I couldn't care less if Kley pulls faces whilst playing - what is most important is he took the time and expended the effort to make the video to show something to others that he thought they would find interesting / useful. THANK YOU is the usual response , but then again the world is full of smart arses that contribute nothing but love to take the piss out of others.
Good post but after a month not one damn thumbs up. Lots of people have a "guitar face." And posting a clear, clean, informative video takes work. It would be really great if those who bitch would share their production work.
Your one sounds really good. I tried it but it could'nt get that glassy / bell-like tone that the 60s wiring had so I undid it all and put it back to stock. I learned a lot by dismantling 100s of Strats , every single strand of wire and every component altered will change the character of the Guitar and if you like your sound then just leave it as is. We will never be 100% happy with our tone and that is a good thing that keeps us experimenting. Great video and thanks for taking the time to explain it all.👍
Great mod, I’ve had it in one of my Strats since the 90s. What haters of this mod don’t understand is the word Blender. You don’t need to whack the blend pot to extremes, the out of phase setting is virtually unusable then, BUT, with bridge and middle set with a little out of phase.... brightens and thins out a darker Strat to get Knopfler Sultans tone nailed! Same with series settings, just add a bit of middle pu to your bridge in series ... instant 50s becoming 60s thicker bridge pu. Dan Armstrong kinda knew stuff.
Hey Kley, Thank you for taking the time to post this video on Dan Armstrong Blend. I have been wondering about the sound and versatility. I'm liking it and seems there is infinity range with the effects. I wonder what it would sound like with a humbucker at the bridge, like HSS. Anyway, appreciate the video. Nice playing BTW.
Thanks for this. It seems like a great mod because it's writing only, no new bits. But hearing it is the important thing. It really adds to the versatility
I really appreciate these video, because I was about to try this wiring mod, and I realize that I would very much dislike it, so thank you for saving me a lot of trouble.
Good demo of the different tonal options. I'm in the process of rewiring one of my strat knockoffs with this mod. Very versatile with no need for extra hardware.
I have made a modification to this awesome mod. Using a superswitch with a push pull I can choose the middle Or neck and bridge in the middle position. I use 0.1uF capacitors in place of the jumpers to the ground section on the superswitch and then ground the section using a 1k resistor. This makes the out of phase tone way more useable when fully blended as it keeps bass in the signal and some music d range while still retain the hollow scooped out of phase character. As well as the selections you get with the original mod, with the push pull in the up position when the pickup selector is in the middle position I get the middle pickup in series with both neck and bridge.
John Sorgini Not at all. When push pull is down and blender at zero, everything is like a regular strat. I will get round to a video review and I might even draw a diagram.
Here is a demo of using the above mod with a superswitch and push pull to get middle and neck in the middle position and get all 3 pickups. Also demonstrates how using capacitor and resistor improves out of phase ruclips.net/video/IQfZawBSwIs/видео.html
Cool mod, thanks for making this demo of it! I'm thinking of going with a variation of the Memphis wiring scheme but came across your video when searching for that. I had been previously subscribed to your channel but for some reason I wasn't anymore. I've remedied that now :-)
I also completed this mod. My only concern is volume of out-of-phase positions is lower when my amp is in clean tone, but not in distortion. Does it happen to you? Thanks.
Just want to say Thanks again, and please don't pay any mind to the thoughtless stone busting comments from folks that just don't get it. Really rubs me the wrong way when you were trying to be helpful.Enough said about that. Question for ya. Does the blender sweep truly blend, or is it one extreeme to the other like a toggle would do. ? Got to admitt, I never thought of what you got going on there,but it is great to see and learn your helpful information....
Thanks for the demo. I watched the Beja Tone Works video and thought it might be a cool mod to try. Doesn't cost anything, just some time, which is pretty cool. Appreciate ya doing the demo so it can be heard. Think I'll give it a try!👍😎🎸🎶
Is the hum cancelling the same in series? ...and if so, does the hum fade out as you blend with the knob? I’m asking because it would be great to cancel the hum and only blend a tiny amount of the other pickup, retaining most of the single coil sound. This sounds favorable to buying new pickups.
