ES-345 stereo question

[HH1978]

Hello,

I'm trying to find a solution to use my 1967 ES-345 with a single channel amp without rewiring it to mono. I've tried the following :

- Inserting a mono cable midway : the guitar sounds dark and muddy, as the pots act like 250k instead if 500k. Not good...

- Stereo Y cable and a passive ABY box used in reverse. The results were predictable : using each pickup at once works perfectly, but the middle position suffers from the same issues as with the mono cable.

So I'm wondering if an active ABY box would solve the issue?

I know I could simply use a two channel amp, but among the amps I have, the one through which Gibson guitars sound really stellar has only one.

Many thanks!

[Despot]

Hi there OP.

There's a cable you can buy from a UK company that's specifically wired for ES345s to convert the output to mono. It will leave the 'out of phase' middle untouched, but it will mean that you only have to plug into one input on your amp. I used one with my old ES345 (a '62) for years. If you want to keep your guitar 'as is' that's the way to go.

I can't seem to find the company ... but I'll get the details of the cable from the guy who has it now (I seem to remember it being called Gold something ... but I could be wrong).

[Despot]

Clear Tone!! That's the name (I was thinking Gold Tone).

You'll find them at:
https://www.award-session.com/cleartone_cables.php

[HH1978]

Hey thanks Despot!

I'll check them out for sure.

Actually, I already reversed the magnet in one of the pickups, so my middle position is not out of phase

[Despot]

They're decent cables - not just for getting mono out of a stereo jack ... but they're really well made and solid cables too. Never had an issue with mine in the years that I had it (and it got a lot of use for a few years).

[HH1978]

Do you know which cable exactly? They have stereo to two mono, but I can't find stereo to one mono. Also, do you know if the cable you used to have does more than just summing the two mono signals? Because if it just sums them, the pots would be connected in parallel and act like 250k.

Anyway, their Y cables look great, and I will probably get one, as mine is only 1,5m long.

[HH1978]

Funny, this just appeared in my Facebook feed today : https://www.facebook.com/groups/597210 ... 089227505/

Sounds like what I'm looking for. Anyone has experience with BMF products? I've been tempted more than once, especially by his Wah, but never pulled the trigger.