psw

I'm making a hex piezo pickup system...got the pickups down but would like to make the preamps (six) really small and low power, possibly built into each driver to minimize noise. Any ideas on this, or circuit ideas involving SMT components would be much appreciated Pete

Ansil, So did you scavenge them by dumpster diving, or do you have some supplier (mouser?) P

CBS or not I still think it has merit Now if only it had 3 pickups coil taps and a synchronised trem...(don't do that by the way!) The modified headstock is a nice alternative to the strat and the (what were they thinking of) telecaster headstock. This also shows gibson firebird influences. For a mix of classic fender (asymetric body, inline tuners, maple neck) and gibson (semi acoustic, humbuckers, individual pickup controls) I think it's unusually successful...perhaps I'm the only one...looks nice in black I still wan't one!

Well...how much is my time worth....hmmmm Research and Development has been expensive.............hmmmm I'd say at least half the cost of present systems when its finished depending on the final design if all goes well, maybe less...more than an ebow though. The components are fairly cheap but a little hard to source. Whats good about this concept is that it can be easily fitted without physical changes to the instrument...impossible with present systems...and it should not have any effect on playing or tone when not in use because of it's small size. I will probably look a bit like a single coil that mounts on the guitar surface just ahead of the bridge pickup (well thats the idea)... the wires will probably enter via the pickup cavity. It may be built into an enlarged humbucker pickup mounting ring for a les paul type or, for a strat, a special cover for the bridge pickup or cutting a little away from the cover should allow enough room for the ribbon cable to enter the guitar. I'll give it a bit more thought, but like everything.... What would you guys pay for something like this...after all, an effects box or pickup costs a bit and this is totally new and hand built! psw Or did you mean just this one little driver for one string without any circuitry? About a dollar (70c US). It's all about design, ideas and sourcing of components...its not as simple as you might expect...but that's a secret. The whole point was to make this, not only superior but affordable. P

Actually it was fender's answer to the Gibson ES335 and a great guitar with great features like individual vols & tones AND a master vol, just where you want it. I like the selector switch placement too...I have a modified strat with a similar thing and ti's great. I'd love one... The only well known player to consistantly use one is the guitar player from the Meters (forgot his name)...basically a terrific guitar much overlooked It's a keeper for sure pete oh, I think wildwood was only on the colorado...a dog if you ask me!

Here's a pic of the latest driver.... New Driver and here's a poor pic of the test guitar...a Legend (made by Aria) cheapo strat with the original driving circuitry in the black box taped to the back...a couple of compressors...not in use in the background. you can see how hard it is to play the instrument lying down on a chair!!! Strat Setup psw

Yep, I thought it was cute... I'll dig it out, scan it and send you a copy This one has a travel of about 15-20 mm so is quite a bit smaller The parts could easily be molded in epoxy...if your into that...otherwise its just an open trim pot pete or did you mean the width of an EMG?

Don't tame it down too much...I like it being an open forum...and, although their annoying, the less informed can make us "experts" rethink the bounds of what a guitar should be and keep an audience for our endeavours. That is...they help keep us from disappearing up our own f^&%k*&& A%&s^&'s By the way that would be coloquial in OZ so don't ban me please...the courts recently ruled the f word not a swear word down here...true! oh, and....how about dots....I love dots.... oh, and colors...so many to choose...love colors...oh, and...dots...oh and....colored dots...hmmmm.................................................................... Seriously though, it's been a godsend to find a site that has attracted so many interested in developing further this fabulous instrument/obsession, in what ever form it's made over...three cheers for project guitar! N.B. no smilies oops, sorry errr , you know I'm kidding right? oh, come on, you can take a joke, can't you? Kevan don't sus.......nooo!!!.....kevan

thanks guys...may post some more sounds soon

Progress Report... Have made hex prototype which works for all strings individually and provides fundumental and harmonic modes by reversing driver polarity. It's mounted midway between the bridge and middle pickup. With the neck pickup driving and to the amp there is NO noise! This shows that the technology I've been working on will work to a similar performance to currently available systems. The task at hand is to get the circuitry happening to drive all strings polyphonically and restore pickup choice. This may involve the development of a complemantary Hex Pickup System...I have had some initial results using the same approach as I have used on the driver design. Again it comes down to electronics! psw

