Round Neck
Epiphone EL-00 PRO
Epiphone DR-212
Classic Sakura
Fender Mustang I VII.

Peace to all.


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Post subject: Re: Tex-Mex Pickups with Fender TBX Pot or Fender No Load Po
Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2015 6:50 pm
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It's really difficult to figure out what you are really asking.
Your initial question was on which pickup would be more versatile in shaping tone.
The TBX is because it adds Bass or Treble, whereas a normal tone or the No Load would actually increase the treble which I at least gather that is not what you are seeking.

One of my question was, What are you using for amplification ? that is half of your sound / tone. Some amps are better suited to HB pups whereas others are best with single coils.

As far as wanting to replicate SRV's tone well for one you need to play loud. Next unless you are playing thru a similar amp than SRV used you won't even be on the same road. Next was his choice of pickups.
Well for that you need to look up the specs in the custom shop SRV Stratocaster and see what his parameters were. His playing style of heavier strings and the fact that he had an incredible sense of rhythm and lead is also part of his sound.

the reason for 2 TBX's is so you have the same TBX tone control in all 5 pickup selection.
The 2 links I posted here were for the technical aspects and installation of the TBX. It describes the TBX and how it works as clearly as possible...
That said there are also many different ways to rewire your pickups to bring out different tonalities.
Bottom line you are going to have to experiment and see what works for you.
But starting out with 2 TBX is a good start. But I would still loo into the amp equation...

And BTW, if you are looking for that true Bluesy warm sound, then that has always been achieved by pushing a small amp. A 22 to 25 watt tube amp like the Blues Junior or Pro Junior will deliver, but you have to crank the amp. A 40 watt will also do that but the volume is much higher intensity.
A 12 to 15 watt amp is actually best since you can drive it to max while still not having to do it in a soundproof room ... :wink:

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Post subject: Re: Tex-Mex Pickups with Fender TBX Pot or Fender No Load Po
Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2015 1:27 am
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53magnatone wrote:


The real question of " Would I Like the Tex Mex " is really irrelevant to the OP.


Are you sure ?

AND-BR-blues write ;

"I've been reading Tex-Mex has the more warmer sound, my pickups have very bright sound, I would like a warmer sound.
Do you have any tips? "

_________________________________
It look to me AND-BR-blues did not try these pickups , did not really know these pickups.....

Friend of mine try those and did not like their tone, high output .....


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Post subject: Re: Tex-Mex Pickups with Fender TBX Pot or Fender No Load Po
Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2015 2:17 am
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Reading the OP's signature:
Quote:
Fender American Deluxe Strat RW 3CSB
(...)
Fender Mustang I VII


I wouldn't start to correct that "very bright sounding" problem by switching the Deluxe's N3 pickups. I'd look at the amp and speaker first. Amp settings can be adjusted; start with the EQ.

And if tweaking the settings still doesn't do the job, you could mod the amp:
Upgrade the speaker.
Or mod the amp for an external speaker cabinet (needs a jack that cuts off the amp's speaker when connected). Running it through a 2x12" cab with quality speakers would make a world of difference...
(Disclaimers: Let a pro do the mod. And you'll lose the warranty, if that matters).

A TBX works best as 53mag describes; making the guitar suitable for different amps. A no-load adds treble (OK, I know: actually doesn't add but lets a bit more treble pass through).
Neither of these, IMHO, would solve the problem.
And the Tex-Mex - they're raunchy, full-on, in-your-face (etc.) but not bassy, full bottom, mellow.


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Post subject: Re: Tex-Mex Pickups with Fender TBX Pot or Fender No Load Po
Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2015 4:25 am
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One thing we missed here is that OP, your Mustang is equipped with "Fender Fuse"

This " Fender Fuse " feature should be your 1st mode of seeking a better tone. You have the capability of usb connection to your computer and remapping or at the very least changing the settings to suit your ears.
The Strat Deluxe is a very nice guitar with more than adequate Blues tone.
Clapton used those pick ups at one point and SRV very much modeled his approach from EC's tone. So guitar wise you are on the right track.

Amp wise, this is going to be a challenge which I believe you will not get to the point ( tone point ) you want. Here is why.
The Mustang is a modeling amp, all digital. You are trying to achieve a tone that is reached in an analog world. The little Mustang replicates but isn't going to be a Reverb or any of its bigger parents and uncles.

Now don't throw that Mustang I VII away. It does have a lot of potential for home recording and putting tracks down on your laptop. ( We actually bought one of those for 11 year old Aiden 1-1/2 years ago ). I tested it, used it quite a bit and saw the potential but for me it would be as another tool, not as a primary amp.