Great mod! I just dont think I will use the out of phase positions. Is it possible to wire it to exclude these two out of phase positions? Or maybe wire it to have two position |out of phase when in series| instead of |out of phase in paralel|? Will do any good?
I'd prefer to have all the combinations in series and parallel via switches with the blend. (Neck only, Middle only, Bridge only // Neck & Middle, Neck & Bridge, Middle & Bridge // in Series // in Parallel.) Then 2 simple phase switches give all the phase options for all these combinations.
How much does it cost to buy this wiring set up? What is the actual name of it, as I am looking to maybe buy it. Is this a simple pot you just drop in and wire it? Is this like a Kingtone switch?
Interesting - I thought I would like the Series sounds better than I did. They sounded dark and muddy in Series. The regular sounds sounded better to my ears. Btw - would be very curious to see a video of you playing with a wah pedal. Most guitarists can't help but move their mouth with the wah. ;-) Enjoyed your playing!
Use a push pull pot (or dpdt) and 3 way switch wired like a telecaster. You'll get : 1. Neck 2. Neck+Bridge 3. Bridge 4. Neck+Middle in parallel 5. Bridge+Middle in parallel 6. Neck+Middle in series 7. Bridge+Middle in series 8. Neck+Bridge in parallel with Middle in series 9. Neck+Bridge in parallel with Middle in parallel the dpdt switch or push pull pot act as a parallel/series switch, the pot act as a blender knob, and the 3 way tele switch is pretty necesarry to preserve The Gilmour mod (well 5 way is okay actually, but it won't as comfy as 3 way). So this wiring actually just controlling the middle pickup..this wiring is slightly confusing me actually, since i haven't tried this yet
Sorry but the pappery distortion of the Tweed amp masks the real tone of the mod. It´s a pitty because I know the effort you put in making your videos a DIY builds wich are really cool, keep up the good work. It´s just a well intentioned comment. Your´re a great player btw, great chopps ass they say. Cheers :)
Hey Kley, I want to ask you about the pot sweep in the mod. You do the two extreme positions of the pot for the effect, but what happens with the signal in the sweep area of the pot if you don't go to the end of travel in either direction ? I'm interested in the mod if there is some significance in tone in the sweep, otherwise I'll just go to a basic switch rather than a pot if the effect is only viable in the extreme ends of the pot travel. I've built an extreme strat and I have not put into the configuration the series pickup selection, and was about to examine adding this effect. I'm pretty bunched up in the control cavity right now, so I'll have to carve out more space for a pot if the pot does give some effect in the sweep part of the travel...….otherwise I'll be going just with a simple toggle switch. I realize the premise of the mod was using the existing parts/controls. I'm running the basic 5 way switch with the in between positions out of phase, but I have a toggle on the middle pu to reverse the ground of the pu so the in between positions can be out of phase or in phase. Another switch to bring it to the basic standard 7 position strat mod, but with the other toggle there is now more than 7 selection combinations. And I have the tone options set up for independent bass and middle and treble controls and the basic volume pot. So fitting in the 2 toggles plus another pot in the basic format of the control layout is kind of maxed out so everything is not all crowded up and fitting within the existing route out in the body. So to go one more step.....I'll have to extend the routing and hog out some wood all depending on either a pot or a switch and where I'll mount the item. So to save me some time, I'd like to know if there is some effect happening within the travel of the pot sweep or if its just at the extreme ends of travel that are effective. I didn't pick up if you addressed this in the video, but I'll watch again and listen more closely.
Hi Kley, I watched your video several times now and read the original article and had some questions. It pertains to the notch (out of phase) positions - starts on your video around 7m 30s. In the article it states that the knob allows for "varying degrees of out-of-phaseness". In your video however, it appears you are only getting full in-phase or full out-of-phase tones. Is there any position between the extremes where the volume increases slightly, but still remains-o/o/p? I believe you are using the stock audio taper tone pot - have you tried the circuit with the recommended linear taper pot? If so, was there a difference? Can you (did you?) post a separate video. P.S. Like the Tele bridge pickup - all hail L.G.!