Thanks... of course I'm asking because of the Sustainer I'm working on. I've made some super small pickups which of course are very low impedance (can't get alot of wire on something only 10x5 mm!) but the signal is crowded with noise...still working on it Ansil...I'm also thinking thumb wheels or such...ever seen any tiny slider pots? I've got some cheapo headphones somewhere that uses a rack and gear to turn a trim pot into a slider for volume control. I'll have to get a bit more clever with my sheilding as it's been said...I'm amplifying noise

Has anyone seen the inside of an EMG. What kind of coil are we looking at in there and how sophisticated a preamp? Also, what's the battery drain like...how long do they last. I've actually been quite impressed with them on the right guitar for the right type of sound

Thanks for your posts and PM's, much appreciciated Yep, there's still a way to go but lets recap what has been achieved: A small new technology that has proven capable of sustaining a string A more cost effective and user friendly system A system that looks like it may need very little modification to the instrument A system that, in it's present form, could probably achieve the results of present systems...if the same limitations were applied to it. On this last point...if the drivers were placed by the neck pickup and only the bridge pickup was used (as with the fernandes and sustainiac system) and true polyphonic sounds were not paramount...I think my drivers could match it. What I'm trying to do is take it to the next level: True polyphonic sound and choice of pickups...I'd also like to make use of that screaming inductive feedback but without the noise... The demo's were recorded direct onto a little cassette player then transfered on the lowest quality wave file on Microsoft's Sound Recorder to keep the file size down...not good. There are noises, microphonics and the like that need to be suppressed but when using the drivers far enough away from the pickup being used...it is dead quiet! This is something that will be addressed...through all this I've been working on driver design, very little attention has been put into the amplification, and none into filtering, etc. I am collaborating with LoveKraft on this and bow to expertise in this area. I have sent him a driver and behind the scenes both of us are working on ideas. For my part, I'm working on some problems of constructing a practical Hex system, manufacturing techniques and exploring a complimentary Hex pickup system, should that be necessary to separate the signals. I also have some unique ideas for driving systems using digital logic...but...I've got to learn more, experiment, or find someone who has knowledge in this field. So plenty of work to do but the fact that it works at all is something of an achievement... cheers psw

Here are some more sound samples : These were recorded with the same set up but instead of trying to play the guitar, I just put it in a chair and fretted notes by gently tapping them (don’t have to hammer on like EVH) just enough to get a little sound, the driver does all the work. Sliding is also enough as you will hear. Here’s a short sample of the open b sustaining…it soon jumps an octave. The note was simply damped to stop it and that’s how quiet it is using the neck pickup only when you stop a note http://www.fullservesite.com/pswsite/Susta...ounds/long1.wav This sample is of a long note with the bridge pickup with both magnetic and inductive effects causing a more extreme edge, increased volume and quick harmonics. Some sliding notes show how the harmonic effect is often instantaneous. The scratchy noise is the effect of no sound being played at this setting where the pickup and driver (only 10mm apart) interfere with one another) http://www.fullservesite.com/pswsite/Susta...ds/longhrm1.wav A little sample of sliding with harmonics and sustain (no picking at all). The little microphonics at the end are something that needs to be filtered out and occur only when the note is not being played. http://www.fullservesite.com/pswsite/Susta...shortslide1.wav Sliding a finger along the b string with the neck pickup to try and get that swell attack. By the way, I just damped the string to stop it…you could just turn off the drive circuit and get the natural decay of the instrument…you don’t have to cut the notes short and get that backwards sound. http://www.fullservesite.com/pswsite/Susta...slowslider1.wav Here’s one pulling off taps to the open b plus sliding notes and harmonic effect. Notice that if the taps were too hard you get a harmonic pretty much straight away, if soft you get a swell into a note. Neck pickup I think. http://www.fullservesite.com/pswsite/Susta...s/tapslide1.wav Here’s a held note…the guitar’s volume control was adjusted…the high pitch at the end was almost off. There is a point in which from the harmonic that’s sounding goes back to the fundumental, this was about number 6…so backing it off just right will give that effect but difficult to control by hand…room for an electronic solution…instant whammy pedal! http://www.fullservesite.com/pswsite/Susta.../volchange1.wav So I hope you can see some of the potential here…and there’s a lot more I’m sure. And bear in mind this is with one string only…imagine what you could do with whole chords…distortion drive signals for hexophonic distortion…or synth type effects…or amazing two handed tapping and counterpoint without having to smack the fretboard…. Thanks for listening psw

