here is my new acquision :-)

[sambonee]

So this one came up on C list in the toronto area about 4 weeks ago. it was up for $200. Seeing as how I like to check it relentlessly from my bberry, I caught it first and was willing to drive 45 min the next morning to buy it.



Set neck, 2 humbuckers, split coil and phase switches, all brass nobs and bridge/saddles/nut.

I have owned about 160 guitars since 1989. this one is quite special. especially because of the price. The phickups are not to my liking, and are quite microphonic so I have decided to change them for a custom set of Blackbelts from http://www.motorcitypickups.com
I'll let you all know how it turns out.

so far I have jammed with it twice. once through my '64 princeton BF



, and another time through my Carr Hammerhead MKII.



Princeton was the favorable sound, but I believe that my position during the jam and the microphonic nature of the pickups at that time made the Carr amp setup less appealing. And we jam quite loud, (with ear protection of course). our Drummer is super loud!

comments welcome.

Sean

[charles]

The pickups in the El Degas should be original Dimarzio Super Distortions, so you might be able to put them on the classified sites and get a few bob for them.

Nice score, good price!

[sambonee]

good idea. I am thinking of just putting them in the guitar that the blackbelts are coming out of in order to sell it.

do you know what the model name is? I noticed that you have one as well. mine has half circle inlays while yours has dots. is your a set neck or neck-through or bolt?

thanks
Sean

[charles]

I must have an old photo up - I used to have the bolt on, dot inlay model... I have since sold it and now have a true neck-through with semi-circle inlay model.

No idea on the model or what it is copying - we tend to say it is either a sort-of copy of an Alembic or Ibanez Artist, or some sort of original design from the Japanese manufacturer.

[sambonee]

How much cabbage did you put up for the neck through model?

Do you like it?

good idea. I am thinking of just putting them in the guitar that the blackbelts are coming out of in order to sell it.

do you know what the model name is? I noticed that you have one as well. mine has galf circle inlays while yours has dots. is your a set neck or neck-through or bolt?

thanks
Sean

[charles]

Love it, still have to replace some pickups on it, but the action is very low and very fast.

I can't remember the price, somewhere around $250-300 if I recall correctly. You did very well at $200.

[Barry]

Nice guitar Sean.
Have you considered potting the pups? If they're good otherwise, it might get the microphonics under control.

[sambonee]

there is a dot model for sale in LA for $200. a bit much for me.

is your a true neck thru or a set neck_?

merry Christmas!

I must have an old photo up - I used to have the bolt on, dot inlay model... I have since sold it and now have a true neck-through with semi-circle inlay model.

No idea on the model or what it is copying - we tend to say it is either a sort-of copy of an Alembic or Ibanez Artist, or some sort of original design from the Japanese manufacturer.

[charles]

there is a dot model for sale in LA for $200. a bit much for me.

is your a true neck thru or a set neck_?

merry Christmas!

The guitar is a neck-through. The bass version I have is a set neck made to look like a neck-through. Both are great instruments.

[wrobot]

Amazing to finally see this guitar in its natural form! I have the same "faux neck through" (set neck) model purchased ~15 years ago from a pawnshop/friend for $20...it was mutilated - brush latex painted, bridge pup filled in with wood and bondo, wiring ravaged...still the brass hardware was intact and after some (poor) refinishing and setup it has played well enough for 15 years.

Only what i believe to be the original DiMarzio bridge pup remains...currently trying to refinish (yet again, proper this time) and rewire with both pups and all switching. Any idea on the wiring setup with the multiple switches?

Any help is appreciated. thanks!

[charles]

One's a coil split (or is it a coil tap? I get the two confused sometimes) and the other a phase switch.

Pretty sure you can achieve this with most 4-wire pickup combos, but I leave that sort of stuff to the guitar techs most of the time

I bet you can find a good wiring diagram online, Seymour Duncan is supposed to have wiring diagrams for a variety of configurations on their website for free view/download (but the wire colours may change from manufacturer to manufacturer).

[Barry]

...Any idea on the wiring setup with the multiple switches?
Any help is appreciated. thanks!

In addition to Seymour Duncan's site you can also check out these:
http://www.1728.com/guitar.htm
http://www.guitarelectronics.com/c=RBod ... lor_codes/

Your el Degas is a little bit older than the Westone Thunders but they share a lot of similarities, especially since they were from the same MIJ era. Have a look at this circuit diagram for an active circuit Thunder:
http://www.westone.info/wiring/thunderl ... index.html
Just ignore the active circuit portion, you should get enough info on the phase reversal and coil tap to guide you.

[sambonee]

I tried to get the wiring back to original and I couldn't find an accurate diagram. Super awesome axe!