Let's talk greed... Three P-Rails + triple-shots in one guitar!

[matizadomrb]

Re: Let's talk greed... Three P-Rails + triple-shots in one guitar!

MY MAN! CONGRATS DUDE! That's awesome! I wish you and your ol' lady an incredibly happy pregnancy! That's so great!

And don't worry about the parts at all! We'll do it when you're more free brother! Go keep on celebrating man!

Cheers!

 

[nalo1022]

Re: Let's talk greed... Three P-Rails + triple-shots in one guitar!

Thanks man. I was on a gag order from the wife until the ultrasound so now I'm letting EVERYONE know!

Regarding the parts I have found pretty much everything at mouser, and cheap. There is one small snag though.
- locating dual gang pots with a 500k/250k setup is proving very difficult, but there are 500k/250k dual concentric pots available.
Here are some options to remedy the situation.
1) Go with the original plan of DC pots and buy the 500k/250k premade. [easy, simple cheap]
2) Buy 500k/500k Dual Gang pots and shunt one section to 250K [easy, simple, cheap, but the 250k will have a slightly different taper]
3) Buy 500k/500k Dual Gang pots and standard 250k pots and swap out the wafers in a section of the DG. [more expensive, a bit of work, but you have a true 500k/250k DG pot]

I always made my own the third way and it is not that difficult, but it is a bit tedious. The original idea of Dual Concentric pots is probably the best option though. Also have 2 ways to adjust a single tone gives you an instant tone switch. you could have the 250k set to 10 and the 500k rolled down, so that you can go from clear to dark at the flip of a switch. Everything has its pros and cons, but I think the DC pots may be the best fit or you.

Other business lol:
-I founds thumbwheels in 500k linear, but they will need a way to mount (already figured that out)
-Did you want the tone to be audio taper or linear. My preference is linear, but it is up to you [depending on the option you go with from above]
-I found a better option for the tone pot switch and will have to alter the diagram very slightly, but it saves you a lot of money.

 

[matizadomrb]

Re: Let's talk greed... Three P-Rails + triple-shots in one guitar!

Thanks man. I was on a gag order from the wife until the ultrasound so now I'm letting EVERYONE know!

Bro I'm extremely happy for ya both! Kids are a real blessing! I don't have any of my own (my old lady and I wanna wait a couple more years before having our first one!) but I have a one year old nephew who's pretty much like my own... He goes crazy when I play guitar to him! Loves it!... I think he's one of us! hehehe... And I bet yours is gonna be as well!... Truthfully man I wish you the best!

Regarding the parts I have found pretty much everything at mouser, and cheap. There is one small snag though.
- locating dual gang pots with a 500k/250k setup is proving very difficult, but there are 500k/250k dual concentric pots available.
Here are some options to remedy the situation.
1) Go with the original plan of DC pots and buy the 500k/250k premade. [easy, simple cheap]
2) Buy 500k/500k Dual Gang pots and shunt one section to 250K [easy, simple, cheap, but the 250k will have a slightly different taper]
3) Buy 500k/500k Dual Gang pots and standard 250k pots and swap out the wafers in a section of the DG. [more expensive, a bit of work, but you have a true 500k/250k DG pot]

I always made my own the third way and it is not that difficult, but it is a bit tedious. The original idea of Dual Concentric pots is probably the best option though. Also have 2 ways to adjust a single tone gives you an instant tone switch. you could have the 250k set to 10 and the 500k rolled down, so that you can go from clear to dark at the flip of a switch. Everything has its pros and cons, but I think the DC pots may be the best fit or you.

Hmmm tough choice... I have to decide between the first and the third option... I like a lot what you say about the switching option I'll have with DCs!... But my main concern is regarding "looks" because I just can't see dual concentric knobs as a good fit for this guitar but with DGs I can have regular knobs in it... Functionality should definitely be more important than looks but honestly I do care about the appearance as well... I'll have to think about this one a lil' bit more.

