tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51133092024-03-07T20:54:55.662-06:00><((((ยบ> G-Had!Every time a balloon pops, a clown dies.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger385125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113309.post-86571602292805660372009-02-11T20:18:00.003-06:002009-02-11T20:23:05.593-06:00Grover's GarageIntroducing the completed third work in the Blue Collar Muppets series.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_yD_oh5LlVDJoCKF54NMNQd4yjqVJ0mvJSFVDTKC3lDVVJo_CEBkmw4V6WU2UxZHJswuC4oBsF8JBzaOZYKTmPUm4BBtfA5p1gtq9SeAnL95xet-afIpTYjUPn_xwZtKLC2wDrA/s1600-h/Grovers_Garage+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_yD_oh5LlVDJoCKF54NMNQd4yjqVJ0mvJSFVDTKC3lDVVJo_CEBkmw4V6WU2UxZHJswuC4oBsF8JBzaOZYKTmPUm4BBtfA5p1gtq9SeAnL95xet-afIpTYjUPn_xwZtKLC2wDrA/s400/Grovers_Garage+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301730248185900914" border="0" /></a>It's been a while since I've been at it. To be honest, I got a new tabletPC (HP Elite Book) and it is the perfect size for digging into digital art again. The previous one was so huge it just wasn't fun.<br /><br />I'm busy mocking up the next work, apparently Kermit is in a bar band or something. stay tuned...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113309.post-7471267932508891832008-11-05T19:55:00.004-06:002008-11-05T20:00:53.062-06:00What's going to work????!!!!TEAMwork!!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG8JGS6gosr2XsNoY9nhnfSh7OVBaYYFKRftJJiD5fpe6eFgNiO_gve7I3B5llyxx5XgU26CpD0by1FB1RYsEnObGwtyosHrh0OgdypKdpe2GyONE92lCsl8CVo1OLKvu1qFxlrg/s1600-h/wonderpets.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG8JGS6gosr2XsNoY9nhnfSh7OVBaYYFKRftJJiD5fpe6eFgNiO_gve7I3B5llyxx5XgU26CpD0by1FB1RYsEnObGwtyosHrh0OgdypKdpe2GyONE92lCsl8CVo1OLKvu1qFxlrg/s400/wonderpets.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265357480979522354" border="0" /></a><br />Okay, I admit that I get hooked on a random kids show every once in a while. I'm still mad that DirecTV does not add the Baby network to the regular line up. I'd probably watch that as often as I watch QVC or the Home Shopping Network selling knives, art, gems, or Esteban's guitars.<br /><br />So, what show has my interest now? It's <span style="font-style: italic;">The Wonder Pets!</span>, a new show on the Noggin channel. The animation is actually photo-motion stuff - which might come across as cheap. However, the voices and the music completely make up for it. Each episode is like an operetta. Seriously.<br /><br />--ghUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113309.post-43702323487929163252008-10-04T22:35:00.014-05:002008-10-04T23:24:47.520-05:00Thinking about a push-pull amp<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBWS8TGecyaoA-hLIrquEvVDEZzGoGyiQf6MZ2C0B_ma57bFT_Rhvj3XLikwXrrFMli4Kn7ksnkuXbr3atDizF26FnCdSRCTp3ZkZKm4yMUy0ub5RpK5Zv3kGN5c0UjAkJqpavOg/s1600-h/Capture21.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBWS8TGecyaoA-hLIrquEvVDEZzGoGyiQf6MZ2C0B_ma57bFT_Rhvj3XLikwXrrFMli4Kn7ksnkuXbr3atDizF26FnCdSRCTp3ZkZKm4yMUy0ub5RpK5Zv3kGN5c0UjAkJqpavOg/s200/Capture21.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253508874188326242" border="0" /></a>I am considering a push-pull amp for a small combo I want to build. I want to make a tight build, so I mocked some stuff together in<a href="http://sketchup.google.com/"> Google Sketchup</a> first. So far I think I like the way it might look. This is a small combo amp, only 16" by 16" by 8-1/2" deep. I think it might work with a 10" speaker.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLsjgSu_kIrGezY6JN6YFXlyPS32-VXZA6sUaWN5ZCzt8AH1zdAEOlA-TjNmSbvFLBTsMZilBYJjVOx07-KU81aByRK3Aub7kuoNwL4Ehs7t50sM8J5EREnkdDdCY-yXGQG1kKaQ/s1600-h/Capture16.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLsjgSu_kIrGezY6JN6YFXlyPS32-VXZA6sUaWN5ZCzt8AH1zdAEOlA-TjNmSbvFLBTsMZilBYJjVOx07-KU81aByRK3Aub7kuoNwL4Ehs7t50sM8J5EREnkdDdCY-yXGQG1kKaQ/s200/Capture16.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253509690176547874" border="0" /></a>I tried to see if a 12" speaker would work but the cage would be hitting the transformers, or be so tight that heat would be a problem. So, I shrunk the speaker size back to 10" and it looks like there is more than enough room for any buildup of heat and clearance for all components.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghtYoLgdy56y1Kx6YMxZcjZFqB0fTz7vlA-d8ooY-4G_IQeQ2xuwoNfqziGoWN6_wZ5_I80VNR4xb0gBxQ9DTS01E-In_DMg6zNA_-seXvB-Qzl0E8Rcj-oyBhFmc87ftJ_puosQ/s1600-h/Capture17.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghtYoLgdy56y1Kx6YMxZcjZFqB0fTz7vlA-d8ooY-4G_IQeQ2xuwoNfqziGoWN6_wZ5_I80VNR4xb0gBxQ9DTS01E-In_DMg6zNA_-seXvB-Qzl0E8Rcj-oyBhFmc87ftJ_puosQ/s200/Capture17.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253510843965578898" border="0" /></a>I am thinking of using an Eminence <a href="http://www.eminence.com/pdf/lilbuddy.pdf">Lil'Buddy</a> speaker for this. I think the "bud" part is a joke because the cone is made from hemp. I've heard good things about the Cannabis Rex speaker, but that is a 12" model. Maybe it will be full, clear, and punchy enough. Basically I want something small enough so that I can take it out of the house (in one hand, guitar in the other). I have this delusion that I'll get some kind of invitation and I won't have a simple amp to take without planning and taking apart a head and speaker cab setup.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg264wl2SSu_Rgic5izceTvn-EEzaQDA_tGGHHjQhZBsQ2xOR4KuwQmFo8RNXnb5d09f7ERzSpc60vNucOyR6-lSd5L_kPB-Ya9iKWDxSbYstattfN1fLWY2TX4XhG6utxn9ZfQjw/s1600-h/Capture10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg264wl2SSu_Rgic5izceTvn-EEzaQDA_tGGHHjQhZBsQ2xOR4KuwQmFo8RNXnb5d09f7ERzSpc60vNucOyR6-lSd5L_kPB-Ya9iKWDxSbYstattfN1fLWY2TX4XhG6utxn9ZfQjw/s200/Capture10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253512074990235490" border="0" /></a>I used Sketchup for <a href="http://blacklinefish.blogspot.com/2006/09/hnb-20-sketching-cabinet.html">another build</a>, but I didn't go into much detail. But, because I almost ran into an issue on that build with the placement of the transformers, I put some effort into putting most of the components on the chassis that would stick out and interfere with things like the speaker. I haven't built an amp with the chassis in a transverse arrangement like this (tubes facing down), so that would be an interesting challenge.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW98AF2qirrP1CRL-vDCPTSQbSifdPO9m0r1tJyNjypg2dEX_37_gu7FhfdnfZkjt87UY6y047oxAaXj7mlZzxELHUP9gaFLdsNz4vOhtHP35aFBH6Sbv7Kf63-AwWW0HWs9OQDw/s1600-h/Capture18.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW98AF2qirrP1CRL-vDCPTSQbSifdPO9m0r1tJyNjypg2dEX_37_gu7FhfdnfZkjt87UY6y047oxAaXj7mlZzxELHUP9gaFLdsNz4vOhtHP35aFBH6Sbv7Kf63-AwWW0HWs9OQDw/s200/Capture18.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253514646789125026" border="0" /></a>It seems like everything will be fine except for the heat. Maybe I should put a vent or two on the top. This will be an open-back design, so maybe there will be enough ventilation so that the tubes and transformers don't heat up the cone too much (or warp the cabinet or something). I am really thinking about covering this amp with tweed (even though it is not a Fender Deluxe, I sure like that look). I'm also thinking about using 3/4" pine stock, but routing fluting lines from the inside to shave a few ounces off. I think there would still be more than enough strength.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguiqaR3x_HoeilpCESXZRI0hWpDXE2cJGFPfw4-hcnzj9QUAgVNihldMw_Dn1vDFVMhkC5DtlIPLTycIB3iGNqvkbpSIvWJbMB4Z1t19oU-8CoioouiFrI-aRcB7z6ViS_cRVyaA/s1600-h/Capture12.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguiqaR3x_HoeilpCESXZRI0hWpDXE2cJGFPfw4-hcnzj9QUAgVNihldMw_Dn1vDFVMhkC5DtlIPLTycIB3iGNqvkbpSIvWJbMB4Z1t19oU-8CoioouiFrI-aRcB7z6ViS_cRVyaA/s200/Capture12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253516981749005330" border="0" /></a>This will be my first push-pull build. This means there will be to power tubes and a more efficient amplification scheme. I've heard they can be quieter too, especially with negative feedback suppressing extraneous noise. The downside might a loss of the even-order creamy harmonics that single-ended designs can do. I guess I will just have to build one and see, because I don't own any PP amps and I don't spend much time in guitar stores trying amps or guitars out.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS5kvlVY8XfCwJruCb44ksdeUDB60srduhCI-2uV7J0NYHsGty3hcuga8v5vGgwjyNp-qvI-oWsM3SRoBy9EC4rXCSjZqsVsgGm8dEgFVUw0wUZUBxp7SqIewHZG4FHlSNcL70gg/s1600-h/Capture23.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS5kvlVY8XfCwJruCb44ksdeUDB60srduhCI-2uV7J0NYHsGty3hcuga8v5vGgwjyNp-qvI-oWsM3SRoBy9EC4rXCSjZqsVsgGm8dEgFVUw0wUZUBxp7SqIewHZG4FHlSNcL70gg/s400/Capture23.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253520752369569874" border="0" /></a><br />--ghUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113309.post-2128799798810180292008-09-27T11:42:00.011-05:002008-09-27T12:09:27.803-05:00New Guitar (for me)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF4WD7hjAK-CK46qPpJ_e8c6FbWWCfeXAwpDAd8WW0-I_lmbg_M7xBRlBuWgl2ShZTGOrEVhtKQV_ZdfuG6SqsW6UAhhMg91253d12PoQ4kVtCrnSuoGWrIt1sXY3ReM5dvbmaeA/s1600-h/IMG_0224.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF4WD7hjAK-CK46qPpJ_e8c6FbWWCfeXAwpDAd8WW0-I_lmbg_M7xBRlBuWgl2ShZTGOrEVhtKQV_ZdfuG6SqsW6UAhhMg91253d12PoQ4kVtCrnSuoGWrIt1sXY3ReM5dvbmaeA/s320/IMG_0224.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250742877411760338" border="0" /></a>I just scored a 2003 Gibson ES-165 on eBay. This picture, without the flash, would have been awesome if it wasn't for my son's shoes and some bag in the background. Oh well, I take horrid pictures. I actually bought this guitar on August 22 (for $1,401.87). It took a month to ship from Canada (not the seller's fault - it sat in US Customs in Michigan for three weeks). I guess Customs finally figured out that a used guitar made in Memphis, TN doesn't need to pay duty. As for the odd dollar/cents amount on that price - that was my fault. If I am bidding against other people I end up sticking weird amounts on there. I don't know if it actually helps me to win (but it did beat a $1,400 even bid) - but I think it helps in the psych-out factor. Even with the $125 shipping, I still think this was a bargain.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis9CcJPGa7xXgiT1N2R2CvdKm2NlcQ37lM6a6MGR6NavkLpRijbMHp-h1MwkUgdmjLQc0Eo7S27YLfpeSHgUtbx5xKP646agxyqGYkG0n84dRzRSl3mZDN_7x2BAn_2st-b2UElg/s1600-h/IMG_0218.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis9CcJPGa7xXgiT1N2R2CvdKm2NlcQ37lM6a6MGR6NavkLpRijbMHp-h1MwkUgdmjLQc0Eo7S27YLfpeSHgUtbx5xKP646agxyqGYkG0n84dRzRSl3mZDN_7x2BAn_2st-b2UElg/s320/IMG_0218.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250744172917208210" border="0" /></a>I spent some time this morning setting this guitar up. I'm not sure what was going on with the setup - but I think this guitar was set-up for a rocker or something. There was a lot of relief in the neck - it took me three days to adjust (tighten) the truss rod (I'm thinking three whole turns of that nut). I might have a little more tweaking to do, but the fretboard is pretty flat now. (I may set it up with no relief, like my Les Paul, or with 0.0015" at the 8th fret like my acoustic). This took care of almost all the buzzing and issues on the high frets so I could lower the bridge to a reasonable height. I also put some Tomastik-Infeld flatwounds on (elevens). The guy at a guitar store kept trying to talk me out of these ($20 per set!) and into some round-wound strings. I bought both worrying that he might be right and I won't like the more dull-wooden sound of the flatwounds. But, I love them. There were some issues with the strings that came with the guitar (besides being rusted) that had me concerned, but all is fine now. I also polished and cleaned this thing up. I am not a guitar cleaner really, since I always keep them in cases they stay clean. It was nice, though, to have a fresh start here.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgSG8jEWHYIgG1chUvCr7mKyy5yY3JVqxQCYEGY_USe72SkOtSG6IyMK_c3viRVHlpZetBl4vxIP_yfXnIIATEw0EKvlNqO6RE4LIuQSkNHdeN0ACYM1Nc-et5726Oh3SwOlYXqQ/s1600-h/IMG_0235.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgSG8jEWHYIgG1chUvCr7mKyy5yY3JVqxQCYEGY_USe72SkOtSG6IyMK_c3viRVHlpZetBl4vxIP_yfXnIIATEw0EKvlNqO6RE4LIuQSkNHdeN0ACYM1Nc-et5726Oh3SwOlYXqQ/s320/IMG_0235.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250746082673781634" border="0" /></a>In case you're getting jealous - it took me three years to save up for this guitar. Most of the cash that I had set aside for this went to a transmission in early August. So, I put together what I had left and this auction fell into my lap. Since I plan on modifying this guitar a little bit, I don't mind that it is used (all my electrics were bought used).<br /><br />I have to admit that I really like the mother of pearl holly inlay here. The earlier models didn't have this (or MOP at all for the name!) - so I wanted a 2002 or later guitar. I saw Herb Ellis play once. He was playing his one-pickup ES-175 at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival in 1995. It was a brilliant performance. That guy is so classy.<br /><br />I already have a rosewood bridge on order (rather than the ABR-style that is on wooden feet right now). Not only does that look more classic, but I think it balances the tone better. I am also thinking of removing the floating humbucker and installing a pickup in the body (yes, that means cutting it). I am thinking about Seymour Duncan's copy of the dogear P90, but in the stacked (noiseless) version. I tried a few 1950s ES-125 with wooden saddles and P90s and they sounded absolutely awesome. Having something like this in a humbucking version would be thrilling.<br /><br />--ghUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113309.post-39766040350283186202008-09-27T10:41:00.004-05:002008-09-27T11:04:29.464-05:00Building a Tubescreamer 3/3<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY5rT6a_mbnxu8A28nY2PjE3uoxKegH3_wUw1w2z00nViETLAZLUDQZI6vN4SG8gQUl8UVGEuqjhlJiQ192ShGKA4m4bILsj6vRxtES5n_Ysy2C8ECimk3oK1YVpoH0LvTdMfS-Q/s1600-h/Copy+of+IMG_0229.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY5rT6a_mbnxu8A28nY2PjE3uoxKegH3_wUw1w2z00nViETLAZLUDQZI6vN4SG8gQUl8UVGEuqjhlJiQ192ShGKA4m4bILsj6vRxtES5n_Ysy2C8ECimk3oK1YVpoH0LvTdMfS-Q/s320/Copy+of+IMG_0229.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250727045053788114" border="0" /></a>Well, here is the completed project. Some of the thread-lock solution is visible on this (the blue stuff) - but I think it is water soluble and should eventually come off. <br /><br />So, I never really described this thing, so here goes. This effects pedal is a clone of the Ibanez TS-9 and TS-808 Tube Screamer - an overdrive effect. This is not a distortion box, but there is some distortion and clipping that goes on. It adds enough gain to drive the preamp stage of the amplifier into a higher gain area so that it starts to break up, clip, and get that warm overdriven sound. It tends to accentuate the midrange quite a bit, adding to the warmth and smoothness that is often desired.<br /><br />I was going to fix the extra ink that spilled into the "R" on the <span style="font-style: italic;">"OVERDRIVE"</span> title, but I forgot to. The true-bypass means that when this is switched off, the signal goes straight through the device without interacting with the circuit. This is possible with a 3PDT (three-pole double-throw) switch that is now easier to obtain. (Before a high-quality foot switch was available DIY people had to go through interesting hoops to get a pedal to by-pass like this.)