More, shorter and better sound samples coming soon

The secret of controlling it seems to be to adjust the input gain via the guitar's volume control...depending on the pickup selection. There are two types of feedback at work...the electromagnetic infinite sustain and that out-of-control "inductive" sustain as found in Ansil's Sustainer Mod which causes feedback because of the EMI of the driver being so close to the pickup. Changing pickups changes from a smooth, fundumental, soft violin type sound from the neck pickup to that screaming sound from the mid and bridge and that octave harmonic from the bridge...combining the neck and mid gives a combination tone and the mid/bridge gives the scream with the octave jump with a little bit of vibrato... It's a little extreme for me...but I hope you all enjoy it psw p.s LK get some sleep

Well as promised…at long last…SOUNDS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now, before anyone criticizes my playing or the sound quality…bear in mind that the guitar was falling off my lap and I had five knobs, the pickup selector and the cassette player to operate at the same time! Also note that I was using a single driver on the B string only…that means I could only play up and down this string, mostly legato and tapping. The sound used was an ultra-clean tranny amp, no effects and a jap strat copy with noisy pickups…The squeals I think are microphonics from the pickups. This would have occurred if I were playing this guitar through a loud amp anyway. This, also…despite what it sounds like, was not loud. It’s also not distorted in the usual sense…the drive signal is distorted which distorts the way in which the string vibrates, not the signal from the string…this is a fundamental difference that may open new doors for this type of device… The driver was one I found in my box of prototypes that I go back to every now and then. I don’t even think I documented it here but it’s loosely based on the CP8x concept from memory. It’s about 4mm high and was stuck with DS tape between the bridge and middle pickups. Also, I have never recorded to digital and I’m not really net savvy…(Thanks Mike B for the tips) But enough excuses…. SUSTAIN DEMO 1 (blue3.wav) My apologies for the size of the wave file (870 kb) and the quality… Now, this is not the way I would normally play, just noodling around, and it’s not really what I ultimately want from the device…but…it’s sure got sustain! I thought the whammy abuse would appeal to the young folk out there! There are sections showing how it breaks into harmonics, plays harmonics automatically (fretted note an octave lower), and of course very long notes. What isn't demonstrated is the theremin type sounds and more subtle bowed type sounds from the neck pickup...what I'm saying is...it is a lot more versitile than this demo. Hope this rekindles some interest, or at least give a better idea of what this thread is on about… psw

I know the feeling shaky...my wife has given up on rolling her eyes...she just doesn't want to know anymore! She even drew up a roster so that everything around the house gets done and is shared equally...she refused to alot time to my little experiments...what gives? pete

Yep, thats the way! I like to use thin card...put the white printed design on the back so that on one will know...lightly sand the top after dry for that authentic forbon look...or paint them with nail varnish, any color you like...very snazzy About 3 or 4 layers should do...soak the glue well in (perhaps water it down just a tad)...smaller pieces dry quicker. Also note that paper has a grain to it (it bends easier along the grain)...this is important as it expands when wet and contracts when dry according to the grain...If you are able to provide sufficient pressure you could alternate the grain like in plywood to get it stiffer. If the thing bends or cups when dry, it will be because of this grain so some experimentation is required Another material is that usefull is that thin plastic from notepad covers and folders. Cuts easily and bends well when scored with a knife...glue with super glue...laminate like above if you like. I started using these materials as they are easy to work with, cheap, easy to get and was able to make some strange custom shapes and very small coils for my sustainer driver prototypes...if you've seen that thread. good luck...don't cut your fingers off psw