Hey bro, if I decide to go with the third option, do you think you can help me out with it? I can certainly try the mod myself if I have instructions on how to do it, but I'd rather have an expert do the job. I could ask my tech Chris to do it for me but with a project like this one, I'd rather just bring everything to him ready to install to make things easier... So if you have the time bro, do you think you can actually do the mod for me? I can buy the parts at mouser.com, ship them to you and then you can ship them to me. I have a PO Box in Florida so you can send them there and of course I'll pay you for everything (do you have a Paypal account?). That would be awesome! But I know you're a busy man so this is only if you can spare the time, otherwise a lil' help with instructions on how to do the mod would be quite enough!

Other business lol:
-I founds thumbwheels in 500k linear, but they will need a way to mount (already figured that out)

Linear for volume would be great! Actually that's what I wanted originally! I only settled with Audio because the Schattens were Audio. Those will be just fine!

What have you figured out on regards to how to mount them? I suppose they don't come ready as the Schattens?

-Did you want the tone to be audio taper or linear. My preference is linear, but it is up to you [depending on the option you go with from above]

I wanted the tone DC/DGs pots to be Audio actually. Why do you think Linear would be best?

You know this whole thing about whether to choose linear or audio is actually one I've been debating about. I decided to go with linear on volume and audio on tone because that's how Gibson does it and I've read a lot of theories supporting that configuration saying that this way the change in tone is more dramatic when you roll off the knob (including my own tech's opinion). Still, I've also heard many people say that linear for tone gives a more precise control over the positions along the sweep range making it more useful with each little movement of the knob. What do you think?

-I found a better option for the tone pot switch and will have to alter the diagram very slightly, but it saves you a lot of money.

I'm all ears bro! What do you have in mind?

 

[nalo1022]

Re: Let's talk greed... Three P-Rails + triple-shots in one guitar!

-I have no problem doing the mod on the pots I didn't offer because I thought it would be cheaper for you if you did them yourself due to shipping, but I can do it.

-for mounting the thumbwheels my idea was to use copper-clad board like this.

The thumbwheels have a housing that is meant to be soldered to a PCB. this will give it a sturdy level surface to screw under the pickguard, or use double sided tape on. Otherwise they are ready to go.

-I prefer linear tone pots because it gives more precise control like you said. Audio taper and linear taper both go from 0-500k(etc) but the main difference is how quickly they get to that number. An audio(logarithmic) taper slowly builds up to 500k and then grows very rapidly near the end of the turn. A linear grows evenly throughout the turn. With volume pots this can be useful to overcome the way the human ear perceives sound, but I don't like that affect with a tone pot. Especially with dual tone pots you can have a dramatic change at the flip of a switch, so I would prefer more precise control for each pot, but that is my preference

-As far as the tone pot switch goes, it is the same switching options, but it would be wired differently in the schematic. Nothing that really matters to you, but just wanted to let you know, so when i post the new diagram you don't get them mixed up.

 

[matizadomrb]

Re: Let's talk greed... Three P-Rails + triple-shots in one guitar!

-I have no problem doing the mod on the pots I didn't offer because I thought it would be cheaper for you if you did them yourself due to shipping, but I can do it.

Thanks bro! This is great because after thinking a lil' bit about the three options you gave me, I think I'm gonna go for the third one with the 500K/250K DG pots constructed out of a 500K/500K DG and a regular 250K. It's a tough decision because I really liked the option you mentioned of being able to flip a switch using the DCs and have the pots positioned at different parts of the sweep range for a dramatic change of tone on the fly! But I really can't cope with the idea of using dual concentric knobs on the guitar. It will just take too much away from the original look.

-for mounting the thumbwheels my idea was to use copper-clad board like this.

The thumbwheels have a housing that is meant to be soldered to a PCB. this will give it a sturdy level surface to screw under the pickguard, or use double sided tape on. Otherwise they are ready to go.

Do you think that board plus the thumbwheels will fit under the floating pickguard? It seems to me that the space between the pickguard and the body of the guitar is very narrow. Maybe I'm just not picturing correctly how the thumbwheels will be attached to the board. Is it done in the same way in which the Schattens are mounted?