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQTqo0LxRWQjNHG0OGbilF7I2Tq1UGHsWKP3KnTJQjJILkCqOtI6e6_pHpN3wlwnLKi5pqk10kbX2eRIze51SGE2QWMaFZzj-80Hg3fD7CrUFuLu6UEaGJhSDz-CE0ef7_HpzkeQ/s1600-h/Copy+of+IMG_0226.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQTqo0LxRWQjNHG0OGbilF7I2Tq1UGHsWKP3KnTJQjJILkCqOtI6e6_pHpN3wlwnLKi5pqk10kbX2eRIze51SGE2QWMaFZzj-80Hg3fD7CrUFuLu6UEaGJhSDz-CE0ef7_HpzkeQ/s320/Copy+of+IMG_0226.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250726934407076018" border="0" /></a>The TS-808 is the original Tube Screamer, and the TS-9 was the early 1980s update to it (what SRV used). Since the only difference between the two circuits is two resistors in the output buffer, a popular mod is to make it switch between the two. In fact, I did this with two switches on this first build (labeled "Shunt Resistor" and "Series Resistor" due to their topology in the schematic.) Putting this on two switches allows me to get a hybrid. Oddly enough, I forgot to actually label which side of the switches is the TS-808 side, and which is the TS-9 side - so I wrote "8" and "9" on their with a sharpie. The clipping switch selects an extra diode, or a jumper, to have asymetrical and symetrical clipping. I can hear the difference between them. (Clipping symetrically means the waveform is cut off at the top and the bottom equally, asymetrically means it would appear somewhat lopsided on a scope.)<br /><br />I can also hear the difference between the 808 (a little more raw) and the TS-9 (more smoothed out, I think) settings. I don't know if I care that I can get half-and-half between them.<br /><br />Review:<br />Playing through this is the first effects pedal I have used in years. I am used to playing a more cleaner sound, or relying on the amp for overdrive/bite. This lets me do that at a somewhat lower volume which is great - it also has that cool mid-rangey SRV sound that I like with single-coil pickups through these things. I haven't tried it with my Les Paul yet.<br /><br />I can hear more noise when this thing is switched on (and the true-bypass works - so it is noiseless when off). This might be typical behavior but since I am used to noiseless pickups and my own amplifier builds - I don't like any noise. In the next build, I will see if shielding the runs between the pots and the board helps. I will definitely build another one (I already have the parts).<br /><br />Mistakes:<br />I think "Bob Saget" came out reasonably recognizeable. I kept sketching him in pencil over and over again and I wasn't getting it right. I just crossed my fingers and did it and it is passable for me. I hurried through the other lettering on this thing, though, and it shows. I also could have laid out the switches a bit better - they aren't lined up too well.<br /><br />I forgot that this thing was going to have a battery before I drilled the footswitch hole. I would have liked to put that thing under that location a bit and it changed the location of the circuit board and the switches. I also did not measure how much of the pot shafts I needed to cut before I wired this thing up. I was cutting, grinding, and filing them afterwards with the cuts of this thing in my hand. (I guess I could have unsoldered them completely but I was being too lazy for that.<br /><br />I am glad I got this larger chassis to build this thing in. My mistakes in layout would have ruined the build. Luckily, I have everything in there and it is fine.<br /><br />One more mistake - I used solid core hookup wire and not stranded. I don't know why I did that, but now that it is made it's fine. If I had to do a lot of debugging (it worked 100% the first time I tried it), then moving things around a lot with solid wire might have caused a problem (stranded is more flexible and forgiving in this area).<br /><br />--ghUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113309.post-5507037290687344112008-09-21T18:59:00.011-05:002008-09-21T19:38:02.612-05:00The TNH Amp - 3.0 Final assembly<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHGbePIg8MrKOSvh-OxUXb2Hff97QVo-ukLnajqUbrEsg1ptEqX6xnZLGXnjJc_l1LpiA2ogMfwuvYeNWjRJFc32F98r5OMWTITPTSEYshGx7Q8iWYnCrwnTk8NFEZ9q0gfP7hmg/s1600-h/IMG_0192.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHGbePIg8MrKOSvh-OxUXb2Hff97QVo-ukLnajqUbrEsg1ptEqX6xnZLGXnjJc_l1LpiA2ogMfwuvYeNWjRJFc32F98r5OMWTITPTSEYshGx7Q8iWYnCrwnTk8NFEZ9q0gfP7hmg/s200/IMG_0192.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248631304589452050" border="0" /></a>I never put up pictures of the completed build of Tyler's TNH guitar amp. I guess stuff got in the way. Here is a picture of the variable bias. The power tube (here an EL34) is in a configuration called "fixed bias" which means that you determine the proper balance and insert a resistor in that matches the value needed to bias the tube for proper operation. Except that the resistor in this situation is a high-wattage rheostat pot. (The other bias option, called cathode-bias, self-biases itself and is not variable.)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg46aERBNBfGBHRw9BKF7ns81Sx_3S_OV0kXPIRHL5qlaf-oP9R2PjPFfN9pfL0fiWKMS58EyS0sAkVhDgsJEP51Nty7Qpgok3-HWn3dY2WbsT_7DeZN3aW9CokE_jRMqNKvRhiAA/s1600-h/IMG_0193.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg46aERBNBfGBHRw9BKF7ns81Sx_3S_OV0kXPIRHL5qlaf-oP9R2PjPFfN9pfL0fiWKMS58EyS0sAkVhDgsJEP51Nty7Qpgok3-HWn3dY2WbsT_7DeZN3aW9CokE_jRMqNKvRhiAA/s200/IMG_0193.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248630517383350050" border="0" /></a>Next to the power and preamp tubes are some plastic goats that we screwed in through the chassis. Tyler said that this was very important. The goat theme has received praise as well. I guess it is the little things that matter. You can also see the massive power transformer in the background.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlRLwVDblmXUCtQDU3e1KBAMQ-0OPELIY_B7MhGLO-l-1wNYpwmwrueqz8fSk9Sa60zaSnWuk0flW3Kl-w6OQA9p-BVc_kitL6pQVUcGBgblxeuvaxfbdZewNlBR8E2FOfoZeA_Q/s1600-h/IMG_0194.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlRLwVDblmXUCtQDU3e1KBAMQ-0OPELIY_B7MhGLO-l-1wNYpwmwrueqz8fSk9Sa60zaSnWuk0flW3Kl-w6OQA9p-BVc_kitL6pQVUcGBgblxeuvaxfbdZewNlBR8E2FOfoZeA_Q/s200/IMG_0194.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248629512639917650" border="0" /></a>Since the amp has speaker jacks for the 4-8-16 ohm taps so we build the speaker cabinet to be just as versatile. The switch will select each speaker separately (8 ohms), or both speakers in parallel (4-ohms) or in series (16-ohms). Most of the time I like the sound of both speakers in series. But, to make things quieter, 1 speaker is good sometimes.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXdbZaJEZN00BmnKEnmqHhzUkoj-v7FSaAPpgtj4jL2iG9stYIkJsYAGgFj2OWxsw0LP4PiwJnJphGpGSNb9O95NNHxT0JRA1s2V799_rzkDhF-99FeNzgC-sBqJ3yUV5o8BKnUg/s1600-h/IMG_0191.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXdbZaJEZN00BmnKEnmqHhzUkoj-v7FSaAPpgtj4jL2iG9stYIkJsYAGgFj2OWxsw0LP4PiwJnJphGpGSNb9O95NNHxT0JRA1s2V799_rzkDhF-99FeNzgC-sBqJ3yUV5o8BKnUg/s200/IMG_0191.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248631190829138386" border="0" /></a> He really wanted Mystery Science Theater 3000 to be on this amp somewhere, and right here in the back corner seemed the right place. That took a lot of ink to fill that area in! I like this even more than the goats! It's a nice tag at the end of a great project.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf4EerjqMaLFAJxHFev_MPeZFKD81U7VWYsWFoL73OXgfa_QjZDfPDqyKFhzKeJjBn-xShJ_0RM_eEz1wOMCiLXkxb8S3Ojs9w9w2HqMqkpost7UQSOhYv5zPB35CU5PioImTTNA/s1600-h/IMG_0184.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf4EerjqMaLFAJxHFev_MPeZFKD81U7VWYsWFoL73OXgfa_QjZDfPDqyKFhzKeJjBn-xShJ_0RM_eEz1wOMCiLXkxb8S3Ojs9w9w2HqMqkpost7UQSOhYv5zPB35CU5PioImTTNA/s200/IMG_0184.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248628890610536018" border="0" /></a></div> This is the final product, speaker cabinet with the amp. The speaker cab is a 2x12 open back. The two 12" speakers are Eminence ToneSpotters (from their Redcoat, or British-sounding series). This thing, even at a modest 11-12 watts, can get very loud. This speaker cabinet is up in Tyler's room. The amp head can move between that speaker cab and a closed-back 2x10 that I built.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWYozE2zvLdMk0Qt6D8k_6zXH_xwqNX6d8gE7Ot7BTG1SNoCF-e7e5Z81fZ6dAPvp_8BUzWmMHzHz2IadOkxFrkstp8snaoZkBOozMX5hxbA_RjyMfJNNWVe6PhS1nOIuwp-bePg/s1600-h/IMG_0198.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWYozE2zvLdMk0Qt6D8k_6zXH_xwqNX6d8gE7Ot7BTG1SNoCF-e7e5Z81fZ6dAPvp_8BUzWmMHzHz2IadOkxFrkstp8snaoZkBOozMX5hxbA_RjyMfJNNWVe6PhS1nOIuwp-bePg/s200/IMG_0198.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248629294389019474" border="0" /></a>I'm going to be honest and say that I don't like the sound of this cabinet really. I am going to give it some time, maybe when the speakers break in a little I might like it more. It may be the speakers, or it may be the closed-back design. It is more focused (directional), and definitely not as loud as an open-back design. If I still don't like it after a few months I don't know if I should change the speakers or cut a big hole in the back to make it an open-cab.<br /><br />Below is the final picture of this build, with Tyler enjoying the fruit of his labor over several months.<br />--gh<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6-yCOOekPVDDDRUMGqCVEAJTDmoEXt2HLhkqiDYxZxmbKWM-rsubz2ypzwnlKK9RXVrT_7Y2MJqvH0MfoKJMsUKjDBqCn2AbYdYzza6ry5fA-1n0MEOA8Gx0i_yUqjzn7Gg-YJw/s1600-h/IMG_0201.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6-yCOOekPVDDDRUMGqCVEAJTDmoEXt2HLhkqiDYxZxmbKWM-rsubz2ypzwnlKK9RXVrT_7Y2MJqvH0MfoKJMsUKjDBqCn2AbYdYzza6ry5fA-1n0MEOA8Gx0i_yUqjzn7Gg-YJw/s400/IMG_0201.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248629143062912546" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113309.post-15604784042704701972008-09-21T18:15:00.010-05:002008-09-21T18:51:08.021-05:00Building a tubescreamer 2/3<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTqsqUL8QY5taWOhQdvMVswoNoKJXMcrAUcyPahXCkasfwFyZb7JexHRmJW2axl6WiUtR9eVLqCgDO6iRmHWV1hPoxeqLd8RbO8kJxZZlbfQSh32zIQvl-M15NsNAPz94csystxg/s1600-h/09-13-08_2021.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 175px; height: 234px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTqsqUL8QY5taWOhQdvMVswoNoKJXMcrAUcyPahXCkasfwFyZb7JexHRmJW2axl6WiUtR9eVLqCgDO6iRmHWV1hPoxeqLd8RbO8kJxZZlbfQSh32zIQvl-M15NsNAPz94csystxg/s320/09-13-08_2021.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248618566329700402" border="0" /></a>Here's the part that I said was harder than building a tube amp - the size! This little chassis (the size is called BB) will have three knobs, a foot switch, a power indicator, an input jack, output jack, external power supply, and three switches (popular mods to the TubeScreamer model). Oh, and I almost forgot that I need room for a battery on the inside! This is not as many holes as an amp chassis - but I bet the number of holes per surface area is more than double that of a tube amp!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdUH-WfrhIednHsOjxvaLJhxJeJn6GRvx6izLbrjvwV3ueztSI4kVk0RXIrNOu9DU1yRvQdLetjOq6nSjRdW88ELICFsHUjI-NFaLlDbhDXRgmfii2flBLyOTJqifjXRdIVEpX6A/s1600-h/09-13-08_2025.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 136px; height: 181px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdUH-WfrhIednHsOjxvaLJhxJeJn6GRvx6izLbrjvwV3ueztSI4kVk0RXIrNOu9DU1yRvQdLetjOq6nSjRdW88ELICFsHUjI-NFaLlDbhDXRgmfii2flBLyOTJqifjXRdIVEpX6A/s320/09-13-08_2025.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248619590802752034" border="0" /></a>Since everything is so cramped, I would drill a few holes, load up the components, test things for fit, and then remove everything to drill a few holes. I really love drilling out this kind of stuff. Knowing that the controls will be exactly where I put them requiring a lot of layout is a fun challenge. Besides, I never took metal shop in the eighth grade like the other guys (I think I took Spanish I). Here's making up for lost time!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje9JuiDsE1bu5RdiMFB5CZ9op_CM0Tnm5olP7JTRM6-URYm3ErC0F3I-mZwA5bN1RebcpjZbnMuCcuSF1eSoc5gbIl0GLqznW5k89JZ1-uoodTtMan61UjRJyPJuJG-daYkOkrJg/s1600-h/09-13-08_1820.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje9JuiDsE1bu5RdiMFB5CZ9op_CM0Tnm5olP7JTRM6-URYm3ErC0F3I-mZwA5bN1RebcpjZbnMuCcuSF1eSoc5gbIl0GLqznW5k89JZ1-uoodTtMan61UjRJyPJuJG-daYkOkrJg/s320/09-13-08_1820.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248617422244938514" border="0" /></a>I had to change my soldering iron to a needle-like tip for this close work. I think the next time I do this I will get one of those hobby items that has a magnifyng glass and something to hold your work up - I can definitely feel my eyes getting older doing this kind of close work. To do this part, you feed a component up from the top, and solder it here on the back. It's pretty straight forward (unless you lose yourself, which only happened 2-3 times). This probably took about 30 minutes to populate the circuit board - not too bad.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfeumDq2t9wCOCI2Bx9fz0iTHmkKbMUiNSdB7hGc_dSWPNQ0pkRq9rnF49tkLxjZoVypJ_tl6e3pldhtfgQuXm-aCee1kdcS1Ek07emTy2U-S6O7MQxcfARicuBAkmfO_rCVxYLA/s1600-h/09-13-08_1841.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 148px; height: 198px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfeumDq2t9wCOCI2Bx9fz0iTHmkKbMUiNSdB7hGc_dSWPNQ0pkRq9rnF49tkLxjZoVypJ_tl6e3pldhtfgQuXm-aCee1kdcS1Ek07emTy2U-S6O7MQxcfARicuBAkmfO_rCVxYLA/s320/09-13-08_1841.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248620962998052578" border="0" /></a>Here you can see that I started with some of the larger components first. I have seen recommendations to put the smaller stuff on first - but I follow this advice. The IC socket just <span style="font-style: italic;">has </span>to go where its supposed to - and the larger capacitors also claim their own geography first. Here's one thing that bugs me about these little circuits - if I make a mistake it seems like it would be so hard to trace. With an amp you can really visualize how things are laid out in the larger chassis and the turretboard. You can trace the circuit by following the wires. Here, there are no wires, just circuit traces, and they are on the back. I just better get this right the first time because I don't feel like debugging something like this. (But, I have to admit, making a mistake, debugging, and finding it later is still a fun process and part of the whole experience.)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1eYutj0GcIHrDQJ5oCC-oEiACEgjUsZ1vvtTYGTSs5EIEBaevxKVXA0-d2MahI9esw_FGfj_ym3hIMfxp2U_SmTnL4VBGnkD5EoceR4fRFnmVbQpETIYsKaJzHDqEFBhQRp-X5w/s1600-h/09-21-08_1615.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 145px; height: 194px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1eYutj0GcIHrDQJ5oCC-oEiACEgjUsZ1vvtTYGTSs5EIEBaevxKVXA0-d2MahI9esw_FGfj_ym3hIMfxp2U_SmTnL4VBGnkD5EoceR4fRFnmVbQpETIYsKaJzHDqEFBhQRp-X5w/s320/09-21-08_1615.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248617871734453602" border="0" /></a>Okay, this looks horrible, and is a little deceiving. I built this fx pedal before I painted it (not what I do with tube amps). I guess I wanted to know if this thing actually worked before I spent time painting up a fancy box before chucking the whole project in the trash (and never blogging about it!). So, I had a working effects pedal and then took it apart to paint it. This is all the components taken out of the chassis and it gives the false illusion that I built it this way. This is close work, and hard (but not <span style="font-style: italic;">that</span> hard!).