Re: SC-2 Wiring
Sun Nov 27, 2016 10:32 pm
Hey Jos, I believe Leo-era SC-2's are wired differently than ASAT's. I think the main diff is that the middle position is not hum bucking - both pu's are on but wired much like a telecaster. Haven't looked under the hood to confirm but Betty my '84 SC-2 sounds this way to my ears.
Below is an old post of Gabe's I found circa 2005 where he mentions the differences tho not specifically how the control plate is wired.
Cheers,
KF
I'm intrigued by the SC-2. Broadly speaking, how would it differ in tone from my late-model Tribute ASAT Special? Are they widely available? What's the price range?
The SC-2 (like the SC-1, HG-2 and SC-3) were designed not so much as student models but as a cost effective line to give G&L something to compete against the offshore brands of that timeframe (think Japanese and Korean). It was designed to get their foot in the door...nothing less, nothing more.
It just so happens that their price point put them in the "student" or "budget" category from a dealers perspective but the truth was that the SC/HG line was really more of a professional level instrument.
Here are the spec's on the SC-2:
1. Body (slightly downsized 12" versus 13") either Mustang or double-cut style. Made from maple most of the time but sometimes poplar and sometimes ash.
2. Neck, bi-cut same as other G&L's of the period always a #2 and always a fretted maple affair. Headstock is unqiue to the model and probably the most "Fendersque" of the pre-BBE guitars. Tuners can either be non-sealed Schallers or sealed Schallers...good stuff.
3. Bridge. Either Dual Fulcrum or Saddle-Lock...identical to the pro models of that era.
4. Pickups. The original large MFD single coils. These were later used in the Broadcaster/ASAT model but when they were they received a couple hundred more turns. These are nowhere as hot as the very similar appearing large MFD's installed in BBE built G&L models. They also use plain enamel coil wire insulation instead of the poly insulation used today. The pickup positions are different compared to any ASAT.
5. Control Circuit. The SC-2 control circuit is quite a bit different from the Broadcaster/ASAT which contributes to their unique voice.
6. Neck Joint: George Fullerton's patented "Precision-Tilt" 3-bolt setup. This is a rock-solid joint...not to be confused with the Fender Micro-Tilt rig.
Overall, the SC-2 has more shimmer, sparkle and spank as compared to any Broadcaster, ASAT, ASAT Special or Tribute. This has to do with the reality that the pickups have less copper on them as well as the control circuit and the pickup locations.
Personally, I'd take a maple bodied SC-2 over any guitar I've mentioned above...except maybe the Broadcaster because I could buy between 2-4 SC-2's for the money generated from selling the Broadcaster!!!
Anyway, they are reasonably scarce and most have been beaten to death by 2005. Regardless, beaten to death or not...they still kill!!!
The only downside to the SC-2 is that if you are a large person they look semi-silly hanging in front of you due to their downsized appearance. Also, the stock frets were a low-wide jumbo wire...not everybody's favorite and not the hot ticket on a roundish 7.5" fingerboard. A quick re-fretting will solve this problem.
Good luck finding one though...they have become rather collectible as of late.
Best Regards,
Gabe
Below is an old post of Gabe's I found circa 2005 where he mentions the differences tho not specifically how the control plate is wired.
Cheers,
KF
I'm intrigued by the SC-2. Broadly speaking, how would it differ in tone from my late-model Tribute ASAT Special? Are they widely available? What's the price range?
The SC-2 (like the SC-1, HG-2 and SC-3) were designed not so much as student models but as a cost effective line to give G&L something to compete against the offshore brands of that timeframe (think Japanese and Korean). It was designed to get their foot in the door...nothing less, nothing more.
It just so happens that their price point put them in the "student" or "budget" category from a dealers perspective but the truth was that the SC/HG line was really more of a professional level instrument.
Here are the spec's on the SC-2:
1. Body (slightly downsized 12" versus 13") either Mustang or double-cut style. Made from maple most of the time but sometimes poplar and sometimes ash.
2. Neck, bi-cut same as other G&L's of the period always a #2 and always a fretted maple affair. Headstock is unqiue to the model and probably the most "Fendersque" of the pre-BBE guitars. Tuners can either be non-sealed Schallers or sealed Schallers...good stuff.
3. Bridge. Either Dual Fulcrum or Saddle-Lock...identical to the pro models of that era.
4. Pickups. The original large MFD single coils. These were later used in the Broadcaster/ASAT model but when they were they received a couple hundred more turns. These are nowhere as hot as the very similar appearing large MFD's installed in BBE built G&L models. They also use plain enamel coil wire insulation instead of the poly insulation used today. The pickup positions are different compared to any ASAT.
5. Control Circuit. The SC-2 control circuit is quite a bit different from the Broadcaster/ASAT which contributes to their unique voice.
6. Neck Joint: George Fullerton's patented "Precision-Tilt" 3-bolt setup. This is a rock-solid joint...not to be confused with the Fender Micro-Tilt rig.
Overall, the SC-2 has more shimmer, sparkle and spank as compared to any Broadcaster, ASAT, ASAT Special or Tribute. This has to do with the reality that the pickups have less copper on them as well as the control circuit and the pickup locations.
Personally, I'd take a maple bodied SC-2 over any guitar I've mentioned above...except maybe the Broadcaster because I could buy between 2-4 SC-2's for the money generated from selling the Broadcaster!!!
Anyway, they are reasonably scarce and most have been beaten to death by 2005. Regardless, beaten to death or not...they still kill!!!
The only downside to the SC-2 is that if you are a large person they look semi-silly hanging in front of you due to their downsized appearance. Also, the stock frets were a low-wide jumbo wire...not everybody's favorite and not the hot ticket on a roundish 7.5" fingerboard. A quick re-fretting will solve this problem.
Good luck finding one though...they have become rather collectible as of late.
Best Regards,
Gabe
Re: SC-2 Wiring
Mon Nov 28, 2016 7:28 pm
I'm with KF and Gabe on the Leo-era models. I went through the wiring on my ASATs over the weekend (two '86s and an '87), and just checked two of my three SC-2s (one first style, and the other second style from Feb. '84). There are definitely differences in the wiring. The switches are the same, but the grounding and caps/resistors are different.
The ASATs have a small tan cap (201K) on the volume pot, and a large green cap (104K) and a resistor on the tone pot. The SC-2s have small tan cap (200K) on the volume pot, and two caps on the tone pot. The earlier one has a large green 473K and a small tan 102M. The '84 has a green cap marked .022K and a tan one marked .001K.
The ASATs have a grounding wire running from the volume pot to the bridge, and another from the tone pot to the jack. The SC-2s have the jack and bridge grounded to a copper plate at the bottom of the cavity, but no other grounding wires connected to the pots.
Ken
The ASATs have a small tan cap (201K) on the volume pot, and a large green cap (104K) and a resistor on the tone pot. The SC-2s have small tan cap (200K) on the volume pot, and two caps on the tone pot. The earlier one has a large green 473K and a small tan 102M. The '84 has a green cap marked .022K and a tan one marked .001K.
The ASATs have a grounding wire running from the volume pot to the bridge, and another from the tone pot to the jack. The SC-2s have the jack and bridge grounded to a copper plate at the bottom of the cavity, but no other grounding wires connected to the pots.
Ken
Vintage SC-2 vs. ASAT circuits
Mon Nov 28, 2016 11:22 pm
Thanks to KF and others, I'm thrilled to have more details about the 80's models in my head.
edit:Thanks Craig
Elwood
edit:Thanks Craig
Elwood