BDRockStar

i'm looking for some DIY methods to increase sustain while i try putting my homemade sustainer together (courtesy of that psw thread)... anybody got any suggestions?

well, it looks like this thing needs a lil bump. i got my driver done, and now i'm just putting together the lil amp thingy...i guess i'll keep you informed

there's a tutorial here http://projectguitar.ibforums.com/index.php?showtopic=16984 it'll help you get started...other than that...go back about...5-10 pgs or so from here to read some interesting/useful info i think it was only recently where two guys here built semi-working sustainers - you're not too far behind

psw - i use rechargeable batteries all the time in my mp3 player- and what i've found is that they usually last about 1/2 as long as normal batteries do for applications that take a lot of energy (as is the case with the sustainer, i'm guessing) hm, and as far as what we wanna hear...do you know how to play always w/ me, always w/ you, by a guy that goes by satriani? that'd be cool - you can do some parts with sustain, some parts w/ harmonics man, now i'm excited - i'm on vacation right now, but i think i'll start into this as soon as i get back!

thanks for the detailed reply psw - another Q - i remember the DPDT switch diagram that came up earlier was incorrect or something does anybody have the right version of it?

hm...really late in the game to be asking such a stupid question - but just for clarification - how do you hook the driver up to the rest of the circuit?

so what're you saying? take a massive wire and wind it around just once? but the extra current would make the battery life shorter, wouldn't it? unrelated- i was wondering if anybody's experiemented with the difference between tall drivers and shorter drivers? the shorter drivers would be more efficient space-wise, but is there any advantage to having a tall driver? also, for the magnet underneath the driver, would a magnet from an old pup work? also, i was thikning abuot taking out my volume and tone pots, just because i keep them all the way open anyways, so make room for the new knobs for the sustainer...well, the potential sustainer, i guess

actually, i just had a thought - i still have the old pickup that i pulled out and replaced with the hotrail - could that be my driver right there?

Hmm... #1 - well, I guess I'll just build the fetzer/ruby thingamajig then. RadioShack, eh? #2 - Fortunately, Danelectro has conveniently provided me with a convenient battery uhh..."hole" i guess - it was originally for the built-in distortion. you get to it through the back of the guitar, it's great #3 - laminated core? how does that idea work? and OH...i've COMPLETELY forgotten about the magnet - ummm...where does that go? and is it a literal magnet or one of those electomagnets? can i get a more in-depth explanation of the magnets? #4 - i'll try various positions and i was just thinking - a recurring problem seems to be with the B and E strings...what if we had...like, maybe two different drivers? kinda of like a split p bass pup - a stronger driver for the two top strings and the same driver that works for the lower strings? or is that not the problem at all? as for the low output problem, i have SD hotrails in the bridge position, which i'm pretty sure is a fairly high output pickup

Alright, I think I have a decent (if extremely rough) grasp of what's going on here now. I'm thinking about jumping aboard the wagon and trying out Galaga Mike's Sustainer Tutorial. Before I start, I've got a couple of questions: #1 - (1a) My guitar (Danelectro Danoblaster Hearsay) has an onboard distortion that I think has the same circuitry as the Danelectro Grilled Cheese Distortion pedal. I've been trying to find a wiring diagram (or whatever you call them) but I haven't had any luck. Anyways, I was wondering if I could use that for the preamp, or if it's something else entirely? (1b) If I do end up building the Fetzer Valve/Ruby thing, I could find all the parts I need at RadioShack, right? #2 - Coming back to the battery life thing. How long does that sustainer last before you have to change the battery again? #3 - Where do you find a bar of steel? It doesn't seem like a thing that would be on any store shelves, or just lying around...and I don't think I'd be able to cut a piece of steel myself. Or could I? Would I just use a hacksaw? #4 - My guitar is S/S/S - I play with the bridge and neck pups, but never with the middle pup. Can I replace the middle pup w/ the driver instead of the neck pup? Hmmm...I think that's it for now. Oh, but I'm sure to have more questions later. Well, not sure, but more than likely. Alright, thanks guys! This is pretty awesome stuff.

is this what you're talking about? heh...if it is, i do love your taste - it's what i play! I dunno why the image isn't showing, but here's a link to it: Danelectro Danoblaster Innuendo Can't wait for when you start putting the electronics in

the fernandes sustainer system? i know about them, but they're like $300... alright, i'll just sit and try to stay current w/ this then

yep, that was me, and i was just wondering if i could get a step-by-step on a successful sustainer mod? i've only read the first dozen or so pages, and it looks like everything is still largely experimental, but i think a couple of you were on the verge of something big - anything that works yet? i'll volunteer to try out stuff to, as long as it's not OVERLY complicated or involves exotic materials - and i always take pics when i'm working on my guitar but yea, i love the idea, but i really can't make myself read all 55 pages... EDIT: lol ok, i'll keep reading... well, i figure i don't have much to lose trying ansil's sustainer mod out, because i have a built-in distortion that runs off a 9 volt in my guitar already - it doesn't seem like it'd take too much effort to make it part of ansil's sustainer mod. i just dunno where to start.

hey, i came here from psw's page on sustainers, which i found while looking for some more info on ansil's sustainer mod. anyways, although i do know how to solder, i don't have much of a background in electronics at all. i still don't know what's going on, but i do want to build one of these things and stick it in my guitar, hopefully. i understand the signal flow chart, and i think i understand how to make the driver - however, i certainly don't understand the wiring diagram for the amplifier also, i have no idea where i'd look to find any of the supplies can anybody help me out?