An iPhone photo app makes this new Squier Tele look old. Duncan’s Vintage Broadcaster Set makes it SOUND old. Sometimes an antiquated idea can acquire new relevance. Example: The ancient Fender Broadcaster wiring scheme, in which the guitar has no tone control per se, but the second knob acts as a pickup-blend control. […] 
"Who are you callin' ugly?" UPDATE: My thanks to reader William Badjek, who found in error on page 31 of the v01 project file, which would have prevented the tone control from working properly. (The schematics, however, were correct in v01.) If you’ve encountered that issue, please revisit that page of the v02 […] 
Technically speaking, original Dallas Rangemasters didn't have angel wings, though they probably should have. However, the musically illiterate treble staff IS historically accurate. The next Tonefiend DIY Club project is a cool update of the Dallas Rangemaster treble booster — for my money, the wickedest overdrive ever. I’ll post all the project files […] 
Germanium is actually a boring, silvery-gray color. Aren't you glad I added cheesy digital effects? “Germanium” is a magical word among guitar gearheads, right up there with “pre-CBS,” “true bypass,” “matched tubes,” “point-to-point wiring,” and “scatter-wound.” And like those other phrases, it owes its cachet to a mix of fact and fancy. Germanium […] 
Location, location, location: IR reverbs can make your guitar sound like it was recorded ANYWHERE! Impulse response reverbs are one of the handiest tools in the digital-audio junk drawer. If you’re new to the concept, prepare to be amazed. (And if you’re familiar with the technology, jump to the end of this post […] 
Sadly, the Mutant Beauty Pageant ended weeks ago. But I suspect you’ll enjoy the pics I received from Lithuanian reader Dmitrij Timofejev. Dmitrij, what does that sideways humbucker sound like? BTW, the is the less radical of Dmitrij’s two guitars. […] 
Put more ELECTRIC in your guitar! Lately I’ve been obsessed with mounting boosters inside my electric guitars. Why bother? Especially when you can just get a clean-boost stompbox and use it on all your guitars? Because: a) certain guitars just seem to sound best with a particular boost circuit; b) you can “play” […] 
A while back a couple of readers brought up Jimmy Page’s Les Paul wiring scheme, which made me want to set up a dual-humbucker guitar with lots of those tricky series, parallel, and split-coil tricks. Meanwhile, I wanted to do a sequel to my last cheap guitar makeover, but this time with a solidbody instead […] 
My cat hates when I play distortion pedals. I don't think he especially appreciates my non-distorted playing either. Reader Derick just posted a comment on the DIY Project #1 page about his experiences with using different diodes for the Bad-Ass Distortion Pedal project. He’s inspired me to share a few cool tools […] 
Not a turkey: Dave Wetherby's eye-catching Colorcaster The contestants were formidable. The competition was fierce. But by the time yesterday’s deadline arrived, one mutant stood triumphant — so triumphant that we are spared the interminable silliness responsibility of a run-off round. And the winner is Dave Wetherby’s kaleidoscopic Colorcaster. Congrats to Dave, who […] |
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