-I prefer linear tone pots because it gives more precise control like you said. Audio taper and linear taper both go from 0-500k(etc) but the main difference is how quickly they get to that number. An audio(logarithmic) taper slowly builds up to 500k and then grows very rapidly near the end of the turn. A linear grows evenly throughout the turn. With volume pots this can be useful to overcome the way the human ear perceives sound, but I don't like that affect with a tone pot. Especially with dual tone pots you can have a dramatic change at the flip of a switch, so I would prefer more precise control for each pot, but that is my preference

I agree with you man. It seems to me that for someone who uses the tone knob a lot, linear would be best... And I use the tone knob A LOT. So let's have the DG 500K/250K tone pots be linears.

On regards to volume, it looks like audio should be the best option considering what you say about how the human ear perceives sound, but you also say that you only found linear 500K thumbwheels so I guess it's that (if I want a cheaper option) or going for the Schattens which are way more expensive but are 500K Audios. Do you think paying the extra price for the Schattens will be worth it just to have Audio tapers instead of Linear? Is Audio really that more useful in volume? If it was up to you what would you choose?

-As far as the tone pot switch goes, it is the same switching options, but it would be wired differently in the schematic. Nothing that really matters to you, but just wanted to let you know, so when i post the new diagram you don't get them mixed up.

Sounds great brother! Go crazy with it! hehehe

Hey man, considering you're gonna change the diagram a lil' bit, and ONLY if it ain't too much of a hassle: can you please reflect the rotary knobs as 1P12Ts (with 12 caps) and include the 750K resistors shunted in the thumbwheels for the middle and bridge pickups (that brings them down to 300K as I intend on doing)? That would make the diagram reflect EXACTLY what I wanna do!... No biggie as I said because I can just explain this to my tech, but it would be cool!

Cheers!

 

[nalo1022]

Re: Let's talk greed... Three P-Rails + triple-shots in one guitar!

-Ok so I will add the 250k pots (that I will transplant the wafer from) to the list.

-The thumbwheels will be mounted EXACTLY like the Schattens. There is a really good chance that these are the same thumbwheels that Schatten buys and then they mark up a ridiculous amount lol.

-If I will be doing the mod on the pots I can also mount the thumbwheels to the board and make sure everything is good with those.
- Also I found Audio taper thumbweels if you are interested. I would suggest them. This gives you an idea of what to expect.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdfIZEB2rdM

- I was gonna reflect the 1P12t on the new diagram anyway. I'll add the shunting resistors as well.

 

[matizadomrb]

Re: Let's talk greed... Three P-Rails + triple-shots in one guitar!

-Ok so I will add the 250k pots (that I will transplant the wafer from) to the list.

-The thumbwheels will be mounted EXACTLY like the Schattens. There is a really good chance that these are the same thumbwheels that Schatten buys and then they mark up a ridiculous amount lol.

-If I will be doing the mod on the pots I can also mount the thumbwheels to the board and make sure everything is good with those.

Have I told you lately that I... THINK YOU FREAKIN' ROCK?!... Well probably, but it doesn't get old! hehe... But really, thanks so much brother! That will be awesome!

- Also I found Audio taper thumbweels if you are interested. I would suggest them. This gives you an idea of what to expect.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdfIZEB2rdM

Great example! I completely agree. Then we're set on audio taper thumwheel pots for volume and linear taper 500K/250K DG pots for tone.

- I was gonna reflect the 1P12t on the new diagram anyway. I'll add the shunting resistors as well.

Great man! Just remember the resistors are only for the middle and the bridge pups (neck I wanna leave as 500K to balance them a lil' bit... We'll see how it works once this becomes a reality... It can always change because these decisions are being made based on theory... Results on the practice may prove different).

Can't wait to check it out!...You know, this is the most fun I've had with a guitar project in a LONG time!... And it's just the beginning!

Cheers!

 

[nalo1022]

Re: Let's talk greed... Three P-Rails + triple-shots in one guitar!

OK here are the part numbers and quantities of what you will need to order. All of it can be found at mouser.com. Go to the webiste and put those part numbers into the search bar and you will be able to add them to you cart. All together it comes to about $64 USD without shipping etc, and that is cheaper than 3 of the Schatten pots without shipping etc lol.