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8xWcP8opgaC9BqXRd2kzP8HZY_WHLs3qPdkdNYUXy5jRsm8V6f1P5eQ8vhW2vYKcJB1_3kdpRlY849S6rRM3ZF_E4tsuS6VKTumkJhncWiyIuDoBf2JGiBqXEJlVSzjP6P4nfSA/s1600-h/09-21-08_1614.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 166px; height: 222px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8xWcP8opgaC9BqXRd2kzP8HZY_WHLs3qPdkdNYUXy5jRsm8V6f1P5eQ8vhW2vYKcJB1_3kdpRlY849S6rRM3ZF_E4tsuS6VKTumkJhncWiyIuDoBf2JGiBqXEJlVSzjP6P4nfSA/s320/09-21-08_1614.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248623860672334658" border="0" /></a>Here is the the chassis after being primed and painted with a flat white. As you can see, I have decided on a Bob Saget theme for this little guy. I am planning to give this one to my son after I'm done so he will be stuck with God's gift to comedy permanently adorned to his TubeScreamer. Of course, I have already tested this thing and it sounds absolutely awesome. So, I don't think he will mind. Drawing Bob Saget from my template may be a challenge. My first attempt on scratch paper looked like a young Bill Clinton.<br /><br />I will then build a second one, after I work out the layout kinks. Of course I will need to pick another celebrity or image for that build.<br /><br /><br />--ghUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113309.post-18375839983752533332008-09-21T17:32:00.011-05:002008-09-21T18:15:22.122-05:00Building a Tubescreamer 1/3<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh76MVYaDg4cDR8QpDXZrkjcxbb8WGTJD9jdBpfJc6xL7kF5NI3rzonGji_qWITew4c6HsOOCG3SjwsrrzbkcF9psrYAxmkPMxetgXM4JzsO2cblqig8mc2isgG26vVbWiIEnw5PA/s1600-h/09-13-08_1541.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 132px; height: 176px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh76MVYaDg4cDR8QpDXZrkjcxbb8WGTJD9jdBpfJc6xL7kF5NI3rzonGji_qWITew4c6HsOOCG3SjwsrrzbkcF9psrYAxmkPMxetgXM4JzsO2cblqig8mc2isgG26vVbWiIEnw5PA/s400/09-13-08_1541.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248606834037423042" border="0" /></a>I got it in my head that I wanted to build a tubescreamer foot pedal. I used a layout and schematic found on <a href="http://tonepad.com/projects.asp?projectType=fx">TonePad.com</a>. I have heard that someone should attempt to build an FX pedal before attempting a guitar amplifier. I'm not sure that I agree with that. Sure, the build is faster, but everything is so tiny!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZTvIqc6LD8My7sihriyGBbZKHcvRXPbn6OoYYhYX2LJ_sTZd95WX_LR3wxMZ13rdL45ty74SK8qE1Ocnj3AUk03jDafujmppk-CsYW_TJbZmP7lnUy37BLphHpNITrBeHZQmycg/s1600-h/09-13-08_1604.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZTvIqc6LD8My7sihriyGBbZKHcvRXPbn6OoYYhYX2LJ_sTZd95WX_LR3wxMZ13rdL45ty74SK8qE1Ocnj3AUk03jDafujmppk-CsYW_TJbZmP7lnUy37BLphHpNITrBeHZQmycg/s400/09-13-08_1604.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248607301513312274" border="0" /></a><br />I have never messed with circuit boards, and definitely have never etched anything. So, this was all pretty new to me. But, what better way to learn than to just dive in and do it.<br /><br />I bought most of the stuff from Mouser and Small Bear Electronics. I get most of my electronics stuff from Mouser, but Small Bear did have more reasonable shipping costs for such a small order. Of course, it wasn't too small of an order because I ordered enough to make two, bought some etching supplies, and two high-quality pliers. The weird looking blue stuff that I taped to a piece of paper and printed on is called Press-n-Peel. Using the clothes-iron, I am affixing the image that I printed (borrowed from Tonepad, but heavily edited and re-done in Illustrator).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwlbuuZy470XRhGpIfGa3t1sd3Cxze2ZLzzUSzDtgr-YUJW4UQbzMdRndwjCI9_LEFnAmTVvsamVmyDrwl3l4ozIlpnfGiu6alDYFiRaXddESd6gbINQ8WDUK1nxnp3kUcPVVQSw/s1600-h/09-13-08_1553.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 194px; height: 259px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwlbuuZy470XRhGpIfGa3t1sd3Cxze2ZLzzUSzDtgr-YUJW4UQbzMdRndwjCI9_LEFnAmTVvsamVmyDrwl3l4ozIlpnfGiu6alDYFiRaXddESd6gbINQ8WDUK1nxnp3kUcPVVQSw/s400/09-13-08_1553.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248607069705940146" border="0" /></a></div>I cut the board first. It is a fiberglass circuit board with a layer of copper on it. The idea is to cover the traces with toner (and fill in any planks with a Sharpie or other pen). Then, etch all the other copper away. I'm going to be honest and mention that I did not get a good transfer on the edges. I read about 5-6 tutorials on this and they all mentioned that the edges were the hardest part. Luckily, I was able to draw back what was missing.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCEhMTU2wruD7D2ahs8E2B5427pip0PpVefsOf6TkA-Ok-ak9htrGqX_jDCQzgn7ZhNPhBWV4Ul1zASwsYsGH5d0JEwFwqRgDZBVH2TE5-gSKq62s872bgl6qwM2UdqKNT3009Iw/s1600-h/09-13-08_1633.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 172px; height: 230px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCEhMTU2wruD7D2ahs8E2B5427pip0PpVefsOf6TkA-Ok-ak9htrGqX_jDCQzgn7ZhNPhBWV4Ul1zASwsYsGH5d0JEwFwqRgDZBVH2TE5-gSKq62s872bgl6qwM2UdqKNT3009Iw/s400/09-13-08_1633.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248607469499600866" border="0" /></a>Here you can see the board about to be etched with a bottle of etchant (ferric chloride). By placing the board into a small amount of the etchant and gently rocking it for about 15-20 minutes, all the copper that you don't want is removed. The plastic tub is nothing special, the etchant doesn't bother it any. I had visions of the ferric chloride eating the entire thing up (including the fiberglass, lol) and having to start over. As it turns out, this part of the process is just as easy as described. Except for the waiting part - that was a little brutal.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgixaUY9Z5db9Tw41Kp7ewQQLAoJ8hyT8XjapCefcDY5zf9q_h4N8spc4v1p5Zv3EiL-QoM8qAW2vDHtWp67iONBZPWS31bUK8zZNE5Cwd0-zVEYrBHx1LyV5FvW62ICvbUcx4P4A/s1600-h/09-13-08_1645.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 224px; height: 279px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgixaUY9Z5db9Tw41Kp7ewQQLAoJ8hyT8XjapCefcDY5zf9q_h4N8spc4v1p5Zv3EiL-QoM8qAW2vDHtWp67iONBZPWS31bUK8zZNE5Cwd0-zVEYrBHx1LyV5FvW62ICvbUcx4P4A/s400/09-13-08_1645.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248607735835269298" border="0" /></a>Here about 1/2 of the copper has been removed. The traces are protected by the material that the Press-n-Peel left behind (and my pen marks). Apparently this ferric chloride can really stain your hands and rubber gloves are recommended. I didn't do this, but lucked out somehow. The copper etches off from the outside in, so the center part of this board still has a bit of copper all over. The edges are etched perfectly up to the traces.<br /><br />This process really did take the full 20 minutes or so. But, eventually the board was etched and I ran it under cool water for a while to stop the etching process.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgM24W9UfH_YIUmTR4uhSRHnY_6nhp9ssq6tKC4kjnM8bxpGumYN5_s-qUsb60bLqi3R3Xi-8gIDPAke8ezMJpFhQy9MT5L4GHmckkSyHJ3llJU7dKAalxqCiksl30QKH1GqGk7A/s1600-h/09-13-08_1713.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 152px; height: 203px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgM24W9UfH_YIUmTR4uhSRHnY_6nhp9ssq6tKC4kjnM8bxpGumYN5_s-qUsb60bLqi3R3Xi-8gIDPAke8ezMJpFhQy9MT5L4GHmckkSyHJ3llJU7dKAalxqCiksl30QKH1GqGk7A/s400/09-13-08_1713.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248607911210250178" border="0" /></a>Next, a tiny drill bit was used to drill the holes that the component leads will fit through. Before I etched the board, I did make sure that the components would fit (which is why I re-made my own board layout entirely in Adobe Illustrator). Some of the items just didn't fit right, and I moved some of the things around. This little drill bit looks like something a jeweler would use, I was afraid I would snap it off.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1R5JX4O7MmhSYqvrvWycaAFmosUgcroTkHOjal5ydKRAtuoIQDzLuFsqZE_bkhnN5gw1h6rN5VTD8bc62PgGK0G9VdnB8BGTt8iMyHPCFY5D1aQMrK2ZPqfO_dLO67Gn2MJJV1A/s1600-h/09-13-08_1719.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 62px; height: 83px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1R5JX4O7MmhSYqvrvWycaAFmosUgcroTkHOjal5ydKRAtuoIQDzLuFsqZE_bkhnN5gw1h6rN5VTD8bc62PgGK0G9VdnB8BGTt8iMyHPCFY5D1aQMrK2ZPqfO_dLO67Gn2MJJV1A/s400/09-13-08_1719.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248608089181415090" border="0" /></a>This is such a horrible out-of-focus picture, but here is the finished product. The traces worked perfectly (and I double-checked continuity on quite a few of them with the multimeter). This is easily 1/3 done at this stage. The next step is to start populating the circuit board with components.<br /><br />--ghUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113309.post-67109283868618038982008-07-16T19:14:00.006-05:002008-07-16T19:33:08.232-05:00The TNH Amp - Chassis 2.1<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9EoNfvnsHRW8_ZQsyj1YDo_G4UWo-SNPlfi2VNTiJIUSdCpsysENKMv_gyTTS5AIhqv3pgChpSEXP2f0dysaLJvawiNwqpzV9dGUjdQ-Ck2C_to3NO90ztFC1qW2ZGvSrtWa-HQ/s1600-h/07-15-08_1839.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9EoNfvnsHRW8_ZQsyj1YDo_G4UWo-SNPlfi2VNTiJIUSdCpsysENKMv_gyTTS5AIhqv3pgChpSEXP2f0dysaLJvawiNwqpzV9dGUjdQ-Ck2C_to3NO90ztFC1qW2ZGvSrtWa-HQ/s400/07-15-08_1839.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223769879136995234" border="0" /></a>Here is the front panel, all inked up. I have blogged on this process before (<a href="http://blacklinefish.blogspot.com/2006/03/mr-frenchs-chassis.html">Mr. French</a>, and <a href="http://blacklinefish.blogspot.com/2006/10/hnb-60-lettering-chassis.html">HNB</a>) - but basically I am just using the old pen-and-ink technology with Leroy lettering tools.<br /><br />TNH are my son's initials, and it is an homage to the <a href="http://blacklinefish.blogspot.com/2006/10/hnb-100-final-product.html">HNB</a>, (based on his grandfather's initials). They share a middle name.<br /><br />If you can't read the front inscription, it says:<br /><blockquote style="font-family: arial; font-style: italic;">"Put silk on a goat and it is still a goat."</blockquote>Tyler found great meaning in that Irish proverb, or wherever it came from. Of course there is a goat next to the input jack, and there will be two plastic goats on the top. We even remembered to mark and drill the locations for their feet, so that it can be screwed in permanently. (So, the 51 holes I wrote about last time could have been just 47...)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpwyh-iRqtVEm9aICJyHwMYUTSx0ZYQMuO-0FkADNQPOaXYEZOBzhDYT4C2S2R_thFiPdF1imeIZorz1wjIgAvJeZ-t59KpCFoLD3JlVxjk8D2o5xiZrpxjzEGSmEE0pbSyrblcw/s1600-h/07-16-08_1802.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpwyh-iRqtVEm9aICJyHwMYUTSx0ZYQMuO-0FkADNQPOaXYEZOBzhDYT4C2S2R_thFiPdF1imeIZorz1wjIgAvJeZ-t59KpCFoLD3JlVxjk8D2o5xiZrpxjzEGSmEE0pbSyrblcw/s400/07-16-08_1802.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223770129528729234" border="0" /></a>This picture looks pretty good, but there are some issues with the finish. He really wanted something that was more of an off-white, and an ivory spray paint looked great. However, the store did not have this in a flat finish and I thought that satin would be fine to hold up to the lettering. Well, it did, perfectly. However, there must be something in the satin part of the finish that interacted with the lacquer clear-coat. We got some orange peel going on. A bad spot is on the side, and it will be hidden in the cabinet. Another bad spot is on the top, mostly under the output transformer. As things go, that's not so bad either. There's a small spot on the back, near some wording, that does look more on the obvious side.<br /><br />If any of the front had been damaged, I would have scraped the paint off and started over. The lettering is only about 2 hours of work and it would have been worth it. But, luckily, the finish looks mostly okay, and what you will see when it is in the cabinet won't even be noticeable. So, we'll leave it as is and I have learned to ONLY put a flat paint under any kind of clear. (I need to sandwich the lettering in between the color and the lacquer, so I always will put a clear coat on my builds with this kind of lettering.)<br /><br />However, I'm looking at it right now, from across the room, and it looks fantastic. The controls and transformers aren't hooked up to anything, the guts are empty. Next step, preparing the turret board.<br /><br />--gh<br /><br />P.S. The GAIN and master VOLUME go to 11.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113309.post-2326666218955265822008-07-13T17:30:00.004-05:002008-07-13T17:42:13.889-05:00The TNH Amp, 2.0 - Chassis<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdj3YxET55WKuVL5x_XFpXPd-Al29zDqPMJpgZlUpFUOgGPK7KJPHliKrnDy_oIi6t-QW5ug_jH2sJxVbcHd_7Ms-8A-vL6-QaFzpq5_pmn8usL5QzPk6C2D6gYSzpt09303iL-w/s1600-h/07-13-08_1406.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdj3YxET55WKuVL5x_XFpXPd-Al29zDqPMJpgZlUpFUOgGPK7KJPHliKrnDy_oIi6t-QW5ug_jH2sJxVbcHd_7Ms-8A-vL6-QaFzpq5_pmn8usL5QzPk6C2D6gYSzpt09303iL-w/s400/07-13-08_1406.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222629992443983506" border="0" /></a>...maybe it was just the school year, and the home renovation, and spring/summer yard/garden work - but we FINALLY got back to working on the TNH amp. My goal is to finish it before August 1 - because that will be 1 year!<br /><br />Today we began by drilling the chassis. I like to use a standard Hammond 2x8x16 aluminum chassis. The aluminum drills well and takes paint (and Bondo) well. We counted that this simple piece of metal will have 51 holes in it! That's a lot of drilling. Of course, every hole needs to be double checked with the parts to see that they are the right diameter. All of the holes are circular, drilled, except for the mains power entry. That has to be an odd shape to accept the IEC power connector (that's the style that you find on the back of some appliances like computers). I like IEC connectors, but it is a pain to use nibblers to nip the metal out little by little.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_PWFXjWanF_trfP1grCzmVjtALreUdKnuhMZzKucFXRG2i7lf7UhhbEyW4t3gEh35sPWYCP71kfBAUKYLOANcWvVuUsbnZqF_36Z0_KKgdWx5tu1g2nrBSbFaoKjWpchuJ-baMw/s1600-h/07-13-08_1628.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_PWFXjWanF_trfP1grCzmVjtALreUdKnuhMZzKucFXRG2i7lf7UhhbEyW4t3gEh35sPWYCP71kfBAUKYLOANcWvVuUsbnZqF_36Z0_KKgdWx5tu1g2nrBSbFaoKjWpchuJ-baMw/s400/07-13-08_1628.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222630231970654466" border="0" /></a>Here is the chassis with every hole punched in it. The two big ones on the top are for the preamp and output tube mounts. I have to use a unibit (stepper) because they are so huge (the largest one is a full inch). I've heard of some people doing this with hand-drills and spade bits and it's incredible that they have success. Nothing makes amp building nicer than the $99 drill press that we use.<br /><br />Tyler wanted to move the controls around so that there is a reasonable gap between the input jack and the first knob (gain). That is where some artwork, or lettering, etc., will go. That will be shown next, after it is painted. (It's in the basement with a primer coat now - no need to take a picture of that, though.)<br /><br />We used dish soap to get it cleaned up, and put some Bondo (car repair filler) in some of the corners to make the chassis look more consistent. When it is painted up, it will look nice.<br /><br />I'm getting excited about lettering this amp, it should be fun.