Lets look at our guitars thread
Discussion
In no particular order:
The last three photos also unwittingly chart our Covid-19 gardening escapades as well.
I've worked on all of these instruments extensively, so they are all modified by varying degrees. The Rickenbacker has had the most intensive work done, whereas most of the Fender stuff has been 'screwdriver modifications' in the main. The Precision Bass currently has a Jaguar Bass neck, while the Mustang is a 'Vintera' reissue with the body replaced with a white one. The P Bass is sporting a Dimarzio Area P (DP250) pickup, which isn't featured on their website. The Mustang has a Nordstrand pickup, and the Dearmond Starfire has Guild BS-1 pickups fitted.
Not pictured is my black Stratocaster, which started as a 'Blacktop' model with two humbuckers, but which I rebuilt as a normal Strat with single coils. I also have a black Epiphone Casino Coupe with a Bigsby B30 installed, and a Tokai PRS copy which needs some new potentiometers. I'm also piecing together a Jazz Bass from Fender parts, but these are still being shipped out.
The last three photos also unwittingly chart our Covid-19 gardening escapades as well.
I've worked on all of these instruments extensively, so they are all modified by varying degrees. The Rickenbacker has had the most intensive work done, whereas most of the Fender stuff has been 'screwdriver modifications' in the main. The Precision Bass currently has a Jaguar Bass neck, while the Mustang is a 'Vintera' reissue with the body replaced with a white one. The P Bass is sporting a Dimarzio Area P (DP250) pickup, which isn't featured on their website. The Mustang has a Nordstrand pickup, and the Dearmond Starfire has Guild BS-1 pickups fitted.
Not pictured is my black Stratocaster, which started as a 'Blacktop' model with two humbuckers, but which I rebuilt as a normal Strat with single coils. I also have a black Epiphone Casino Coupe with a Bigsby B30 installed, and a Tokai PRS copy which needs some new potentiometers. I'm also piecing together a Jazz Bass from Fender parts, but these are still being shipped out.
A bit of a lock down project. I bought a Fender Champ clone a year ago which is the same circuit, but came in an ugly cab. I've used the amp at a few open mics and it gets a great sound without being so loud it annoys the punters. I decided I'd treat it to a Tweed cab made by a guy I've used previously and he did a lovely job; all I had to do was give it a coat of tinted lacquer and swap the parts over. I also did a little mod to the circuit as mine was missing a capacitor that Fender fit to their Champ, so it is now 100% clone of the Champ circuit. It sounds even better, especially with humbuckers (which tended to be a bit too muted before) and I think it looks cool too.
I was spraying the neck of a project guitar at the same time while I had the nitro mixed up and my spray gun out:
The finished amp just post testing. Just needs a bit of natural wear now to tone it down, which it will get once I can go out to open mics again.
I'll post more of the guitar project later once it's back together.
I was spraying the neck of a project guitar at the same time while I had the nitro mixed up and my spray gun out:
The finished amp just post testing. Just needs a bit of natural wear now to tone it down, which it will get once I can go out to open mics again.
I'll post more of the guitar project later once it's back together.
OldSkoolRS said:
I also did a little mod to the circuit as mine was missing a capacitor that Fender fit to their Champ, so it is now 100% clone of the Champ circuit. It sounds even better, especially with humbuckers (which tended to be a bit too muted before) and I think it looks cool too.
Looking good, but which cap did you add? The original Fender 5F1 had pretty much the bare minimum possible.Escapegoat said:
Looking good, but which cap did you add? The original Fender 5F1 had pretty much the bare minimum possible.
The 'Fame' and 'Joyo' clones miss out C7* that is fitted on the Fender version. There is a space on the PCB for it, so it's a common 'mod' to put one in.Not the best photo, but here it is:
- Cathode bypass capacitor on pin 3 of the pre-amp valve.
OldSkoolRS said:
The 'Fame' and 'Joyo' clones miss out C7* that is fitted on the Fender version.
OK - but that's not original.- Cathode bypass capacitor on pin 3 of the pre-amp valve.
It's one of the additions Fender made to the second version of the Princeton (5F2-A) - the next model up the Fender model range. It later become a common modification for tweed Champs and clones. Gives a decent boost in gain (the value of the cap you choose controlling the EQ of the boost to an extent).
Escapegoat said:
OK - but that's not original.
It's one of the additions Fender made to the second version of the Princeton (5F2-A) - the next model up the Fender model range. It later become a common modification for tweed Champs and clones. Gives a decent boost in gain (the value of the cap you choose controlling the EQ of the boost to an extent).
