Hoffman Amplifiers Tube Amplifier Forum

Amp Stuff => Tube Amp Building - Tweaks - Repairs => Topic started by: phsyconoodler on April 28, 2010, 12:25:02 pm

Title: adding a large mid-boost to a guitar
Post by: phsyconoodler on April 28, 2010, 12:25:02 pm

I was wondering if anyone has added a mid-boost to a strat?I know altering the mids can boost the output,but was wondering where the cap would need to be.

 :smiley:

Title: Re: adding a large mid-boost to a guitar
Post by: tubesornothing on April 28, 2010, 12:46:45 pm

Sounds interesting.  Are you thinking that there is a passive circuit for this?  It would have to be something that knocks off the highs and lows to bump the mids.  I notice a lot of active kits out there for a strat mid boost.

Title: Re: adding a large mid-boost to a guitar
Post by: phsyconoodler on April 28, 2010, 12:48:32 pm

I was looking at the Villex strat booster,but it's way too pricey for me.I bet we could come up with something that works like that for cheap.

Title: Re: adding a large mid-boost to a guitar
Post by: FYL on April 28, 2010, 02:21:14 pm

Quote

I bet we could come up with something that works like that for cheap.

Try http://www.blueguitar.org/new/schem/_gtr/dual_mid.gif

Title: Re: adding a large mid-boost to a guitar
Post by: phsyconoodler on April 28, 2010, 02:43:37 pm

Cool! Thanks FYL!!

Title: Re: adding a large mid-boost to a guitar
Post by: tubesornothing on April 28, 2010, 03:19:12 pm

Let us know what you think.  This is passive and will cut hi/lo and leave mids high, giving the impression of a mid boost.

Title: Re: adding a large mid-boost to a guitar
Post by: FYL on April 28, 2010, 03:24:05 pm

Quote

This is passive and will cut hi/lo and leave mids high, giving the impression of a mid boost.

If you want a real boost you've got to go active...

Title: Re: adding a large mid-boost to a guitar
Post by: jjasilli on April 28, 2010, 07:40:10 pm

Damn now I want to build another Strat!  (FYL has been hot lately!)

Title: Re: adding a large mid-boost to a guitar
Post by: zendragon63 on April 28, 2010, 10:06:16 pm

Physco, I was experimenting to get a little more of a Blackmore sound from my Strat a couple of months ago and ended up trying the inductor mid notch thing--attached--so it is a little different than the blueguitar setup. Replaced one of the tone controls so I didn't drill another hole in the pickguard. Switched in, it works OK and does help take away some of the high end harshness as well as color the tone a bit. Just didn't help me play Highway Star any better though. Regards

dennis

Title: Re: adding a large mid-boost to a guitar
Post by: phsyconoodler on April 29, 2010, 10:08:59 am

Thanks guys!
   I really like the tone from my strat now,it's just i need to kick it up a notch to do clean solos.I listened to the sound clips at villex and it sounds pretty good to me.The thing is I don't like the pedals I have now very much.(well I do,but you know!)I have an EH double muff and a little big muff and a fender tuner.They suck tone and the guitar sounds darker than when it's directly into the amp.
  I'm using lace sensor pickups,green,silver and purple.The guitar sounds killer good clean or with the double muff,but I don't like the tone suck as it makes the lead tone a little dark on the neck pickup.I have to turn the treble way up on the amp to compensate.I use a reissue Super Reverb for live work.(no it's not modded or handwired,yet....)
   I'm thinking of getting the Villex unit and of course,dissecting it to find out what makes it tick.But 112.00 is steep for something I could make myself.I have a clean boost pedal that I'm going to try out that has an EQ on it.I'm going to ditch the pedal board and tuner and just go into the amp.I may have to suffer through using my guitar's volume and drive the amp,(wow!what a hardship!)maybe the boost pedal only.It's made by a friend of mine at www.lauriepedals.com . He makes some killer pedals.
  It's not that I hate my tone now,it's just that I'm always looking for ways to improve it.
The best tone to date I've had live is my Rebel Rouser amp cranked and using my guitar's volume.But sadly the Rebel is gone. :sad:
  It was simply a high-powered Princeton Reverb with raw control and a 12" and 8" speaker.Insanely good tones.
 I also have a 72 tele deluxe reissue that is killer good but again,dark with the pedals.Maybe I could mod the double muff and shift the tone range?For blues it sounds pretty damn good.
  Ok,enough whining and more playing.Jamming tonight. :smiley:

Title: Re: adding a large mid-boost to a guitar
Post by: tubesornothing on April 29, 2010, 10:39:17 am

If you are considering purchasing, It looks like there are a number of options:
- EQ pedal
- fender "clapton" mid boost mod
- demeter mid boost
- torres super midrange ($14)

Title: Re: adding a large mid-boost to a guitar
Post by: Structo on May 02, 2010, 02:50:39 pm

I bought a passive mid shaper for a strat from Andy Rothsein.

It works really well.

He has a couple different ones but I bought the one at the top of the page.
It really turns that tone control into a cool tone shaper.
You can make it almost sound like a cocked wah or bring the mids up more like a Clapton tone.

http://www.guitar-mod.com/rg_passive.html

(http://www.guitar-mod.com/wiring/detente.jpg)