<br /><br />--ghUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113309.post-53431158131053398212008-05-25T21:50:00.004-05:002008-05-25T22:38:24.984-05:00Playing Court sketch artist for a day...I happened to be in the Fairfax County Courthouse on the day of a capital offense sentencing hearing. I was just hanging out with my brother, who came up to me in one courtroom and said "hey Greg, you're going to want to see this other hearing - it will be more interesting." I asked, "what is it?" "The Prieto hearing," he answered. I knew that a jury had already found Alfredo R. Prieto guilty of rape and double murder a few months back. I walked into the courtroom and waited.<br /><br />The first thing that struck me was that the room was fairly packed, but not as much as the other room I had been in. This is due to the fact that 20 lawyers were on the docket in that other room handling routine motions and hearings for their clients. The next thing that struck me was that this courtroom had other business to attend to before the capital one. The hearing right before was actually one with a classmate of mine from high school. He was defending a kid who kept getting into trouble and had reached the point where he would now be handled as an adult. Luckily he had a lot of family there, and the judge allowed his grandfather (a retired police sergeant) to speak. It looked like things might go well with that kid if he stays away from some of his friends. After that hearing, the judge tried to get another hearing off his docket, but that lawyer was out of the room on another case (with permission, of course).<br /><br />So, the capital offense sentencing began. It took a few minutes to get the offender into the courtroom. Obviously he was not in some general holding cell. He was seated right in front of me, 12 feet away. Judge Randy Bellows did not explain anything, he did not discuss the severity of the situation, he just began the hearing. The Commonwealth spoke first, represented by a prosecutor named Horan that was brought out of retirement to try the original case. He discussed the elements of the case that the defending attorneys might bring up (mental situation of the defendant, years of good behavior while on a life sentence in California, and whether the first 16 years of the defendant's life has any bearing on the sentencing).<br /><br />At this point, I took out my notebook and started sketching the courtroom from my corner position. The picture you see below (not scanned, but a phone pic of my notebook) was drawn in that courtroom. On the left is Prieto. His hands and feet were shackled, and I could see his feet shuffling and changing position like a restless student. Right behind him, and a little to his right is a Fairfax County Sheriff's Deputy. In the back is Judge Bellows, with his hand on his cheek for most of the hearing. If this was a photo, I could have also captured one of the defending attorneys, but I chose to not draw him due to time (and I liked the isolation look that I had).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgunHisppy2G01kBhABVFt2icichV0WgJ5D5La_RQV3iKwLcLJJPFL7Fx68JBZIzVA0aMuuDCeOFS9n-9Qq6NDs9O2Pt1PrMS2wOLPHygqdXuLeSvO3Z1-KOuDoGBUlMGxmX3P-Jw/s1600-h/05-23-08_1232.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgunHisppy2G01kBhABVFt2icichV0WgJ5D5La_RQV3iKwLcLJJPFL7Fx68JBZIzVA0aMuuDCeOFS9n-9Qq6NDs9O2Pt1PrMS2wOLPHygqdXuLeSvO3Z1-KOuDoGBUlMGxmX3P-Jw/s400/05-23-08_1232.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5204513744531500578" border="0" /></a>The attorneys did bring up his mental capacity (IQ of 70 - but for some reason I could not buy that). They also brought up his rough life between 0 and 16 years of age. They said he was innocent until he was 16 (but this may only mean he was not caught for anything until that time). They brought up that the crime detectives captured some hairs and body fluid from the scene. The DNA in the body fluid is what tied the case to Prieto as he was held in California. The hairs, however, could not be identified because they were misplaced. This could bring in doubt that Prieto is only guilty of rape, but another person may have pulled the trigger. (The hairs could very well be Prieto's. His defense team didn't even offer who this other "person" could be.) The defense team mentioned that he was a model prisoner for the last 18 years (in isolation) and this should be weighed in for his sentencing. Finally, they mentioned that he was committed to religion now. The judge asked "what religion?" and the attorney went to Prieto and whispered back and forth for ten seconds before saying "Catholic, your honor." At the end he asked if Prieto had anything he wanted to say. Prieto said "Nothing, your honor, at the advise of my representation." (70 IQ?)<br /><br />After the Commonwealth briefly rebutted the points raised by the defense, Judge Bellows was ready to deliver the sentence. He explained his duty to abide by the Virginia Constitution. He discussed that this was a rape and double murder, and fit the death penalty. He discussed what pain the family members (who were in the room) had gone through and what was taken from them. At this point, Judge Bellows was holding back tears. He then said "I hereby sentence you to death..." for both murders. Oddly, the judge then gave jail sentences on top of the two death penalties for the rape, the gun discharge, and grand larceny (stealing the vehicle). He was compelled to do this, but it was a strange addition to the climax of this hearing.<br /><br />As Prieto was being led out of the courtroom, the brother of the female victim said "Hey Prieto!" Prieto turned himself all the way around and stared into the eyes of the man. The brother yelled "go to your room." What an odd thing to say (...and later I read that he was showing that Prieto had no control over his situation, and had to go to his room just like he was told to). The bailiffs urged the small crowd to stop interacting with Prieto. At that point, another person said "Adios, pendejo!"<br /><br />...and then it was over. The crowd moved out into the hallway, and Prieto was led back into his holding cell. Twenty minutes later, after I finally watched the other hearing that morning with my brother, I could see that the family was still in the hallway outside that courtroom.<br /><br />It was an odd trip. The day before I was shaking hands with Senator Brownback (Kansas) in his office - and this day I was watching the formal process of a man condemned to capital punishment. I have no editorial on the death penalty itself, because it is something that I do not hold strong opinions on. It will be an experience I will remember for a long time.<br /><br />--ghUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113309.post-55057163271344808332008-01-01T14:39:00.000-06:002008-01-01T15:04:35.900-06:00The TNH Amp, 1.3<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAAz1wZqoFTNI5ybfI8ibAsTxQD4IfGN2EsXjHedHloTQ3A9d30EgY4lwrAaSPXo3GRbCsPPFYqBUZhPyKgL1JiY-Dz_xTvoLCGx0aRRH3nvo6OoA3vB3Pd6NQwMJjn2WwA04cTg/s1600-h/01-01-08_1206.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5150611729415566674" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 262px" height="306" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAAz1wZqoFTNI5ybfI8ibAsTxQD4IfGN2EsXjHedHloTQ3A9d30EgY4lwrAaSPXo3GRbCsPPFYqBUZhPyKgL1JiY-Dz_xTvoLCGx0aRRH3nvo6OoA3vB3Pd6NQwMJjn2WwA04cTg/s400/01-01-08_1206.jpg" width="200" border="0" /></a> After a two-month hiatus, the amp project is back in progress. The two 1/2" thick pieces here serve to strengthen the amp as well as provide a kick plate (the bottom one). The top plate will house the jack to plug in from the amplifier. If you look closely, you can see that these pieces are sitting in a dado for a tight fit. My goal is to use no fasteners (screws or bolts) to keep this together. Integrating things like this help make it strong enough to never worry about. The speaker cabinet could get more messed up than the chassis cabinet, because it is bigger and heavier. So, using dado slots ensures a strong tight fit. If you look even closer, you can see the dado on the front of the cabinet. This is for the speaker baffle.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-qh0IvTkfiwbSUpNT-qncAOWE3YziHOdLMLgF2G5zkCwImADu4dDDdIQVSOtSlZeigaG8jVlVXcjWYQWONZfISeKyGyf4NtXvZ9YDWz2jrATEFlKpdqBIQOKeGeHZhknmWwPq1A/s1600-h/01-01-08_1300.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5150611570501776706" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 220px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" height="336" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-qh0IvTkfiwbSUpNT-qncAOWE3YziHOdLMLgF2G5zkCwImADu4dDDdIQVSOtSlZeigaG8jVlVXcjWYQWONZfISeKyGyf4NtXvZ9YDWz2jrATEFlKpdqBIQOKeGeHZhknmWwPq1A/s400/01-01-08_1300.jpg" width="171" border="0" /></a>I learned the hard way that you should cut out the speaker holes from the baffle before you assemble the whole cabinet. Well, it seems obvious now. Here is Tyler cutting out the first hole. This is an 11" diameter hole, to house a 12" speaker. The hole speaker diameter thing is a bit of a ripoff, because there is only 11" of cone diameter, the extra inch is for the speaker cage. This is Tyler's first time with the jig saw. He seemed to figure that out pretty quick.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNQZ2ZBYOWoBLX6v-7ZMVwXglAjJv_-QiNEjTNEWjcrQzu0ZfGGFVwn_1Dkm2A_ZlFhnVzr-V-b0Hc2iXKg2BvXXMHM8dfg5KL70zU4-TI48dFpmv-J6uG7I4AwBMmVaIsLGhJWg/s1600-h/01-01-08_1258.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5150611428767855922" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="323" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNQZ2ZBYOWoBLX6v-7ZMVwXglAjJv_-QiNEjTNEWjcrQzu0ZfGGFVwn_1Dkm2A_ZlFhnVzr-V-b0Hc2iXKg2BvXXMHM8dfg5KL70zU4-TI48dFpmv-J6uG7I4AwBMmVaIsLGhJWg/s400/01-01-08_1258.jpg" width="236" border="0" /></a>We ended up putting so many marks on that speaker baffle before cutting it to size and popping this hole out. We spent some extra time with the sander taking those marks off before gluing it up. That's another lesson that I learned - sand off any marks or rough spots on interior pieces before you assemble the cabinet. It is so hard to get inside something like that later on. I hope things go smooth on the next step - because it's gone pretty well so far. I'm proud of myself for having him wear shop glasses in these pictures. It's a good habit. When we were sanding, he even learned that sawdust can still get in your eyes, even with the glasses on - so I think he understands how important that is now.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkkzBwlHk1Z6BaDJTvhUPEhkwooQrot3bhp9xQUPKEWsUUQdKYrJsDxGGBpuuH1ZCGvxvrO2IK6VrGKtKxSm5bWfaHlT-ca38cbpfqi_1ydslFDprA0LxhOnXojPwGeEQnsAGZMA/s1600-h/01-01-08_1418.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5150611931279029602" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 211px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 334px" height="334" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkkzBwlHk1Z6BaDJTvhUPEhkwooQrot3bhp9xQUPKEWsUUQdKYrJsDxGGBpuuH1ZCGvxvrO2IK6VrGKtKxSm5bWfaHlT-ca38cbpfqi_1ydslFDprA0LxhOnXojPwGeEQnsAGZMA/s400/01-01-08_1418.jpg" width="162" border="0" /></a><br />Here is the cabinet all glued up. I drilled out the holes for that will hold the speakers in before putting this together (yeah, another lesson I learned from other builds). Even from this horrible little phone camera picture, I can see my glaring mistake. One of the holes is too close to the speaker hole. It really bugs me looking at it, even though I don't think it will even show later on. The mounting holes are all counter sunk (forstner bit) because I will put t-nuts in there to receive the bolts that hold the speaker in. The speaker will be loaded in from the back, which is easy because it is an open-back cabinet. The other cabinet that I am building, a closed-back design, will have to have the speakers mounted on the front.<br /><br />The next stage will be sanding, conditioning, staining, and finishing. Should be fun.<br /><br />--gh<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113309.post-34108880853455607042007-09-20T20:12:00.000-05:002007-09-20T20:20:21.160-05:00I are teh FAIL?Check out the 60-question <a href="http://www.americancivicliteracy.org/resources/quiz.aspx">American History and Civics</a> quiz.<br /><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2PRiu5Ti5AXzeL1QlITTwOKbwjblXKSwH2oH9ENnxvyKbRHN9z0dExipkCyumchsIQNNhX5got_iFkX_ldBtOfP-7cZ1YZuf7kbxZcMG7KCjm4rbI3jOZtSI-TfKJrCYRcf716A/s1600-h/civics.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5112459238027668498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2PRiu5Ti5AXzeL1QlITTwOKbwjblXKSwH2oH9ENnxvyKbRHN9z0dExipkCyumchsIQNNhX5got_iFkX_ldBtOfP-7cZ1YZuf7kbxZcMG7KCjm4rbI3jOZtSI-TfKJrCYRcf716A/s400/civics.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>At least I got a 90%, which is a College A. It would be a B in High School. I can't believe that I missed the last three questions! Duh!</div><div></div><div>--gh</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113309.post-37504856068249314732007-09-16T15:46:00.000-05:002007-09-16T16:23:42.362-05:00The TNH Amp, 1.2<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi84i0HoBhqoYqRv4dztD5bisydC8JzEY55ayPgHFn0L81DC_wCgJ_XK66hAnRDy0FHAU0NCO_HjBwM0OzCpOcV0-MPaJJ6_uzfwwBjzjLIVVRPn01n_wG1iO0NF86Misl4Ajaqmg/s1600-h/09-15-07_1231.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5110907212239430818" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi84i0HoBhqoYqRv4dztD5bisydC8JzEY55ayPgHFn0L81DC_wCgJ_XK66hAnRDy0FHAU0NCO_HjBwM0OzCpOcV0-MPaJJ6_uzfwwBjzjLIVVRPn01n_wG1iO0NF86Misl4Ajaqmg/s320/09-15-07_1231.jpg" border="0" /></a>Okay, I picked up some glasses for him to wear today, but this table saw pic was from yesterday. After cutting the sides of the cabinets to length, and routing dovetail joints, the next step was to rip the boards to dimension. We settled on a head cabinet and speaker cabinet (open back) with a 10" depth. This ripped about 1-1/2" to 2" from the boards and usually involved ripping both sides. This is so that the dovetail joints ended up nicely on the corners. It is incredible how much lighter this thing is with that little bit of wood removed. You can see the little push stick (black/yellow tape on the end) that I use for ripping smaller pieces. He learned to hold the wood against the fence and not bind the blade. Actually, he did very well at this stage and ripped 80% of the boards.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4JezPuY3L6b9qrJ-aHZH5GB9FLAU-Bhd40pv0g6RtExBc1ToUDYBkaSGEYkBeAt1Xnbdn2qH6waL_AtdKCpeyzP5umY7bRREI8FGTIrdo0bXVm1YXgcyofIoz6rrTlJ1fOnyLkw/s1600-h/09-15-07_1337.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5110907646031127730" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4JezPuY3L6b9qrJ-aHZH5GB9FLAU-Bhd40pv0g6RtExBc1ToUDYBkaSGEYkBeAt1Xnbdn2qH6waL_AtdKCpeyzP5umY7bRREI8FGTIrdo0bXVm1YXgcyofIoz6rrTlJ1fOnyLkw/s320/09-15-07_1337.jpg" border="0" /></a>I learned on my other builds that any hardware connections that mount through the wood should be drilled before glueing the cabinets together. On my first build, I must have spent 45 minutes trying to line up where the holes should come up through the bottom to meet the receiving threads in the chassis. It turned out just fine, but it was a headache. With the piece unassembled, it is a 45 second job. The bottom has four holes where socket cap screws mount the chassis to the cabinet. The top has two holes where the handle is mounted though the wood. I don't trust wood screws for stuff like that. I will screw the feet on with screws, though, as well as all of the corner protectors.