Guitar companies are making models for the masses while the instruments artists play are typically modified to get special tones in the instrument rather from amps or software (see the 'Schematics' page). All companies have custom shop brands or options where you can get this done for $5 - $10 thousand +. Since 2008 a lot of info has been available on the internet revealing schematics and modifications to get the artist tones. This opens the window to have special instrument tones in your guitar or have a mod guitar that has the features of a $$ custom shop model. This blog will pick a few projects to get classic tones and increased flexibility on board. Not for everyone but it is a matter of style, understanding what goes into a custom shop $10 thousand guitar and why great players use a hand full of onboard modifications to trademark their sound.

Second Hand -"It's probably a well-known story . . . I went into a shop in Nashville called Sho Bud which was owned by Buddy Emmons – the famous pedal steel player – and they had things like Rickenbackers in the front of the shop going for quite high prices. In the back they had this second-hand department, and there was a row of Stratocasters, and I bought them all. Blackie was made out of three of these guitars – the body of one, the neck of another and the pickups of another." Eric Clapton



Basic Circuits

Basic Circuits


 This section contains links and collected info on basic circuits.  There is a ton of info on the web showing the schematics for basic circuits that went into building stock production guitars through the years.  Most of the info is only available since 2008 or later so the ability to figure out tone control in the guitar circuit on your own is relatively new.

There is also alot out there for the simple mods or if you want to make changes to a 'vintage' model of your guitar.  Here are some good links by some generous people who care enough to post details of their work. Although not listed here there is info available on the Gibson, Fender, PRS, DiMarzio, Seymore Duncan and other corporate web sites.
Phostenix- Great library posted by an independent builder
https://sites.google.com/site/phostenixwiringdiagrams/

Jonesy Blues- Knowledgable, clear and you can buy stuff.
http://jonesyblues.com/JBCS_Wiring_Diagrams.html

 Stewart MacDonald- New parts and tool supplier.  Home of the 6-position switch with circuit info
http://www.stewmac.com/freeinfo/i-4000.html

 Guitar Electronics- Another supplier with more extensive circuit archive.
http://www.guitarelectronics.com/category/wiring_resources_guitar_wiring_diagrams/

 The Guitar Wiring Blog by Bartek- The best by a very generous guy and a true tone junkie.  He checked the first draft of the SG project circuit and helped with a few spots saving several hours.  Basic and vintage circuits with some back engineered or workable with todays technology.
http://guitarwiring.blogspot.com/


Miscellaneous Info


Greasebucket

Here is a cool way to roll off the highs and lows in your guitar while at the same time preventing your tone from getting too muddy.Tone will get cleaner with this modification, not greasy and dirty. This type of band-pass filter only allows certain frequencies to pass through, while others are blocked out. The standard tone circuit in most guitars is called a variable low-pass filter, or treble cut filter, which only allows the low frequencies to pass through while the high frequencies get sent to ground via a capacitor. The band-pass filter is a combination of a high-pass and low-pass filter




 Reversed wiring for independent volume control

If a guitar has two or more volume controls that are wired in the traditional manner (a Les Paul for example), an interesting thing occurs when the selector switch is in the middle position. The volume control for the neck or bridge pickup will turn down the whole guitar—not just its respective pickup. Yet, on a Fender Jazz bass, which doesn't have a selector switch, two volume controls somehow allow you to turn the pickups up or down independently, without affecting the output of the other. How is this possible?
The reason for this is simple. Since the volume controls are in parallel and the output of the volume pots is the sweeper, when either of the controls is turned down (applying signal to ground) the sum output (what the output jack and amp "see") is "short-circuited" to ground. To resolve this problem, simply swap the input to lug 2 and the output to lug 3.
This means that the output jack or the amp never really see or are shorted directly to ground—the pickup is shorted to ground instead. The overall tone of the instrument is not affected, since the DC resistance of the resistive strip that attenuates the high end is still present. Refer to diagram #5 for an example of this wiring.


4 Position Lever Switch- 2 Variations




5 Position Lever Switch




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