You need an amp designed for the sound you want. Before you start tweaking with your guitar, it's not the guitar, as I mentioned earlier 50% of your tone is your amp.
Take your Strat and go test out Pro Junior, Blues Junior, Champ and any small 15 to 25 Watt tube amps.
You are going to have to crank each of those amps and play with the full range of controls. Only way to know what is correct for you.

As for the Tex Mex question, I would just find a MIM Stratocaster with the Tex Mex pups and use that to experiment tone wise. You can change to TBX, you can also rewire for different tonal capabilities. As said earlier there are all kinds of DIY rewiring for Strats online.

But 1st start with the Amp alternate option...

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Post subject: Re: Tex-Mex Pickups with Fender TBX Pot or Fender No Load Po
Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2015 4:37 am
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53magnatone wrote:


You need an amp designed for the sound you want. Before you start tweaking with your guitar, it's not the guitar, as I mentioned earlier 50% of your tone is your amp.
Take your Strat and go test out Pro Junior, Blues Junior, Champ and any small 15 to 25 Watt tube amps.
You are going to have to crank each of those amps and play with the full range of controls. Only way to know what is correct for you.



But 1st start with the Amp alternate option...


+1

AND-BR-blues,

Get a real good amp .

For sound / tone , amp is more important than a guitar . A good guitar will sound poor on a low budget amp .
A low budget guitar will sound good on a good amp


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Post subject: Re: Tex-Mex Pickups with Fender TBX Pot or Fender No Load Po
Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2015 12:10 am
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Hate to hijack the thread but I had finally decided on pots for a project and after reading this I'm not sure again but want to get parts and get started. Besides the OP might find it useful.

I put a hand-wound Lollar P90 in the bridge of an HSS. I really like the fat, boomy, in-your-face, tone of the P90 and decided to get an HH Strat and a matching neck pickup to go with it. In the HSS it has the typical Fender wiring - no tone control on the bridge. I can tame it by blending the mid pup with it but after I move it to the new guitar and only have another P90 to blend it with I don't think that will work. Think it will yowl like 2 cats in a potato sack. The new P90 set up will have 1 tone pot for each pup and a 4-way switch for in and out of phase tones. I want a tone pot/tone cap set that will give me the same tone I have now bypassing the tone circuit but yet tame the boom with the pot when I want to. Will either a TBX or a No-Load tone pot help with that or should I just stick with a standard tone pot? If it helps, the bridge comes in at 10.8k and that is what I'll mostly be using on this guitar. I was considering a regular pot with a push/push switch that would take the pot out of the circuit when I wanted the bypassed tone I have now in the HSS - would that work? Going with .047 tone cap and before I started thinking No-Load or TBX had decided to go with 500k tone pots even though P90s are singlecoils.

Any suggestions on the best way to brighten it up a bit when I want to but not lose the bypassed tone I have with it now? Much appreciated.

BTW: OP - I've only tried the Tex Mex pickups on a Tele but really liked them. Some like them better than the Texas Specials.


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Post subject: Re: Tex-Mex Pickups with Fender TBX Pot or Fender No Load Po
Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2015 12:43 pm
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fenderfan wrote:
Hate to hijack the thread

Happens here so often nobody will be offended. I hope. :wink:

fenderfan wrote:
The new P90 set up will have 1 tone pot for each pup and a 4-way switch for in and out of phase tones.
I want a tone pot/tone cap set that will give me the same tone I have now bypassing the tone circuit but yet tame the boom with the pot when I want to. Will either a TBX or a No-Load tone pot help with that or should I just stick with a standard tone pot?
(...)
I was considering a regular pot with a push/push switch that would take the pot out of the circuit when I wanted the bypassed tone I have now in the HSS - would that work?

Any suggestions on the best way to brighten it up a bit when I want to but not lose the bypassed tone I have with it now?

I remembered seeing something sorta like that, took me a while but I found it. This is actually a Tele diagram, but you're going for two pickups anyway (and the hijack is already in progress) so: Phostenics 4-Way Tele with Out-of-Phase Option & TBX Tone Control
It ain't exactly what you're looking for but maybe it's an option. (I don't remember ever seeing that exact 4way switch/1vol/2tones combination you're after...)
Another chance might be some P90 (or just SS) diagrams with 2Vol/2Tone pots, embellished with a bypass for the bridge tone.

On your quest for "the true bypass" sound, the no-load should be somewhat more suitable than the TBX (see the descriptions earlier on the topic), but IMHO, the real true bypass would need a switch.

And a disclaimer: I ain't no electrician - no way. Proceed with caution.


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