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6foVvzyxM8QbsEuutgc_DfjxJj3fP3vClydByZBQ4cMaZuU-3pqjsEkA0yI2V1OWk9_XBUrJF2TWH42F0akzq7tXjc2GgnXRljT8miqdPzYsGrqvhMVntLDYmDrN84G_Jpb4qYA/s1600-h/09-15-07_1423.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5110908122772497602" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6foVvzyxM8QbsEuutgc_DfjxJj3fP3vClydByZBQ4cMaZuU-3pqjsEkA0yI2V1OWk9_XBUrJF2TWH42F0akzq7tXjc2GgnXRljT8miqdPzYsGrqvhMVntLDYmDrN84G_Jpb4qYA/s320/09-15-07_1423.jpg" border="0" /></a>Here is a picture of the amp chassis bolted to the bottom of the cabinet. Note that I have a t-nut counter-sunk (3/4" forstner bit) for a solid connection. I use 1-1/2" or 2" hex socket cap screws for this (10-32 thread). The mistake that I made on my first build was to leave the threads in the t-nut. This means that the screw has to thread the t-nut as well as the thread-sert in the chassis. While I like that I can back out the cap screws and have them hold in place, it is better for them to just fall down. This makes mounting the chassis a lot easier because you can feel just the threads of the chassis, and not the chassis and the t-nut. It was very hard drilling out those little t-nuts. I should have used a larger size and not worried about the threads at all. However, now they look and feel fine.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6u2nLTdgAKQ1MFjS3Q7aeBczgKxbym9g3u3xPYUf74vOqG0xiRrhlX-Oo6aNACthuQIxULgTzhzzfFoC0onL8gaTtypQx6KtuImEbcmK_Cxzq8aWpFpzvF26LdFMJiSXkbAZiQA/s1600-h/09-15-07_1425.jpg"></a></div><div></div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6u2nLTdgAKQ1MFjS3Q7aeBczgKxbym9g3u3xPYUf74vOqG0xiRrhlX-Oo6aNACthuQIxULgTzhzzfFoC0onL8gaTtypQx6KtuImEbcmK_Cxzq8aWpFpzvF26LdFMJiSXkbAZiQA/s1600-h/09-15-07_1425.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5110908273096352978" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6u2nLTdgAKQ1MFjS3Q7aeBczgKxbym9g3u3xPYUf74vOqG0xiRrhlX-Oo6aNACthuQIxULgTzhzzfFoC0onL8gaTtypQx6KtuImEbcmK_Cxzq8aWpFpzvF26LdFMJiSXkbAZiQA/s320/09-15-07_1425.jpg" border="0" /></a></div>I like to use these hex cap screws for this, but I don't care to use an allen wrench. There are these little plastic thumb knobs that stretch perfectly over the tops of these guys so that you don't need tools at all to remove the chassis from the cabinet. Judging from this pic, that screw is at least 1-3/4", and possibly 2" (the dimension of the chassis side). Sorry for the bad picture here, but you can see that the bolts meet up with the chassis using the nut-sert or thread-sert that is mounted to a hole drilled in the lip. This makes such a positive match to the cabinet and I am very pleased with it. It is a little detail that I think makes the whole project a little higher quality. The quick and dirty way that some builders use is to mount an angle bracket on the outside. However, this means the whole cabinet needs to be wider, and then you have to hide the edges. This method is one way to have the cabinet inside dimension match the chassis.</div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>--gh</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113309.post-91333157820534541472007-09-13T22:09:00.000-05:002007-09-14T09:06:05.493-05:00The TNH Amp, 1.1<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_kYtM9ra8-VC6vRUD1FO9eOWJJ9pZCysHfqVCEDRCYZmhoIZ5c2eXafehDI_Y2KGKJDzBywjsPQ5ADx0lIbl6TnbIfkzE5PSCmlpDUzpsIwqC8ZJUaI3G7kxxJCLpWhOPc87LHQ/s1600-h/09-13-07_1958.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5109892109603922866" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_kYtM9ra8-VC6vRUD1FO9eOWJJ9pZCysHfqVCEDRCYZmhoIZ5c2eXafehDI_Y2KGKJDzBywjsPQ5ADx0lIbl6TnbIfkzE5PSCmlpDUzpsIwqC8ZJUaI3G7kxxJCLpWhOPc87LHQ/s320/09-13-07_1958.jpg" border="0" /></a></span>Continuing with the power tool introduction, this is his first chance with the router. The template that you see there is the Keller 1500 dovetail jig. This is my third of fourth project with it, so I am glad that I invested in it. I am also glad that it is holding up well. This is not really the best picture of Tyler routing (minimal dust spraying back), but it is the only one that I have with him wearing ear protection. I think the router is 90-105db, so this is a good idea. You can get fairly precise with this dovetail jig, but I don't choose to. I'll build the boxes for the cabinets, then mark lines to rip the front and back nice and even.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA0shvD92OJUM1IidxnunQR1P98l-ICF0D4SWHBj8LDk-XNSxlAsL5mPR_9_pwPS8bPRv4Es0xt0PbKJ7DR4o6VkRYKA9IEJ3m0QNYVB-F9a9Hc67mDK9Xp0Qgar_xFtRAdZ-JQw/s1600-h/09-13-07_2056.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5109892259927778242" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA0shvD92OJUM1IidxnunQR1P98l-ICF0D4SWHBj8LDk-XNSxlAsL5mPR_9_pwPS8bPRv4Es0xt0PbKJ7DR4o6VkRYKA9IEJ3m0QNYVB-F9a9Hc67mDK9Xp0Qgar_xFtRAdZ-JQw/s320/09-13-07_2056.jpg" border="0" /></a>He did not do all of these cuts, but he did enough to get a feel for it. Here are all the pieces for an amplifier cabinet, and two speaker cabinets. I would like to have some kind of portable work bench, but as it is I just mount half my work to my table saw. Later on, I bet you'll see us using this for gluing, finishing, etc. Looking at all those pieces at once is sort of impressive - it's about an hour of work (setting up, clamping, etc.). Of course, by hand that would be a lot longer.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV-75wloAcBIH6hOpYozzKxmQD9IjEU20o2JKUfyZf5VahzeRC77f432v8KXEYWlB24smvk1V9nGG8JJNC6LehoTK-AAKJZB4A6uVQorMue3lc4WGMVXSf4GhLNdnZWrbMdh6YRQ/s1600-h/09-13-07_2107.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5109892453201306578" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV-75wloAcBIH6hOpYozzKxmQD9IjEU20o2JKUfyZf5VahzeRC77f432v8KXEYWlB24smvk1V9nGG8JJNC6LehoTK-AAKJZB4A6uVQorMue3lc4WGMVXSf4GhLNdnZWrbMdh6YRQ/s320/09-13-07_2107.jpg" border="0" /></a>The cabinets were measured very well. I slapped them together dry to get a feel for size and note that the amp chassis slides very well. It will have a bit of paint and lacquer on it, and the cabinet will have a finish. I hope it isn't too tight! I'll check the other side first, and if it is then it can be opened up a tad with some judicious sanding. Note that the chassis is just a <a href="http://www.hammondmfg.com/dwg21.htm">Hammond</a> chassis (#<a href="http://www.hammondmfg.com/pdf/1444-26.pdf">1444-26</a>). We'll drill that out down the road. I like that part too. Inside are various capacitors, resistors, potentiometers, and transformers. Might be a tube or two.<br /><div></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh09tybNWKupJCFop2sa21p5rO9LNmkH2hK2HbCgFTkCXbduVlnNyDPp2OP4NP00r5-XPbCE1GPlN8ducpeClQr6yBgFaYytyWz2EXgoPuiiIWEzD1gYE-wL1LWxhYAS2wulL-FQw/s1600-h/09-13-07_2114.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5109892659359736802" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh09tybNWKupJCFop2sa21p5rO9LNmkH2hK2HbCgFTkCXbduVlnNyDPp2OP4NP00r5-XPbCE1GPlN8ducpeClQr6yBgFaYytyWz2EXgoPuiiIWEzD1gYE-wL1LWxhYAS2wulL-FQw/s320/09-13-07_2114.jpg" border="0" /></a>I slapped these together to get a feel for size. Also, because the lumber was slightly cupped, I thought this would straighten them out a little. It could get pretty messed up, but tapping the dovetails together would straighten anything. The cabinet on the left will be the 2x10 sealed speaker cabinet. I will probably keep it pretty deep, based on some <a href="http://www.webervst.com/spkrcalc/cabmenu.htm">calculations</a> using data from the speaker company. On the right is Tyler's quarter stack. This will have an EL34-based tube amp on the top, and a 2x12 speaker cabinet. I am planning on trimming the front and back a little. This is 11.5", and we could lose an inch and a half, perhaps. They stand up just fine without glue. That's a pretty good test of the integrity of these joints. I will not use any screws to hold this together. The speaker cabinet will be strenghtened by the baffle on the front, which will be glued into a dado. On the back I'll incorporate a kick plate, and that will also help make it sturdy.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHNgec4tUPpuaUbdOnPqATYas5YgULVAjLMwcfhVpU96cluXjVqS7fzUch4BzNgvbkqj-2V5FOndkUHa2yO6dkHt4txnESRKKsT7d6sHco_m3ey1vBhvk05P-s-1XxtFDwTXoh8A/s1600-h/09-13-07_2127.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5109893342259536882" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHNgec4tUPpuaUbdOnPqATYas5YgULVAjLMwcfhVpU96cluXjVqS7fzUch4BzNgvbkqj-2V5FOndkUHa2yO6dkHt4txnESRKKsT7d6sHco_m3ey1vBhvk05P-s-1XxtFDwTXoh8A/s320/09-13-07_2127.jpg" border="0" /></a>Here is a dry-fit of the dovetails. Note that the exposed ends are just proud of the joint. Those will get sanded, and all the corners will be rounded over as well. I am starting to get excited about this. Tyler's quarter stack will be up in his room by early October, I bet. Then the noise will begin. I am glad that he is putting as much sweat equity into this as I am - because a 14-year-old barely deserves something this nice otherwise!<br /><br />I am a little embarassed to say that I never had the chance to play through a tube amp until early 2006. I was looking at Telecasters and the nice folks at the guitar store put me in a little room by myself. They showed me a bunch of complicated amps, and I plugged into a little <a href="http://www.guitarcenter.com/shop/product/Epiphone-Valve-Jr.-HalfStack?full_sku=481475">Epiphone Valve Junior</a>. I loved it. When the sales guy came back, he looked at me like I was crazy and plugged me into a very complicated amp. After he left, I went back to the simple 5-watt Epiphone amp! I had no idea.<br /><br />--ghUnknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113309.post-76100968866071287812007-09-13T21:43:00.000-05:002007-09-13T22:09:47.336-05:00The TNH Amp, 1.0<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKs08kEsHsf8u9J8fkDdebKv-1skE_HS1t8R6DVM40s23kumWZP-gdvVHAWJeITmnp609V4u5Rmd_x7_ACokDBV3aE-xk475pEBmZY5Ffze6sWY7ntsQkIoLDQyc5sYQqLLFQ6xg/s1600-h/09-05-07_2006.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5109886096649708450" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKs08kEsHsf8u9J8fkDdebKv-1skE_HS1t8R6DVM40s23kumWZP-gdvVHAWJeITmnp609V4u5Rmd_x7_ACokDBV3aE-xk475pEBmZY5Ffze6sWY7ntsQkIoLDQyc5sYQqLLFQ6xg/s320/09-05-07_2006.jpg" border="0" /></a>Our next project is building an amplifier and speaker cabinet. We chose the P1-Extreme plan from the amplifier building community <a href="http://ax84.com/">AX84.com</a>. We'll start on the cabinet first, because I like to make sure that the speakers and the amp chassis fit well. Also, I'm afraid if we build the amp first, we'd be playing it from a table into speakers mounted in a cardboard box or something. It is more satisfying to finish wiring things up and then to slide them into a cabinet like we ordered it custom made. The design will be similar to <a href="http://blacklinefish.blogspot.com/2006_03_01_archive.html">my first build</a>. (Measure twice, cut once!) It is a lot of fun taking pictures when I'm not doing this alone. This does have the amusing effect of looking like he is totally solo in this build. Maybe he should get his <a href="http://tylerish.blogspot.com/">own blog</a> going and describe it from his <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">perspective</span>.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDnQ9OVAvn9Wx7fyoXNT6eQ03R2EBiNCjUWcIP7-Cu_RmVlHhk5EBfk1jf88cW76R5OPrXPNMckkj44rswoGXdQrI4kWH5K3DoX_SmAAMUcT-vaMB6ITgMQ1HAZjeoHgIWBemUeA/s1600-h/09-05-07_2014.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5109885542598927234" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDnQ9OVAvn9Wx7fyoXNT6eQ03R2EBiNCjUWcIP7-Cu_RmVlHhk5EBfk1jf88cW76R5OPrXPNMckkj44rswoGXdQrI4kWH5K3DoX_SmAAMUcT-vaMB6ITgMQ1HAZjeoHgIWBemUeA/s320/09-05-07_2014.jpg" border="0" /></a>I think this is Tyler's first real experience with power tools. When I was his age, I had already taken shop in junior high, so it seems to be about right. We started with a battery-powered circular saw. It kind of wimped out on us, though, and we had to go to the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">SkilSaw</span>. Tyler is using a square clamped to the board to guide the saw. Don't worry, his hand is not as close to that blade as the picture suggests. The lumber we are using is some decent looking poplar from the lumber yard. I still haven't done anything that involves joining - but I still see a joiner in my future. I think this poplar will be dyed fairly dark, so I hope it looks even.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD1BQxO00TS_EmxSjsn-SoTne1m5RVwUGv36Z9q1sU5GvBeCn9PophDD08H2ybt-ujELmdqsrygQ5mZVgau-RNuIlnRkuqQZcMcVaadMTJyxR_QOXFyBroVUM_ugZkY7S1oq1U9A/s1600-h/09-05-07_2040.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5109885662858011538" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD1BQxO00TS_EmxSjsn-SoTne1m5RVwUGv36Z9q1sU5GvBeCn9PophDD08H2ybt-ujELmdqsrygQ5mZVgau-RNuIlnRkuqQZcMcVaadMTJyxR_QOXFyBroVUM_ugZkY7S1oq1U9A/s320/09-05-07_2040.jpg" border="0" /></a>If you into counting these pieces, you may notice four extra sides. I decided to use some speakers that I got last year but never used. I learned that they were meant to be in a closed cabinet only, and not open backed. So, I will build an sealed speaker cabinet to try out. I bought the wood almost a month before cutting it. Even though I think I stored it pretty well, it still cupped a little. That's okay, this will be fixed in the next stage.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />--<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">gh</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113309.post-43452747575162268672007-09-02T18:15:00.000-05:002007-09-02T18:19:35.782-05:00Tylercaster completeSide-by-side with my Telecaster, the Strat is definitely a cousin. I felt like I was taking family portraits or something. I finished 90% of the setup today. The intonation, action, and relief are all very close to my ideal. It plays beautifully, but I think I need to raise the bridge pickup a little. I will have to take the pickguard off to do it because I need to cut the rubber sleeve that holds it in place a little. The other issue is that the neck is still a little sticky. It is a nitrocellulose neck, made earlier this year, so that it to be expected.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbvMe8vfSsA-UBrGe5tcnlkUPd_dThsr9Z901i4u8z9lpVMOoeabUhfmYqosWOexT0dh-LKU49gXCsTEngfeL4x94xwiGEzawY1UOSDdm6OrP-UpIgP0C4C3UjBuG9AzE6ZC30UQ/s1600-h/IMG_0141x.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5105749665386017378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbvMe8vfSsA-UBrGe5tcnlkUPd_dThsr9Z901i4u8z9lpVMOoeabUhfmYqosWOexT0dh-LKU49gXCsTEngfeL4x94xwiGEzawY1UOSDdm6OrP-UpIgP0C4C3UjBuG9AzE6ZC30UQ/s400/IMG_0141x.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Here you can see some carpet, paint, and trim work from our renovated bedroom. Cousins in the bedroom!<br /><br />--ghUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113309.post-43219852537556776642007-09-02T00:01:00.000-05:002007-09-02T00:36:37.579-05:00Tylercaster C<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZtWdqv-G-hbAWhs5cuSgn_gDgs0i1wXRBa_vMV0CHuRrRyKYagFjajAW8k6BpIYqWGzjevJ91jSbI2sMy7sUbpsOFYFYg3MFIiUCKJ0LdXjXz7mO_BUVnobDOLrztnHqMOvxTUQ/s1600-h/09-01-07_2111.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5105468121689829906" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZtWdqv-G-hbAWhs5cuSgn_gDgs0i1wXRBa_vMV0CHuRrRyKYagFjajAW8k6BpIYqWGzjevJ91jSbI2sMy7sUbpsOFYFYg3MFIiUCKJ0LdXjXz7mO_BUVnobDOLrztnHqMOvxTUQ/s320/09-01-07_2111.jpg" border="0" /></a>There are not too many shots of us working on the inner electronics. To be honest, I had to help out a lot there so I didn't grab the camera. Here's a quick pick of Tyler soldering up the output jack. This is his first effort in soldering, so I thought he couldn't mess up a jack. (I had a spare handy just in case.) The worst thing we'd need to do would be to cut a half inch off the wires and start this part over. As it turns out, he did just fine. Note that the jack is sitting on top of a small can of solder flux. This kept the mat we are using here safe.