Author Topic: Added a Blaster to a Fender Strat 12-String (Read 124 times)

benson_murrensun · « **on:** February 05, 2008, 11:28:03 AM »

I just added a Blaster to a new Fender 12-string Strat (made in Japan), and thought I'd post the results. The good news is that the guitar sounds clearer with the Blaster on than with it off, even with the tone controls all the way up. There is lots of boost available, but that's not why I got the Blaster; I figure there are other ways to get more gain, if that's what I want. I will keep the boost fairly low. The added clarity is definitely noticeable, though, and that's great.
The bad news is.... the hum. The single-coil noise is most definitely exacerbated with the Blaster in operation. I know Alembic suggests that the control and pickup cavities be shielded during the installation process, and I didn't follow through with that. I was having trouble finding copper foil tape in the Denver area, and I didn't want to wait for it to be shipped to me. I found some silver paint available for shielding, but it was more money than I wanted to pay. That's what I get for being in a hurry. The next time I remove the pickguard I will have some copper tape around and finish the job properly.
The Blaster is a neat product; I wonder what it would do for some of my other instruments.... basses, guitars, my buddy's electric mandolin???

lbpesq · « **Reply #1 on:** February 05, 2008, 04:23:46 PM »

Ben:

Cool. I added Alembic pickups and electronic to a Strat 12. You can see it here, about halfway down. I used shielding paint and tape from Stewart Macdonald. Reasonably priced and shipped pretty quickly, as I recall.

By the way, I LOVE your band's name: Dark Star of Davidson lol

Bill, the guitar one

benson_murrensun · « **Reply #2 on:** February 06, 2008, 09:35:45 AM »

Bill,

I bet that guitar sounds great! Where is the battery now located? I have given thought to getting a battery pouch and sticking it on the outside of the guitar so battery changes will be very easy. I did that on a resonator guitar I have in which I installed a Fishman resophonic pickup/preamp. They recommend putting the battery inside the guitar's cone, which means that to change the battery you have to disassemble most of the guitar. I thought the battery pouch would be a lot easier, and it is. It doesn't look so hot, but what can you do?
Anyway, removing the pickguard to change the battery in a 12-string Strat is cruel and unusual punishment and I am looking for alternatives.

Ben

benson_murrensun · « **Reply #3 on:** February 06, 2008, 09:52:29 AM »

Bill,
Never mind - I read through the link to which you referred me and saw that the battery is under the inverted jack. Very clever! I don't think that would work with the Blaster, though, because then the electronics would be exposed or cause other issues. So it looks like a battery pouch or routing a battery compartment are my options.

jazzyvee · « **Reply #4 on:** February 06, 2008, 10:45:08 AM »

I took Bill's advice and inverted my jack when I added my alembic activators to my strat. It i ideal, holds the battery in place and doesn't affect the playability of the guitar.

Jazzyvee