Some Questions regarding H/S/H config - help!

[Johnny Q]

Hello All:

I am in the process of refurbing my 1980's-something Charvel, I have decided on the CC for the bridge a Twangbanger for the middle and an Alnico Pro II for the neck. The guitar is a typical Strat style, 5 way toggle switch, 1 volume, 2 tones - no fancy push/pull pots. I also plan on upgrading the electronics, so my questions are:

1) Pot values?? 500K for all three?
2) Pots - long or short??
3) Cap values?
3) do I need a reverse wound twangbanger/do they make such a thing

Thanks for your help!

JQ

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Some Questions regarding H/S/H config - help!

Hello All:

I am in the process of refurbing my 1980's-something Charvel, I have decided on the CC for the bridge a Twangbanger for the middle and an Alnico Pro II for the neck. The guitar is a typical Strat style, 5 way toggle switch, 1 volume, 2 tones - no fancy push/pull pots. I also plan on upgrading the electronics, so my questions are:

1) Pot values?? 500K for all three?
2) Pots - long or short??
3) Cap values?
3) do I need a reverse wound twangbanger/do they make such a thing

Thanks for your help!

JQ

1) I'd go for 500K for all three myself because the Custom Custom, Twangbanger and Alnico 2 Pro are not bright glassy sounding pickups and the 500K value will retain the highs better...especially for the CC. I'd be afraid 250K would make the Custom Custom sound to dark. You should experiment though and see what you like....

2) Short or standard

3) I like .02 Orange Drops...again though: you should experiment.

4) I'd get the Alnico 2 as a RW/RP even though you'll be using it as a neck pickup so when it's combined with the Twangbanger you'll have humcancelling.

5) The Twangbanger might be a little strong for a middle pickup...it's a bridge pickup you know. But then again, maybe it'll combine nicely with the Custom Custom. Let us know how it turns out...

 

[tone4days]

Re: Some Questions regarding H/S/H config - help!

you didnt say what kind of music you are playing, what body wood, neck wood, or fingerboard wood you have, so my advice is aimed at a "happenin' tone for general versatility" ... i love your choices for n and b ... plenty of creamy warm, but punchy A2 goodness!! ... i was wonderin' if the cool rails or even hot rails would be a better choice (VR if you want a little less heat for more bluesy twang) ... or if you can wait, one of the new classic stacks might be perfect too ... another choice might be a lil 59 for the middle ...

good luck and let us know what you end up with

cheers
t4d

 

[Johnny Q]

Re: Some Questions regarding H/S/H config - help!

5) The Twangbanger might be a little strong for a middle pickup...it's a bridge pickup you know. But then again, maybe it'll combine nicely with the Custom Custom. Let us know how it turns out...

This is a good point, I see its wound like 10K-ish?? Are there any other Alnico 2 single coils you would recommend, that would blend well with the CC and Alnico Pro II??? Does it have to be an Alnico II single coil?? I was thinking perhaps the Quarter pounder as an alternative....

JQ

 

[Johnny Q]

Re: Some Questions regarding H/S/H config - help!

you didnt say what kind of music you are playing, what body wood, neck wood, or fingerboard wood you have, so my advice is aimed at a "happenin' tone for general versatility" ... i love your choices for n and b ... plenty of creamy warm, but punchy A2 goodness!! ... i was wonderin' if the cool rails or even hot rails would be a better choice (VR if you want a little less heat for more bluesy twang) ... or if you can wait, one of the new classic stacks might be perfect too ... another choice might be a lil 59 for the middle ...

good luck and let us know what you end up with

cheers
t4d

On this particular guitar, I will be playing a lot of early VH, Dokken, Ratt - in fact....the guitar is done up in snakeskin like Warren DeMartini!

Its a basswood body, maple neck w/ Jumbo frets, Floyd Rose w/ body routed so you can pull WAY up.

JQ

 

[tone4days]

Re: Some Questions regarding H/S/H config - help!

:headbang: :smokin: :beerchug:

i bet that axe will be killer !!! .. SNAKESKIN !!! .. i'm DROOLIN"!!!!

with that wood and that kinda music, i'd go with the Hot Rails as a first choice (21 day return policy makes it low risk) ... it will keep up nicely with the CC and AIIP, and cleans up nicely when you roll it back and lower it a touch if you have to ...

you gotta take pics and give us clips when its done

Out on the streets, that's where we'll meet
You make the night, I always cross the line ...

cheers
t4d

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Some Questions regarding H/S/H config - help!

I just want to point out that he said HSH, so the Alnico Pro is the APH-1. So since you have a humbucker in the neck and bridge the middle can be either a standard or RWRP, but standard is usually cheaper and easier to find.

I wouldn't be so quick to pass up the twangbanger, if it sucks, swap it for a stack or Alnico Pro single. If not, you may start a new revolution! (I like the idea, it seems like it'll be a gutsy single coil tone when you want it. In fact, I want to try it)

 

[Johnny Q]

Re: Some Questions regarding H/S/H config - help!

:headbang: :smokin: :beerchug:

i bet that axe will be killer !!! .. SNAKESKIN !!! .. i'm DROOLIN"!!!!

with that wood and that kinda music, i'd go with the Hot Rails as a first choice (21 day return policy makes it low risk) ... it will keep up nicely with the CC and AIIP, and cleans up nicely when you roll it back and lower it a touch if you have to ...

you gotta take pics and give us clips when its done

Out on the streets, that's where we'll meet
You make the night, I always cross the line ...

cheers
t4d

Hehehe!! I'm crackin up here.... Yeah - this sucker has been in its case since the 1980's, at that time it saw lots of gigs and hairspray. Its a real hack job, my buddy did it. But the fact that its "homegrown" is part of its charm, as personal as a fingerprint. Its got some type of weird humbuckers in it now, the pole pieces are flat and as big as what you see on the Quarter Pounder. My buddy told me they are Bill Lawrence, but damned if I can find anything in his past/present catalog that fits the description.

JQ

 

[Johnny Q]

Re: Some Questions regarding H/S/H config - help!

Well - the snakeskin Charvel is back from the shop with a CC Trembucker in the bridge, the APS pro Flat single coil in the middle and the AP2 Humbucker in the neck. New 500K pots and Hoveland caps from RS installed as well.

First - the CC.......I am in love!!! I wanted this guitar to be my VH guitar, but wanted a slightly more modern sound, and for some reason was leary about putting lower output pickups in this axe. The CC is one of the coolest pickups I have ever used, it is almost a guilty pleasure playing through this thing, its so damn smooth. I can get the early VH tones no prob (with the right amp) and basically any 80's hair metal tones as well. Mission accomplished....

The APS flat single coil? Good, but nothing special.

The AP2 Neck bucker, oh wow... I may just have to refit all my guitars with this one in the neck, what a lovely sound.

Another happy customer..........

JQ