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4UgFVTAejeYD-TzvVZYE3eJb6wOa9SR7o6xsXf6N5giNHWJh4nHwKHaw2zqbrGfBhIptEMFsP2BcgTDcz0ikokOwdPReJ3Sej9xU931yxr-eGZEnczhLdkTCciANpPjvJKU8geQ/s1600-h/09-01-07_2118.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5105469289920934434" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4UgFVTAejeYD-TzvVZYE3eJb6wOa9SR7o6xsXf6N5giNHWJh4nHwKHaw2zqbrGfBhIptEMFsP2BcgTDcz0ikokOwdPReJ3Sej9xU931yxr-eGZEnczhLdkTCciANpPjvJKU8geQ/s320/09-01-07_2118.jpg" border="0" /></a> Here's one of the final assembly steps, the installation of the output jack <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">escutcheon</span>. This is probably the only thing we messed up, I never knew a Strat had a particular angle that the jack tip had to be at for things to work. We had this thing on and off about three times. Tyler got comfortable with this step.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDM8ROufAejfU3TscNQ8Lssi0ws-l_eMAqx99ldAtAvj5YDkorPVzAdJNGfpcBknBuO8eHbFCRGnatrjv2wCzCrSzmv2d0K-Xb5BCeUqq3ScUCp82cQ-WXOnuQj-pGyQXcLDOR2Q/s1600-h/09-01-07_2121.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5105470110259687986" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDM8ROufAejfU3TscNQ8Lssi0ws-l_eMAqx99ldAtAvj5YDkorPVzAdJNGfpcBknBuO8eHbFCRGnatrjv2wCzCrSzmv2d0K-Xb5BCeUqq3ScUCp82cQ-WXOnuQj-pGyQXcLDOR2Q/s320/09-01-07_2121.jpg" border="0" /></a>Taking off the protective plastic from the pickguard must have been his favorite step of all. At first you don't really notice the plastic. However, with each component that you add, the plastic gets blistered up and pushed aside. Some guitars come from the factory with components mounted OVER the pickguard plastic protective layer. This is madness because you have to unscrew a lot of things to get that plastic out. I taught him to push the plastic aside, but keep it on as long as possible.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY_4FJyOzcWtcBTFMiX4TiSfIcGv2caWGu3zuYNHG_X5H-QLAEFhwEjXbp6ZOmj2RFs2YVnV7Vu9cu5aHclhrqEWn4Y9mCECEIHmwXYJ8z1SmC7I6VLuULvcQ7oD9yrPN6Lf6t3w/s1600-h/IMG_0124.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5105471149641773634" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY_4FJyOzcWtcBTFMiX4TiSfIcGv2caWGu3zuYNHG_X5H-QLAEFhwEjXbp6ZOmj2RFs2YVnV7Vu9cu5aHclhrqEWn4Y9mCECEIHmwXYJ8z1SmC7I6VLuULvcQ7oD9yrPN6Lf6t3w/s320/IMG_0124.JPG" border="0" /></a>All of a sudden, the major part of this build was over! I strung up the guitar and it was even in decent condition for intonation and setup. Look at that dining room table! It took me 15 minutes to clean that up this evening. The guitar, as you can see, is pretty complete. I through all five tremolo block springs in the back and the bridge plate is resting on the body even with the six strings on there. It will take me some time to figure out what needs to happen with the setup. The springs are there to balance the string tension, and you can adjust the number of springs (3-5), as well as the tension on the springs. The bridge can rest on the body (as it is now), or "float" up a little, perfectly balanced between the springs and the strings. Of course, the neck's relief will need to be looked at (truss rod), in about a week. The microtilt might be the next adjustment. Then, the saddles will be moved to match the neck profile and set the intonation as well as the string height (action). My goal is 4/64" or so.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUfQmMJO__s0RyoJ6SbkC2aqHiSJgtMFbLs-xbg61C3ojBGSQ-l0edufER_rhrrBm_en-mwyH3z1pN9zmWz2phOGwU8bxtaa3ndc0iUCRota_F7TOnffg5Y96EMwS3pNcFlwiM_A/s1600-h/IMG_0128.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5105473344370061906" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUfQmMJO__s0RyoJ6SbkC2aqHiSJgtMFbLs-xbg61C3ojBGSQ-l0edufER_rhrrBm_en-mwyH3z1pN9zmWz2phOGwU8bxtaa3ndc0iUCRota_F7TOnffg5Y96EMwS3pNcFlwiM_A/s320/IMG_0128.JPG" border="0" /></a>This thing really is a knockout. I need to take some daylight pictures, because this is a guitar that would stop me in my tracks if I saw it hanging on the wall. It was built as the cousin to my Telecaster. Specifically, it has the following in common: alder body, 3-tone sunburst, American Deluxe body, parchment pickguard, full cavity shielding, Seymour Duncan stack pickups, a vintage feeling and looking tinted neck, and a vintage shoulder strap with Schaller straplocks. There's probably more. I played around with it for ten minutes or so and I can tell that this thing will be a dream guitar in a few months. The neck is a little sticky (it is a 2007 nitrocellulose finish), but the feel of it is great. The neck radius is like a Les Paul, and the frets feel like Dunlop medium-jumbo. With absolutely no setup it feels better than a lot of guitars hanging on the shelf at many music stores. I don't think this is the store's fault, it's probably due to people misusing them. (Of course, it is the store's job to keep up with that stuff.)<br /><br />I've already gone over the set up issues that need to happen next. I don't think I will document that process. However, it is the important last step of any parts build. The other thing that we need to start working on is the amplifier. There is a couple of board feet of poplar in the basement, as well as some transformers, tubes, and other various parts that will slowly turn into a tiny terror of 11-15 watts.<br /><br />--ghUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113309.post-54510556246682530182007-09-01T23:31:00.000-05:002007-09-02T00:00:57.054-05:00Tylercaster B<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEjoZflHLNzKiA7_EArteweX4Wf85tqQerqvc48CKm-nUbrj0J7XCDnXJ-eiatQDbQAnuvkLCo-v1kehk1PB9fydcVyF0PK4TyQdWrdWNK5XyJLYTE9NP3I5tK7YSNiFPS7_TJPQ/s1600-h/08-24-07_2222.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5105460429403402722" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEjoZflHLNzKiA7_EArteweX4Wf85tqQerqvc48CKm-nUbrj0J7XCDnXJ-eiatQDbQAnuvkLCo-v1kehk1PB9fydcVyF0PK4TyQdWrdWNK5XyJLYTE9NP3I5tK7YSNiFPS7_TJPQ/s320/08-24-07_2222.jpg" border="0" /></a> I like this step. The neck needs a solid metal surface to receive the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">microtilt</span></span> bolt that comes through the American Deluxe neck plate area. Since this is a more vintage style neck, I improvised with a couple of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Forstner</span></span> bits and a metal plug used for electrical boxes. It works great, and I did a much better job on this than my <a href="http://blacklinefish.blogspot.com/2007/03/haddo-caster-30-routing.html">Telecaster</a> earlier this year. I used this adjustment to tweak the Telecaster into a perfect neck angle so that my saddle and pickup heights were easy to get into line. It's good to have this on the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Stratocaster</span></span> because there will be a lot of setup as soon as the neck adjusts to having strings on it again.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir4FHbHZ2Eb19tLVtCOj6wKpe81Nvz3GtC-wryxBD0CeQ3y_51aO0sid9gd6EzfxSkpfzYaSixbQT3Klu3HAQ69VgRFL7OXBca8BQXC64YVJftkqiwkvgoQ_WFuj8vJUOXh_6_gw/s1600-h/09-01-07_1934.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5105460193180201426" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir4FHbHZ2Eb19tLVtCOj6wKpe81Nvz3GtC-wryxBD0CeQ3y_51aO0sid9gd6EzfxSkpfzYaSixbQT3Klu3HAQ69VgRFL7OXBca8BQXC64YVJftkqiwkvgoQ_WFuj8vJUOXh_6_gw/s320/09-01-07_1934.jpg" border="0" /></a>Next goes some copper shielding. Shielding a guitar can be controversial because it can attenuate some high frequencies. However, I like to err on the side of quiet. I think 60-cycle hum is not acceptable. This guitar will be very quiet due to the cautious shielding and the Seymour Duncan stack pickups. Classic Stacks, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">STK</span></span>-4s, are technically <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">humbucking</span></span> pickups made to look, fit, and sound like single coil pickups. The trade-off from true single coil sound is worth it to me. We are using copper foil tape for the cavity shielding. Here you can see Tyler soldering together the taped seams. This is not <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">necessary</span> for continuity, perhaps, but it also helps to lock things in very tight. I think this copper foil will still be hanging on in 50 years. The solder stiffens things, that's for sure. I also think the heat from the soldering station makes the glue on the tape adhere very securely.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfjjSoq8tfkv_3cd6YlMiMlHL4xQDitE7UbN28RhxwqKx55MreOWJBcldlTagoR6lOYqEhCUYJkPIaqqEcPgBSSSSNW79qz6BrPYFfBlfsDSWVzCbUi7afieBdb7sYXhPJouTrDQ/s1600-h/08-23-07_2026.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5105464191794754034" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfjjSoq8tfkv_3cd6YlMiMlHL4xQDitE7UbN28RhxwqKx55MreOWJBcldlTagoR6lOYqEhCUYJkPIaqqEcPgBSSSSNW79qz6BrPYFfBlfsDSWVzCbUi7afieBdb7sYXhPJouTrDQ/s320/08-23-07_2026.jpg" border="0" /></a>Tyler is finishing up the layout of the wiring here. The controls are loaded onto the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">pickguard</span>. Note that there is some shielding on this <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">pickguard</span> - that is from Fender. I think we changed things around a little bit after routing the wires this way. The 4-conductor wire that Seymour Duncan uses appears delicate, so this can be a little nerve wracking. The carpet on the dining room table here is what we now have in our stairway and upstairs hall. It's on the shaggy side which took some getting used to, especially on the<br />stairs. it does feel plush, though.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjktFeKObVrBB4zhLvCfTuNMvQcqKM5AVip7YXxOR2GEQOrrEuF1gVtS0kRse0o368tt-JaUWw-A9-EFZrkY1ZHMHz_roMSEBfuscuHruANQwjgXDp5zyWzwNlOimWGnHSmOhW6_A/s1600-h/08-24-07_1843.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5105465171047297538" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjktFeKObVrBB4zhLvCfTuNMvQcqKM5AVip7YXxOR2GEQOrrEuF1gVtS0kRse0o368tt-JaUWw-A9-EFZrkY1ZHMHz_roMSEBfuscuHruANQwjgXDp5zyWzwNlOimWGnHSmOhW6_A/s320/08-24-07_1843.jpg" border="0" /></a>One of the things that Tyler wanted for this build was to have American parts (when available). So, when we stared talking about the bridge, tremolo, saddles, and block, I told him that what we needed was from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Callaham</span> Guitar parts in Winchester, Va. I have a lot of fond childhood memories of Winchester, so it's nice to know a piece of his guitar came from there. Oddly, they do not make a 2-pivot style bridge plate, so I needed to get that from another source. The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">trem</span>-bar feels VERY secure in the block. It is the best I have ever felt. Thanks, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Callaham</span>. It may look like there is not much left. For the parts assembly, this is true. There will be a lot of setup issues over the next month, though.<br /><br /><br />--<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">gh</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113309.post-24842858578017747712007-08-22T23:39:00.000-05:002007-08-23T00:18:46.995-05:00Tylercaster AEver since I put my Telecaster together, Tyler's been itching for his own build. We settled on a plan to build a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Stratocaster</span> cousin. He wanted as many features to be the same as my Telecaster, including:<br /><br /><br /><ul><li>a vintage tinted and shaped neck, </li><li>3-tone sunburst alder body, </li><li>parchment <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">pickguard</span>, </li><li>aftermarket bridge (non stock), </li><li>a deluxe body with the sculpted heel, </li><li>non-standard wiring,</li><li>and Seymour Duncan pickups.</li></ul><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9pWr51L_zMEbgdH-ranHQQFVbkPRTK9lcd6iGCkfDenulsacRLnj5DttS9mtvTlMh1uUs9S8maerUHbJ6YNBfge6Y3hFWGJhxQOpKedJaZIGsb5p2zCHYcuErSEuu0m5sRbqOJQ/s1600-h/08-22-07_1529.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101752267580704002" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9pWr51L_zMEbgdH-ranHQQFVbkPRTK9lcd6iGCkfDenulsacRLnj5DttS9mtvTlMh1uUs9S8maerUHbJ6YNBfge6Y3hFWGJhxQOpKedJaZIGsb5p2zCHYcuErSEuu0m5sRbqOJQ/s320/08-22-07_1529.jpg" border="0" /></a>We got him the neck and the case and he saved up for the rest of the build. The neck is an amazing <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">quartersawn</span> and slightly <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">flamey</span> piece from an Eric Johnson model <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Stratocaster</span>. It came with the vintage staggered tuners, so I guess he won't be learning about installing those. Here you can see him removing the hunk of wood that I attached before we gave it to him. I wanted him to open up a light case, possibly thinking it was empty. However, I didn't want a costly neck banging around in there. The case is a standard, but classic style. He was probably relieved we got that for him since no one really likes buying a case when saving for a guitar (but it is necessary).</p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBHDgATrg_lh14HPLaA7ojpGRRddK4TAYOExzueAJxPRAAvkqB6HQmyXWexNA9AXuj18SRbTBPztMykXkvx9-XV_WJXZ4ioGCrhFZPZhtRzZQVQAal1xCcPnOgPWhI2yuBeOKETQ/s1600-h/08-22-07_1535.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101753345617495314" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBHDgATrg_lh14HPLaA7ojpGRRddK4TAYOExzueAJxPRAAvkqB6HQmyXWexNA9AXuj18SRbTBPztMykXkvx9-XV_WJXZ4ioGCrhFZPZhtRzZQVQAal1xCcPnOgPWhI2yuBeOKETQ/s320/08-22-07_1535.jpg" border="0" /></a> I don't know what to be more excited about, the neck or this body. I'll start with the neck. The Eric Johnson model neck is one of the few truly <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">quartersawn</span> necks that you can get on a USA <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Stratocaster</span>, before you go Custom Shop. There are many great "Crafted in Japan" necks that look great, but this one is even more special. The maple has a slight flame to it, and it is tinted. It looks like some of the 1957 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">ReIssue</span> necks, and even has a soft-V profile (that moves towards a "C" as you move up the neck). The fretboard radius is not like a 1957, though. It is actually 12", just like a Gibson. This thing will be able to shred, (some day). To top it off, the neck has a nitrocellulose finish, just like the old days.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnPYiU_vcoMd9JdHvm1A6PbX-dBOOoVC4IAAbxcu-rQzjFZwkZDK_2acUZWswRXecTqqskvNetxqm2LX3payfl3WfHJZI3fyHtgGaMhpNm1hwj4eGZa-my0BSBw_0sqk4EqcKHYg/s1600-h/08-22-07_1534.