Duncan "Hot Soapbar": http://www.warmoth.com/Hot-Soapbar-P1313C777.aspx

DC Resistance: 11.86 k
Resonant Peak: 5.1 KHz
Magnet: Small Ceramic


Duncan Alnico II Vintage Strat: http://www.warmoth.com/Alnico-II-Pro-for-Strat-Flat-P1108C783.aspx

DC Resistance: 6.4 k
Resonant Peak: 9 KHz
Magnet: Alnico II Rods

5/12/2013 2:22:27 PM

When can we expect Pt III?

5/12/2013 2:38:41 PM

^^ Not a "hot" P-90. A regular P-90. Usually 8-9k. Vintage ones don't always conform to spec because they're scatterwound.

5/12/2013 3:19:42 PM

even the normal "Custom Soapbar" is:

DC Resistance: 12 k
Resonant Peak: 4.5 KHz
Magnet: Large Ceramic

I don't really care, just didn't see the number change you mentioned.


Edit:

now the "Vintage Soapbar" is much closer:


DC Resistance: 8.22 k
Resonant Peak: 4.3 KHz
Magnet: Alnico V Bar



[Edited on May 12, 2013 at 8:06 PM. Reason : _]

5/12/2013 8:01:14 PM

What would make you think that a ceramic magnet "custom" soapbar with near-humbucker output is anything like a "standard P-90?"

[Edited on May 12, 2013 at 8:41 PM. Reason : 33]

5/12/2013 8:41:09 PM

i tend to call all amps the size of a suitcase with a handle on top suitcase amps

dunno where i got it from

5/13/2013 12:06:44 AM

^ lol, well calling them combos would make it a lot more political correct.

oh and if this thread hits page 10 then I will make a Pt III, to the person above who asked.




[Edited on May 13, 2013 at 12:41 AM. Reason : _]

5/13/2013 12:40:48 AM

It's not so much that. More like I was wondering if you had some sort of bizarre Fender version of the Silvertone 1457 amp.

5/13/2013 12:43:47 AM

yea that is pretty bad ass.



[Edited on May 13, 2013 at 12:57 AM. Reason : _]

5/13/2013 12:57:04 AM

The only problem with those amps is that they'll shock you very, very easily and they use weird tubes.

5/13/2013 1:30:50 AM

wow
i wish i had something like that.
but to be fair the vibrochamp really does live up to the hype i've read. its a very warm tone and no distortion even when cranked up. Not even static when turning the various knobs and if I had a hollow-body it could indeed sound very much like Duane eddy's twangy guitar

5/13/2013 7:31:53 AM

with all the gear I had (some of which I still have), it still amuses me that these days, more often than not when I'm playing guitar, I'm using my friends telecaster through a beat-up Crate V32, single speaker combo and an ME-80 in front of it.

For what I do these days though it's a very simple yet versatile setup that sounds good at "neighborhood" levels. Would be nice to get the opportunity to dust off the only big amp I still own though which is my dual rec.

5/13/2013 8:18:36 AM

Quote :

"but to be fair the vibrochamp really does live up to the hype i've read. its a very warm tone and no distortion even when cranked up."

Hmm. Sounds like something is wrong, then. A VC should be distorting quite beautifully by the time you get to 7 on the dial.

5/13/2013 12:09:06 PM

ditto on what vinylbandit said, it should definitely break up like any tube amp does.

the one reason I didn't go with a VC is because of the 8" speaker and I didn't want to have to make a custom baffle.

5/13/2013 3:13:04 PM

Quote :

"it should definitely break up like any tube amp does."

This is not necessarily true. A silverface Princeton (non-reverb), for example, will never break up. Same for some of the ultra-linear Fender designs like the Bassman Ten and 135 watt Twin Reverb.

5/13/2013 3:15:21 PM

I guess with the right tubes to match the output for no distortion in them you are right, they wouldn't break up. Although I don't see why anyone would want no distortion..

5/13/2013 3:32:22 PM

It has nothing to do with the tubes. The UL amps are designed to be as loud and clean as possible. In the case of the Princeton, the lack of a reverb gain stage keeps it from getting to the point of saturation that the Reverb amps can reach.

5/13/2013 3:34:38 PM

Oh I gotcha

5/13/2013 4:06:20 PM

5/17/2013 1:26:00 AM

That's a nice top.

I do admire your ability to continue getting better and better models without laying out appreciably more dough.

Perhaps MF/GC's willingness to do so is one of the reasons they're $1.6 billion in debt.

5/17/2013 2:55:17 AM

Well when they do a 150% price match with the entire internet, it just takes time and patience before you find one for a stupidly low price. I ended up getting the Tempest Custom for $399 - $50 Gift Card, which actually made it cheaper than my C-1 Artist III.

Yea I was very impressed by how the top was, if you look at the pictured one on their site, mine has a waaaay better top on it.

Here is the pictured one on their site, now compare that to mine above:

5/17/2013 2:24:17 PM

It just occurred to me that I've owned 40+ guitars in my life, and never had one with a figured top.