Hmm, yes you can get carrying shades throughout the sweep of the pot. I tended to prefer one extreme of another just to highlight the difference, but you can absolutely do that!
I noticed you have a tele bridge pickup. Did you have any issues getting it to fit in your strat? I have been thinking about doing the same thing for a bit more bit and growl. Any of your thoughts would be great.
Sebastian Bradilovic bridge pickup area would probably need routing out a bit as the tele bridge pickup has a baseplate that is bigger than the bottom bobbin of a strat pickup
I just tried this mod with all three pots at 500k values, and it just will not work. Have wired it up twice. Does the volume pot at least have to be a 250k?
Hi there, came across your video and found it absolutely great since there`s no need for any extra knobs. However, I was wondering about Blend on 10 2. Bridge + Mid in parallel and out of phase and 4. Neck + Mid in parallel and out of phase. Out of phase and parallel will be very thin and rather harsh. Is there a possibility of changing those positions into: 2. bridge + mid. IN SERIES and out of phase and 4. neck + mid IN SERIES and out of phase? That`s the wiring prominent in the Brian May Red Special. Appreciate your comment/s. Peter
well having a red special i can tell you that the bridge and middle swell as neck and middle both settings OUT of phase in Series sounds exactly as described! really thin and harsh!
Have the same wiring on my two strats. I am wondering how to put a two pots volume in order to choose 250K or 500K with normal configuration or in series pickups tone.
Can't help you with that but I think it might be useful to you to know that in the seymour duncan webpage you can find wiring diagrams for such configuration. Anyways, If you have enough space in your pickguard you can just drill a hole for a new tone knob. Cheers
You can. You'd need to add an additional potentiometer and basically wire it in according to the schematic. Ebay has a broad range of pre-wired guards with the hardware already to drop in. Priced from cheap to expensive. But, if you are handy with a soldering iron and basic electronics you can do it yourself. Lots of schematics available on the interwebs. In fact, it's a great project for beginners and intermediates to get knowledgeable with how guitars guts work...
Thanks very much for taking the time and trouble to make this video and especially this modification; hearing the actual tone changes is what I was most interested in. Not to make things any more complicated or confusing, I'd just like to mention that, on your "Blend on 10" layout, you have positions 2 and 4 reversed. While they appear to match up with 2 and 4 in Dan Armstrong's article - ashbass.com/AshBassGuitar/armstrongstratvers.html - they actually don't, because he's got the positions labeled in reverse order from the way you do.
IMO the series sounds like a bad humbucker wired to a 250ko pot instead of 500 and the out of phase is so marginal in its use... just get a bmg red special for those sounds IMO.
haha. Seriously. I had to scroll down on the screen so that I only watched it from the neck down. That was the only way I could focus on the tone changes.
That's way too complicated for me. I just like to pick it up and play. But kudos to you for remembering all the differences. Enjoy it while you're young.
I couldn't care less if Kley pulls faces whilst playing - what is most important is he took the time and expended the effort to make the video to show something to others that he thought they would find interesting / useful. THANK YOU is the usual response , but then again the world is full of smart arses that contribute nothing but love to take the piss out of others.
Good post but after a month not one damn thumbs up. Lots of people have a "guitar face."
And posting a clear, clean, informative video takes work. It would be really great if those who bitch would share their production work.
Are you even playing the guitar if you don't make faces? Every great guitar player has a guitar face
Your one sounds really good. I tried it but it could'nt get that glassy / bell-like tone that the 60s wiring had so I undid it all and put it back to stock. I learned a lot by dismantling 100s of Strats , every single strand of wire and every component altered will change the character of the Guitar and if you like your sound then just leave it as is. We will never be 100% happy with our tone and that is a good thing that keeps us experimenting. Great video and thanks for taking the time to explain it all.👍
Great mod, I’ve had it in one of my Strats since the 90s. What haters of this mod don’t understand is the word Blender. You don’t need to whack the blend pot to extremes, the out of phase setting is virtually unusable then, BUT, with bridge and middle set with a little out of phase.... brightens and thins out a darker Strat to get Knopfler Sultans tone nailed!