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101754655582520610" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnPYiU_vcoMd9JdHvm1A6PbX-dBOOoVC4IAAbxcu-rQzjFZwkZDK_2acUZWswRXecTqqskvNetxqm2LX3payfl3WfHJZI3fyHtgGaMhpNm1hwj4eGZa-my0BSBw_0sqk4EqcKHYg/s320/08-22-07_1534.jpg" border="0" /></a> The body is a 3-tone sunburst, just like my Telecaster. The model it came from was an American Deluxe model. In addition to the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">sculpted</span> heel (note the funky neck plate in the top picture), it also has the 2-point tremolo bridge. The vintage models, and many of the American Standards have the 6-screw bridge, but this one is simpler. With no string trees (due to the staggered tuners), the only place that the string can bind is at the nut and the bridge. When properly set up, it should be great for all kinds of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">trem</span>-bar playing. Of course, I have never set one of these up (never had a tremolo, actually), so I am about to be educated! One more thing about this body. The wood looks selected (not really something Fender gets into), and it is more than one piece but it is hard to tell. Finally, at 3lb-11oz, it is extremely light.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigLu8sDQq5_BA2Qlo_CGDKDhfhjJaqnkLanqUeGXT1ArvM1aakaV1WIOIRFlEkNscXtNUG-wTFo7lOJnHR6WHDIdNb6vShyE4ImVl1VJORT_uH2j03cJZGcfBF6MugFiPBIXiQ4g/s1600-h/08-22-07_1556.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101756334914733362" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigLu8sDQq5_BA2Qlo_CGDKDhfhjJaqnkLanqUeGXT1ArvM1aakaV1WIOIRFlEkNscXtNUG-wTFo7lOJnHR6WHDIdNb6vShyE4ImVl1VJORT_uH2j03cJZGcfBF6MugFiPBIXiQ4g/s320/08-22-07_1556.jpg" border="0" /></a>The parchment <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">pickguard</span> is just like my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Tele</span> and looks classic. I just couldn't go mint, and he <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">thinks</span> I'm crazy for ever suggesting it. Here he is loading the Seymour Duncan Classic Stack (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">STK</span>-4) pickups. My telecaster has the vintage stacks for the neck and bridge, and the identical Classic Stack for the middle pickup. If the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">pickguard</span> looks bubbly, that's because I am having him keep the plastic on as long as possible. I had him peel it up wherever a screw goes, because I find it annoying when a guitar has plastic sheets protecting the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">pickguard</span> that goes under controls and screws. It was hard standing back and just giving him guidance. I swear I want to build this whole thing myself and then take it apart and have him do it. Restraint.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtuRlQixo_URIF9LkCsr7RAWXqaoQyfWxWlRljcvFHUxD8d3OyPsHh1CEdu1XNSA56armCwrFbjZC2WyMJERo5dKBdx_D4IJ1ew6DX6WukFwnhtsOxM_YNdsBhMv7GwXSG83a89g/s1600-h/08-22-07_1537.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101757305577342274" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtuRlQixo_URIF9LkCsr7RAWXqaoQyfWxWlRljcvFHUxD8d3OyPsHh1CEdu1XNSA56armCwrFbjZC2WyMJERo5dKBdx_D4IJ1ew6DX6WukFwnhtsOxM_YNdsBhMv7GwXSG83a89g/s320/08-22-07_1537.jpg" border="0" /></a>Yeah, it will take restraint, but it's the best thing because he will learn so much doing this himself. We'll have a lot to work on together because this will only take a week at the most. After that, we'll dive headfirst into an amp project. I'll save that for another time, though.<br />Up next will be wiring up the controls. A nice thing about the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Stratocaster</span> is that you can build up the pickups and controls <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">on to</span> he <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">pickguard</span>, and then drop it in place. This was genius for the factory process because it saves so much time. Of course, to adjust things, you have to take the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">pickguard</span> off and take of the strings. At least with a 21-fret neck we won't have to loosen those neck bolts, though. The controls are based on the <em>blender</em> control from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">AcmeGuitars</span>, so it will have some pickup combinations that most standard <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">Stratocasters</span> can't get (like Neck and Bridge at the same time). But, more on that later.<br /><br />--<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">gh</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113309.post-7948607080292560202007-07-18T00:13:00.000-05:002007-07-18T00:18:50.740-05:00Wilco-Tango...Here's a little slice of heaven brought to you by the Smithsonian Natural History Museum and my Motorola camera phone. There wasn't an explanation or anything for this at all, just a dude skeleton pulling on a stubborn goat skeleton.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5088401240603479010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3TiVUBCcezopXskXMTS54IU6WldKIWvaSgSteb8-kTnEJPVoZoCu47DMhmiHRs_i4JFW9mT8dqgGXE-_DVl2F-FFaO6KYPyA6VfW1v0bBreL2cvzInZRWvWkZmQfbq2YxnMq7uA/s400/07-05-07_1249.jpg" border="0" /><br />--ghUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113309.post-84729868551800378622007-06-19T02:15:00.000-05:002007-06-19T02:43:58.745-05:00"Art" by GregI really cheated on this one. The source art wasn't even a photo, it was already a vector-friendly <a href="http://vcmstatic.sabc.co.za/VCMStaticProdStage/EDUCATION/Schools/Beyond%20The%20Classroom/Ideas%20Library/Theme%20Pictures/Animals%20-%20Farm/Goat%20head_c.jpg">drawing</a>.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5077671190320412498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC-AK7gsYETjq9k_DVQOKBBuGRhBZPMfV352eXm3YuxwMYHOrYEAeTSiIO3ZdwWFsmvTfEN2vrDnx1w3BywHueqgkLrubfQgfZF59W9BzKoAO71yRJbd5QbVU7xrPdRxyM5Ou10w/s400/I-Sing-the-Goat-Electric.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><p>With the television off for the summer, I keep going back to youtube.com for entertainment. I stumbled into Reh Dogg's "<a href="http://youtube.com/watch?v=8mWW6kRITEY">Why Must I Cry</a>." I don't want to turn this sordid blog into a <em>'look what I found on youtube,'</em> but this guy is about to break out. ...or not. Here's a second song called "<a href="http://youtube.com/watch?v=ECkpeCUCS3Y">You Say I'm Ugly</a>" featuring a hook that I have been singing for a few days (<em>'you say I'm ugly who say I'm ugly don't wanna say'</em>). Bonus, both videos feature Reh Dogg soaping up in the shower, for some odd, unexplained, and interestingly non-sexual reason. His rap style is a little uninspired, but his singing is like a disturbed Tom Waits (and yes, I know what I mean when I write that).</p><p>--gh<br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113309.post-4075235535890310202007-03-31T23:08:00.000-05:002007-03-31T23:34:27.025-05:00"Art" by MikeOkay, I was looking for an image of a big-horn sheep. I wanted to stylize it in Adobe Illustrator for a project I was working for. This is something that I don't mind doing because I am not an artist, nor do I try to make a living (or a buck) taking credit for it. There are two images on the first page of a <a href="http://images.google.com/images?&q=big%20horn%20sheep">Google image search</a> that just looked a little too similar.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnQvl-nfoTXmGohoT30m0emNP4dmS3fMTnfnu_cEPgS_DhPTCch1Uu3lmOLpHstx-Ow55i9ZYfFIbgxh9SvjP-r7a8UX7dPnahbX-oPGUFT-aQAVuLtZA7Y49-NbfCI9lnYklt9A/s1600-h/mike.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5048307033029694626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnQvl-nfoTXmGohoT30m0emNP4dmS3fMTnfnu_cEPgS_DhPTCch1Uu3lmOLpHstx-Ow55i9ZYfFIbgxh9SvjP-r7a8UX7dPnahbX-oPGUFT-aQAVuLtZA7Y49-NbfCI9lnYklt9A/s400/mike.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />One of them is from a site called <a href="http://www.artbymike.com">Art by Mike</a>. I thought, <em>cool, he did a good job copying that <a href="http://www.nrel.colostate.edu/projects/bighorn/bighorn-sheep.jpg">picture</a>!</em> However, the quote from his <a href="http://www.artbymike.com/Pages/big_horn.htm">website</a> says: <blockquote><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:85%;">This is another first for me. I finally have a drawing of a big horn sheep. This is another image that I have had a bunch of requests for. This drawing took me quite a while to do because of the amount of detail I put in. I tried to make this fellow look as regal as possible.<br /></span></blockquote><p>Since this appears to be stock USDA footage, there probably isn't a copyright concern. A framed print is $335, and there appears to be nothing on his website describing his technique, except that he is "<em>best know </em>[sic]<em> for his ability to grab a moment in time</em>." He seems like a nice guy.</p><p>I've read that camera obscura(black box, before film could capture an image permanently) was the secret weapon in the 17th and 18th century. However, no one really wanted to fess up to it. I guess copying images off the web is the new thing, and I am an active participant.</p><p>--gh</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113309.post-38429646620587064872007-03-31T13:44:00.000-05:002007-03-31T15:30:20.957-05:00Swapping a pickup magnet<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9PSzOamvmwzVKhltkNU5bGvfmboeJfdxkbOzuOul-iLxVGVZlqUytpq58Nav9wm6dIFq0Fk7lMLhbVo6rICwZOPb-sNXqG2NOo-Nn2V0_gqhcb95dZAzdmrcynyqhsyxoDfwHJA/s1600-h/IMG_0068.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5048161687041430530" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9PSzOamvmwzVKhltkNU5bGvfmboeJfdxkbOzuOul-iLxVGVZlqUytpq58Nav9wm6dIFq0Fk7lMLhbVo6rICwZOPb-sNXqG2NOo-Nn2V0_gqhcb95dZAzdmrcynyqhsyxoDfwHJA/s320/IMG_0068.JPG" border="0" /></a>So, I decided to swap out the magnet on the neck pickup of my <a href="http://blacklinefish.googlepages.com/1979lespaulcustom">Les Paul Custom</a>. This picture shows the magnet, which I labeled "Seymour Duncan AlNiCo 2" in case I use it in the future. The pickups on this guitar were changed out in the mid-nineties to the Seth Lover model (SH-55) which is a basic, no-thrills pickup with medium strength magnets. New metal music probably requires ceramic magnets, or at least something stronger than the alnico variety that has been used since the 1950s, and more. This particular pickup model is based on the original design that ultimately was used in the late 1950s P.A.F. pickups. His design called for AlNiCo 5 magnets (a little stronger), but economics dictated that AlNiCo 2 would be used.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW2oK_nrvUC96zclOt6l964HpZawDa_A3SkAnpvEJSYYjqDtjQhQeuxhxfBXWrUov1jDNDFOZlwMFgjgiXXIxF9MrP6tP7BHNbessdU3UOlFjQks7ByawM_rTyIROD_5ptBa8dOw/s1600-h/IMG_0057.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5048164092223116306" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW2oK_nrvUC96zclOt6l964HpZawDa_A3SkAnpvEJSYYjqDtjQhQeuxhxfBXWrUov1jDNDFOZlwMFgjgiXXIxF9MrP6tP7BHNbessdU3UOlFjQks7ByawM_rTyIROD_5ptBa8dOw/s320/IMG_0057.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />As it turns out, this is about perfect for the bridge pickup. With the turn of the GAIN knob on my single-ended 5-watt <a href="http://blacklinefish.googlepages.com/mr.french">amplifier</a>, I can go from vintage rock to Van Halen. (EVH uses only one pickup, usually a real 1950's PAF, in the bridge pickup.) Both pickups at the same time usually sounds good - and when I play clean I often end up here. However, the neck pickup was always a little too muddy for me. I don't mind mids, but I want them to be clear. So, I bought another magnet from <a href="http://stewmac.com/">StewMac</a> and jumped in with wild abandon.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDHKG6vQLCIH2Cs0k31NCe7Hg8gwDO0JsNvkLxwkmTod_elARrboCvm-DHBoFhe10j70czzHz1KXKrYt14sMiHg13PQG8pGOHQus4Tis3_IN8I4yWKW6gCK9-0FAPx-yTVw3Jx6w/s1600-h/IMG_0059.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5048164985576313890" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDHKG6vQLCIH2Cs0k31NCe7Hg8gwDO0JsNvkLxwkmTod_elARrboCvm-DHBoFhe10j70czzHz1KXKrYt14sMiHg13PQG8pGOHQus4Tis3_IN8I4yWKW6gCK9-0FAPx-yTVw3Jx6w/s320/IMG_0059.JPG" border="0" /></a>Above, you can the guitar in my workshop, ready for the procedure. Swapping a magnet is the electrical equivalent to open-heart surgery. You literally take the pickup apart to get the old magnet out. First, you have to loosen and remove the strings. It's easiest to just take the stopbar off and push everything to the side. This photo does a good job of showing the economics of 1979 Gibson, the Norlin days. The top is not a fancy book-matched maple, it is actually three pieces that are not really lined up well.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAmFUYrhy0pOe4xSoE6DYADMqcpI7tuBmo_qDhIMn5VnK4XbjF2O9EuGXvY_ya7jjuaWMPYzrXyj7sPzJurzbnCpGUBsA0bPPkmVdZu7925dXBNBxQLeiHE2YeQ9hkq08regD_AA/s1600-h/IMG_0061.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5048166158102385714" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAmFUYrhy0pOe4xSoE6DYADMqcpI7tuBmo_qDhIMn5VnK4XbjF2O9EuGXvY_ya7jjuaWMPYzrXyj7sPzJurzbnCpGUBsA0bPPkmVdZu7925dXBNBxQLeiHE2YeQ9hkq08regD_AA/s320/IMG_0061.JPG" border="0" /></a>Next, the metal cover needs to be removed. I like the look of covered pickups, but a lot of the purists remove these for more top end or something. They are better shielded this way anyhow, and I hate noise - so the covers stay on.<br />I perform this kind of work with the pickup still connected to the guitar, so I throw a rag on top to keep the top from getting scratched, or melting the finish or something. I probably don't deserve a guitar any nicer, if this is how I treat them. To remove the cover, I first cut through the solder with a cut-wheel on a Dremel tool.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPeI2XjB2urteq2464sQIIWnuy7zb6HC7_ZjHrxJPZyBSj-eYLDnJjYDG9xFxTzSeERM_UHlOnuFPZDED2D6LpjQlZjO4U6T03e6xXHAQs9zZjjS5vG4IW0sisZcbHM33EgvKBIQ/s1600-h/IMG_0060.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5048167390757999682" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPeI2XjB2urteq2464sQIIWnuy7zb6HC7_ZjHrxJPZyBSj-eYLDnJjYDG9xFxTzSeERM_UHlOnuFPZDED2D6LpjQlZjO4U6T03e6xXHAQs9zZjjS5vG4IW0sisZcbHM33EgvKBIQ/s320/IMG_0060.JPG" border="0" /></a>After cutting the solder, I heat it up with the soldering station and use a combination of braid and a solder sucker to get the rest out. This is a little tricky, and I would not be comfortable working on a vintage pickup. I overheated the cover and blistered a little of the gold plating in a previous procedure. That would make me sick if this was a 50-year-old pickup. However, it's never seen since only the top comes up through the pickup rings. The whole thing heats up, which could be dangerous if you melt any of the varnish that surrounds any of the pickup wires (there are hundreds, or even thousands, of turns of this fine wire). I am using a soldering tip that looks a little like a screw driver, so I wedge that a little to separate the cover and slip a screwdriver in there. In about one second, the solder should cool and the cover should be separated. If it isn't I try a little pressure to snap the solder, but not too much. If I can't get it undone, I heat it up again and try to remove more solder.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVR2t4D-QOay7UKcrZ9D2MwtsdZFX55Y0xFSk3HOkoqY4Xxsctn8qzskI6UVlKP8KT8jrgnfdSExkOvO-zPR3bwjNUL9pvw_yBQTKgIdQp6yJl5M_5e2Sb66SorWm3UEvunKbRQg/s1600-h/IMG_0062.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5048169027140539474" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVR2t4D-QOay7UKcrZ9D2MwtsdZFX55Y0xFSk3HOkoqY4Xxsctn8qzskI6UVlKP8KT8jrgnfdSExkOvO-zPR3bwjNUL9pvw_yBQTKgIdQp6yJl5M_5e2Sb66SorWm3UEvunKbRQg/s320/IMG_0062.JPG" border="0" /></a>I picked this little tool up from StewMac. It is a polarity tester to make sure I know the difference between N and S. If you get this wrong, you would end up with a popular modification called the <em>Peter Green mod.