5/17/2013 2:38:51 PM

lol.


So I have another question. I am wondering what is the best way to send an audio signal from my guitar to my sound card's aux analog input? I can't use the line out on my SCX2 for obvious reasons and if I had a micro amp like: http://www.amazon.com/Fender-234811000-Mini-57-Twin-Amp/dp/B000B2Q2MC The headphone out is not a pure signal because it is amplified. Would I need to use a DAC? No wait, I need to go the other way around... vinylbandit help me!

My sound card is an Auzentech Prelude with upgradeable Op-Amps, here are my connection options:

One 3.5mm MIC input connector in rear panel
One 3.5mm line input connector in rear panel
One 4-pin AUX connector on board
Four 3.5mm 8 channel line output connectors in rear panel (FL/FR/C/SW/RL/RR/RSL/RSR)
One S/PDIF combo input connector in rear panel for receiving either coaxial or optical digital
One S/PDIF combo output connector in rear panel for transmitting either coaxial or optical digital
One 10-1pin front panel connector on board for MIC input and headphone: more
One 40-pin digital extension header on board to support AD-Link and other digital functionality

I could also add this on to the card: http://www.auzentech.com/site/products/x-tension_din.php

Although I don't see how that would help me at all

5/17/2013 5:35:58 PM

god damn this blog is awesome

I'm Krallum and I approved this message.

5/17/2013 5:36:15 PM

On this, I have no clue. Outside of sampling and drum loops, I've never done anything musical with a computer.

5/17/2013 5:37:28 PM

damn I was hoping you'd have an idea here

my Prelude even supports ASIO, so I know it can do this, I just don't know what piece I am missing...



time for Google..

(http://www.etcetera.co.uk/Support/howto/howtoConnectGuitar.shtml)



[Edited on May 17, 2013 at 5:55 PM. Reason : _]

5/17/2013 5:53:03 PM

I just realized I can plug my amp (literally the amp) straight into my computer like I do when I use the Fuse Software from Fender. I should be able to get a clean signal that way, will report back!

Gotta love seeing glowing electron tubes right below a USB 2.0 jack

5/17/2013 6:01:14 PM

PC doesn't see the amp as a recording device, so that doesn't work either.

However my Rocksmith Cable does work, but has a huge delay.


I think I need something like this to do it properly, plus this would give me a headphone option for my amp that for some reason lacks one.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/art-headtap-headphone-tap







[Edited on May 17, 2013 at 6:28 PM. Reason : _]

5/17/2013 6:18:57 PM

Quote :

"a headphone option for my amp that for some reason lacks one."

99% of tube amps don't have a headphone output because of impedance issues. You've got to keep from blowing the amp up while running it with something other than the normal speaker load.

5/18/2013 3:41:33 AM

This seems like a good option and it's the stupid deal of the day, $59.99

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/art-tube-mp-c-single-channel-microphone-instrument-tube-preamp

Lol it has two 12AX7s in it, but I'm not really trying to spend $60 for computer connectivity. Although some people claim you can use this as a boost effect into your amp.

5/18/2013 12:08:42 PM

Here's some shit.

5/18/2013 12:09:39 PM

I don't see shit, Adblock FTW

5/18/2013 12:14:55 PM

I used to use a little Line 6 thing to record with my computer. Much better than my on-board soundcard. These days I have an ME-70 that I use for multi-fx and EQing anyway and it has a direct out for headphones or for recording so it just serves double-duty. Obviously it's not worth buying that for the sole purpose of recording onto a computer though because it's not cheap. Just worked out for me because I already use it for fx these days and also gave me something with decent sound and headphones out since I can't/wouldn't try and use headphones with any of my tube amps.

This was all just for demo'ing though and passing riffs back and forth. I never use any of that for real recording.

In a real studio though, one thing we have always done is send both the dry guitar and the amped guitar at the same time to the board. Then later, if we want to just change amps, or speaker cabinets, or anything with the effects, we can reamp that dry signal without having to spend the time of re-recording a part. There have been plenty of times where we recorded all the rhythm, lead, and harmonizing parts and thought we knew what amps, heads, and effects we wanted..but all together it just didn't mesh well. We could just reamp one of the dry signals and totally change the sound of the part. Lots of people do this of course, but it has always been a huge convenience for us. You're not locked into the setup you had when you landed the take just like you wanted it.

[Edited on May 18, 2013 at 12:43 PM. Reason : ]

5/18/2013 12:33:51 PM

Re-amping is pretty awesome.

5/18/2013 2:11:18 PM

Ok so I have a $50 gift card coming from Musician's Friend in like 40 days or whatever and I am trying to figure out what to get. I've talked to vinylbandit about getting a clean boost to help push the amp at lower volume levels. However some say to get something like an overdrive for a SS front end.

I already have:

10" Ragin Cajun Speaker
Dunlop Straplok(s)
Planet Waves American Stage Cables
Levy 3" Strap
Schecter Gig bag

to go with my Schecter Tempest Custom and Fender Super-Champ X2

My question is what would you do with the $50?