Same with series settings, just add a bit of middle pu to your bridge in series ... instant 50s becoming 60s thicker bridge pu.
Dan Armstrong kinda knew stuff.
Hey Kley,
Thank you for taking the time to post this video on Dan Armstrong Blend. I have been wondering about the sound and versatility. I'm liking it and seems there is infinity range with the effects. I wonder what it would sound like with a humbucker at the bridge, like HSS. Anyway, appreciate the video. Nice playing BTW.
@@JYZProductions thank you kindly for the reply!!!
Thanks for this. It seems like a great mod because it's writing only, no new bits. But hearing it is the important thing. It really adds to the versatility
Such an awesome mod. I honestly cannot think of a good reason why this shouldn't be stock on every darn strat. Thanks for the vid Kley!
I really appreciate these video, because I was about to try this wiring mod, and I realize that I would very much dislike it, so thank you for saving me a lot of trouble.
Good demo of the different tonal options. I'm in the process of rewiring one of my strat knockoffs with this mod. Very versatile with no need for extra hardware.
Your guitar and playing sounds awesome!
I have made a modification to this awesome mod.
Using a superswitch with a push pull I can choose the middle Or neck and bridge in the middle position.
I use 0.1uF capacitors in place of the jumpers to the ground section on the superswitch and then ground the section using a 1k resistor. This makes the out of phase tone way more useable when fully blended as it keeps bass in the signal and some music d range while still retain the hollow scooped out of phase character.
As well as the selections you get with the original mod, with the push pull in the up position when the pickup selector is in the middle position I get the middle pickup in series with both neck and bridge.
Vinnie Monte-Irvine did this change the sound in the standard positions?
John Sorgini
Not at all.
When push pull is down and blender at zero, everything is like a regular strat.
I will get round to a video review and I might even draw a diagram.
Here is a demo of using the above mod with a superswitch and push pull to get middle and neck in the middle position and get all 3 pickups.
Also demonstrates how using capacitor and resistor improves out of phase
ruclips.net/video/IQfZawBSwIs/видео.html
Nice! especially the series combination. Basically a humbucker effect. Did this to my Strat in early 90's using that schematic. :)
Great Job Kley !! and such an expresive touch you have ! 🙌
Thats the 1st video by you im watching, and you have so much expression in your play
Cool mod, thanks for making this demo of it! I'm thinking of going with a variation of the Memphis wiring scheme but came across your video when searching for that. I had been previously subscribed to your channel but for some reason I wasn't anymore. I've remedied that now :-)
Thank you for doing all that hard work. Now I never have to.
I also completed this mod. My only concern is volume of out-of-phase positions is lower when my amp is in clean tone, but not in distortion. Does it happen to you? Thanks.
Thanks for the Great Ideas. Not quite what I'm after, but so interesting how you got that. Once again THANKS
Just want to say Thanks again, and please don't pay any mind to the thoughtless stone busting comments from folks that just don't get it. Really rubs me the wrong way when you were trying to be helpful.Enough said about that. Question for ya. Does the blender sweep truly blend, or is it one extreeme to the other like a toggle would do. ? Got to admitt, I never thought of what you got going on there,but it is great to see and learn your helpful information....
Thanks for the demo. I watched the Beja Tone Works video and thought it might be a cool mod to try. Doesn't cost anything, just some time, which is pretty cool. Appreciate ya doing the demo so it can be heard. Think I'll give it a try!👍😎🎸🎶
Is the hum cancelling the same in series? ...and if so, does the hum fade out as you blend with the knob?
I’m asking because it would be great to cancel the hum and only blend a tiny amount of the other pickup, retaining most of the single coil sound. This sounds favorable to buying new pickups.
Hum is fully cancelled out only with blend on full.
You can also try a "dummy coil", but that would decrease your output level
Have you experimented with different pots for the blend?
Great and precise demo,thank you so much!! Rock on!👍
Great mod! I just dont think I will use the out of phase positions. Is it possible to wire it to exclude these two out of phase positions? Or maybe wire it to have two position |out of phase when in series| instead of |out of phase in paralel|? Will do any good?
