I believe the diodes are being used for some type of passive clipping distortion circuit.
Printable View
I believe the diodes are being used for some type of passive clipping distortion circuit.
That certainly makes sense. Pups don't have a very high output voltage so they probably use Schottky diodes in a configuration similar to one of the examples in the pic below. I'd be keen to hear your axe when you're done!
Cheers
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...up42-image.jpg
[quote]/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/Quote from WeirdBits on October 29, 2013, 19:24
I believe the diodes are being used for some type of passive clipping distortion circuit.
Exactly Scott, it will cut the power a bit but (hopefully) give a little distortion resulting in a nice snarly tone.
Gavin, I would have been sure you would have known about this little device, they can be purchased (stewmac has them).
They are marketed under the brand "black ice", a little box with some (maybe 3 or 4 diods) and think they cost about $25us.
There are some diagrams for these on the net, a few different ones, I have wired mine a little different, but thats what it's all about.
Look at them on the net, Lawrey, and maybe have a go and add one in to one of your guitars.
I got 12 diods (buy 10 or more it is a bit cheaper) for $5.20 or something. Got mine from Tandy, but any electronic supply shop will have them.
You can use then on a pot, wired up instead of a cap. or on a switch or even just straight on the output jack.
Experiment is the just an added bonus to "building" your own guitars, although I have experimented on my gibson and one of my fenders (actually two, but one was stolen).
Here is a pic of the mod, although not much to see.
The blue wire is soldered to where the cap would be the other end of the diods is soldered to earth
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...-DSC_03841.JPG
Spot on Lawry, my mod is as the 3rd dia, but using four, two one way 2 the other.
:o
Cool. With your mod you get a reasonably symmetrical clip. If you use the one with the three diodes the clipping is more asymmetrical and is 'said' to be more valve-like. It's an easy change you may want to try sometime.
Hi Lawry.
I have over-drive to fuzz (and just about every thing in between) so am just mucking around to see what happens.
The guitar is for my grandaughter, so I may even just go with two diods.
But, being on a pot it (hopefully) will be able to "tone" down a bit.
Will just see what it is like, and make any changes that I think might be needed.
Thanks for the input.I might try to make a short recording of the guitar when it's done, but not sure when that will be.
Ok, today I thought that I might as well put a treble bleed in there (since I had the bits), but when that was finished I thought I may as well put the pick guard on, then might as well put the neck on.
Thats where I stopped have to leave something to do on a few other days.
I am starting to want to find out what it will sound like and if the mods made will be working as i think they should. (Been known to do mods and have them not do what I have expected, but hey gives me something to think about to find out why)
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...q-DSC_0415.JPG
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...8-DSC_0416.JPG
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...6-DSC_0417.JPG
here is another 3 pix, next is the bridge. On my strat the first thing I did was to jam the tremelo, and am not sure if to keep it or block it.
will depend on how I feel when I do it. my thought is to block it, if Montana's brother gets his hands on it it will be useless anyway, so thats a good reason to block it.
Oh, If you look close you will notice that 3 of the machine heads dont have a screw, they will after my next trip to Bunnings (Masters is too far away at present).
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...2-DSC_0418.JPG
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...4-DSC_0419.JPG
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...9-DSC_0420.JPG
That's looking really cool. Fantastic Chickaster.
Hey Ric,
When I first saw the paint job I thought it might be a bit too lipstick pink. But i was wrong! It looks really, really great all assembled. The colour balance seems to be just right! I'm really digging it. Maybe I'm channeling my feminine side?? ;).
Great work!
Cheers,
Gavin.
Stan had "pinkcaster", lawry came up with "chickaster".
It's official, competition too close so there is no winner. Both very good.
Yes , Gavin the finish turned out ok, it could be better but I'm happy with it. It took a lot of sanding and respraying
but I think Montana will think it's great and that's the main thing.
Her birthday is not until February, so I may get to "play it in a little" be for she gets it.
I think it's the perfect gift. She's bound to be rapt. Great build Ricmo, you should be proud.
I think the term is break it in. It's all part of the service - making sure that it all works, etc. before you give it away.Quote:
/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/Quote from Ricmo on October 31, 2013, 18:08
Her birthday is not until February, so I may get to "play it in a little" be for she gets it.
Yeah. Sort of like a pre-flight check. You'll be doing her a favour.
That's why I still have the Red Menace... Making sure it works properly before delivery!
Hey! Thanks for the thumbs up, now I wont feel bad, It will be played to find out if there any faults, and make sure it is going to be good enough (he he he he he he).
ok, today I put the bridge on set the tremelo up but then blocked it.
Put the strings on and set it up, will finalise it over the next few days.
Haven't played it yet, it works as the tuner done it's job.
Hey might just play it now, hold on a second.
Having troublle with my blue tooth so sent the pic by email. dont matter here is a pic of the front and back. Gosh hope it worked.
If not I'll try later now to the guitar.
Well, well, well,,,,that was nice. just played an old instrumental (southern 'aura) {I think thats how it's spelt}.
Ok, first off all mods worked as expected, or hoped. My master tone works on all three pups', and the diods are working over time.
On the back pup, it is harsh (although I have my hearing aids in) if the highs are not rolled off a bit.
It is set up so that zero is off and as its turned up to 10 it increases the distortion, overdrive, under drive (?) or whatever. Which means zero when just playing,,,UNLESS {hehehe}
Tomorrow I'll give it a bit if a working over and try it through the blues jr and see what it really sounds like.
I'm interested to see if the pic turned out so until next time.
Ok, it didn't, maybe one day I'll figure these computers out.
Here they are.
Just noticed the pink paint on the neck screws, and I dont know what that white is on the machine heads
The paper has been off for some time, must be the flash hold on, oops sorry it is the paper, dont know why I didn't notice before.