Shakyhands CD cases are too hard...I'm not sure if Cd's would be any easier... The metal I'm pretty sure is aluminium, or at least not magnetic and so thin that it would have little if any effect...certainly nothing you would hear! If you want to get something that looks pro...buy a plastic bobbin from someone like all-parts...check out a helpfull music shop...get them to let you look at their parts catalogue I don't know where you can get authentic mags easily, what are you using? Have you tried ISOLA in Victoria...thats where I got my wire from and they do other stuff... You can send over to Jason Lollar who makes Forbon Bobbin pieces Forbon is basically a glue impregnated paper product... I've successfully made bobbins by laminating paper with various hard setting glues (try common wood workers PVA)...I used to do bookbinding so have some presses, etc but still make my own for something like this out of wood and a few bolts and wingnuts...or use a brick! Just make sure you use plastic (I use those A4 plastic pockets) so that it doesn't stick to anything while it dries.. Another good idea is to print the bobbin shapes etc on the top of laminations to make cutting easier...you might even find a hole punch at a tool supply to wack out the holes with a hammer rather than ripping into them with a drill (dont try that with plastic cd cases though!!!!!!!!!!) You can even save the environment by recycling paper... For extra tough stuff use some open weave fabric such as calico with the paper...You can use epoxy but then its hard to cut as you've basically have reinforced plastic.... Sorry not to provide the links, a little short of time...if you can't find them let me know...here, PM or Email me Hope this helps you and others...love to hear how your getting on psw p.s. Your in Australia right?

Just to make up for leaving him out 1 Jeff Beck 2 Jeff Beck 3 Jeff Beck 4 Jeff Beck 5 Jeff Beck 6 Jeff Beck 7 Jeff Beck 8 Jeff Beck 9 Jeff Beck 10 Jeff Beck Actually I like heaps from Hendrix to Vai, Jazz, Blues you name it but everybody (including hendrix) was influenced by JB and he's still doing innovative stuff and going his own way - he's certainly not some wannabe! psw

Actually... I did try putting a weighted motor on the tremolo system to physically shake the strings...but...motors and pickups don't mix as they create enormous EMI and there are all sorts of physical reasons why unrelated (to the note of the string) vibrations, whether they be physical, electrical or magnetic cause all sorts of strife... Where did Andreas go when we need him... You may not have heard of the Gizmotron...this was basically a set of spinning discs with tiny picks on them...similar to the Hurdy Gurdy in concept Anyway, this is why I'm approaching it with separate drivers for each string but I strongly believe that this will only be of benifit if there are separate pickups as well as the drivers will attempt to vibrate a string with a mixture of that note and others from other strings, defeating the whole concept. Hence the interest in piezo's as they are non magnetic, they are less likely to be influenced by the driver's changing magnetic fields... Another thought I had recently was to use a Hex pickup to delete or filter out (through phase cancellation / inverted amplification) unrelated signals for each strings driver... I'm still thinking through ways in which the drivers can be used as both pickups and drivers (I know they will work independantly as either). The thoughts have been along the idea of fast electronic switching between sensing and driving...I haven't discussed it here before as I haven't thought it through or experimented much with it... Not giving up psw

You'll have to test out the plastic...it depends what you pot it in...wax would probably melt them... I saw a site somewhere where the guy made a cool looking humbucker using CD's themselves I've made them out of all sorts of stuff...how are you cutting the cases without cracking them everywhere Also tried molding them with epoxy...anyone tried that? psw

Does anyone know any tutorials with TC period. I never had much luck with it but get along great with TurboDraw. Unfortunately its not compatable with the others. It also doesn't save to DXF which I could use to transfer to the FEMM program psw

Your right Benno - though I don't read TIME except in the dentists waiting room and even then nothing within the last five years! I think we've answered the power question and that in Oz we know how to take a joke too far... Good Luck Phil