I'm getting the Dan Armstrong Super Strat Mod done to my mine. Also building in an extra tone pot for bridge pup... so 3 tone pots plus volume!
I'd prefer to have all the combinations in series and parallel via switches with the blend. (Neck only, Middle only, Bridge only // Neck & Middle, Neck & Bridge, Middle & Bridge // in Series // in Parallel.) Then 2 simple phase switches give all the phase options for all these combinations.
How much does it cost to buy this wiring set up? What is the actual name of it, as I am looking to maybe buy it. Is this a simple pot you just drop in and wire it? Is this like a Kingtone switch?
There is a link in the description. I did not put in any different parts than stock, I just rewired it to the diagram.
Interesting - I thought I would like the Series sounds better than I did. They sounded dark and muddy in Series. The regular sounds sounded better to my ears.
Btw - would be very curious to see a video of you playing with a wah pedal. Most guitarists can't help but move their mouth with the wah. ;-)
Enjoyed your playing!
Agree. It doesn't quite sound like a humbucker.
Thanks for the demo. I currently have the Gilmour mod. Anyone know if I can have both mods at the same time or would they interfere with each other?
Use a push pull pot (or dpdt) and 3 way switch wired like a telecaster. You'll get :
1. Neck
2. Neck+Bridge
3. Bridge
4. Neck+Middle in parallel
5. Bridge+Middle in parallel
6. Neck+Middle in series
7. Bridge+Middle in series
8. Neck+Bridge in parallel with Middle in series
9. Neck+Bridge in parallel with Middle in parallel
the dpdt switch or push pull pot act as a parallel/series switch, the pot act as a blender knob, and the 3 way tele switch is pretty necesarry to preserve The Gilmour mod (well 5 way is okay actually, but it won't as comfy as 3 way). So this wiring actually just controlling the middle pickup..this wiring is slightly confusing me actually, since i haven't tried this yet
Sorry but the pappery distortion of the Tweed amp masks the real tone of the mod. It´s a pitty because I know the effort you put in making your videos a DIY builds wich are really cool, keep up the good work. It´s just a well intentioned comment. Your´re a great player btw, great chopps ass they say. Cheers :)
Hey Kley, I want to ask you about the pot sweep in the mod. You do the two extreme positions of the pot for the effect, but what happens with the signal in the sweep area of the pot if you don't go to the end of travel in either direction ?
I'm interested in the mod if there is some significance in tone in the sweep, otherwise I'll just go to a basic switch rather than a pot if the effect is only viable in the extreme ends of the pot travel.
I've built an extreme strat and I have not put into the configuration the series pickup selection, and was about to examine adding this effect. I'm pretty bunched up in the control cavity right now, so I'll have to carve out more space for a pot if the pot does give some effect in the sweep part of the travel...….otherwise I'll be going just with a simple toggle switch.
I realize the premise of the mod was using the existing parts/controls.
I'm running the basic 5 way switch with the in between positions out of phase, but I have a toggle on the middle pu to reverse the ground of the pu so the in between positions can be out of phase or in phase.
Another switch to bring it to the basic standard 7 position strat mod, but with the other toggle there is now more than 7 selection combinations.
And I have the tone options set up for independent bass and middle and treble controls and the basic volume pot.
So fitting in the 2 toggles plus another pot in the basic format of the control layout is kind of maxed out so everything is not all crowded up and fitting within the existing route out in the body.
So to go one more step.....I'll have to extend the routing and hog out some wood all depending on either a pot or a switch and where I'll mount the item.
So to save me some time, I'd like to know if there is some effect happening within the travel of the pot sweep or if its just at the extreme ends of travel that are effective.
I didn't pick up if you addressed this in the video, but I'll watch again and listen more closely.
Hi Kley,
I watched your video several times now and read the original article and had some questions. It pertains to the notch (out of phase) positions - starts on your video around 7m 30s. In the article it states that the knob allows for "varying degrees of out-of-phaseness". In your video however, it appears you are only getting full in-phase or full out-of-phase tones. Is there any position between the extremes where the volume increases slightly, but still remains-o/o/p?
