Wiring, toggeling and toning...

[LittleC72]

Hey guys, I've got a question;

my old Slammer (the good kind, big Hamer logo, little slammer series logo underneath), needs at least a new toggle switch.

I'm wondering, if they're already in there, is it wise to switch the volume-controls for better? I don't have the money at the moment to get new pick-ups (if any one has idea's for better then the originals, please let me know, or try to sell them to me....).

Furthermore, I never use the tone control, and I wonder what the effect is if it's completely by-passed. Or maybe I get a killswitch... (thinking of a pushbutton in stead of a toggle). Anyone thoughts about that?

Anyone got any other idea's for what to do? I'm open for almost anything (for the guitar... not for me personally )

[velorush]

I'd vote for new pots.

Call BCR Greg at (717) 730-9775 and get some Hamer pots - great taper!

The tone control is attenuating highs even when on "10." If you eliminate the tone control altogether you'll notice increased treble frequencies. Simple enough to just desolder one leg of the tone capacitor and see if you like it. If you don't, just solder it back. You might (while your on the phone with Greg) ask him for one of those cheap tone caps he likes. They're inexpensive ceramic capacitors but they sound very good (though you'll gain no cred with the TGP crowd).

[LittleC72]

I'd vote for new pots.

Call BCR Greg at (717) 730-9775 and get some Hamer pots - great taper!

The tone control is attenuating highs even when on "10." If you eliminate the tone control altogether you'll notice increased treble frequencies. Simple enough to just desolder one leg of the tone capacitor and see if you like it. If you don't, just solder it back. You might (while your on the phone with Greg) ask him for one of those cheap tone caps he likes. They're inexpensive ceramic capacitors but they sound very good (though you'll gain no cred with the TGP crowd).

Does he have a website? I'm from the Netherlands, and calling him might wake him up when I'm up.

[velorush]

Best not to wake the Unka Greg.

Yes, he has a website: www.bcrmusic.com (I'd post a link but I'm on my phone), but you'd probably do better sending him a PM on the board.

[velorush]

Oh, he's member BCR Greg

[LittleC72]

Oh, he's member BCR Greg

Thanks, I'll reach out to him. And I don't mind if the TPG or the PC or whatever crowd gets pissed at me. It's my guitar and I'll let it cry if I want to....

Little edit; he can't receive any messages through the forum right now, so I had to mail him directly.

[velorush]

Here's a link to the contact info on his website (I'm back at home on the PC).

[LittleC72]

Thanks, already found it.

BTW, how do you think that a pair of 498/500 gibson humbuckers would sound in my Hamer? Found a pair on dutch version of ebay

http://www.marktplaats.nl/a/muziek-en-instrumenten/instrumenten-onderdelen/m756956917-gibson-humbuckers-496r-500t.html?c=8c285449651fa109c354bbabe740c1b&previousPage=lr

[velorush]

Thanks, already found it.

BTW, how do you think that a pair of 498/500 gibson humbuckers would sound in my Hamer? Found a pair on dutch version of ebay

http://www.marktplaats.nl/a/muziek-en-instrumenten/instrumenten-onderdelen/m756956917-gibson-humbuckers-496r-500t.html?c=8c285449651fa109c354bbabe740c1b&previousPage=lr

Not my cup of tea as I'm not much of a fan of either ceramic magnets (assuming you mean 496/500 - 496 is typically paired with the 500 in a set) or hot pickups (496R is ~8.6KΩ, 500T is ~15KΩ). You, on the other hand, might find them to be the exact tonal recipe you seek!

If my assumption is wrong and it is indeed the 498T for the neck, I've tried that in the bridge of a Les Paul and found it to be okay - it was better to me than the anemic 490T that came stock in my Gibson HRF [All my opinion, of course] - but I've never tried one in the neck position.

I suppose it comes down to what you're looking for and what sorts of music you'll be playing. I don't play metal or anything that would be considered high gain, so my application is far different than someone who does. For me, lower powered pickups (generally speaking) allow more of the guitar's character to come through, allow for greater dynamics in playing and allow for greater versatility. I can always bump the output with a boost. Again - all my opinion.

[LittleC72]

You're right; it's a 496: I have TFS: Thick Finger Syndrome

And you make a valid point. A few years ago, I would have gone for the hot combo any day, but since a year I'm playing in a sort of Night of the Proms-like band (a lot of copper and a normal band) I have to play jazz-pop stuff to (Adele and so on), so maybe not the best choice. Good thing I didn't make a bid yet.

[LittleC72]

Ok, little update; just the toggle is replaced for a Switchcraft, and the pots are cleaned. But my oh my does this make a difference. The pots were much better then I remembered, and a good cleaning did the trick. Even the original pick-ups are way better sounding now.

The only thing I'm not so glad with (if I have to complain) is that the orientation is north-south now instead of east-west, and it has a black top.... It's getting used to, that's it.

Oh, one thing, I got them to switch neck- and bridge volume control. Gives a lot of control, just for swell effects, and for getting the edge of the middle position fast. Is a very useful customisation.

[veatch]

I switch the bridge and neck volume controls on all my Hammers as well. I just like the first pot that I reach for to be the bridge volume - makes it easier to do volume swells. Glad you like your changes - hope you are enjoying your guitar!