1x Mounting Board: 854-SB300
3x 250K Linear Donor Tone Pot: 31VA503-F
3x 500K Linear Dual Gang Tone Pot: 31VW505-F
2x 750K Shunting resistor: 71-CMF55750K00BHBF
3x 500K Audio Thumbwheel: 311-1202F-500K
3x 4P3T Off/Series/Parallel Slide Switch: 612-EG4319
3x DPDT Tone Pot Toggle: 108-1MD3T2B3M1QE-EVX
6x Phase Slide Switches: 611-S602031TS03Q
1x 1P12T Rotary Switch: 105-SR2511F-12RN

I will update the diagram sometime this weekend. The only DG pots I could find have a solid shaft so it will impact what kind of knobs you use, but I'm sure we can figure out something that goes with the look you want. Speaking of which what are you thinking style wise for knobs etc?

 

[matizadomrb]

Re: Let's talk greed... Three P-Rails + triple-shots in one guitar!

OK here are the part numbers and quantities of what you will need to order. All of it can be found at mouser.com. Go to the webiste and put those part numbers into the search bar and you will be able to add them to you cart. All together it comes to about $64 USD without shipping etc, and that is cheaper than 3 of the Schatten pots without shipping etc lol.

Fantastic man! Yeah does Schatten look quite ridiculous now! hehehe

How you wanna do this bro? Should I buy the whole lot and ship it to you (I'll need your address... PM me with it) or would you like to make the order yourself and then I just send you the money through Paypal? (in which case I'll need your account email... PM as well)... What do you prefer?

1x Mounting Board: 854-SB300
3x 250K Linear Donor Tone Pot: 31VA503-F
3x 500K Linear Dual Gang Tone Pot: 31VW505-F
2x 750K Shunting resistor: 71-CMF55750K00BHBF
3x 500K Audio Thumbwheel: 311-1202F-500K
3x 4P3T Off/Series/Parallel Slide Switch: 612-EG4319
3x DPDT Tone Pot Toggle: 108-1MD3T2B3M1QE-EVX
6x Phase Slide Switches: 611-S602031TS03Q
1x 1P12T Rotary Switch: 105-SR2511F-12RN

Spot on bro! Just a couple of observations here:

- I think we need 3x 1P12T Rotary Switches (105-SR2511F-12RN) instead of 1x because it is one per pickup, right? Probably just a typo I'm sure, but just wanna make sure it's contemplated within the total.

- On regards to the 3x DPDT Tone Pot Toggle (108-1MD3T2B3M1QE-EVX): is there a way to find out if the bats on these are black? (as in these: http://www.guitarelectronics.com/pr...ON-Mini-Toggle-Switch-w-Bat-Handle-Black.html). These toggles are probably the most "look-altering" components on the scheme (because they go on the body of the guitar), so having them be black ones helps to "camouflage" them.

- For what I can see at mouser.com, all the slide switches seem to be black which is also important because I changed the original cream pickguard for a black one sometime ago. Since the switches are gonna go on the pickguard, having them being black also helps to "camouflage" them a bit more. If there's a way to confirm this as well that would be great (just to be sure).

I will update the diagram sometime this weekend. The only DG pots I could find have a solid shaft so it will impact what kind of knobs you use, but I'm sure we can figure out something that goes with the look you want. Speaking of which what are you thinking style wise for knobs etc?

Great man! Take your time!

Lookwise the main thing I wanna achieve is matching knobs for the DGs and the rotary switches so that the guitar looks as if the knobs are actually for individual volume and tone for each pickup (like on a Gibson ES-5 Switchmaster http://www.premierguitar.com/gear/Guitars/Archtop_Electric_Acoustic/2061/ES_5_Switchmaster.aspx).

On regards to the type of knobs, I do want numbered knobs. Thing is, I use the sweep on the tone a lot so this is useful, and considering that the rotary switches are 12 positions then numbers seem necessary to also have a way to locate where you are. See what I mean?... Now, the problem with this is that all the numbered knobs that I know have splines to secure them to the shaft (the ones that use screws are not numbered, like the barrel types used on Teles or the ones used on Rickenbackers). As you noted the DGs are solid shafts, and for what I can tell from the pics at mouser.com the rotary switches look solid as well. So I figure I will have to somehow mod the knobs to secure them via screws but haven't figured out how yet... Any suggestions bro?