I believe you are using the stock audio taper tone pot - have you tried the circuit with the recommended linear taper pot? If so, was there a difference? Can you (did you?) post a separate video.
P.S. Like the Tele bridge pickup - all hail L.G.!
Hmm, yes you can get carrying shades throughout the sweep of the pot. I tended to prefer one extreme of another just to highlight the difference, but you can absolutely do that!
I noticed you have a tele bridge pickup. Did you have any issues getting it to fit in your strat? I have been thinking about doing the same thing for a bit more bit and growl. Any of your thoughts would be great.
Sebastian Bradilovic bridge pickup area would probably need routing out a bit as the tele bridge pickup has a baseplate that is bigger than the bottom bobbin of a strat pickup
Just get a swimming pool rout for your strat
Dig those out of phase sounds, gotta have it.
I've often wondered how this would sound with a humbucker in there somewhere. Imma gonna try it.
Thanks, great job, I´m gonna mod my strat asap.
I just tried this mod with all three pots at 500k values, and it just will not work. Have wired it up twice. Does the volume pot at least have to be a 250k?
Hi there, came across your video and found it absolutely great since there`s no need for any extra knobs. However, I was wondering about Blend on 10 2. Bridge + Mid in parallel and out of phase and 4. Neck + Mid in parallel and out of phase. Out of phase and parallel will be very thin and rather harsh. Is there a possibility of changing those positions into: 2. bridge + mid. IN SERIES and out of phase and 4. neck + mid IN SERIES and out of phase? That`s the wiring prominent in the Brian May Red Special. Appreciate your comment/s. Peter
well having a red special i can tell you that the bridge and middle swell as neck and middle both settings OUT of phase in Series sounds exactly as described! really thin and harsh!
Have the same wiring on my two strats. I am wondering how to put a two pots volume in order to choose 250K or 500K with normal configuration or in series pickups tone.
Yea 500k pots would be good on series setting
Could you make the out of phase in series instead of parallel ?
Great video, thanks!!!
Very cool
I have a Strat that only has 1 Volume and 1 Tone. Will this mod still work? Also what pickups are you using? Sounds great!
Can't help you with that but I think it might be useful to you to know that in the seymour duncan webpage you can find wiring diagrams for such configuration. Anyways, If you have enough space in your pickguard you can just drill a hole for a new tone knob. Cheers
You can. You'd need to add an additional potentiometer and basically wire it in according to the schematic. Ebay has a broad range of pre-wired guards with the hardware already to drop in. Priced from cheap to expensive. But, if you are handy with a soldering iron and basic electronics you can do it yourself. Lots of schematics available on the interwebs. In fact, it's a great project for beginners and intermediates to get knowledgeable with how guitars guts work...
Will be great the compare with cleand sound
gurning whilst playing !!
Thanks very much for taking the time and trouble to make this video and especially this modification; hearing the actual tone changes is what I was most interested in.
Not to make things any more complicated or confusing, I'd just like to mention that, on your "Blend on 10" layout, you have positions 2 and 4 reversed. While they appear to match up with 2 and 4 in Dan Armstrong's article - ashbass.com/AshBassGuitar/armstrongstratvers.html - they actually don't, because he's got the positions labeled in reverse order from the way you do.
IMO the series sounds like a bad humbucker wired to a 250ko pot instead of 500 and the out of phase is so marginal in its use... just get a bmg red special for those sounds IMO.
Do you have loose dentures ?
haha. Seriously. I had to scroll down on the screen so that I only watched it from the neck down. That was the only way I could focus on the tone changes.
I heard that Lenny sound
Look like a deaf guy talking when playing. I like it.
He looks like that guy on saturday night live.......Will Forte.
That's way too complicated for me. I just like to pick it up and play. But kudos to you for remembering all the differences.
Enjoy it while you're young.
what 's wrong with your mouth?
Great mod but thumbs down for the insane faces while playing
WTF?!? Is this guy trying to chew off his own tongue or is he having a stroke while playing?