Question about the blackout preamp

[Thrash it up]

Hello,
I just bought a new guitar and it was a limited edition run. The thing I didn't know was that the guitar is set with a JB/Jazz set AND the new blackout modular preamp (wasn't written anywhere). Since I'm more a passive tone fan, I turned the preamp pot on 0 to play without the effect but my question is:
Does the preamp still affect the sound even "off", or will I have a difference if I completelly remove it and change the electronics to have a 100% passive one?

Thanks in advance

 

[mustaine-who?]

Re: Question about the blackout preamp

I didn't think you could turn off the pre-amp...?

 

[Thrash it up]

Re: Question about the blackout preamp

The preamp is a knob like a classical active boost but without the push pull. So I turned the knob on zero and the sound is more similar to what passive p-u should sound.
So the question, is the sound the same as a normal passive sound or is it still colored a bit, slighty muted?

 

[Mad Raxz]

Re: Question about the blackout preamp

Besudes the modular preamp are your other pots 500k or 25k? This would affect the tone.
If you dont plan on using it at all I sujest you remove the preamp, sell it, and install a CTS 500k pot.

 

[Thrash it up]

Re: Question about the blackout preamp

I just checked in the cavity and here's what inseide:

General volume knob: 50K
General tone knob: 250K
and the preamp: 50K

It seems that it would change the tone... What do you recommand to have a 100% passive sound? all 500K?

 

[Mad Raxz]

Re: Question about the blackout preamp

IMO 500k pots are a better match for the Hotrod set (JB/Jazz). The 50kś are for active electronics so if you're not going to use the modular preamp switch em! And take the modular out of course, there are plenty of dudes, me too, who would love to buy it.

If the JB is too bright with a 500k tone pot reinstall the 250k, but try all 500k's first.

 

[Mad Raxz]

Re: Question about the blackout preamp

My pots of choice are CTS no-load http://www.guitarelectronics.com/product/CPC500NL/CTS-500K-No-Load-Guitar-Control-Pot.html

If youre gonna rewire put a nice cap in too, Bumblebees are killer, just press "tone caps" here http://www.singlecoil.com/shop.html

For wiring diagrams I would base myself on this one
http://www.seymourduncan.com/support/wiring-diagrams/schematics.php?schematic=2h_2v_1t_3w

But change to 50's style wiring with independent volume controls, third entry on this thread http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/tonefreaks/558-wiring-library.html

 

[Guston7]

Re: Question about the blackout preamp

Thrash,
Any chance you could post a pic or diagram of how that's wired up? I have a couple of BO's and, short of adding addition switch/switchs, I haven't come up with an easy way to get passive/active together. I'd love to see how you can 'roll' a pot into active.

 

[Thrash it up]

Re: Question about the blackout preamp

Thanks a lot for your answer. I actually already have 2 similar guitars that have a JB with 500K pots (I just checked) and I love its sound that way. It's probably that sound that I miss on the new guitar... I'll buy some 500K pots and hear the changes.

I tried to make a pic of the electronic but seriously, you don't see clearly how it's wired, I'll try a diagram so.
But to answer you first, the pot used for the pream seems to be a ancient volume knob linked to the tone one and to the preamp electronic card by 2 cables

 

[Thrash it up]

Re: Question about the blackout preamp

By taking a look on the website I just realised that the blackout preamp is a different thing... What I got is a card linked to a pot (I add a pic)
CAn someone tell me what this thing is?

 

[Thrash it up]

Re: Question about the blackout preamp

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/85/img1589rg.jpg

 

[Guston7]

Re: Question about the blackout preamp

That looks very much like the active boost circuit that was in some Westone (thunder?) and Vester guitars from a long while back. I was a kid back then and didn't know what the heck I was looking at. There's gotta be some forum members that have better experience w/similar.

 

[Thrash it up]

Re: Question about the blackout preamp

K thanks