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



Unity Gain Preamp Buffer

Completed August 18, 2013

A unity gain preamp buffer changes the pickup output signal from high impedance to low impedance and has no other effect. This stops the loss of tone highs as the signal passes through cables and effect pedals on its way to to the speakers.

 It is most useful for setups with pedal boards that may drain the highs off the signal. Something like this:
J. Mayers setup. Looks like 10 pedals and a Qtron+ in the lower left (for Wildfire solo).
10 pedals-What do you expect from someone that uses a different guitar every few shows
Trey only uses 4 pedals but it probably only takes 3 or 4 pedals to kill the treble 

 More here on the buffer with a demo is here on youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMxwT7BT7oE&feature=c4-overview-vl&list=PLCzwfVTc1jWQByHsiRM7I0-x1Oze5-UPT

There are many articles out there and this is a good one:

 http://proguitarshop.com/andyscorner/buffers-explained

I wanted to add a buffer to the SG project if it made a difference. I also wanted to build it instead of buying one since they cost $50-$125 online but only about $5 in parts.  I do not use many pedals and was not sure if the boost in the on line demos would come through.  Typical setup is up to 25 ft of cable>Qtron+ (bypassed or slight effect)>Nova System effects box with 1 to 5 effects in series using analog circuits>25 watt tube amp.  

 Decided to build it fast and rough to see if it worked- for my setup it did not make a difference but it did not cost much to figure out.  Anyway here's the work.

 This is the circuit and the youtube video link above shows how to build it in '10 minutes' 


Parts 


This is the mockup which is good enough for a test. Looks a mess but its all there.



Below is the circuit built on a circuit board with a button and LED to test if the battery is good. This box can clip on a belt or guitar strap before a long cable run.  Most of the circuits online are built as foot switches that need a power plug and may be after a long cable run.  The battery in this circuit will last a few hundred hours and will only draw when both jacks are plugged in.





  
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