In progress S-500+ pickguard
In progress modifying Chandler 6204-7 pickguard from 3 Z Coils to 6 modified S-500 single coil pickups.
Date: 02/04/23
In progress modifying Chandler 6204-7 pickguard from 3 Z Coils to 6 modified S-500 single coil pickups.
Test fitting 6 modified S-500 pickups into the pickguard. Note magnet locations.
Test fitting the 6 modified S-500 pickups into the modified Chandler 6204-7 pickguard.
Date: 02/04/23
Test fitting the 6 modified S-500 pickups into the modified Chandler 6204-7 pickguard.
Pickguard razor knife for S-500+
My fancy pickguard modifying tool
Date: 02/04/23
My fancy pickguard modifying tool
Back view of pickguard without potentiometers mounted. Partially wired.
Back view of the pickups installed in the pickguard.
Date: 02/04/23
Back view of the pickups installed in the pickguard.
Test fit modified Chandler 6204-7 pickguard to the S-500+ body. All mounting holes had to be filled and redrilled.
Test fitting the partially wired pickguard into the newly routed S-500 body, the extra clearance provided by the route works!
Date: 02/04/23
Test fitting the partially wired pickguard into the newly routed S-500 body, the extra clearance provided by the route works!
Finished S-500+
My new S-500+ guitar all wired out, strung up, and tuned up. I went with the Duo Sonic knobs again. The S-500+ in mono mode allows any or all of the 3 bass pickups in parallel in series with any or all of the treble pickups in parallel. The center
Date: 02/04/23
My new S-500+ guitar all wired out, strung up, and tuned up. I went with the Duo Sonic knobs again.
The S-500+ in mono mode allows any or all of the 3 bass pickups in parallel in series with any or all of the treble pickups in parallel. The center bass pickup has a phase reversal push/pull switch in the first volume knob. The first volume knob controls overall volume in the mono mode.
In stereo mode the bass pickups (in parallel) go to one amp and effects chain, the treble pickups (in parallel) go to a second amp and effects chain. The second volume knob controls treble pickup volume in the stereo mode. The push pull switch on the second volume knob controls the mono/stereo mode.
In Comanche VI mode all pickups are in parallel in mono.
The phase reversal push pull switch is active in any mode.
I have rewired my Comanche VI+ to operate the same as my S-500+. This greatly simplifies the wiring in the Comanche VI+.
The S-500+ has a lot of great tones. With the bass and treble pickups side by side turning on just a treble pickup in Comanche VI mode gives all 6 strings with the bass volume reduced by several db, not stereo but another set of really nice sounds. Selecting just a bass pickup gives a similar result with the treble strings being reduced several db.
The magnets under the bass strings are N42 1/8" X 1/8". The magnets under the treble strings are N42 1/8" X 3/32" - which reduces the magnetic output about 30%.
Overall observations
- I wish Chandler would have made the finished pickguard for me, maybe next time.
-The magnet differences between the bass and treble pickups is very similar to Dimarzio Strat pickups designated as "52".
- S-500 pickups are much easier to modify than Z Coils. I did break a coil wire getting the cover off of 1 pickup.
- If you're wiring a six switch Tribute Legacy/S-500/Comanche making a similar body route makes a populated pickguard assembly much easier to install on the body.
- I found a source of NOS ALCO MTA106D switches on Ebay at a significant cost savings. They work great and have that terrific green plastic design.
The S-500+ in mono mode allows any or all of the 3 bass pickups in parallel in series with any or all of the treble pickups in parallel. The center bass pickup has a phase reversal push/pull switch in the first volume knob. The first volume knob controls overall volume in the mono mode.
In stereo mode the bass pickups (in parallel) go to one amp and effects chain, the treble pickups (in parallel) go to a second amp and effects chain. The second volume knob controls treble pickup volume in the stereo mode. The push pull switch on the second volume knob controls the mono/stereo mode.
In Comanche VI mode all pickups are in parallel in mono.
The phase reversal push pull switch is active in any mode.
I have rewired my Comanche VI+ to operate the same as my S-500+. This greatly simplifies the wiring in the Comanche VI+.
The S-500+ has a lot of great tones. With the bass and treble pickups side by side turning on just a treble pickup in Comanche VI mode gives all 6 strings with the bass volume reduced by several db, not stereo but another set of really nice sounds. Selecting just a bass pickup gives a similar result with the treble strings being reduced several db.
The magnets under the bass strings are N42 1/8" X 1/8". The magnets under the treble strings are N42 1/8" X 3/32" - which reduces the magnetic output about 30%.
Overall observations
- I wish Chandler would have made the finished pickguard for me, maybe next time.
-The magnet differences between the bass and treble pickups is very similar to Dimarzio Strat pickups designated as "52".
- S-500 pickups are much easier to modify than Z Coils. I did break a coil wire getting the cover off of 1 pickup.
- If you're wiring a six switch Tribute Legacy/S-500/Comanche making a similar body route makes a populated pickguard assembly much easier to install on the body.
- I found a source of NOS ALCO MTA106D switches on Ebay at a significant cost savings. They work great and have that terrific green plastic design.
S-500+ Body routing to make more wiring space under the pickguard
S-500+ body route to facilitate all the additional wiring under the pickguard.
Date: 02/04/23
S-500+ body route to facilitate all the additional wiring under the pickguard. This makes it a lot easier to install the pickguard on these 6 switch guitars.
Comanche VI+ & S-500+
Comanche VI+ & S-500+
Same wiring, very different sounds. I'm very happy with both. Date: 02/05/23 Comanche VI+ & S-500+
Same wiring, very different sounds. I'm very happy with both.
Same wiring, very different sounds. I'm very happy with both. Date: 02/05/23 Comanche VI+ & S-500+
Same wiring, very different sounds. I'm very happy with both.
S-500+ and Comanche VI+ (1)
S-500+ & Comanche VI+
Another view. Built to play not just to look at.
I'm still impressed with the quality of the G&L Tribute models. Date: 02/05/23 S-500+ & Comanche VI+
Another view. Built to play not just to look at.
I'm still impressed with the quality of the G&L Tribute models.
Another view. Built to play not just to look at.
I'm still impressed with the quality of the G&L Tribute models. Date: 02/05/23 S-500+ & Comanche VI+
Another view. Built to play not just to look at.
I'm still impressed with the quality of the G&L Tribute models.