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Joined:
February 2006
Posts: 76
Location: Fairfax, VA | Hi all. I'm about to put pickups in my Deacon project (the originals were long gone before it got to me) and I'm debating about what to use. The Seymour Duncan mini-humbuckers would appear to fit the holes in the pickguard (an NOS I got from Ovation) approximately, but it also looks like I could place a P90 size pickup in there with very little routing and a standard size humbucker with a bit more agressive of a routing job. I'd like to avoid tearing up the pickguard for a standard humbucker (as this is what was done to the guitar previously--and, I'd add, very badly--see photo: http://ham.ojnk.org/~melmoth/deacon_sized.jpg ) but the P90 option interests me.
I know a lot of people have modded their Deacons with new pickups. Any serious don'ts? What's worked well? Anyone have sound samples of different pickups being used with the BW/Deacon electronics?
On another note, I'm seriously considering rebuilding my Deaon's electronics. If I put together a pcb layout for a BW/Deacon board would anyone else have an interest? I'd be happy to share the layout or make a replacement board for a reasonable fee once I have the prototype complete and tested.
Gary |
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | Welcome Melmoth!
Look in my Gallery for some pickgaurd options and support.
In order of costs:
Gibson P-90's
TV Jones Classic or Classic plus
Seymour Duncan Phat Cats
If you able to make a board to simulate or repair/replace the 30 year old Active circuits you would have a strong boutique market! I would appreciate it.
Look around, hang around and enjoy! |
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Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | This page from Jerome (Thanks, J!) has the parts list for the Deacon circuit board. |
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Joined:
February 2006
Posts: 76
Location: Fairfax, VA | Does anyone have a good schematic? Recreating the pcb really wouldn't be that hard. It's from the 70's after all, and looks like the template used to etch it was hand drawn, so hand drawing a functionally similar pcb should be pretty doable. Finding the exact parts to get the same sound...now that's tougher--although I'm comforted to see that the two transistors are readily available parts.
If someone has a legible schematic available I can compile a bill of materials from it and figure out what the material cost of rebuilding one would be. The only schematic I've found thus far has been impossible to read with the level of detail needed to put together a good listing of the materials.
Switches may be tough as they're definitely not "normal" parts, but it's very possible to substitute something similar from Switchcraft to get the same effects even if there are slight cosmetic differences. |
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Joined:
August 2006
Posts: 3145
Location: Marlton, NJ | Wow - that looks like the same hackjob I did to my Preacher all those years ago... the hackjob which I am also in the midst of restoring...
The advice on the board has been invaluable... and I can't wait for Woody's pickguard.
BTW Woody - I picked up some Tru-oil. I was travelling in Maryland and drove by a Bass Pro Shops... LOTS o' guns... one bottle of Tru-oil left. I'm going to see what it looks like on a hidden part of the preacher first. |
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Joined:
August 2006
Posts: 3145
Location: Marlton, NJ | Melmoth - I would be interested in the electronics. Let me know how it goes.
Mike |
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Joined:
August 2004
Posts: 604
Location: Tampa, FL | Melman,
Check brudev's galleries for schematics. He's got a couple that seem to be pretty good. Also, there may be a couple of dead preamp boards around here (again BruDev may be a potential source).
They are single sided hand done boards. Looked like the old tape on vellum style I recall from the 70's. |
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Joined:
February 2006
Posts: 76
Location: Fairfax, VA | Maybe I'm just missing something. How do I get to someone's gallery? |
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Joined:
August 2004
Posts: 604
Location: Tampa, FL | If you have the green border on the left click the MEMBER ACCESS link and then select the Gallery button. sScroll to BruDev's name and click the "Get Galleries" button. Under that it's in his electric preamp gallery.
If you don't have the green bar to the left, click the "Ovation Fan Club" link on the bottom of this age and proceed from there. |
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Pickup choices for a Deacon project...