Steve Vai

Wow, you find so much stuff! Do you find all of this in dumpsters in commercial areas? I want to check out the dumpster behind Guitar Center sometime.

The Peavey Classic 30 is a tube amp though. But that doesn't change anything you said.

It's this one, right? http://www.tonepad.com/project.asp?id=30

Yeah, I see what you mean. I didn't mean that specific one, I just meant one that has a similar switch toggle. But I can see how that could have some problems. I was thinking of using that as the momentary switch.

I kind of got the impression that the mode you mentioned is similar to a note fading into a feedback harmonic, like when you face a loud amp. I don't know how they would do it otherwise... For people who always have the driver on, it might be nice to have a momentary switch for a gain/sustain boost, sort of like what you mentioned, but as a boost to turn up the sustain control instead of power to the driver. As for power, maybe it could run off phantom power? I know I'd like that. There are a lot of different control options you could offer. Personally, I'd want a switch like this, instead of a toggle: http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?cata...%5Fid=275%2D011 I like the switches they have on the synth equipped Strat. It would be easier to just tap a switch that's near the strings (could be next to/near the volume knob on a Strat) than flip a switch; this way if you pick near the bridge, you wouldn't even have to move your hand to activate the driver. The external box is definitely a good idea, though I wouldn't want it. It's sort of like with synth pickups, you can get the external one that works fine, but if you know you want it permanently, it's best to have it installed inside, and some people won't like the look of a box on the surface of a guitar (If I interpreted your idea right). It's a good idea though. When you're ready to package the whole thing, you could sell it as a loaded Strat pickguard, with all the electronics mounted to the pickguard where the control cavity is. I know that's not the biggest issue now, but it's something to think about for people who don't want to do anything complicated to install it, but want something more permanent than the box. On a Les Paul with a pickguard, the controls could mount under the pickguard, if there is space. That would also make it easier to install.

Yeah, I'd agree about the effects. I guess it would make it more versatile with the built in effects, but I'd prefer to have the effects come from pedals, and they could turn away some people because it could get too complicated. Would a driver mounted under a pickguard be too far from the strings to be effective?

I'm probably going to get a Strat style guitar with one bridge humbucker and a pickguard, so the mounting I'd want is the same as what you've done before. I don't mind very much where it goes as long as it works; next to the bridge would be cool.

Looks and sounds good! It'll be great to see it completed. Do you need any input or anything from us? I wish I could help more with the technical stuff... I guess I could if I learned about sustainter technology more.

What would you recommend for an enclosure for a distortion or something? I'd like something similar to MXR boxes, and I've seen a few aluminum project boxes, but what would be the best?

You could try this:

Control Options Push pull pots could work, some could say they're inconvient, but for switching on and off a sustainer, I think it's pretty much the same as a dedicated switch. A pot that clicks off in the 0 position (not sure what it's called) could also combine on/off and gain/volume in one knob, and might be more convienient. I don't know if they have these pots designed for guitar (probably can find something close enough), but I'm talking about the pots they have on some cheap radios, computer speakers, etc. Using push pull pots or pots that click off and dual concentric pots, here's what I would do: (push pull pot could be replaced with pots that click off) 1 volume: Existing volume knob replaced with a push pull pot, and new push pull pot installed 1 volume, 1 tone: One replaced with a push pull pot, and other knob replaced with a dual concentric pot (may have to give up tone knob or install new knob) 3 knobs (Strat): Two knobs replaced with push pull pots, another knob replaced with a dual concentric pot 4 knobs (Les Paul): Two knobs replaced with push pull pots, another knob replaced with a dual concentric pot If people don't like the look of a dual concentric pot, then they would need to install another knob or give up a tone control. If they don't like the push pull pot, they could install a new switch. There is probably a supplier somewhere that can make pots with many controls, which would make sense for 2 and 3 control guitars. For a 1 volume control guitar, there isn't any practical way around installing anything new (except a concentric pot with 3 or 4 controls and 2 knobs/switches in 0 position. How's that for complicated! ) I hope this all makes sense.

Would it be possible to put the sustainer in a pickup mounting ring? It would have to have a special mounting ring with the sustainer side higher up, but if the sustainer is small enough and the placement of the sustainer works there, it should work. Here is a diagram of what I mean:

I like it! The design is really nice. It will be nice to see it when it's finished.

I heard back from him. Everything's fine. I'm getting a Plexi 50 preamp from him. Is anyone else getting anything from them?

I would recommend tapping them with the end of a pencil.

I've had a solid state open back cab, a solid state closed back cab, a tube open back cab, and a tube closed back cab. I like the sound of the tube head with the closed back 4x10 cab the best. It has punchy bass response that was better then the other cabs.

If I were smarter I could help you with the design. But all I can add is input

Nik from Ceriatone is designing me a preamp! He's really friendly and helpful. They're located in Malaysia, and I haven't heard from him since the earthquake, so I don't know if it affected them...

That's a killswitch.

You should exchange it. The polepieces will be off, which sometimes isn't a huge problem, but you won't be getting the best tone possible.

If the sustainer fits between the neck pickup and the neck, there won't be room for it on a 24 fret guitar. If it isn't the same size/shape as a regular pickup, permanent installation will be harder on a non-custom guitar. If it is the same size as a regular pickup but looks different, people don't like it because it's not what they're used to. Also, with a sustainer some people like to have it hidden so others don't know how they have so much sustain.

http://www.stewmac.com/cgi-bin/hazel.cgi?a...atalog/sku.html Mini pots

What's your bridge idea? Is it a bridge-mounted sustainer? I've decided to get a guitar with HSH pups, so I'll want the sustainer in the middle position, looking like a normal pickup, if possible.

Most likely, I'll want it like this, with the sustainer and a mini-hum (probably DiMarzio) in the neck position: with a plastic EMG style cover. I might also want it in the middle position of a Jem (depends which guitar I choose). In most cases, I would want it to retain the look of a normal pickup (covered or otherwise).

As you asked in another thread, here is what I would want a sustainer for: Single coil shape in neck position, to be used with a mini hum (Hot Rails, etc.) Strat/RG style guitar with passive pickups Enough space to cover with a plastic pickup cover Harmonic mode unnecessary I'm looking forward to when this is finished!