The guitar currently has black reflector cap knobs with "volume" and "tone" labels (http://www.guitarelectronics.com/pr...or-Cap-Tone-Knob-with-Fine-Splines-Black.html). I don't particularly care about those (I've been thinking about changing them for a while actually) and anyway with the scheme we're working on, it doesn't makes a lot of sense to have labels on them. I like speed knobs a lot more (black ones ofcourse), so if possible I'll like to go for those (http://www.guitarelectronics.com/pr...uitar-Speed-Knob-with-Fine-Splines-Black.html)

Overall, as you can see by these knob ideas and the color specs I described above on regards to the slide and toggle switches, my goal is to have a "Black-Beauty" inspired semi-hollow that looks "un-moded" from afar (which is why I insist so much on "camouflaging" the switches!). On regards to the pickups and the mounting rings, I'm thinking about black pups and cream triple shots (as in Peter Frampton's Black Beauty). I really like how it looks with the cream rings giving enough color to the whole black ensemble!... What do you think man?

Cheers!

 

[nalo1022]

Re: Let's talk greed... Three P-Rails + triple-shots in one guitar!

-It would probably be easiest to ship everything to me, and then I'll have all the parts in person so I can get everything together etc

-The toggles aren't black but I remember seeing slip on covers for them. I'll see what I can find

-the 1P12T is a typo, there of course need to be 3 of them.

-I have noticed that solid shaft knobs don't have numbers on them. If you want black Speed Knobs I ma be able to modify them to accept solid shaft with a set screw. Another option is to go with something like this http://store.guitarfetish.com/sobrbltobekn.html and then cut little notches in them. I'm fairly certain I can modify the speed knobs though. I have some extras kicking around in a bin, so I will see what I can do this weekend.

-One thing to consider though is that the numbers on the speed knob probably won't match up to the positions on the rotary. If you set the first position to one position three may appear between 4 and 5 on the knob. You would still have a visual aid to determine the position though.

 

[tc]

Re: Let's talk greed... Three P-Rails + triple-shots in one guitar!

I looked up the Schroeder and I loved it.

Back when I wanted to create the ultimate Stratocaster I wanted something similar. A guitar with a 2-way toggle, a 3-way toggle and a 5-way blade. Instead of the PRS/Ibanez/etc approach where they try to get all the tones in a single wiring set I wanted separate LP wiring and Strat wiring. I'm not fond of trying to mix them up like most brands do, which is along the lines of:

Full neck hum/split neck hum with middle single/middle single/etc.

The only difference I wanted was a straight up middle single coil with P-Rails in the neck and bridge. I don't like middle humbuckers at all, and middle P-90s...I'm indifferent about them.

Good luck and keep us posted! Now THAT is how you introduce yourself to the forum!

 

[matizadomrb]

Re: Let's talk greed... Three P-Rails + triple-shots in one guitar!

-It would probably be easiest to ship everything to me, and then I'll have all the parts in person so I can get everything together etc

Will do so then!

-The toggles aren't black but I remember seeing slip on covers for them. I'll see what I can find

That will work great man. Let me know what you find. Otherwise I'll just omit those from the lot and buy the black ones from guitarelectronics.com

-the 1P12T is a typo, there of course need to be 3 of them.

Agreed!

-I have noticed that solid shaft knobs don't have numbers on them. If you want black Speed Knobs I ma be able to modify them to accept solid shaft with a set screw. Another option is to go with something like this http://store.guitarfetish.com/sobrbltobekn.html and then cut little notches in them. I'm fairly certain I can modify the speed knobs though. I have some extras kicking around in a bin, so I will see what I can do this weekend.

Sounds great dude!... DAMN! Is there anything you CAN'T do brother?! hehehe...

-One thing to consider though is that the numbers on the speed knob probably won't match up to the positions on the rotary. If you set the first position to one position three may appear between 4 and 5 on the knob. You would still have a visual aid to determine the position though.

