Passive boosters

OK, so my parts are in and I am ready to see how this thing operates. I have opted to connected via mini toggle so that it is either boost or bypass. I do not have an on/off mini, but I do have an on/on or on/off/on. Will the wiring in the attached schematic work using the on/on? Please be kind with both my ideas and my schematic as I am a lawyer posing as an electrician here! Thanks for any guidance.
 

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DonP said:
Yep, that will do nicely. Now - about that bar exam you want me to sit for you...
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Thanks!! I will post some clips as soon as I have it in! Don't worry about the bar exam...I will just plagiarize your ideas!
 
I did not like those pups. They are gone now, mostly. I put the neck microcoil in the bridge and put Bill Lawrence L280 neck and middle in their place. I will post another clip if anyone likes.

I am still surprised by the perceived boost here. It is so pronouced, it might work better on a pot so it is not all or nothing. However, I like it enough to leave it on all the time.
 
From checking into this device it looks like it uses a small step-up transformer.

If so, the boost is real, not perceived. However, it is a voltage boost, not a total power boost. Because power (watts) can be expressed as EMF (volts) times current (amps), if a transformer boosts the voltage, the current must go down. The transformer isn’t creating anything; it can be thought of as just transforming the power.

For example, if a transformer doubles the voltage, it will necessarily halve the current. But, the power remains the same. If I have 2 volts at 2 amps, the total power is 4 Watts. If I have 4 volts at 1 amp, I still have a total power output of 4 watts.

In the situation of the booster you installed, the little device probably is transforming the signal to boost the voltage. The current of that signal is being reduced, however. There is no “free lunch”, as they say.

Nevertheless, since the circuits our guitars immediately touch are more voltage sensitive, and have a very low current draw, the reduced current capability is of less concern than the increased voltage.
 
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smitty_p said:
From checking into this device it looks like it uses a small step-up transformer.

If so, the boost is real, not perceived. However, it is a voltage boost, not a total power boost. Because power (watts) can be expressed as EMF (volts) times current (amps), if a transformer boosts the voltage, the current must go down. The transformer isn’t creating anything; it can be thought of as just transforming the power.

For example, if a transformer doubles the voltage, it will necessarily halve the current. But, the power remains the same. If I have 2 volts at 2 amps, the total power is 4 Watts. If I have 4 volts at 1 amp, I still have a total power output of 4 watts.

In the situation of the booster you installed, the little device probably is transforming the signal to boost the voltage. The current of that signal is being reduced, however. There is no “free lunch”, as they say.

Nevertheless, since the circuits our guitars immediately touch are more voltage sensitive, and have a very low current draw, the reduced current capability is of less concern than the increased voltage.
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The device does use a transformer, but only as an inductor. The transformer secondary is not connected to anything.
 
I’m referring to the fully-enclosed Villex device. Are you referring to the mod with the little blue transformer?

Edit:

I thought RVA was installing the Villex, but forgot he did the other mod.

My bad.
 
smitty_p said:
I’m referring to the fully-enclosed Villex device. Are you referring to the mod with the little blue transformer?
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Yes, I'm talking about the mod Ray has made. I don't really know what goes on inside the Villex device. I worry about the idea of a step-up transformer though. Looking back from the amp to tthe guitar,it will put a lower load impedance on the pickup, which will dull the sound - lose top end.
 
Losing a little top end could actually be a positive thing if someone is trying to tame some spikiness on a Strat.

I'm actually considering the Villex Strat output jack that comes preinstalled with the Villex transformer, just for that reason.
 
smitty_p said:
I’m referring to the fully-enclosed Villex device. Are you referring to the mod with the little blue transformer?

Edit:

I thought RVA was installing the Villex, but forgot he did the other mod.

My bad.
Click to expand...
Still interesting and informative though. Thanks
 
DonP said:
Yes, I'm talking about the mod Ray has made. I don't really know what goes on inside the Villex device. I worry about the idea of a step-up transformer though. Looking back from the amp to tthe guitar,it will put a lower load impedance on the pickup, which will dull the sound - lose top end.
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I did read that this would be along the lines of a mid boost. However, the frequency boost sounds even to me. I think I perceive a slight mid boost, but this could be more my expectation than anything else. In any event, the device sure does work.
 
These may be popping up around my house more. I just ordered 20 transformers! They can be had for $2.16 USD at Mouser plus shipping. Mouser also has an Australian website.

So, how would changing the cap value affect the performance? I have a bunch of .033uf and .047uf caps handy, but .039uf caps are harder to come by.
 
the bigger the cap, the lower the frequency the boost happens at. Also it will kill more of the top end.
 
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Another booster in play. I would like to take this moment to note that my fabulous booster is being met with a luke warm reception by the public. However, like the Seinfeld and Cheers sitcoms, which were largely ignored the first season, I think that the wildfire will be raging soon!!!

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OK, one more guitar "boosted". After doing 3, I am certain that the addition of the booster lowers the output when it is not on, so the boost is not perceived, but actual. Any ideas?

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Do you like the sound when it's off?
Do you like the sound when it's on?
If the answer is "yes" to both.....party on....
 
Thatbastarddon said:
Do you like the sound when it's off?
Do you like the sound when it's on?
If the answer is "yes" to both.....party on....
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Well, yes but in certain instances, like the red tele, it is barely audible when not engaged unless the volume is all the way up. With the other 2, it is just low and requires a fair volume increase to meet my usual volume level in the "off" position.
 
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