Black Beauty PU selector

MesaBoogie · 08-19-2008, 04:29 PM

I'm thinking aloud on this one: In the light of the new Gibson LP Black Beauty Jimmy Page Custom (or whatever it's called), with the 6-way pickup selector, wouldn't it be possible of getting the same kind of versatility by installing a rotaryswitch? Preferably a 6 way rotary:

1: Neck
2: Neck/Mid
3: Mid
4: Neck/Mid/Bridge or just the Neck/Bridge (possibly with a Push-Pull pot to select which)
5: Mid/Bridge
6: Bridge

This instead of buying the Custom Shop...

Just a train of thought and I would like to hear your thoughts on this.

Grtz.

ES350 · 08-19-2008, 05:44 PM

I think that would work...another way to do it and keep the stock cosmetics would be to wire three individual volumes ala ES5 and one tone...use the switch like a standard LP wiring for bridge and neck. Just a thought...

Ace1432 · 08-21-2008, 04:06 PM

yup.ive done a mod like that.it just makes more sense to use a rotary because of the expanded pickup combinations. not sure why gibson doesnt maximize on this, the guitar was way more versatile and the player was in awe...but the chickenhead knob was slightly out of place cosmetically, but it didnt bother him

ES350 · 08-21-2008, 04:13 PM

I've often wondered about the out-of-phase situation with a lot of the Gibson 3 pu models---it was very popular in the late 40's-50's since T-Bone, Jimmy Nolen, Mickey Baker, and Billy Byrd used it on recordings. It probably also had the advantage of getting some treble and clarity out of those 50's Gibson cathode-biased amps, which were voiced pretty dark...

MesaBoogie · 08-21-2008, 04:49 PM

Yeah, a Chickenhead would seem out of place. I've thought of some Push/Pull combinations but the Rotary seems just more versatile and less of a hassle.

I plan on buying a Black Beauty (epiphone, the Gibbys are a tad too expensive), but I am far too inexperienced (read: I have never done anything to my guitars other than changing strings) for modding it.

Grtz,
Mesa.

japasul · 08-22-2008, 04:49 PM

Depends on the switch... It would need enough lugs... So It's not any switch that would work... But I guess this is the lesser of the problems...

Cheers
André

08-19-2008, 04:29 PM	#1 (permalink)
MesaBoogie Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 126 Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Black Beauty PU selector I'm thinking aloud on this one: In the light of the new Gibson LP Black Beauty Jimmy Page Custom (or whatever it's called), with the 6-way pickup selector, wouldn't it be possible of getting the same kind of versatility by installing a rotaryswitch? Preferably a 6 way rotary: 1: Neck 2: Neck/Mid 3: Mid 4: Neck/Mid/Bridge or just the Neck/Bridge (possibly with a Push-Pull pot to select which) 5: Mid/Bridge 6: Bridge This instead of buying the Custom Shop... Just a train of thought and I would like to hear your thoughts on this. Grtz.

08-19-2008, 05:44 PM	#2 (permalink)
ES350 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 213 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Black Beauty PU selector I think that would work...another way to do it and keep the stock cosmetics would be to wire three individual volumes ala ES5 and one tone...use the switch like a standard LP wiring for bridge and neck. Just a thought...

08-21-2008, 04:06 PM	#3 (permalink)
Ace1432 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 15 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Black Beauty PU selector yup.ive done a mod like that.it just makes more sense to use a rotary because of the expanded pickup combinations. not sure why gibson doesnt maximize on this, the guitar was way more versatile and the player was in awe...but the chickenhead knob was slightly out of place cosmetically, but it didnt bother him __________________ "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will know peace."-Jimi Hendrix ------------------------------------------- My Gear: 2002 Les Paul copy CL Custom Strat CL Custom Tele CL Custom Bomber Bass 1966 Vintage Fender Jazzmaster 1969 Vintage Fender Mustang Bass CL Custom Es-335 semi hollow(work in progress)

08-21-2008, 04:13 PM	#4 (permalink)
ES350 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 213 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Black Beauty PU selector I've often wondered about the out-of-phase situation with a lot of the Gibson 3 pu models---it was very popular in the late 40's-50's since T-Bone, Jimmy Nolen, Mickey Baker, and Billy Byrd used it on recordings. It probably also had the advantage of getting some treble and clarity out of those 50's Gibson cathode-biased amps, which were voiced pretty dark...

08-21-2008, 04:49 PM	#5 (permalink)
MesaBoogie Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 126 Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Black Beauty PU selector Yeah, a Chickenhead would seem out of place. I've thought of some Push/Pull combinations but the Rotary seems just more versatile and less of a hassle. I plan on buying a Black Beauty (epiphone, the Gibbys are a tad too expensive), but I am far too inexperienced (read: I have never done anything to my guitars other than changing strings) for modding it. Grtz, Mesa.

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08-22-2008, 04:49 PM	#6 (permalink)
japasul Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil Posts: 66 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Black Beauty PU selector Depends on the switch... It would need enough lugs... So It's not any switch that would work... But I guess this is the lesser of the problems... Cheers André

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