tweed2 Posted October 6, 2012 Share Posted October 6, 2012 Finally decided to install the VariTone in my Zephyr Blues Deluxe. I ordered it up from Derek, at Big D, who was very patient with my many questions. I bought it without the dial plate as I wanted a gold one, which nobody makes. So, went to my old friend Joe, at Amplates, and had him make some in Marshall gold, with black numbers. I had 10 made (after the design/set up and shipping for one, the next 9 weren't very much more). Then I found sone cool knobs on eBay, kind of a skirted chickenhead or oven knob, very retro looking. I painted the white indicator line on the knob gold, just because I get anal about that kind of stuff. The VariTone fit right in the old tone knob location (through the neck pickup opening), two wires to solder, then put it all back together. Pretty painless. Compared to the stock tone knob, which seemed ineffective and was dubbed the "mud knob", the VariTone is perfect for my needs. The 0 setting is a bypass, the others, 1-5, use different value capacitors and get a wide, useful variety of tones. It works well with the P-90s (maybe now I won't be so inclined to replace them) and this type of guitar. And because it fit the same hole as the stock tone pot, this mod is easily reversible. I think that it improves both the sound and look of the guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crust Posted October 6, 2012 Share Posted October 6, 2012 Seriously, nice guitar there Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brad1 Posted October 7, 2012 Share Posted October 7, 2012 Well, you gotta be happy if you improve the tone and the looks! Great job Mr. Nat! I think it looks great too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jfine Posted October 8, 2012 Share Posted October 8, 2012 That's really cool! What you've got there is sort of a Switchmaster without the switch. I should have gotten one of those Zephyr Blues Deluxes when they were available. Are you using the new switch as a Varitone or as a pickup selector? That gives me an idea--I'd probably use it as a pickup selector, with neck, neck+middle, middle, middle+bridge, bridge, or all three on, with the three knobs wired for volume for neck and bridge, volume for middle, and master tone. I've never had a guitar without a tone control, and I do use it, so I'm not sure if I could do without it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tweed2 Posted October 8, 2012 Author Share Posted October 8, 2012 That's really cool! What you've got there is sort of a Switchmaster without the switch. I should have gotten one of those Zephyr Blues Deluxes when they were available. Are you using the new switch as a Varitone or as a pickup selector? That gives me an idea--I'd probably use it as a pickup selector, with neck, neck+middle, middle, middle+bridge, bridge, or all three on, with the three knobs wired for volume for neck and bridge, volume for middle, and master tone. I've never had a guitar without a tone control, and I do use it, so I'm not sure if I could do without it. Strictly as a tone adjuster, and this guitar screams for tone adjustment. I'm actually getting used to blending the individual volume pots, as designed. These still come up used, on occasion, around $700, with case. Thanks for the compliments everyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexfan Posted August 20, 2013 Share Posted August 20, 2013 I've asked over at Amplate if they would make for me as well. I'm installing a Varitone on a Sheraton II. Hard to tell in the picture, but is the dial plate shiny? Would you be willing to sell one of your remaining? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluemans335 Posted August 20, 2013 Share Posted August 20, 2013 Beautiful guitar! I prefer alternative wirings and/or push-pulls to get tonal variety, but as long as you're happy that's all that matters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tweed2 Posted August 21, 2013 Author Share Posted August 21, 2013 Here's another pic with the latest addition, a gold foil E. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bender 4 Life Posted August 21, 2013 Share Posted August 21, 2013 Wow!!...super nice! in this case form follows function AND vice-versa. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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