ASAT special modified PTB system

[jwebsmall]

If the tone control on the ASAT special were push/pull
then you choose either the standard tone control
characteristic or a second configuration that rolled
off the bass like the B in PTB.

Another alternative is to have the standard tone characteristic
in one position as above while the alternative push/pull position
converts the guitar to bridge pickup only with the toggle behaving
like the single pickup esquire.

This second approach would probably be interesting on the ASAT
classic.

[sirmyghin]

so you want to install a fender TBX tone control? Go nuts. Frankly, I don't care for the idea of needing to give up a knob for a different function on a not. Spinning a pull knob is also not as easy as it sounds. My thoughts would be wire an 3 way mini switch with 2 caps and open so you can get 2 levels of bass cut and just add a mini switch to your control plate. I did this to install a phase switch for the bridge pickup.

[jwebsmall]

What I'm really after is either a bass roll off for the
ASAT special or an esquire like arrangement
on the ASAT classic.

I hate to give up the saddle lock bridge but
I'm thinking more and more that I would prefer
the esquire mod on the ASAT classic. I would
drop in an RS guitar works esquire kit:

http://store.rsguitarworks.net/PWVINTESQKIT.html

and take out the neck pickup. The sound I'm going
for is somewhat like this esquire modified G.E. Smith
tele:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-j4n3Fp8A4c

But it would have the MFD sound instead. Also
I like that sound better than original esquire. With
the RS kit it would fatten up the bridge pickup.

I may try this on a tribute ASAT classic first to see
how it works out. If I do this it will be a few more
months before I can get around to it. I'll report
back results.

[NickHorne]

I would reassure about a mini-switch, in between the pots. If you place it nearer to the tone knob than the volume (just keep enough space to avoid turning the tone knob when you move the switch), it doesn't take much getting used to at all; especially if you roll the pots round with your pinky, rather than between finger and thumb, then if you have pinky-clearance between volume knob and switch, you're hassle-free!

[sirmyghin]

There is where I put the switch, for reference sake. It does not interfere at all.

[jwebsmall]

What a beautiful guitar. That's clear orange finish - it looks great with
the black pick guitar. Where did you order the pickguard or did you
make it?

What changes do you to the volume and tone circuits
and what exactly does the mini toggle do?

The capacitors you mentioned are these providing by pass?
To what resistance, e.g. the volume or tone controls or
some other resistance?

[sirmyghin]

Thank you, and yes it is clear orange. I swapped out the stock black plastic for that aluminum guard I had made.

The tone and volume in this case are intact as they were, that switch changes the phase on my bridge pickup. The blade switch was replaced with a 4 way switch wired B, B+N series, B+N parallel, N. There is no particular method behind phase switch being on the bridge pickup, I just had more wire to work with doing it that way. The combination of out of phase + pickups in series works well as when compared with the other modes it is about equal output. The series mode otherwise is a really big, gritty, dark mode. Another very nice contrast to the guitar as a whole.

[jwebsmall]

This must sound wonderful and greatly enhances the flexibility of
the ASAT special!!!!

[NickHorne]

Gorgeous guitar!
Now: you have made your back pup switchable out-of-phase, and series too: this must mean that either G&L wire 'em three-conductor (separate earth) or else you've managed to separate the earth from the coil connections?
Or does the Special pup not have a metal backplate? I've done series options on my WR Z3, and it took a bit of nervous surgery to separate the grounding from the coils (Z-coils DON'T like having their covers removed!!!! This often takes out the windings, which are waxed to the inside... )
Your wiring is almost exactly what I am thinking of. I imagine the series-in-phase must be seriously huge (it's pretty big with my stratty little Z's), and I am thinking of swapping that selection for a Donahue tele type "fake strat" circuit (which I have high hopes for). Could of course use a 5-way, and keep your monster series sound too; like the idea of that too!
I'd be most grateful if you can shed any light on the pup cabling / grounding. I think I'm going to do this if the grounding isn't too painful and hazardous.
Can't help repeating how yours is! Fantastic.

[NickHorne]

To return to the original topic, my c2 would be to remember that Bass Cut, when it's done with a capacitor, isn't related to pickup inductance or volume pot resistance.
Why not put it in a little passive pedal? Could have a pot, perhaps with an MXR-type rubber top for toe-twiddling, or else a rotary switch of choices. Simple is good.

[sirmyghin]

Gorgeous guitar!
Now: you have made your back pup switchable out-of-phase, and series too: this must mean that either G&L wire 'em three-conductor (separate earth) or else you've managed to separate the earth from the coil connections?
Or does the Special pup not have a metal backplate? I've done series options on my WR Z3, and it took a bit of nervous surgery to separate the grounding from the coils (Z-coils DON'T like having their covers removed!!!! This often takes out the windings, which are waxed to the inside... )
Your wiring is almost exactly what I am thinking of. I imagine the series-in-phase must be seriously huge (it's pretty big with my stratty little Z's), and I am thinking of swapping that selection for a Donahue tele type "fake strat" circuit (which I have high hopes for). Could of course use a 5-way, and keep your monster series sound too; like the idea of that too!
I'd be most grateful if you can shed any light on the pup cabling / grounding. I think I'm going to do this if the grounding isn't too painful and hazardous.
Can't help repeating how yours is! Fantastic.

G&L does not wire the pickups 2 conductors and a drain if that is your concern. They are only 2 conductor, so technically in the bridge position my neck pickup has a ground lift. However my Special is the quietest single coil guitar I have ever had. I mean in my room infront of my monitor practicing, no noise. With fluorescent lights.. In my friends apartment where everything, including humbuckers have a terrible buzz (ground issues I think) it is just as quiet, or quieter. So although I have lifted the ground on the neck pickup, there is no noise. Not sure if I could get inside the pickup and retrieve the draw, I have never tried.

That pickguard was a fun project, the unfortunate difficults were surrounding the pickup routes when we scanned in the stock guard. The stock guard was an extremely tight friction fit so we couldn't replicate it exactly through aluminum after about 2 months of correspondance and updated cad files I was test fitting, we cut a steel blank, made a few adjustments and then you see the finished product. Not perfect but very very good.

[NickHorne]

That's reassuring, thanks!
But if there's any other info out there on Asat Special pup ground-lifting, I'd be encouraged to hear it; I'd always want to perfect circuitry as far as possible (then I know I can forget it, and just get on and use it).

And does anyone have any experiences of experimenting with a Bill Lawrence type inductor-filter network on a Special?
Best
NH