I have found the MXR Micro Amp for $59.99 and can get them to price match it. However I'm worried running a clean boost into a SS DSP front end isn't going to do much even with that 12AX7 phase inverter.

(http://www.musiciansfriend.com/amplifiers-effects/mxr-m-133-micro-amp-pedal)

5/18/2013 5:38:03 PM

come on now, direct question here!

vinylbandit, I am thinking about maybe swapping out the bridge pick up for something else, maybe a JB or is it possible to stick a P-Rail in it? I'm not a fan of the Custom Custom, it's too twangy.

If I put a P-Rail in (if it will fit) what will I need to do to the electronics? Just swap a 3 way coil tap in?

Here is my schematic:

http://www.schecterguitars.com/Handler.ashx?Item_ID=125&display=seriesspec


P-Rails for anyone that doesn't what it is:

http://www.seymourduncan.com/products/electric/humbucker/medium-output/prails_shpr1/



[Edited on May 19, 2013 at 4:59 PM. Reason : _]

5/19/2013 4:34:37 PM

why do you think/talk about this shit so much

do you even play

5/19/2013 8:47:47 PM

no I just buy shit and then touch myself while looking at it

5/19/2013 9:41:36 PM

oh and once I don't have a $50 gift card you won't be hearing much more from me on this probably, except when I decide to mod the Super-Champ X2

Which is another question for vinylbandit, do you know how much difference there is between how the PCB is laid out on the SCXD vs. SCX2? They haven't released a schematic yet for the SCX2 and there are a lot of mods for the XD. Like one guy has added an effects loop and a line in using a toggle switch (along with the internal mods) as you can see in this thread:

http://www.archive.agileguitarforum.com/viewthread.php?tid=4799

5/19/2013 11:09:58 PM

Do not mod that amp. It's neither cheap enough to make it worth it nor nice enough to bother. Buy another amp. Then you have two amps.

As for the pickups, if any humbucker is too twangy for you, you'll absolutely hate the single coil modes of the P-Rail.

5/20/2013 3:47:57 AM

Well what pickup would you recommend? Pearly Gates?

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/seymour-duncan-sh-pg1-pearly-gates-pickup


Although I'd like to keep the nickel covers (I know I could install them myself, but would rather them be double vacuum wax potted), maybe a Jazz Model?

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/seymour-duncan-sh-2n-jazz-model-pickup






[Edited on May 20, 2013 at 2:35 PM. Reason : _]

5/20/2013 2:32:28 PM

If the Custom Custom is too twangy, you'll hate those two.

5/20/2013 4:05:40 PM

gibson dirty fingers

5/20/2013 4:24:25 PM

I was thinking more of a Gibson Burstbucker or Angus Young if I was going with a Gibson pickup



[Edited on May 20, 2013 at 7:09 PM. Reason : _]

5/20/2013 7:08:54 PM

I think I might still end up going with a pedal and after reading a lot about clean boost pedals on a SS front end, I think I am going to go with something like the VHT V-Drive.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/amplifiers-effects/seymour-duncan-sfx-05-lava-box-distortion-pedal?_requestid=2505685#addtolist

People say if you are going to drive the front end at lower volume and try to get a break up effect, you need distortion or overdrive pedals on a SS front end. I may go to Guitar Center one more time and plug some pedals into their SCX2 to see what I like, although it will sound much different due to my Ragin Cajun... so maybe not.

MF is having a pretty large sale across the site if anyone cares: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pages/memorial-day-2013?icid=203152

Some of the items are not really on sale, that is the normal price and others have been marked down. I'm interested to see this deal every hour that starts May 27th.



[Edited on May 20, 2013 at 10:14 PM. Reason : _]

5/20/2013 10:02:59 PM

The Lava Box is the single worst guitar pedal I've ever tried. Do not buy one under any circumstances.

5/21/2013 3:05:40 AM

yea I read some reviews and the VHT V-Drive sounds interesting.

I think I am going to leave the Custom Custom for multiple reasons, mainly it is growing on me and I don't want to deal with swapping pickups.

what do you think of the Boss BD-2?

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/amplifiers-effects/boss-bd-2-blues-driver-pedal

5/21/2013 12:23:18 PM

I've never been one for distortions or overdrives. I know plenty of people who use BD-2s, though I will say most of them are Keeley-modded.

The only distortion I've ever liked enough to keep is an old-circuit Rat. You can get a "Vintage Rat" model or a RAT2 with the flat face for around $50, and they sound damn good for getting that "stack in a box" type thing. Don't buy a new one; they sound very fizzy and aren't built as well as the old USA ones.

5/21/2013 1:10:26 PM

Well the reason I am leaning towards overdrives/distortion pedals vs. boost is because I don't think a clean boost is going to give me what I am looking for due to the SS front end. Or do you think I would get a benefit from running say a MXR Micro Amp into the SCX2?

5/21/2013 1:33:47 PM

I haven't owned an amp with an SS preamp since I was 15, and I've never owned an amp with a digital preamp...so I don't know.

5/21/2013 3:29:44 PM