Mar 10, 2010 9:51 AM
Splicing into vax volume pot or tone pot for mag's?
-
Like (0)
Has anyone tried or heard of splicing into the vax volume or pot to run the mag pu's also?I didn't know if it is even a plausible mod but it would be interesting.Less knobs without actually having to replace them with custom pots.Anywat I was curious if anyone has tried this.I know there has been some who have extened the wiring on both to accomodate placement so I assumed it could be done but not sure.
That would be great, but it hasn't been done because I suspect it isn't possible. The two set ups (vax and PUs) would need to be on separate circuits. If you use the same components, you're automatically in the same circuit, regardless of the switch position between the two choices. That's why you'd need yet another pot on the same shaft to have it look like the same pot is being used for both, which means you'd have to have custom pots. That added pot would then be hooked up to the other (say, the PU) circuit, separating it from the vax circuit, yet being controlled by the same shaft.
That's the way I see it. If someone else has a better idea or thinks it's possible, post away!
The main problem is that Variax pots are 10k ones, and that Mag pups pots should be 250k (for single coils) or 500k (for humbuckers). So, these are just not the pots. If you want less pots, you will have to make them or have them made by somebody, and it will be stacked pots. Moreover, it is not sure that connecting mag pickups to Variax pots (if they had the same impedance) would'nt have an effect on the Variax circuitry. As far as I'm concerned, I would not try it.
Here is a photo of what I got at the moment (when everything is over, I'll post all the making pictures) :
I just have to replug everything and pray. Well, it will wait ![]()
I see it now.That's why I love this forum.Someone always has the info needed or knows where to find it.I really appreciate all you guys.Peace......................
My pleasure. It is so cool to find a place where to find everything. I search for so long on Internet and have so many links related to transplants that I really enjoy that it is now centralized here. The more we know, the better our transplants ![]()
Amen!!!!
Hey johnmcchavs those pots are exactly what I need, the two pots are simply perfect.
But the MILLION DOLLAR QUESTION is: Where and how do you get that pots?????????
I saw in the forum that www.potentiometers.com can make this type of pots
But I was lost with the specs I don't know what to ask.
If you can help me, guide me of how can I get exactly that 2 pots, I will appreciate very much
I'm finishing my first transplant, is a Ibanez RG2610e (originally with only bridge pickup) with an Edge Pro,
The body was succefully drilled and the piezo pickups are already installed in the Edge Pro.
IS JUST A DREAM COME TRUE. lol
But I can't finish 'cause of the pots, I was planning to let the variax tone pot inside the cavity and put the 2 original volumes pots out.
But the right way is to have that 2 triple pots with the push/pull in the tone pot.
Everything is almost done, but I can't find the holy pots!!!!!!!!!!
PD: Excuseme for my bad English, I'm from Costa Rica, but I have an international courier service that bring the stuff to me from Miami, FL.
Oh, my friend, you have come to THE big problem of transplanters : the pots!
Alas, the answer to the million dollar question is : I MADE THEM. "Oh my god", you think. And you are right. Just two pictures to make it clearer :
The pots I used to make the ones of my 1rst post :
BTW, some choices were stupid : the pot chosen to shelter the volume control was with a "center click", which means that you feel a stop when you reach the middle of the pot's turn. Useful for a balance pot, useless for volume. I would choose other models if I had to redo the whole thing (but hell I don't want to do that AGAIN).
And what it looks like with all parts... apart :
After, you much equip with a tool to verify that your pot is still working after you replaced the plates (the green things), and then glue the retaining rivets you had to cut in order to dismantle the pot. Be very careful when you do that with the stacked pots : always keep in mind that you will have to put everything back together.
The final pot, gluing the rivets :
My english not very good either : I'm a poor frenchy rookie trying to build his first transplant. And progressing VERY carefully.
In order to end up with a positive tone, I heard that these guys can make custom pots. But it will cost you more than what it's worth. Or not ![]()
I think that I will contact them for the next transplant (OMG, I can't believe I have said "next transplant" although the first one is not over yet : I must be sick)
Oh, I forgot to answer your 2nd question : the specs.
For a Variax 300 transplant, you need :
a volume stacked pot with :
a tone stacked pot with :
That is what you need. Let us know what you did ![]()
WOW Simply amazing!!!!!
I was keeping the faith that I can do that here, but it looks pretty dificult
I have search for the parts you put in the picture, but they are a little expensive
But I will keep trying.
Congrats you have great skills
I think that in the first release of my transplant I will use the variax volume pot and the magnetic volumen pot
without tone pot at all, the variax tone pot have to be inside of the cover and have to wait.
Thanks for you information
Great pictures! I wish some company would make custom pots like this for cheap. Obviously, they can do it for an arm and a leg....not really worth it.
We all wish that ![]()
It would make the life of all guys around here so much simpler ! ![]()
Well, if these don't work for some reason, I'll "just" buy a Variax 600 and forget about mag pups, at least I will have a functional Variax, which is the most important thing IMO. Ahem, when I have the money, of course.
I had found a triple pot on ebay (50k), I purchased 2, I think that it can be "customized" to work as a volume pot
But you have to remake the pot and make your "Frankenstein"
My plan is to use this pot for magnetic/variax volume, and have no tone for the magnetic pickups
That is to use the original tone pot of the Variax.
And add a little button to switch from mag to vax.
I hope that all of this work ![]()
The hard thing for you will now be to find plates (10kx2 for Variax + 250k or 500k for mags) that fit into this pot. I chose the one you saw in my previous posts because I knew the plates were compatible.
Good luck to you and remember : proceed carefully ![]()
I hear you on the working variax being the important thing. Really, the combination of pickups and variax is slightly over-rated, in my opinion. Each of us has his own purpose for their guitars and gigs though. I just think with all the pickup possibilities in workbench, why would you need a couple more to mess everything up? It would be different if it were a little easier to combine them, but it just isn't, especially without having mass knobs and switches to accomplish it.
Damn right, my friend. It's just that I'm not found of the Variax look (whether 300, 600 or 700). But I'm in love with its sounds ![]()
If the Variax is still working when I put everything back together, I am sure I will have the temptation to just put fake mag pups into My frankentele (actually, a Peavey Generation EXP Custom ACM with Variax guts into it soon) and just keep the Variax electronics working. For sure, workbench does so much that I don't really need more.
BTW, a picture of the Variax "casket" :
That looks great John! Good luck!
Stay in the mix and in the know.
Latest offers, special deals and insider updates.