</em> This is how to get the two pickups in a Les Paul out of phase, but still quiet (shielded from hum). I like that sound, but only if the gain is up. Also, I am too much of a fan of the middle position (both pickups on), and I would hate to miss out on this. So, I'll make sure to get this right (took a second try, btw). The new magnet is nearby, sitting on the pickguard.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiScqnxOKWzsKVS8IWLZtn5q1DvbzLMLhsRZNLN1aHGsUv_4lFGm87LZRrpBBCECxx1bx27IfjIL2y139SNBcmO5CCqo9xU33EBIFSChKz1ClAloCcaINkQSmN6_nxluyLsSZkJ_w/s1600-h/IMG_0063.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5048170852501640290" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiScqnxOKWzsKVS8IWLZtn5q1DvbzLMLhsRZNLN1aHGsUv_4lFGm87LZRrpBBCECxx1bx27IfjIL2y139SNBcmO5CCqo9xU33EBIFSChKz1ClAloCcaINkQSmN6_nxluyLsSZkJ_w/s320/IMG_0063.JPG" border="0" /></a>Sorry that I haven't figured out the macro-setting of this camera. Actually, it is from work - I don't own a camera. The screwdriver shaft is in focus, though. To get at the magnet, loosen these four screws. Nothing else needs to be messed with. I guess you have questions about the writing on this pickup. They are just stamped or screened on there - they are not autographs. Believe me, if I got Seth Lover's autograph, I never would have asked him to sign the bottom of a pickup... The pickup plate is starting to look a little haggard, isn't it? As I mentioned, I have been in here before, reversing the magnet, and then putting it back to normal. Maybe, just maybe, if I had two Les Pauls, I would keep one of them like Peter Green's guitar.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmTXIQWBTAeQolobb4uhjf9leL-AbYdA28TUIOs9tQbOpNyZpS7w2spwLBPxzUtvYJRsXwkVCbj1Uz-qdZNyFA31vADNDvjJIs-LDp0QJC1h3LNaKFUIpNg9p9nUnqmytufU5npQ/s1600-h/IMG_0064.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5048171784509543538" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmTXIQWBTAeQolobb4uhjf9leL-AbYdA28TUIOs9tQbOpNyZpS7w2spwLBPxzUtvYJRsXwkVCbj1Uz-qdZNyFA31vADNDvjJIs-LDp0QJC1h3LNaKFUIpNg9p9nUnqmytufU5npQ/s320/IMG_0064.JPG" border="0" /></a>Action shot! I am proud of this picture. With those four screws loosened under the plate, I use some pliers to pull out the old magnet. With my other hand, I was holding the camera! You need to keep things pretty flat here, there are two wooden spacers (Seymour Duncan's fidelity to the original design, like it matters if it were plastic or not). In fact, I just noticed that an 1/8th of an inch of one of these spacers is exposed in this picture. I think if you go to Seymour Duncan's <a href="http://www.seymourduncan.com/products/humbuckersdescr.shtml#SethLoverModel153">website</a>, you will see that they even mention that the tape used to wrap the wire is authentic. Whatever. They are, however, very good pickups - so I do recommend them (with this mod, perhaps).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe6YsWIsWTP_nm6TrkLEUym-SFaYw3thGpxsB2QLGOc8SwTypLeDM8yEFCnkqANpm-89FEzMOrdaQGkBQuKKgex0IXwGR6y8kJXE4PxInGqataXAFSbOf0QnveKwCG9sGpkzuVUg/s1600-h/IMG_0065.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5048173721539794050" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe6YsWIsWTP_nm6TrkLEUym-SFaYw3thGpxsB2QLGOc8SwTypLeDM8yEFCnkqANpm-89FEzMOrdaQGkBQuKKgex0IXwGR6y8kJXE4PxInGqataXAFSbOf0QnveKwCG9sGpkzuVUg/s320/IMG_0065.JPG" border="0" /></a>So, I lined up the magnets, and even used the tester, but I still got this wrong. For about 5 minutes, I played my guitar with the out-of-phase sound and debated if this was meant to be. However, I told myself that I would not be happy unless I went back in, loosend the strings, cut the solder, heated it up, snapped off the cover, swapped the magnet, and then put it all right. So, that is what I did. Funny how I hate having stuff ahead of me, but I really don't mind doing the work. The entire operation can be done in less than 5 minutes, really. So, I'm glad I went back in.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEe68bOX5X6JHIz2MQKtZGl0hXi17B9kUAWIArXtBIW148TdFb110qqYlnmCkEo8cR5mUkNPF2bnc7Jp7jWmfP7tnMF22l7DJqPxXoIpeyqPf-vkty59Pmty2nkGPk_Y_8AlyydQ/s1600-h/IMG_0067.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5048174717972206738" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEe68bOX5X6JHIz2MQKtZGl0hXi17B9kUAWIArXtBIW148TdFb110qqYlnmCkEo8cR5mUkNPF2bnc7Jp7jWmfP7tnMF22l7DJqPxXoIpeyqPf-vkty59Pmty2nkGPk_Y_8AlyydQ/s320/IMG_0067.JPG" border="0" /></a>You probably don't want me working on your guitar. Here is the last stage (before re-stringing). A little bit of solder needs to be replaced here. It sort of locks in the cover (keeps it from becoming microphonic) as well as electrically connecting it to ground to complete the shielding. I have cut and soldered/unsoldered this cover about 5 times now, and it kind of shows. Of course, as I mentioned before, it's not something that you would ever see from outside. You may have noticed that there was no wax in any of these steps. That is what would double the time here. Theoretically, the pickup can be microphonic at high volume and gain settings. I never play like this, and the old pickups were not wax potted anyhow.<br /><br /><strong>Review:</strong><br />Okay, basically this whole operation was done to swap out the AlNiCo-2 magnet, and replace it with the AlNiCo-5. The difference is a little on the subtle side (which I am pleased with). However, I can tell that the neck pickup has more clarity, and even sounds good dirty (higher gain). I am now wholly satisfied with the pickups in this guitar and am not tempted to swap them out for anything else in the near future.<br /><br />Can you hear the difference?*<br />Original alnico-2:<br /><embed src="http://blacklinefish.googlepages.com/alnico2.mp3" type="application/octet-stream" loop="false" autostart="false"></embed><noembed></noembed><br /><br />Replaced with alnico-5:<br /><embed src="http://blacklinefish.googlepages.com/alnico5.mp3" type="application/octet-stream" loop="false" autostart="false"></embed><noembed></noembed><br /><br />--gh<br /><br /><em>*disclaimer: I don't really have access to real audio editing tools or microphones. I used a laptop's internal speaker near the amplifier, on moderate settings. I did, however, keep the amp's settings, and the laptop's recording settings, exactly the same during the magnet change. Also, I kind of forgot what I played the first time (a CM7-Am9-Dm9-G13 progression, and some noodling in C major) but I tried to make it the same the next time. Also, sorry about the hiss, I don't have any editors with filters, normalizers, etc.</em>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113309.post-74590605447040524242007-03-24T12:47:00.000-05:002007-03-24T22:16:45.463-05:00Haddo-caster 7.0 - Complete<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrPxQciVlywZpnqhHBS_57yRmSf_DW0bmtDhvlgM5chrssr_YJS44uiYVISHBGZ_Afs8Gp7mMV_fqPSU5Hbnz6Ln7vpOsFWcqewAFhR7gn8cHoSXYYnmFeHb0KPaQSASz9rmudvw/s1600-h/IMG_0032.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5045686488775239986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrPxQciVlywZpnqhHBS_57yRmSf_DW0bmtDhvlgM5chrssr_YJS44uiYVISHBGZ_Afs8Gp7mMV_fqPSU5Hbnz6Ln7vpOsFWcqewAFhR7gn8cHoSXYYnmFeHb0KPaQSASz9rmudvw/s320/IMG_0032.JPG" border="0" /></a>Well, I can now report that I am pretty much done with the Telecaster put-together project. I am glad that I added the little metal plate under the neck, because I did use the micro-tilt feature to set up the angle of the neck. I think the action is a hair (literally) on the high side, but it feels just about right.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipcNty8mBdcwD3WPmBKUjy-5RmlZlkHo_VHRN57QUZ4K9M1SoHvi_DsFoEgE5KRX-Mq2HoG6HgJoKa7UPrvPAOrKT_XNgdBJNc9hsjHHN_Fs6okjH-zJPSDslUaf8MLR-pMU0N4A/s1600-h/IMG_0035.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5045686690638702914" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipcNty8mBdcwD3WPmBKUjy-5RmlZlkHo_VHRN57QUZ4K9M1SoHvi_DsFoEgE5KRX-Mq2HoG6HgJoKa7UPrvPAOrKT_XNgdBJNc9hsjHHN_Fs6okjH-zJPSDslUaf8MLR-pMU0N4A/s320/IMG_0035.JPG" border="0" /></a>I had to adjust the truss rod, because I think there was too much relief in it. Now it seems okay. Raising the neck angle with the micro-tilt allowed me to bring up the saddles on the bridge. This is good because the bridge pickup was too close to the strings. Believe it or not, this affected the vibration of the string, since the oscillations had to compete with the magnetic pull. I think the technical term for this is <em>Strat-itis</em> as it is a common occurance on Stratocasters. Anyhow, it seems fine now.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_-76Ybe-jlJpc7k1boo0V_pcQ1CIqAVY5B3-ifs9tMXBoqNeLeP_Z-9Ni1F-51qJ7fedKxCQIA4x9iOgyKR1eW7f9jyjuRSEBfR-n2c7G_VMRU9n8HOJHMdM003CyUjS8J0fEyA/s1600-h/IMG_0038.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5045686982696479058" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_-76Ybe-jlJpc7k1boo0V_pcQ1CIqAVY5B3-ifs9tMXBoqNeLeP_Z-9Ni1F-51qJ7fedKxCQIA4x9iOgyKR1eW7f9jyjuRSEBfR-n2c7G_VMRU9n8HOJHMdM003CyUjS8J0fEyA/s320/IMG_0038.JPG" border="0" /></a>Now that the height of the strings is set, I may have just a little more pickup adjustment to make. I think to balance things out, I need to raise the neck pickup a tad, and maybe bring down the middle pickup. The bridge pickup now seems fine. I ended up with a standard Telecaster-style output cup here. I was not able to secure the Electro-socket. It's on back order, or something - so, I picked this up for $5 in Jefferson City.<br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5eKphHudYMPCSs710rSqetr59ewR1_3JeLmDbvNQFipegD0y8fMac-KE6vlhxAN8km4WV2Au9Y0Ou8i9D9-bg7iEd97NhseefVn_S5DaDyECoLYRaQD2uX7G9IdcYw44LeCJXSg/s1600-h/IMG_0031.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5045687485207652706" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5eKphHudYMPCSs710rSqetr59ewR1_3JeLmDbvNQFipegD0y8fMac-KE6vlhxAN8km4WV2Au9Y0Ou8i9D9-bg7iEd97NhseefVn_S5DaDyECoLYRaQD2uX7G9IdcYw44LeCJXSg/s320/IMG_0031.JPG" border="0" /></a>Man, I wish I could walk into a store in this town and buy a part like that! Funny story about that, I tried to buy this part from Guitar Center in Independence. I have such trouble there, but it is on the way. As I approached the store, I noted that there were 4-5 guys standing outside the door on their smoking break. I know that this is their right, but if I managed that store I would ask them to do this out back. It just flaunts that no one will be inside to help. </div><br /><div>I go directly to the counter to request this part, and it takes several minutes for someone to assist me. Finally a young woman asks me what I want and I tell her that I am looking for a cup for the output jack of a Telecaster. She points to a control knob on the wall and says "like this?" "No," I tell her, I need the part that goes on the output of the guitar. "Hmmm," she says, without looking further "I don't think we have those." I couldn't believe it. Maybe they did, or maybe they didn't carry this simple product (I saw output covers for Les Pauls and Stratocasters, but the place where I thought these would be were obscured by some other products). However, she had no interest in finding out, or at least pretending to "look in the back." I promptly left and drove the rest of the way on my trip getting to West Music in Jefferson City 1/2-hour before closing. Not only did they have this simple item, but I bought strings and a <a href="http://www.winkerwithaneye.com/pages/Musicians/evenmore/ReddVolkert/index.html">Redd Volkert</a> DVD. I spent $50 at a real customer-oriented music store. Sometimes I wonder how Guitar Center stays in business. But, I keep going back for this treatment.</div><br /><div><strong>Review:</strong><br />Oh man, this thing plays well. The Fender body and neck allowed for a near-perfect setup. The Glendale 3-barrel saddles gives a vintage look and sound, but also allows dead-on intonation. The 7-position pickup selection gives every sound that I was searching for. So far, I don't have a favorite, but I do gravitate towards #2 (middle and bridge) for that bubbly spank sound similar to a Strat. I can definitely handle the 7-1/4" radius fretboard, which is good because it looks outstanding. The neck feels fine, too. I don't have a hang-up about needing the exact same feel on every guitar I play, I believe the player needs to get everything he can from guitar that sounds right. </div><br /><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheQeVBH7NL7RPwmLXihXAGawu8aJcyxGMghV80shAp6BA_M10lzXUxDk5Fd-f9Zt9dKU6KR8Lf1aPIZMc7hfCcQLgOS0cKPfkWUrQKHospWUYC-uCVZFrFbk4qc093lpjX2E2wmQ/s1600-h/IMG_0033.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5045692145247168882" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheQeVBH7NL7RPwmLXihXAGawu8aJcyxGMghV80shAp6BA_M10lzXUxDk5Fd-f9Zt9dKU6KR8Lf1aPIZMc7hfCcQLgOS0cKPfkWUrQKHospWUYC-uCVZFrFbk4qc093lpjX2E2wmQ/s320/IMG_0033.JPG" border="0" /></a>The American Deluxe body here has a carved back to make it easier to play. Also, the heel is carved where the neck meets the body. This makes it a lot easier to access some of those higher notes. I can't get over how much better a tinted vintage-looking neck with 21 frets looks, compared to the 22-fret pale look that would normally come with this model. Fender really does do great work, though - because that neck from the other model fit in here so nicely (well, except for drilling the hole offset neck bolt.) The wood grain (alder) really shows through the 3-tone sunburst finish. Also, I like the top binding on these things. </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqZTkEoSD3hqDMb7LDwRqBC9biRdh07QC0oAvtNNWcP0bBgcIkADuaFPyzs1JpIqsGMvMyQietrDQx4Ymh0sIG8TnaP16nhbCX4OhwOBPoV6H2rbykGdwMvAmJR6x2EBhV8vXHrg/s1600-h/IMG_0040.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5045693837464283538" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqZTkEoSD3hqDMb7LDwRqBC9biRdh07QC0oAvtNNWcP0bBgcIkADuaFPyzs1JpIqsGMvMyQietrDQx4Ymh0sIG8TnaP16nhbCX4OhwOBPoV6H2rbykGdwMvAmJR6x2EBhV8vXHrg/s320/IMG_0040.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqZTkEoSD3hqDMb7LDwRqBC9biRdh07QC0oAvtNNWcP0bBgcIkADuaFPyzs1JpIqsGMvMyQietrDQx4Ymh0sIG8TnaP16nhbCX4OhwOBPoV6H2rbykGdwMvAmJR6x2EBhV8vXHrg/s1600-h/IMG_0040.JPG"></a></div><div>I modified the leather strap per my usual method, Schaller locking straps, and a "tail" at the other side to put the instrument cable through. This keeps the cable from being pulled out accidentally if I step on it. This is something that I did to my strap for the Les Paul. The strap is all stiff and not broken in at all. It will probably take a year. It is that vintage thin style, because this guitar only weighs 8 lbs. If I used this strap on my Les Paul (over 10lbs. maybe?) it would cut right through my shoulder. <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqZTkEoSD3hqDMb7LDwRqBC9biRdh07QC0oAvtNNWcP0bBgcIkADuaFPyzs1JpIqsGMvMyQietrDQx4Ymh0sIG8TnaP16nhbCX4OhwOBPoV6H2rbykGdwMvAmJR6x2EBhV8vXHrg/s1600-h/IMG_0040.JPG"></a> </div></div><br /><div></div><div>The reversed control plate is very comfortable to me. If you played Telectasters for a few decades, I could see this being a minor problem. In short, this is a simple guitar style, with the minor complexity of a middle pickup added. It sounds absolutely amazing through a tube amp.<br /><br />--gh</div><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5045692390060304770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Za5LpcGORSXTCqsajkSnOs0CdXawUqzsGbGRwlTVfX2KwInaNAY_pfZqEjupGzOrBrtRnKszrymz8cpnpHlOquRpisJFXlBbQi0o4p7rwfFPUMVOT3HQoxQgPOGNJDQ2Xi9Gwg/s400/IMG_0042B.JPG" border="0" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0