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...u-DSC_0423.JPG
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...b-DSC_0424.JPG
Looks fantastic Rick and I'm glad all the wiring worked out for you. I noticed in the top picture that there is a lot of shine on the fretboard, have you put something on it? (You have probably already answered that in a previous post I suppose). I reckon you're going to have a very happy young lady with a smile on her face soon. I'm pretty keen to hear how the clipping mod (diodes) sounds in various combos. Any chance of uploading some sound bites or a video? Congrats.
Hi lawry, ummm, you want to know all my secretes! Ok no need to twist my arm, I decided to oil it and thought that I might try tru oil (which I did). I really like the feel of my tele, both finger board and neck, it is sooooo smooth. I was hoping to copy that but fell way short (not that this is bad, just that the tele is very very good).
As for a sound sample, although I have heaps of recording stuff, I hate to say this, but I cant use it. Can't even get the garage band on the computer to work, and hopeless to try to get the boss going, and dont even talk about the other stuff (mostly for computer recording, thats never worked) it just dont work for me. I have recorded my friend, but never been happy with anything I put down. BUT may be one day it might come together.
Have given it a bit of a play today (misses dont like it distorted very much), everything is working fine. It is very LOUD, if I move the volume any lower on either the amp or guitar it dont make any noise, it hums, just too much power I think and the diodes dont appear to take anything away from the sound at all. I'm happy that I put them in, although I might change it to two instead of four, UuuuMmmmm , maybe next time.
great to see the pinkchickaster is up and running - looks great - she will love it I'm sure, well done.
Hey Ric. If you reduce the diodes from two to one in each direction you will actually get the clipping happening sooner. That's because the voltage across the diodes will only need to be half of what it currently is before clipping commences. If you want the control to have less effect, try putting three diodes in series. Keep in mind though that this is a super simple circuit that can only give you basic fuzz. Cheers.Quote:
/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/Quote from Ricmo on November 2, 2013, 09:45
I think and the diodes dont appear to take anything away from the sound at all. I'm happy that I put them in, although I might change it to two instead of four, UuuuMmmmm , maybe next time.
Ok,Ok, pinkchickaster Stan, that takes the cake.
Now mucked about with it a little today, found out why I had full volume straight after "1". either the pots' faulty of the mod is not working.
What ever it is it's ok, very easily fixed. (one day).
I might put a mini switch on the diods and make that pot a tone for the back pup, maybe. Whatever I do will be, I'm not too worried, it's ok as is I think.
Here is some pix of the finished guitar and the amp, a 15w line six spider. One of my friends gave it to me when she decided to stop playing.
It's not my favourite amp, just siting there taking up space.
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...v-DSC_0426.JPG
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...c-DSC_0427.JPG
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...9-DSC_0428.JPG
You're gonna have one very happy granddaughter there!
Very cool Very pink and you will have one very happy Grand-daughter
That's an awesome gift to receive from your Gramps. Beware that wearing gravity boots while taking pictures causees high blood pressure. /JK
Ahhh! not to woried about high blood pressure, I take tablets for that (hahaha)
Thanks to every one for there thoughts,
I still have to do a few little things, like check out the vol pot, and maybe make a few small action settings and general fiddling.
Went to Billy-Hyde today they have a reasonable soft case for $30 that will do nicely to protect it . Saw a nice strap some where, only have to remember where it was now.
Then that will just about finish it, oh a few picks, which I have anyhow.
SO, thanks again guys and I look forward to my next build, maybe (hopefully) order it be fore the end of the year.
Cheers.
Well, nothing to do, time to look at the volume control on Montana.
Silly thing, cut the circuit out and it works just fine, good her dad can hook it up again if it is ever wanted. (i'd say it never will).
Checked the tone circuit, yeah that is as good as it will be, once again it can be modified again if it ever wants to be. It never will I think.
A slight problem with the neck relief, the truss rod seems to have slack in it, it's ok at present but I want it better as the action is a little high up around the 12th fret. I will look at this after Christmas, although this will not stop it from being played, I'd still like to get it as good as possible.
Here are a few pix of the guitar in it's bag.
Cheers.
Ps, the intonation is very good, heaps better than the TL1-TB (which is not good at all)
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...d-DSC_0443.JPG
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...d-DSC_0444.JPG
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...4-DSC_0446.JPG
Oh DB, I got the bass, I'm adding the pestness to it!!!Quote:
/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/Quote from dingobass on September 24, 2013, 18:09
I have got HEAPS of Conch Girl.... got it in especially for Gavmeister :)
Hi Guys, had so much trouble logging in, password wouldn't work, registered with a different address, didn't work, so used an old address that g-mail is still allowing me to use. The reason for the different name!
My grand daughter was very happy with her guitar, see pic.
NOW I have ordered "TAYLOR", should be here in a few days, so hope I will be able to give progress reports.
Look forward to your suggestions and any fault finding that I may have missed out on.
Rick
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-con...327_171841.jpg
great guitar Rick, she looks pretty happy with it. A junior rocker in the making for sure
Hey surfmusic, it's me, Ricmo, you! Woooo-ooo-oooo. Lol.
Sorry mate, it's Adam, just seeing if there's anything wrong with your login. I could login fine with that temp password I sent you, so, not sure what's up. As you say, it may be your browser's remembering some cookies or something. Anyhoo, surfmusic is a cool name and we know who you are. But, all your old posts will be under "Ricmo".
Adam (not Ricmo)
Oh almost forgot, although it played well I was not completely happy, after a few measurements and thinking, I took the neck off and shimed it.
That pulled the neck back, adjusted the bridge and now it is very good.
THE END