The whole amp isn't original: It's a Chinese clone and adding this later mod (which isn't shown on the 5F1 schematic, but apparently many vintage Champs have this capacitor installed as well as the current Custom Shop '57 Champ that costs about 4 times what mine has) makes it sound better to my ears. It's one of the additions Fender made to the second version of the Princeton (5F2-A) - the next model up the Fender model range. It later become a common modification for tweed Champs and clones. Gives a decent boost in gain (the value of the cap you choose controlling the EQ of the boost to an extent).
I had a number of caps to try, but TBH it sounds great as it now is, so I'll leave it there. I built a valve amp from scratch years ago and found I spent more time messing about changing things rather than playing, so I'll stick to playing now I think.
I put my project Esquire partscaster back together after I resprayed the neck at the same time as my Champ clone cab. I put a new bone nut on it and did a full set up and played it until my fingers were sore this morning. As I'd also sprayed the fingerboard with the tinted clear nitro, I had to polish it off the frets and then gave the whole neck a buff and polish: The frets are really smooth now. It's a big chunky neck; a Fender 'Fat '51 U' made in Mexico (hence the poly finish I removed). I was going to take it for a level and polish, but it really doesn't need it now I've set the truss rod and action up, there are no buzzes or rattles.
From the top:
Probably a bit devisive, but I put a Fender Esquire waterslide on it. To be fair it originally had a Fender Telecaster waterslide on it anyway, so it is a Fender neck. This was just after I fitted the (aged) tuner bushes:
As I'd also sprayed the fingerboard with the tinted clear nitro, I had to polish it off the frets and then gave the whole neck a buff and polish: The frets are really smooth now. It's a big chunky neck; a Fender 'Fat '51 U' made in Mexico (hence the poly finish I removed). I was going to take it for a level and polish, but it really doesn't need it now I've set the truss rod and action up, there are no buzzes or rattles.From the top:
Probably a bit devisive, but I put a Fender Esquire waterslide on it. To be fair it originally had a Fender Telecaster waterslide on it anyway, so it is a Fender neck. This was just after I fitted the (aged) tuner bushes:
Edited by OldSkoolRS on Saturday 1st August 15:36
To continue: I seem to have ended up making the most complicated single pickup guitar possible. 
Today I routed out a space to put an Eric Clapton mid boost under the pickguard of my Esquire. Plenty of space for the PCB, but the control cavity is a bit tight as I've put the 9volt battery at the bottom (it should last at least a year judging by my Strat) and I've used a pull tone knob/switch that taps the pickup off at 6K (from the full 10K) for a brighter/lower output tone.
Not the neatest route, but it's hidden from view under the pickguard, plus I will paint it with conductive paint next time I restring it to help with shielding.
The 3 way switch goes from 'cocked wah' to 'normal' to 'bright/tone bypass' now by switching in various capacitors, or full bypass. The tone knob controls the mid boost and makes it sound more like a humbucker and increases the overall output too. The volume control is active, so doesn't roll the top end off when turned down. The guitar has quite a bit more output than previously, so I have to turn the volume down to about 2/3 to get the same output as the previous passive set up.
Today I routed out a space to put an Eric Clapton mid boost under the pickguard of my Esquire. Plenty of space for the PCB, but the control cavity is a bit tight as I've put the 9volt battery at the bottom (it should last at least a year judging by my Strat) and I've used a pull tone knob/switch that taps the pickup off at 6K (from the full 10K) for a brighter/lower output tone.
Not the neatest route, but it's hidden from view under the pickguard, plus I will paint it with conductive paint next time I restring it to help with shielding.
The 3 way switch goes from 'cocked wah' to 'normal' to 'bright/tone bypass' now by switching in various capacitors, or full bypass. The tone knob controls the mid boost and makes it sound more like a humbucker and increases the overall output too. The volume control is active, so doesn't roll the top end off when turned down. The guitar has quite a bit more output than previously, so I have to turn the volume down to about 2/3 to get the same output as the previous passive set up.
Edited by OldSkoolRS on Saturday 8th August 20:38
Heres my triggers broom of a bass I've had for about 12 years. It started life as a rather cheap £70 Squier Standard and in it's time has had replacement Allparts neck, Mexican Fender pickups, electrics, pots and knobs, black scratchplate and since this photo a chrome bridge cover.
It's served me well.
It's served me well.
Got a harley benton SG DIY kit arriving at some point. Nothing fancy but I fancied a wee project.
Fancying painting it in an interesting way, rather than the usual red/black staining. Potentially thinking a bright green like a max cavalera ESP viper. Anyone got any suggestions on colours etc I'd be grateful, also any specific top coats etc.
Fancying painting it in an interesting way, rather than the usual red/black staining. Potentially thinking a bright green like a max cavalera ESP viper. Anyone got any suggestions on colours etc I'd be grateful, also any specific top coats etc.
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