OP
N(ly)MGD!
- Thread starter smitty_p
- Start date
OP
Thanks, Don.
I have an update that I still have to post. Call it "Rev B".
If you haven't seen the original mod thread, go here:
Possible Upcoming Jackson Mods
OP
So, it’s time to talk about Rev B.
Back on Post #32 I posted a pic of the control cavity with the controls organized how I originally planned things out. Essentially, that layout provides a control pattern as illustrated below:
When I first started planning this mod, that seemed to be a good layout.
In a typical four knob setup, like a Les Paul or SG, the bridge control may actually be slightly forward of the neck control in playing position, but it is decidedly lower on the body. However, in practice with my modded Jackson at its normal playing angle, the neck and bridge volume and tone controls ended up being nearly perfectly level, with the neck control to the rear of the bridge control.
After playing this on several occasions, I realized I kept reminding myself which knob controlled what while playing.
So, I decided to rearrange things. Of course, I ended up de-soldering most of the controls!
Here's the new gut shot:
And here is the new arrangement:
In playing position, I'm finding this arrangement to be decidedly more intuitive and natural.
Back on Post #32 I posted a pic of the control cavity with the controls organized how I originally planned things out. Essentially, that layout provides a control pattern as illustrated below:
When I first started planning this mod, that seemed to be a good layout.
In a typical four knob setup, like a Les Paul or SG, the bridge control may actually be slightly forward of the neck control in playing position, but it is decidedly lower on the body. However, in practice with my modded Jackson at its normal playing angle, the neck and bridge volume and tone controls ended up being nearly perfectly level, with the neck control to the rear of the bridge control.
After playing this on several occasions, I realized I kept reminding myself which knob controlled what while playing.
So, I decided to rearrange things. Of course, I ended up de-soldering most of the controls!
Here's the new gut shot:
And here is the new arrangement:
In playing position, I'm finding this arrangement to be decidedly more intuitive and natural.
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Totally makes sense to me! Well done sir! I hope this setup serves you well.
Really good work there....
OP
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syscokid
Ambassador of War & Peace
OP
Yeah. Thanks, dude.
There’s a lot going on in there - coil splitting and phase switching in addition to the normal controls!
I ~think~ I may finally be done....
(Aw, who am I kidding? I’m sure some other idea will pop into my head!)
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ninjaking67
Ambassador of Good Will
Looks like you could squeeze a single coil in between the 2 HBs for another half dozen or more tonal combinations!
OP
Don't think I haven't considered it!
OP
You know what would be funny and cool?
If I ever did decide to add a third pickup, I could send the guitar to @Hackmaster to do the routing for the pickup.
I'd still do all the wiring, but having him route the cavity would be a cool collaborative forum effort!
Dang you, Ninja!
Now, I have more mod thoughts in my head!
OP
Yup...went through a full rehearsal.
I like this waaaay better.
I wish I would have thought of doing it this way from the start.
OP
So, I stumbled onto a little side benefit of the phase switching.
You can vary the amount of cancellation by adjusting the volume control of either pickup. Cancellation is greatest when they are about equal, such as both at maximum. As you turn down the volume of either pickup, the degree of cancellation decreases, which opens up a whole new range of tonal territory.
I get what’s going on and it makes perfect sense, but I didn’t anticipate this.
Back when I first started talking about my Les Paul Studio project ( Les Paul Studio Project ), @DonP suggested doing this on that guitar, too. I didn’t do it because I just assumed I wouldn’t have any use for it. Now, I think I’m going to get another push-pull pot for that guitar and set it up for out-of-phase switching, too.
You can vary the amount of cancellation by adjusting the volume control of either pickup. Cancellation is greatest when they are about equal, such as both at maximum. As you turn down the volume of either pickup, the degree of cancellation decreases, which opens up a whole new range of tonal territory.
I get what’s going on and it makes perfect sense, but I didn’t anticipate this.
Back when I first started talking about my Les Paul Studio project ( Les Paul Studio Project ), @DonP suggested doing this on that guitar, too. I didn’t do it because I just assumed I wouldn’t have any use for it. Now, I think I’m going to get another push-pull pot for that guitar and set it up for out-of-phase switching, too.
DonP
Guest
Yes, and there is another benefit of phase cancellation. It's really easy to set pickup heights. Put the bridge pickup where you like it, then adjust the height of the neck pickup for cancellation with both at full volume. It's surprisingly easy to do.
OP
Update:
I removed the phase switching. I literally never use it. Phase switching is interesting and I can see how some may use it. But, I’ve personally never used it, and I kind of don’t like having extraneous stuff in the control cavity that I’m not using.
Also, I moved the neck pickup to the bridge and put my Seymour Duncan Jazz pickup in the neck. I did have a Seymour Duncan TB-5 Trembucker in the bridge and a Seymour Duncan SH-1B ‘59 bridge pickup in the neck. They actually pair up fairly nicely.
But, I wanted something a little less gainy.
Overall, this makes the guitar more versatile and useful to me.
(Incidentally, the kids in the class who are paying attention will notice my SH-1B has the “Seymour Duncan” logo, but those pickups don’t have the logo when you see them on the Seymour Duncan website. I had custom ordered this one to have the logo when I first did these mods.)
I removed the phase switching. I literally never use it. Phase switching is interesting and I can see how some may use it. But, I’ve personally never used it, and I kind of don’t like having extraneous stuff in the control cavity that I’m not using.
Also, I moved the neck pickup to the bridge and put my Seymour Duncan Jazz pickup in the neck. I did have a Seymour Duncan TB-5 Trembucker in the bridge and a Seymour Duncan SH-1B ‘59 bridge pickup in the neck. They actually pair up fairly nicely.
But, I wanted something a little less gainy.
Overall, this makes the guitar more versatile and useful to me.
(Incidentally, the kids in the class who are paying attention will notice my SH-1B has the “Seymour Duncan” logo, but those pickups don’t have the logo when you see them on the Seymour Duncan website. I had custom ordered this one to have the logo when I first did these mods.)
I prefer to alter magnet polarity to yield a 180° OOP condition anytime you are in the middle position. Since I seldom use both pickups together, it makes sense to have it.
Now on my #1 Les Paul, it's getting the Jimmy Page 21 Tone Wire Harness, so it should be a super versatile session guitar...
