Alembic Guitars Club

Alembic products => Owning an Alembic => Troubleshooting => Topic started by: cherok on July 30, 2009, 09:00:04 AM

Title: Add OBEL to '02 Skylark?
Post by: cherok on July 30, 2009, 09:00:04 AM

i lovingly own an '02 Skylark and have been kicking around the idea of adding an OBEL (on-board effects loop) for some time.  well...  i think i'm going to try and modify this beast!
 
so far the guitar is stock (i did replace the jack several years ago to deal w/ some scratchy sounds)...  i'm hoping that someone here has done this (or similar guitar w/ similar electronics) and might be able to give me some pointers or direct me to another post of someone doing something similar.
 
thoughts?
 
thanks in advance!
 
Ron

Title: Add OBEL to '02 Skylark?
Post by: David Houck on July 30, 2009, 03:40:29 PM

Hi Ron, welcome to the board!  My first thought is why not have Alembic do the work?

Title: Add OBEL to '02 Skylark?
Post by: cherok on July 31, 2009, 03:35:37 AM

great question!  first i'm a very curious tinkerer (is that a word?).  i really enjoy figuring things out...  it helps to keep me young  although i have no idea what Alembic would charge for what is to them no doubt an easy/standard modification, i think i would be able to accomplish this task (assuming i don't goof the entire thing) for very little money and just a bit of time...
 
basically i want to know how to do something like this and figured a multi-thousand dollar instrument is the perfect place to start ;)
 
so last night i took some pictures and will spend a bit of time getting familiar w/ the wiring and throw out some ideas that make sense.
 
btw...  my wife asked the same question  
 
thanks!

Title: Add OBEL to '02 Skylark?
Post by: cherok on July 31, 2009, 04:15:31 AM

i suppose this also begs the question...
 
how much would Alembic charge for this modification?

Title: Add OBEL to '02 Skylark?
Post by: David Houck on July 31, 2009, 10:34:40 AM

basically i want to know how to do something like this and figured a multi-thousand dollar instrument is the perfect place to start.
 
LOL !!
 
Well, if you are going to do it yourself, I would recommend trying to get it as stock as possible, using the same parts Alembic would use and wiring it the same as well.
 
I don't know how much Alembic would charge.  I would recommend calling Mica and asking her, and also asking if it's a D-I-Y project and how much the charge for the parts would be.
 
I tend to be very subjective about Alembics; but I do think it's reasonable to suggest that once you've made non-Alembic modifications to an Alembic, its market value decreases significantly.  However, a person's instrument is a very personal thing; and it's certainly understandable that someone might want to make their own modifications.

Title: Add OBEL to '02 Skylark?
Post by: cherok on August 01, 2009, 11:30:38 AM

after getting a good look at the electronics i see this is going to be a pretty major change!  the dual volume controls are going to be the major issue from what i can tell.
 
1. the tone controls can stay the way they are
2. the pickups need to be consolidated using a 3-way switch?
3. a UGB needs to be installed after the 3-way
4. TRS jack needs to be installed after UGB
5. route return to single volume knob
6. route post-volume signal out to existing jack.
 
also, i need figure out if i can/need to use the existing pre-amp.  i've attached a picture of what i believe to be the pre-amp...  anyone know what this is?
 
so...  i'm starting to second guess if i really want to do this   i DO want it done, but...
 
i'm thinking what i might do is try to acquire all new electronics, modify those, then install.  this would keep me from goofing the entire project i think...
 
any input is appreciated!
 
thanks!

Title: Add OBEL to '02 Skylark?
Post by: grateful on August 03, 2009, 02:39:18 AM

Hi Ron.
 
Check the FAQ section for Mica's description and pictures of Tribute electronics.  The component you query above is the summing amp and UGB.
 
The filters are the main preamps.
 
Mark

Title: Add OBEL to '02 Skylark?
Post by: cherok on August 06, 2009, 11:15:41 AM

thanks for the tip!  i did check it out and i see that i have most of the required components.  i would love to see a better picture of the internals of a tribute/further w/ an effects loop.  it seems to be the TRS connection to the summing amp and UGB that i'm missing.
 
anyone want to open their axe and show me?  
 
thanks!