Yeah I did consider this problem on the rotary switches but can't think of a better solution if I want matching knobs... My main concern is that even though this gives some visual aid, with a 12 cap scheme it may still be too complicated to quickly identify where the heck am I... It's a tough one... Any suggestions are definitely welcome!

 

[nalo1022]

Re: Let's talk greed... Three P-Rails + triple-shots in one guitar!

Found them! these are made for the switches you are ordering. There are other colors too.
-Black switch covers: 108-0033-EV

-An option regarding the rotary switches is to get a small plate with numbers under it, like what is on BB King's Lucille. You could then get a knob with a pointer and lay out numbers where the belong. this would require very thin material for the plate, and you would need a good way to get the numbers on (screenprint, stencil, stickers,?)

 

[matizadomrb]

Re: Let's talk greed... Three P-Rails + triple-shots in one guitar!

I looked up the Schroeder and I loved it.

Back when I wanted to create the ultimate Stratocaster I wanted something similar. A guitar with a 2-way toggle, a 3-way toggle and a 5-way blade. Instead of the PRS/Ibanez/etc approach where they try to get all the tones in a single wiring set I wanted separate LP wiring and Strat wiring. I'm not fond of trying to mix them up like most brands do, which is along the lines of:

Full neck hum/split neck hum with middle single/middle single/etc.

The only difference I wanted was a straight up middle single coil with P-Rails in the neck and bridge. I don't like middle humbuckers at all, and middle P-90s...I'm indifferent about them.

You said it TC!... That Schroeder is a sexy beast!... I really loved it for what it is!... You know, if I wasn't such a crazy obsessive moder I would've been more than happy with that axe... I'll say it's the best solution for a more practical guitarist that just wants incredible versatility in a fantastic guitar!... And it does precisely what you say: separate LP and Strat wiring, plus with the P-Rails you can have an incredible palette of options!

You know, I actually agree with you about the whole wiring schemes that promise a great "collection" of well known tones... If I were trying to reach for that I would just go with the Schroeder scheme... As I've said before, this project of mine is what a call a "tweaker's" guitar because all components that affect the tone can be "tweaked" individually in every possible combination I can imagine. This can certainly help you aim for "classic well known tones" but it is more about having a tool that let's you experiment infinitely without having to mod the guitar every time you wanna try some crazy new idea that's ringing inside your head... I know it may sound like a ridiculous goal but somehow it just makes complete sense to me in my mind and targets my needs perfectly!

Good luck and keep us posted! Now THAT is how you introduce yourself to the forum!

Thanks bro! I will indeed!... I'm very happy to be here and I'm glad other fellow guitarists are enjoying this!... nalo1022 and I are certainly having a blast!... It's like watching two crazy scientists at work, don't ya think?! hehehe... Very Victor Frankenstein (me) and Professor Waldman (nalo1022) working together to give life to The Creature, with Frankenstein obsessed with the possibilities of what he's learning and Waldman telling him how crazy he is but still helping him on every bit of the way!... It's alive! It's alive! hahaha

Cheers!

 

[matizadomrb]

Re: Let's talk greed... Three P-Rails + triple-shots in one guitar!

Found them! these are made for the switches you are ordering. There are other colors too.
-Black switch covers: 108-0033-EV

Awesome dude! I will add three of these to the lot then!

-An option regarding the rotary switches is to get a small plate with numbers under it, like what is on BB King's Lucille. You could then get a knob with a pointer and lay out numbers where the belong. this would require very thin material for the plate, and you would need a good way to get the numbers on (screenprint, stencil, stickers,?)

You know I actually have one of those plates currently installed on the guitar with a Torres Engineering Varitone Superswitch. I put it there precisely because I wanted this feature from the BB King's Lucille!... I could certainly buy a couple more so that I have one per rotary, but those actually take A LOT of space on the guitar so I doubt they will fit on the positions we have determined for these switches (plus it won't help with the look we're trying to achieve)... I'm gonna think harder about this one and do some research to see if I come up with a better solution.

Cheers!

 

[peterbright]

Re: Let's talk greed... Three P-Rails + triple-shots in one guitar!

