Lead/Rhythm circuit

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El Podo

Lead/Rhythm circuit

Post by El Podo » Thu Mar 29, 2007 5:06 pm

Uhhhhhh . . . does anyone actually use the rhythm circuit on his/her Jazzmaster?  So far, I prefer the lead circuit and switching between pickups, just like on my Teles (I'm a two-pickup guitar kind of guy).  The rhythm circuit sounds kind of muddy to me, and seems like one of Leo's (few, in my opinion) mistakes, like the Jazzmaster bridge, for some people.  Thoughts?

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zhivago
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Re: Lead/Rhythm circuit

Post by zhivago » Thu Mar 29, 2007 5:21 pm

I don't use mine...I actually have it disconnected on my '61 Jazzmaster.

I'm putting together a second '61 and I won't connect that one up either.


I like the simple layout of the toggle switch + the vol and tone knobs.
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Re: Lead/Rhythm circuit

Post by Soiouz » Thu Mar 29, 2007 5:27 pm

I used to play only on the main circuit... but lately, I've learned to appreciate the tone variations of the rythm circuit and I now find myself using it a lot! I think it's perfect for overdriven bluesy stuff.. I even preset it with the tone roller almost completely down, so it gets even more "muddy".... When you play loud, it's perfect, IMO!

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Re: Lead/Rhythm circuit

Post by jetset » Thu Mar 29, 2007 5:59 pm

If you don't use it (and don't mind modding your guitar) there are other options.  Some hook it up to the bridge pickup.  You can also wire it as a second circuit with different pot values, or bypass the pots alltogether - which would make the main circuit seem muddy in comparison.

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burker
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Re: Lead/Rhythm circuit

Post by burker » Thu Mar 29, 2007 6:37 pm

On my Jazzmasters I use it in a different way.... I set the volume to zero, and then use it as a cutoff switch, on my jaguar, I do use the rythm circuit for its intended purpose.

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Re: Lead/Rhythm circuit

Post by Pumpkin » Thu Mar 29, 2007 6:38 pm

The rhythm circuit has a 1meg vol and 50k tone pot with a .02uf cap.You could get another 1meg pot and replace the tone pot with it then get a .01uf cap and 56k resistor and wire it to the  bridge.It'd be a jaguar type sound (thinner).

Or if not,and ya don't want it so muddy,just replace the .02uf with a .01uf cap,this will clean it up a reasonable amount.You can clean it up as much as you like with a few changes,or rip it out altogether! I like it with  reverb and a chorus pedal,its cool for clean.

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Re: Lead/Rhythm circuit

Post by luau » Thu Mar 29, 2007 6:48 pm

I've always preferred the rhythm circuit on my MIJ to the point that I just never use the lead circuit. Ever. I prefer the lead circuit on my AVRI but I still find the rhythm circuit somewhat useful, particularly for clean, dark, strummy stuff.

I think I'd like one with the rhythm circuit consisting of the neck pickup, which I tend to prefer on all guitars, wired straight with no volume or tone. I'm not sure what I'd do with the roller slots. Maybe phase ala the Mustang.
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Pumpkin
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Re: Lead/Rhythm circuit

Post by Pumpkin » Thu Mar 29, 2007 7:09 pm

luau wrote:I'm not sure what I'd do with the roller slots. Maybe phase ala the Mustang.
I had the rhythm circuit on my jag wired as a mustang for a while,the phasing worked both pups,the lead circuit worked as normal.I tell ya its a fucking pain to do dude,its definitely not a 30minute job but its cool,probably not worth the trouble but it has a cool novelty about it.

I dont have the schem anymore but if ya wanted to do it i can draw it again for ya!



EDIT: i drew it,only took 5 minutes,its here if ya want,but yea its half the fun working it out.

Note: pickup claws must be grounded to main ground,not attached to the black pup wires or it will cause a heapa noise when phase is on.also
Image
Last edited by Pumpkin on Wed Apr 18, 2007 9:33 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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luau
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Re: Lead/Rhythm circuit

Post by luau » Thu Mar 29, 2007 7:14 pm

Thanks Pumpkin! I suspect that figuring out how to do it would be the lion's share of the fun though.  ;)
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Re: Lead/Rhythm circuit

Post by RumorsOFsurF » Thu Mar 29, 2007 8:42 pm

I use the Rhythm circuit when playing blues stuff.  With overdrive it sounds soooo creamy and smooth!  :? 

I actually prefer to use my Jazzmaster on the rhythm setting over my Strat for blues.  :-*
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Re: Lead/Rhythm circuit

Post by fuzzking » Fri Mar 30, 2007 12:15 am

Same as Burker, I just use it as a kill switch.

:)

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Re: Lead/Rhythm circuit

Post by chrisjedijane » Fri Mar 30, 2007 12:22 am

I use the rhythm circuit every now and again - I only use one distortion pedal on stage, so I use it to turn it into a sort of muddy fuzz when I want. It's also good to have a pre-set tone roll off if you want to do atmospheric guitar stuff, too.

My friend is a jazz player, and actually likes the rhythm circuit best for jazz stuff :)
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Re: Lead/Rhythm circuit

Post by mezcalhead » Fri Mar 30, 2007 12:40 am

Cool circuit diagram, Pumpkin!

:)

I posted a while ago about the use I had found for the rhythm circuit .. neck pickup only, darker tone, can be set at a lower volume .. perfect for using with an ebow!

Apart from that I don't use it much .. but I might now after reading some of these answers.
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Re: Lead/Rhythm circuit

Post by mynameisjonas » Fri Mar 30, 2007 12:41 am

i´ve removed the entire rhythm circuit on all my JMs. i just kept hitting the switch while playing which eventually broke the switch, plus i tore up my hand on it too.

the rhythm circuit is a very good idea IMO, but my playing style is just too crude to handle that many options. hell, i don´t even have a tone control in the lead circuit.

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Pumpkin
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Re: Lead/Rhythm circuit

Post by Pumpkin » Fri Mar 30, 2007 4:24 am

mezcalhead wrote: Cool circuit diagram, Pumpkin!

:)
Tnx dude,it actually had a mistake in it,i put a .003 cap on the tone pot... shoulda been .02,fixed it now.Man that woulda been a thin sounding guitar!

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