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Post by kc on Jan 1, 2008 15:22:07 GMT -7
About a year ago, I had a Strat assembled from parts I purchased. It worked out pretty well, but I was hoping for a little different sound than I got. So, I decided to change the pickups, which I did and it's more to my liking. But now I'm wondering whether changing some of the other electric components would have a significant impact and get it even closer to where I'd like it to sound. I've been reading some of the comments from the "Please share your strat wisdom..." thread in the Z Lounge and am asking here for any additional thoughts about how electrical components - but not pickups - affect the overall sound of a guitar. FYI, the Strat I have can be just a bit bright, so I'd be looking to roll off high end a little bit. I can't tell you what type of tone or volume pot it currently has, but I can tell you its got a Maple neck and Alder body. Thanks for any suggestions.
kc
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Post by Fiestared69 on Jan 1, 2008 20:48:44 GMT -7
The finish can have alot to do with the way a guitar sounds. Neck joints, nuts, bridge pieces,necks rosewood vs. maple ,even tuning keys. I think these factors play more of a roll than volume and tone pots and switches.
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Post by Hohn on Jan 1, 2008 22:54:12 GMT -7
I think you'd want to stick with high-quality CTS 250K pots-- audio taper, if possible. Kinman has a lot on his site about the importance of pots to tone generation.
I'm personally interested in changing to a different TYPE of capacitor (not a different value) and what affect on tone there may be.
JH
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Post by dei305 on Jan 2, 2008 8:33:23 GMT -7
Hohn, Happy New Year! I would highly recommend the SOZO brand caps. www.sozoamplification.com/ Go to the Electronics section, then capacitors and etc. I am using the .047 for the tone controls. I like the tonal range of the .047 vs .022. You can even experiment with a .1. It all comes down to personal preference. The cool thing is to experiment with different values and better quality components. There is no right or wrong, simply what works best for you. Via the 5 way switch, I have the neck and middle pups wired to the middle tone control. The bridge is wired to the bottom tone control. I found the SOZO's to be very smooth and offer a wide pallet of tonal differences compared to Mallory 150's, Sprague Orange Drops, Webers, and ceramics. I have checked out the Sprauge Bumble Bees. They look great inside a guitar. They do a good job and cost way too much. IMHO the SOZO's sound better and are a killer value. I discovered SOZO after reading an article from Tone Quest Magazine. I replaced all the coupling caps in my Fender amps with SOZO's..huge improvement. Everything sounds harmonically richer and smoother. I discovered the same to be true when applied to the guitars. I haven't checked out the Vitamin Q caps www.allparts.com Go to the Electronics section, then capacitors and etc. Alessandro, www.alessandro-products.com/main.htmlmojo mustards, www.mojomusicalsupply.com/products.asp?id=13963I would highly recommend CTS pots as well as a CRL 5 way switch. You may also want to consider the wire you are using as well: High End Shielded Double-Balanced Teflon insulated silver plated copper wire by the foot. www.alessandro-products.com/parts.htmlHave fun! Rick
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Post by dei305 on Jan 2, 2008 8:50:12 GMT -7
kc, What brand of pickups are you using now? Thanks! Rick
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Post by kc on Jan 2, 2008 10:25:38 GMT -7
kc, What brand of pickups are you using now? Thanks! Rick dei305, First, thanks for the very informative response (thanks to Hohn and fiestared69. too). I have Dimarzio's in it - a Virtual Vintage Solo Pro in the bridge, an Area 61 in the middle and Area 58 in the neck. kc
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Post by heynewguy (Ol’ Bill) on Jan 2, 2008 15:10:00 GMT -7
Ken, I have a Fender TBX control on 2 of my strats. TBX stands for treble bass expander. I have it in the last tone control. It has a center detent which is normal, all the way up adds treble and bass, all the way off takes it away. You can also use in between settings, depending on how you set up your amp to your guitar. I think they cost about $15. YMMV
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Post by kc on Jan 2, 2008 17:22:18 GMT -7
Ken, I have a Fender TBX control on 2 of my strats. TBX stands for treble bass expander. I have it in the last tone control. It has a center detent which is normal, all the way up adds treble and bass, all the way off takes it away. You can also use in between settings, depending on how you set up your amp to your guitar. I think they cost about $15. YMMV Thanks, Bill, I have the TBX in my Clapton Strat, so I have some familiarity with it. I've always left the tone control in the center detent position with that guitar. Maybe I'll try the TBX in this one since I'm happy with it in my EC Strat. Here it is - my Robert Lockwood Jr Signature model.