Wow...it would take years just to sample all the potential variations.

 

[matizadomrb]

Re: Let's talk greed... Three P-Rails + triple-shots in one guitar!

Wow...it would take years just to sample all the potential variations.

You're absolutely right if you see all potential variations as "combos"... Doing some math, I think it would be on the realm of 5000 possibilities or even more... BUT honestly I think that's the wrong approach to this project... Many of the features in this scheme will give very subtle variations that will only be useful when combined in a logical way with others... For example, changing caps values/types will make very little difference in itself, but if you also change the pickup option, the value of the tone pot, and then roll it down a lil' bit, you'll be dialing up a completely different voice... See what I mean?

For me these features on a guitar will work in the same way the features of an effects processor or even an amp do. When you connect the guitar to your amp and put the treble knob on 5, the middle knob on 7, the bass knob on 3, and the gain knob on 4, you don't consider that as being one of the "sounds" the amp can give you, right? If that was the case, the amp will also have thousands of "combos"... Those are merely controls that help you "dial up" the tone in your head by allowing you to shape the signal. Same thing here with this guitar project!

For me this is the logical step after trying a guitar like the Schroeder... It was great in itself with the P-Rails, but was lacking something to make the changes more dramatic and spotted on... Many people have reported as well that the P-Rails' different options are very subtle (kind of like a P-90 pickup with some extra features)... I noticed that on the Schroeder as well and it became apparent to me that expecting a pup like the P-Rail to give you Strat-ish rail sounds, Lester-ish humbucking sounds and Casino-ish P-90 sounds was just impossible because those sounds are influenced by a lot of other things besides the pickups, namely the materials/construction of the guitar and its electronic scheme. With this project you can approach this more accurately because you can adjust the electronic config to mimic that of the guitar scheme that produces the sound you're trying to dial up, and tweak it even further to compensate for the limitations of the materials and construction of the guitar in use so you can approach the desired sound even more.

Heck if this project works as I expect I might even try it again on a guitar with different materials and construction. Mine is a semi-hollow, maple, with rosewood fretboard, a glued neck and tune-o-matic/stopbar bridge-tail. I may try it on a Telecaster Thinline Deluxe, which is ash, maple fretboard, bolt-on neck, and even though it has a string through body bridge I may install a Strat-ish tremolo arm (like on a Classic Player Tele or a J5 Triple Tele that even has three humbucker pups). That alone will give me a guitar with very different tonal characteristics even if the wiring scheme and pickups are the same... See what I mean?

Cheers!

 

[nalo1022]

Re: Let's talk greed... Three P-Rails + triple-shots in one guitar!

Hey man I found some cheaper DPDT (phase switches) part# 10SM002. The switches are black, but their casing is metal, but you can paint that with nail polish or something.

 

[nalo1022]

Re: Let's talk greed... Three P-Rails + triple-shots in one guitar!

Here is the updated diagram
-1T12T rotary switch added
-3P3T tone toggle replaced with DPDT on/off/on toggle
-shunting resistor added to bridge and middle volume pots

 

[matizadomrb]

Re: Let's talk greed... Three P-Rails + triple-shots in one guitar!

Hey brother!

That looks great man! The day is getting closer for starting production on the project!

Just one question:

- Pink switches (pot selection): in the diagram you say the DPDT on/off/on toggle does A/Bypass/off... Looks like there's a typo there, right?... I suppose it is A/Bypass/B with A being the 500K pot, Bypass being the off position (no pot, straight to output), and B being the 250K pot... No biggie but just wanted to make sure


On another note, I've been doing some research on the net regarding to the knobs for the rotary switches. I figured the only way make the numbering on the knob match the position of each dent of the roatry is to have them custom made. I found a couple of websites that may be able to do so. I emailed them and now I'm waiting for a reply. As soon as I hear back from any of them I'll let you know.

Also I finished doing the cap selection with Jonesey from tonemojo.com. I'll make a detailed post on it later this weekend. It looks fantastic but it's turning out to be insanely expensive!... I really have to asses if the cost-benefits of having all those boutique caps is really worth it. More on this later.

Cheers!