Add OBEL to '02 Skylark?

[cherok]

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

[David Houck]

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

[cherok]

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!

[cherok]

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

[David Houck]

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.

[cherok]

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!

[grateful]

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

[cherok]

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!