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Post by Hohn on Jan 2, 2008 17:24:57 GMT -7
Hohn, Happy New Year! I would highly recommend the SOZO brand caps. www.sozoamplification.com/I am using the .047 for the tone controls. I like the tonal range of the .047 vs .022. You can even experiment with a .1. It all comes down to personal preference. The cool thing is to experiment with different values and better quality components. There is no right or wrong, simply what works best for you. Via the 5 way switch, I have the neck and middle pups wired to the middle tone control. The bridge is wired to the bottom tone control. I found the SOZO's to be very smooth and offer a wide pallet of tonal differences compared to Mallory 150's, Sprague Orange Drops, Webers, and ceramics. I have checked out the Sprauge Bumble Bees. They look great inside a guitar. They do a good job and cost way too much. IMHO the SOZO's sound better and are a killer value. I discovered SOZO after reading an article from Tone Quest Magazine. I replaced all the coupling caps in my Fender amps with SOZO's..huge improvement. Everything sounds harmonically richer and smoother. I discovered the same to be true when applied to the guitars. I haven't checked out the Vitamin Q caps www.allparts.com/store/electronics-capacitors-etc-ep-4158-000,Product.asp, Alessandro, www.alessandro-products.com/main.htmlmojo mustards, www.mojomusicalsupply.com/products.asp?id=13963I would highly recommend CTS pots as well as a CRL 5 way switch. You may also want to consider the wire you are using as well: High End Shielded Double-Balanced Teflon insulated silver plated copper wire by the foot. www.alessandro-products.com/parts.htmlHave fun! Rick +1 for that great post! I wish I could bookmark this post! justin
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Post by heynewguy (Ol’ Bill) on Jan 2, 2008 18:28:02 GMT -7
Ken, I have a Fender TBX control on 2 of my strats. TBX stands for treble bass expander. I have it in the last tone control. It has a center detent which is normal, all the way up adds treble and bass, all the way off takes it away. You can also use in between settings, depending on how you set up your amp to your guitar. I think they cost about $15. YMMV Thanks, Bill, I have the TBX in my Clapton Strat, so I have some familiarity with it. I've always left the tone control in the center detent position with that guitar. Maybe I'll try the TBX in this one since I'm happy with it in my EC Strat. Here it is - my Robert Lockwood Jr Signature model. Wow Ken! Very cool.
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Post by eliot1025 on Jan 4, 2008 1:44:56 GMT -7
Nice looking guitar! The right pot can really bring out the most in a pickup. Good wiring will improve everything. You might consider the ToneStyler as a tone control replacement. It rolls off high while retaining mids.
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Post by brad737 on Jan 21, 2008 1:23:30 GMT -7
I can tell you with 100% certainty that you do not want to use those ceramic disk caps that most manufacturers use. They use them because they're cheap, not because they sound good. I'd recommend "bumblebees" if price isn't a consideration. Otherwise a nice Orange Drop or Mallory would be fine. I also highly recommend Sozo capacitors. Just avoid those ceramic disks. :-p I think you'd want to stick with high-quality CTS 250K pots-- audio taper, if possible. Kinman has a lot on his site about the importance of pots to tone generation. I'm personally interested in changing to a different TYPE of capacitor (not a different value) and what affect on tone there may be. JH
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