Robben Ford Discussion

[ultrasp]

Hi ,I'm new here ,I don't know if my post is ok in this file section , otherwise correct me!
I have a Fender Ultra Sp (japan) and I seen there's a strange circuit in tone wiring!!( double pot with a cap and 2 resistor)
my question is:
That circuit is necessary or the best way is to remove it for better tone and sound?

Anyone have the same guitar? maybe can give me some suggestion!

Thanks in advance

S.A.

[ultrasp]

Anyone?!

[Phil T]

The double pot circuit is the Fender TBX tone control - http://www.masterseriesguitars.com/ http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Issue/2010/Oct/The_Fender_TBX_Tone_Control_Part_1.aspx used in the Ultra model.
You can replace the instrument's controls with a standard "Gibson style" 2 humbucking pickup wiring (e.g. Les Paul). I believe the first Esprit Ultra used by Robben was changed to this more traditional wiring and probably later Fender RF models also.

[ultrasp]

Thanks Phil , yes , I have a similar circuit but with 2res. and 1 cap.
I'll try a standard controls wiring with 1 vol ,1 tone and switch-coil.

I believe my guitar is one of first model ;serial number is 0003xx , into the first #300/400.

S.A.

[follow_the_music]

Hi
I also have a Ultra SP with the TBX control. I found it quite useful to get more shades of tones out of the guitar: The first half from 0-5 works like a traditional tone poti. On the second half (from 5-10) the tone circuit is removed from the pickup and the 1Meg poti adds more and more resistance so the load on the pickup is more and more reduced. On 10 its nearly like a "no load" poti, so you get maximum treble. It does NOT cut out the bass! I don't know how often I read this in various articles about the TBX, but it is wrong!
If you like the traditional tone circuit, replace the whole TBX with a 500k log poti and a 0,022µF cap
_________________
"The most important thing is that you make sure you follow the music, which is a musician’s way of saying follow your heart. (Robben Ford)

[ultrasp]

Hi , Follow_the_music , Yes ,I replace with 500k pol log volume and tone!, don't remember the cap value!!!

sorry!... how can I post a foto?

[follow_the_music]

You have to put the photo on "Image shack, picasa, photobucket" or something like that. then you get a forum code and post it.
cap is 0,022µ or 0,1µ if you want it very dark.
_________________
"The most important thing is that you make sure you follow the music, which is a musician’s way of saying follow your heart. (Robben Ford)

[ultrasp]

here you can see the guitar!

http://s1057.photobucket.com/albums/t398/Clover-amp/

[follow_the_music]

Great. A beautiful guitar. I would recommend strongly to change the bridge. This roller bridges dampen a lot of frequencies and cut down the tone of your guitar. You will be surprised how much better this guitar can sound. I installed some Schaller Nashville first, which did quite good, but recently read about ABM Bridges, which are made from solid bell brass instead of some pressed zinc alloy. Installed one and I could not believe HOW much the tone improved. killer...
wrote a description in another thread: http://dhenderson.com/online-discussion/RobbenFord/viewtopic.php?t=3292&highlight=
_________________
"The most important thing is that you make sure you follow the music, which is a musician’s way of saying follow your heart. (Robben Ford)

[ultrasp]

Thanks to suggest the ABM Bridges!

What model type have you installed?
This can be fine?
http://www.abm-mueller.com/PDF/Mail_3_2011_medium.pdf

[follow_the_music]

You need '2504, the Nashville type, thats what they told me. Its a bit broader, more mass and there is more space for lenght compensation, which is needed because Esprit bridges are a lot more angled as compared to a Les Paul. Also the Stud spacing fits perfectly.
Btw: Be careful when you file the stringspacing, when you do it right in the middle of each saddle (which I did it gets wrong because of the angled bridge. Best way is to do it with strings on individually for each saddle.
_________________
"The most important thing is that you make sure you follow the music, which is a musician’s way of saying follow your heart. (Robben Ford)

[stevew]

Does anyone know how Robben unwired his ultra as he mentions in an old video. Volume and tone pots do nothing he said

[yeoyeo]

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