My Aftermaths arrived!!

[Alex]

I am slowly getting closer to the sound I want, learning about the pickup progressivly.
Strings from Newtone are ordered, now for the long wait...

In the meanwhile I want to rethink the wiring and am looking for some help. Did not want to do a new tech thread, so IŽkll try here first:
I currently have: 2 Vol, 1 Tone, 3 way toggle (neck, neck + bridge, bridge)
Basecally very basic right now.

Now I would like to switch the 2 Vol pots for Push-Pull pots if possible so each one can split the assigned HB when pulled, so I can in addition to the existing options also have neck split, bridge split, neck + bridge split, bridge + neck split, neck split + bridge split.
Is that possible so far?
Could I even add a phase on the tone pot on top of that?

If that is possible: Could anyone supply me with wiring diagrams or instructions to help me realize that?
Could you also recommend pots and caps I should use? (I can not get a hold of BKP pots and jensen caps easily as I am in germany. Jensen may be possible somehow, but alternatives would be great).
Also, can I alter the cap value so that the neck is tamed a bit more in the highs?

Hope you can help me as much as ever.
Cheers guys!
Ole

Have you tried it on a different amp? Because really a Tiny Terror + 2x12 cab with GH30 is not the best combination for such a low tuning. You're "toying" with the thought of altering caps, which IMO will do absolutely NOTHING to improve the tone, where 50-80 extra watts would help the power amp stay much more stable with such low tunings. Add in a pair of Electro Voice EVM speakers and that would make a world of difference, as opposed to changing pots and caps.

[Kiichi]

Have you tried it on a different amp? Because really a Tiny Terror + 2x12 cab with GH30 is not the best combination for such a low tuning. You're "toying" with the thought of altering caps, which IMO will do absolutely NOTHING to improve the tone, where 50-80 extra watts would help the power amp stay much more stable with such low tunings. Add in a pair of Electro Voice EVM speakers and that would make a world of difference, as opposed to changing pots and caps.

What you are saying makes a lot of sense, donŽt get me wrong, but for me and my situation I still have to respectfully disagree I am afraid:
My setup works very well for what I do most of the time. This axe really is an exeption. It even works very well with a seven string axe which basecally is only half a step higher.
Therefore I still fail to see how the amp and cab are faulty.
I had this adjustment period for every new axe I got (even for the one with RY and Mule combo in drop D, which should work well with this setup), getting used to the sound, the behaviour and eq of the new PUs. And a lot of hight fiddeling.
Also, 90% of the time (I could use it once a week if I am very lucky) a higher wattage amp would simply be too loud more my needs if I did not also put in a power brake I am afraid, plus there is always the money issue.
You must also understand that I am not going for a typical high gain metal sound, but rather a Petrucci esque version of crunch, which this amp and cab do very well for my taste.

I wanted to change the caps for better ones while I was redoing the wiring and chaning the pots as well. I am not thinking they will change my tone very much at all, I just want the extra split options, which I am sure will sound different. If I could do that with my current pots I would, but they are not push pull.
I was asking for recommendations to not get shitety ones that would possibly make my sound worse.

Also I was only thinking about changing the value on the neck as there is a bit of hight content I donŽt really like that is also fixed by rolling the volume down to 8. Just thought I could maybe do that with caps too.


I thank you for your advice, but maybe you can understand why I have trouble to follow it. ;)

[Alex]

Not sure I made my point properly.

At the same room volume, a 120 Watt Peavey 5150 will always be more precise and clearer on the low notes than a 30Watt Orange amp (is it 30?). The reason is that low notes are much more demanding of the power amp stage in general than higher notes, and a Bb tuning is basically already in bass guitar territory. Bass amps often have much higher wattage ratings than guitar amps, yet they rarely are the ones that blow your head off with sheer volume at a concert, if you think about it.

I could hear a direct effect of this when comparing my 20Watt Krank to my 50 Watt Marshall to my 120 Watt 5150 at the same volume.

[Kiichi]

Ahh, now I get your point.
So basecally I would profit from a higher wattage amp more or less all around if its main sound comes from the preamp stage?

Btw, the TT only has 15W^^

Thing is that getting another amp right now is simply not an option. It will be in the long run, but right now I have neither the money and on top of that if everything goes well I will be moving to another country to study next summer and right now it will be hell to take my guitars with me (if I for example move from northern germany to england). A big amp head is the last thing I need (I already want to take 3 electrics, 1 lap steel, 1 accoustic, 1 acc bass, a big 2x12 cab and my Orange TT with me. That and my PC with sound system and monitor is what I deem my survival basic xD).

[Alex]

I have the same problem, mostly because where I live (terraced housing and not a lot of space in my guitar room). In the end it comes down to the compromise you can have at home, since having a triple rectifier full stack at home just isn't going to do it.

15Watts is quite little though. I run my baritone (tuned to B) into a 20W Krank at the moment and there's only so much the Miracle Man can do to help. An overdrive pedal that tightens up the low end helps a lot though, IMO.

[Kiichi]

The space I live in is not even my issue, I will put a matrace on top of my guitar cases to keep em. Give me 15 (or less) square meters to live and sleep (toilet and kitchen excluded, lets say the dorm has is seperat) and I will bring all my instruments.

The getting it all from germany to england or somewhere else is what gets problematic.

Also believe me I would kill for a Mesa Boogie Mark V (my dream amp). That thing is everything I need and dream of....but IŽll have to come back in a couple of years for that.

As for the overdrive, I currently use an MXR supercomp and at times a MXR 10band eq (basecally always taking out low end) through a BBE Sonic Stomp (tightens a bit too) to push the preamp more. Should I get an overdrive on top / instead of that?


Back to my original question: Would you know anthing about how I would have to wire my guitar to get the split options I want and can you recommend a pot brand or something?

[Transcend]

An overdrive would do a lot more than the BBE & EQ for tightening up your sound

[Kiichi]

Alright then, any recommendations on that end? Remember, my goal is Petrucci-esque high gain crunch.

Maybe I can get one on saturday when I go to a guitar effects pedals market where a lot of representatives of famous brands will be present^^

[Alex]

A lot of pros use the Maxon OD, or the Ibanez tubescreamer. Colin Richardson swears by the latter. I think the Visual Sound RT808 and the Digitech Bad Monkey are generally accepted alternatives.

[Transcend]

I would say either the Maxon OD808 or a TS type pedal

Im currently using a custom pedal that i built that takes from both the OCD v3 and the Maxon OD808 and its incredible

[witeter]

Maxon OD808 is fantastic imo, probably the only pedal on my pedalboard i couldnt live without-it allows your original guitar tone to come through yet manages to add focus and tightness, its great!

[Kiichi]

The maxon sounds really nice, I think I have heard many a good thing about it here before. I especially like that the original amp and guitar sound is still there (not too much coloring).
Hopefully they have it there on saturday...

Either that or Toe-Knee would sell me one of his custom ones ;)

[Transcend]

PM me and we can discuss it if you like!