A couple of folks in a BR9 message chain mentioned that their BR9 sounded bad. I think it important that before someone accounts a bad sound to a particular model at-large that they're not familiar with at-large, that they test all of the Guitar's componants to see if their values measure to the specifications they're supposed to. Another BR9 discussion chain has good information and resource links about guitar componants and wiring ...as well as a number of other SGF discussion chains.

A case in point is that I purchased a Fender Champ several months ago and did not like the harsh / glassy / low-sustain sound of the pickup even though it's output volume seemed within normal range; ...but other folks have had very good opinions of Champs' sound. So I will eventually open up that Champ and test all the componants as the most likely culprit of it's sound I don't like.

Another case in point is Roy Thomson's recent posting of 2 super-good sound files he played on a BR9 he had just recently acquired ...which demonstrates quite well that there ain't anything wrong with that particular BR9! BUT, ...which of the 2 pickups (or more?) in BR9 productions does Roy's have, ...and have any componants been changed out as is rather common, ...and is that sound a "standard" to expect from a factory-original BR9? No-one would know unless they opened it up to see and know the componants that made it's sound ...and what effects and EQ'ing Roy used. A matter of having at least a basic understanding of guitars' relatively simple electronics.

Point being that there are MANY factors that effect the sound that exits a guitar and is further effected by it's amplification / effects process. And even though the variables are quite complex, they're all quite simple and can be generally learned rather well in several months of casual research and studying, ...and the internet makes that quite easy to do, especially with the archives here on the SGF. Even the downstream resources links of this posting alone will go a LONG way in learning about guitar circuits.

I have seen a number of comments that equate "cheap guitars" with bad sound. I have not found that to be true in the vast majority of cases. An inexpensive-market Steel Guitar will obviously not have the same sound that a more costly high-tech Steel will; And pointedly, more costly high-tech Steels will usually not provide the sound characters that an inexpensive one will; Their sounds are simply different; Although either can be made to sound more like the other. Having a good mental familiarity with the mechanics of what makes an electric guitar's sound, will go a long way in knowing what sound characters to expect from a particular guitar and how a person might make it sound more like they desire within the capabilities of it's componants and amplification processing; ......particularly after researching the componants and Player reports for a particulr model ...and better-yet playing it, the longer the better.

Many years ago I purchased a cheap basic electronic projects kit from Radio Shack. It had a booklet with simple basic electronic theory. It also had a masonite pegboard about a foot square upon which small springs were bolted into each peg-hole to use to connect componants and wires to make a circuit (simply by putting a wire-end into a spring between it's pinching coils). I used that board to easily install, wire and experiment with guitar componants and circuits connected to the pickup in a guitar via a 3' long shielded signal cord with alligator clips on the ends. Componants could quickly and easily be changed out on the board for experimenting with pots and caps and wiring schemes. A board like that can be made very easily. Aslo very useful is a collection of 6 to 10 wires with alligator clips on the ends of each wire ...about 2 to 3' long and each wire a different color (although several additional red and black ones make it easier to visualize / mark hot and ground routes of a circuit; Easy to make or available at Radio Shack; Which can be used to wire up circuits and/or componants outside a guitar. Similar jumpers of short length are also quite handy.

Aloha,
DT~

[This message was edited by Denny Turner on 22 March 2005 at 04:14 PM.]

I started another discussion topic "Personal Rig Setups; And Multiple Instruments"; ...so as not to get this discussion of guitar electronics "too far" afield.

Aloha,
DT~

[This message was edited by Denny Turner on 23 March 2005 at 10:53 PM.]

Folks who wind pickups for a living / business usually have long lists of the impedence values of different pickups ...that they've either acquired or personally measured and archived. They are also usually expert in pots, caps and switching as well. Telephoning or emailing them is a good way to find out what the value of a certain pickup or componant should be. And if that's their bread-and-butter, it is nice to offer to send them a stipend for their valuable real-time, ...and you will have that resource happy for future inquiries; ...Although first posting the question on the SGF here often gets the results free and the provider usually happy to do so at their liesure (IMHO) demonstrated by their doing so.