Just installed a Vintage Rails.

[Artie]

Re: Just installed a Vintage Rails.

Artie, is there a big volume difference when going from the VR to the bridge CR? I've been thinking of putting a VR/CR combo in my '65 Duo-Sonic but I wasn't sure how they would match up.

Yeah . . . actually, there is. So far, its the only down side to this configuration. Its not a huge volume difference, but its there. And I didn't notice it that much with any other pup I had in here. The main difference I hear is when I go from all three pups on, to dropping out the VR. The two Cool Rails come on strong without the added "load" of the VR.

I'd love to get a hold of one of the newer 4-wire VR's and try it in series.
I'll compare the output of the VR by itself to either CR by themselves, as soon as everyone is up and away. Its kinda early to be jammin'. :laugh2:

Artie

 

[tone4days]

Re: Just installed a Vintage Rails.

... Also, Tele players, much more so than Strat players, like their guitar to look "stock."

slightly oversized traditional-looking cover takes care of that

glad you are so happy with it artie, let us knwo more when you get your ears fully emersed into it

cheers
t4d

 

[Artie]

Re: Just installed a Vintage Rails.

I think this one's a "keeper". Even with the small volume glitch, the sound I get from it combined with the CR's is this open, airy tone thats just what I was looking for. I put on the "Notting Hillbillies" CD, (Mark Knofler), and play along, and it blends right in.

I'm going to try and post some clips soon, but I installed a new sound card and I'm having some recording problems. Hopefully, I'll get those bugs worked out no later than this weekend.

 

[nepalnt21]

Re: Just installed a Vintage Rails.

if you were to raise the VB a bit, and lower both CR's, would it fix the glitch? have you tried that? i hate volume drops and such but i am looking into this combo.

 

[Artie]

Re: Just installed a Vintage Rails.

Yeah, I tried that. I have the VR raised as high as practical, and the CR's as low as practical. The volume drop isn't extreme, just noticeable. Whats odd is, nothing else I've tried in there did it. I suspect its due to the factory parallel wiring of the VR. (Slightly greater "load" than any other pup.)

I may even try one of the new 4-wire VR's just to hear the difference. Then again, I like this combo so much . . . I may leave it alone.

 

[JacksonMIA]

Re: Just installed a Vintage Rails.

I'm glad you're happy with it Artie. I'm looking forward to seeing your wiring idea when it gets completed.

 

[Artie]

Re: Just installed a Vintage Rails.

I'm glad you're happy with it Artie. I'm looking forward to seeing your wiring idea when it gets completed.

Thanks. I hope to have this done in the next few weeks. I have to fabricate one part. But I'll describe the concept:

The idea is to have a versatile system, that looks dirt simple. I'm making a custom pickguard that doesn't use the "volume" hole. It'll have a master volume and tone mounted where the two tones are now. The 5-way will be replaced with a vintage-style 3-way.

In it's "normal" mode, the 3-way will select:

1. neck, middle
2. neck, middle, bridge
3. middle, bridge

Tap on the tone control to go to mode 2:

1. neck
2. neck, bridge
3. bridge

Tap on the tone control again to go to mode 3:

1. neck
2. middle
3. bridge

Tap on the volume control at any time to return to "normal".

It sounds complicated but its not. It just involves three micro-switches and a small plastic cam. It'll be cool . . . I hope.

 

[JacksonMIA]

Re: Just installed a Vintage Rails.

WOW! That's awesome. I love new switching ideas. If this turns out well, I'll definitely be trying it on a future guitar.

 

[Artie]

Re: Just installed a Vintage Rails.

As soon as I get a good, solid working prototype, I'll let you be one of my "beta" testers.

 

[Robbiedbee]

Re: Just installed a Vintage Rails.

Agreed. Sounds like a good idea.

How do you reckon the Neck, Middle and Bridge position will sound all together?

 

[Artie]

Re: Just installed a Vintage Rails.

Agreed. Sounds like a good idea.

How do you reckon the Neck, Middle and Bridge position will sound all together?

I came real close to eliminating the selector switch all together, and just wiring all three direct. Its where I leave this axe 99% of the time. The sound is perfectly balanced.

Here's my theory as to why that is:

Each pickup has its own character. Its own frequency response curve. We have a natural tendency to think of each pickup as a "tone", rather than thinking of the guitar as a "system". With all three "on", each pup sees the load of the other two as a sort of damper. The frequency response of each pup is balanced by the other two. You get an even, balanced tone. No peaks - no valleys. I think its part of the reason that the middle pup has not had a dramatic affect on the overall 3-pup tone of this guitar. But it doeas have some influence, with the VR being the best so far. The SSL-6 is a very close second.

Just my 2-cents worth. All three pups on is definitely this axe's best tone.

Artie

 

[kjrocks]

Re: Just installed a Vintage Rails.

Artie ,all this talk about cr's and vr's makes think twice about my sale to you.Stop talkin' it up or I wont be able to like you anymore.

 

[Artie]

Re: Just installed a Vintage Rails.

Artie ,all this talk about cr's and vr's makes think twice about my sale to you.Stop talkin' it up or I wont be able to like you anymore.

Do I know you? :laugh2:

Its funny. I just gave away a Lil 59. Now I can think of a dozen places to use it. I may get another.

(Don't get me wrong . . . I loved giving it away.)

 

[Artie]

Re: Just installed a Vintage Rails.

It was the through the Postal Service, but I've had pretty good luck with them. I got it to the PO on Sat. morning, and sent it first class, so I would think it should be there today. Tomorrow at the latest.