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Guitar Reconstruction

Guitar Reconstruction. Michael C. wells EKU , Dept. of Technology, CEN. OUTLINE. Topics to be covered: Motivation behind Guitar Reconstruction Background Design of Guitar Design of Effects Assembly Troubleshooting (Mostly the Effects) Final Result. MOTIVATION. Obvious Motivation

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Guitar Reconstruction

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  1. Guitar Reconstruction Michael C. wells EKU, Dept. of Technology, CEN

  2. OUTLINE • Topics to be covered: • Motivation behind Guitar Reconstruction • Background • Design of Guitar • Design of Effects • Assembly • Troubleshooting (Mostly the Effects) • Final Result

  3. MOTIVATION • Obvious Motivation • Guitarist for nearly 9 years • No pre-existing knowledge of guitar electronics • Future Applications

  4. Motivation • Computer Science Major • Programming • Computer Systems • CSC 370 and 400 • Web Project • CSC 440

  5. INTRODUCTION • Never worked with Guitar Electronics • Familiar with the very basic guitar electronics. • Guitar draws power from amp • Effects are powered separately • Guitar pickups are magnets • Potentiometers used for volume/tone

  6. Introduction • Research definitely required • Lutherie – Building Electric Guitars by Martin Koch • Covers full guitar construction. Choosing Wood to Choosing Strings. • Fairly light electronics section. • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3gkVmVYujs • Video showing the reconstruction of the same type of Guitar used in Project.

  7. Introduction • www.tonepad.com • Ideal resource for FX Projects • The actual guitar • Electronics were not working • Not even sure the exact type (squier?) • Tuning Pegs damaged • eBay Purchase, unsure the actual value. • Missing several pieces of hardware

  8. PROBLEM STATEMENT • Rebuilding an Electric Guitar and including additional functionality. • Guitar Effects crafted onboard is an obvious choice for functionality. • Which Effect? • Additional Functionality? (Killswitch, etc.)

  9. PROPOSED SOLUTION • Which effect to create? • Original Idea: Wah-Wah Pedal • Pros/Cons • Second Idea: Fuzz Pedal (old distortion) • Pros/Cons • Finalized Idea: MXR Distortion+ • Pros/Cons • Guitar Needs

  10. Proposed Solution • Guitar in decent shape • Needed to solder a select few wires • Electronics replacement too expensive

  11. Proposed Solution • Guitar finished early on • Tuning pegs and other hardware replacement simple • Block off tremolo system.

  12. Proposed Solution • Tonepad.com • Multiple Layouts for MXR Distortion Plus • Parts Recommend • http://www.smallbearelec.com

  13. Proposed solution • The MXR Distortion Plus • Well Known Distortion Unit • Used by Randy Rhodes, Jerry Garcia, and others • Easily Available Schematics

  14. Proposed Solution MXR Distortion Plus w/ 741 IC MXR Distortion Plus w/ 4558 IC

  15. Proposed Solution • Purchased all parts for MXR Distortion Plus w/ 4558 IC • Purchased the pre-made PCB for the unit with a 741 IC.

  16. Proposed Solution Layout with IC 741 Layout with IC 4558

  17. Proposed Solution • Breadboard Failures, starting with 4558. • Signal not being sent. • True Bypass (DTDP Switch) works with interference • Frustration

  18. Proposed Solution • Late nights thinking only about electronics. • Perhaps the Grounds • What is a “Jack Shield Connector”?

  19. Proposed Solution • Research through Google led me to Wikipedia • Picture led to understanding • Further research explained what I was missing.

  20. Proposed Solution Mono Jack on Guitar Purchased “Stereo” Jack

  21. Proposed Solution • Stereo Jacks require Tip-Ring-Sleeve. • Label from SmallBearElec • My Understanding • Replace with Mono Jacks.

  22. Proposed Solution • Distortion Unit worked after second rebuild • Unit has very “basic” distortion sound • Video will help in explanation.

  23. Proposed Solution • Conversion to PCB? • Simple, but space limitations in guitar. • Unit small; pots and off-board components large

  24. RESULTS • Working Electric Guitar • Working Distortion Pedal • Include lots of images & relevant multimedia on (no dancing pink elephants)

  25. CONCLUSIONS • Project and my workplace • No relationship expect • Project and my hobby • Very close relationship • Will definitely use in the future • Save a lot of money • So many more effects

  26. FUTURE WORK • Incorporate other guitar effects, or build a multi-effect pedal. • Implement more digital applications • Completely make a new instrument • Email: lzmw@hotmail.com

  27. REFERENCES • Koch, Martin. Lutherie – Building Electric Guitars. Available from http://www.buildyourguitar.com/books/ebooks/index.htm • Axh6877. (2010, January 25). Strat Rebuild for Under $500.mov. Video posted to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3gkVmVYujs • Wikipedia. TRS connector. Available from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TRS_connector • Pedalarea. MXR – Distortion+. Available from http://www.pedalarea.com/mxr_distortion.htm

  28. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS • All photos and videos provided by presenter except where noted. • Slide 12: Photo from http://www.pedalarea.com/mxr_distortion.htm • Slide 14, 16, 18: All Photos from http://www.tonepad.com • Slide 19: Photo from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Jack_plug.png

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