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Mid-boost for Telecaster?


jumpskirt

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I asked this on another forum, and will check here too...

 

I have a Powerhouse Strat and really like the 12db mid-boost (similar to Clapton mid-boost). I can go from clean to crunch with a turn of the tone knob. Is there something similar out there for Teles? Seems like it would be a killer mod! Anyone found one, use one, built one?

 

Thanks!

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Gabriel E has what he calls a "blower" switch- on his tele, says it cuts out the tone circuit, but it sounds like it boosts the signal as well.

 

maybe he'll chime in here and set the record straight (pedantics, semantics, and otherwise :D ).

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Hmmnn... I wonder if a Fender dealer could order the same boost-part(s) as are in the Powerhouse Strat? (Was it the Fender Forum that you already ran this by on?) Since you know that you like that particular mid-boost's sound, and it'll probably work just as well on a Tele...

 

Is it a passive circuit, or does it take a battery or two, like the Clapton sig model? (It's been a while; I think the EC-Strat's mid-boost is active... )

 

Maybe you should just look (or have someone else look, if you aren't specifically up on caps 'n' pots and their values) under the hood of that Strat, and wire up a copy of the boost-circuit. That should be a job cut right out for a "fiend with a soldering iron"! :thu:

 

Another alternative might be to install a four-way switch of the same kind and wiring-scheme as Teahead has in his Telecaster; it provides for the three usual Tele pickup selections, plus both in series, which would give you a boost with more mids, too. I'm sure he can find out the specific part-numbers and schematic for you, JS.

Ask yourself- What Would Ren and Stimpy Do?

 

~ Caevan James-Michael Miller-O'Shite ~

_ ___ _ Leprechaun, Esquire _ ___ _

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I second the 4-way switch mod. It's great! On non-master volume amps, the volume goes up a good bit when you put the switch in the series position, but not on master volume amps. On master volume amps it increases the gain a bit.

 

When I put my Tele switch on the series setting, I get the same tone that the parallel setting gives me, only louder and a bit brighter.

BlueStrat

a.k.a. "El Guapo" ;)

 

...Better fuzz through science...

 

http://geocities.com/teleman28056/index.html

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The Powerhouse mid-boost is indeed an active circuit, and has a small motherboard-type panel (estimating - about 2" x 2.5").

 

It would be cool if there is something that fits into a Tele cavity - instead of routing out a space in the body. On a standard Strat body you can fit this animal into the trem cavity (remove the springs).

 

Yes, I did post this question on the Fender Forum as well.

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Maybe you could get the proper sized cap and inductor and create a tone control that cuts the bass and treble.

 

I use a switch on my Tele that cuts treble. It's a .01uF cap to ground with a switch that connects it direct to the hot lug on the volume pot. It creates a nasal sound similar to a wah pedal left in one position, but it works well with distortion. I'd imagine that it looks like a mid boost on a Bode plot... :)

BlueStrat

a.k.a. "El Guapo" ;)

 

...Better fuzz through science...

 

http://geocities.com/teleman28056/index.html

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right now, the only mod to my Thinline Tele is new strings and straplocks :D but I am thinking of putting on grover (locking) tuners (I hate the "vintage" tuners - they are a pain when you have to restring mid-set on stage) and maybe replace the player with someone who actually KNOWS what he's doing :eek:
- due to recent cutbacks, the light at the end of the tunnel has been SWITCHED OFF
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Well, there is this Musitech Preamp/Mid-Booster, that comes in two variaties: "Smooth & Creamy", and "Crisp & Crunchy". High/low midrange control, a variable 3:1 volume boost, and push-pull pot bypass.

 

http://www.stewmac.com/catalog/images_1sm/1622_1sm.jpg

 

There's more info here fom Stewart-MacDonald .

Ask yourself- What Would Ren and Stimpy Do?

 

~ Caevan James-Michael Miller-O'Shite ~

_ ___ _ Leprechaun, Esquire _ ___ _

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I am told Demeter makes an active midboost circuit with a bit less oomph than a Clapton Strat, and it comes in either the internally installed circuit board, pot and battery clip, or a pedal unit. Seymour Duncan has just come out with a pickup booster pedal too, and I have heard good things about it. If you are gonna put an active boost in a Tele, you're gonna want to put in some sort of noiseless pickups; the increaded 60 cycle hum level you get from a 8 to 12 db boost on stock single coils will make you wanna cry.

Have you considered a graphic eq pedal of some sort? Several companies make them, and with one of those, you can tailor the band of frequencies you boost and how much to suit your own tates, you don't have to hack up your guitar, and you can use a power supply instead of an internal battery, which is always a drag to change unless you dice up your guitar even more and put an externally accessible battery compartment in it.

I've had good luck with a Boss GE-6. They are very versatile pedals.

Vande

Always remember that you are unique. Just like everyone else.

 

 

 

 

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