Clapton mid boost

Hven't even had my strat for 2 months and already want to mod it :mrgreen:

so who's done this? should i do it or not?

part of it is just to get rid of that stupid 2nd tone knob...

Also, where's the best place to put it

Hven't even had my strat for 2 months and already want to mod it :mrgreen:

so who's done this? should i do it or not?

part of it is just to get rid of that stupid 2nd tone knob...

I've never done it, but I dislike the 2nd tone knob as well. I've converted every strat I've ever owned to a single tone knob (like a tele config). I prefer 250k pots. Creates a nice smooth tone without the whole mid-boost mess.

I've never done it, but I dislike the 2nd tone knob as well. I've converted every strat I've ever owned to a single tone knob (like a tele config). I prefer 250k pots. Creates a nice smooth tone without the whole mid-boost mess.

you're so lucky you're in austin.....

you're so lucky you're in austin.....

I know. :razz:

As far as location, you should be able to fit in the control cavity. Looking at some pictures, they don't look big enough to require any more routing.

I know. :razz:

As far as location, you should be able to fit in the control cavity. Looking at some pictures, they don't look big enough to require any more routing.

When you take the 2nd tone off, do you just leave a hole or just disconnect the wires on the pot? Just wondering cuz i might do that

You can install a Clapton Boost kit in the bottom of most standard strat control cavities, you'll have to snip a little triangle shaped piece off one edge of the circuit board (easy to see which edge when you try to put it in). You'll probably need to rout out the cavity beneath the output jack plate a little so the extra part of the TRS Switchcraft jack doesn't bottom out on the side of the opening. You can put the battery under the pickguard with a lot of careful trial and error, or put it in the spring compartment in the back if you leave a space between the springs (using only 3 springs or 4 springs). If you're willing (I was) buy a plastic 9V snap-open battery holder and rout it into the back of the guitar, it's then possible to change batteries without unscrewing anything.

The Clapton Boost kit comes with all 3 pots, you have to take out all the existing ones. There's not room to leave them in anyway.

PS: I presume you know this but you have to have noiseless pickups, with singlecoils the Clapton Boost is really noisy/buzzy.

You can install a Clapton Boost kit in the bottom of most standard strat control cavities, you'll have to snip a little triangle shaped piece off one edge of the circuit board (easy to see which edge when you try to put it in). You'll probably need to rout out the cavity beneath the output jack plate a little so the extra part of the TRS Switchcraft jack doesn't bottom out on the side of the opening. You can put the battery under the pickguard with a lot of careful trial and error, or put it in the spring compartment in the back if you leave a space between the springs (using only 3 springs or 4 springs). If you're willing (I was) buy a plastic 9V snap-open battery holder and rout it into the back of the guitar, it's then possible to change batteries without unscrewing anything.

The Clapton Boost kit comes with all 3 pots, you have to take out all the existing ones. There's not room to leave them in anyway.

PS: I presume you know this but you have to have noiseless pickups, with singlecoils the Clapton Boost is really noisy/buzzy.

are you pleased with the result?

Mine isn't a Clapton mod but I do have a mid-boost in the only Strat I've kept ('83 AV'62RI) and it takes the 2nd tone knob from useless to 'wow'. Mine was done by Carruthers by the original owner back when he bought the guitar new. Call Carruthers in CA.

It works great. When it's off, it's a Strat. Turn boost up (works on all pups on mine) and it changes into a different beast and will snarl w/o getting your amp set up to the max. My volume pot is one that really notches into gain only above like '7', is all clean for below that. More noticeable gain than say yer typical pot, can't remember the term for this one.

I loved Strats for years but realized they just don't get roaring w/o a volume pedal or a very saturated amp. The mid-boost makes the Strat a very, very versatile guitar IMHO with anything you plug it into.

I've played Tele for quite a few years now but that Strat ain't going anywhere.

I like the Clapton boost for what it is. Mainly it gives a thicker darker character when needed. If you want an ultra-versatile strat and have a really good set of noiseless pickups (the ones I've liked with Clapton boosts include Kinmans, Dimarzio Areas, and Joe Bardens - the Fender Vintage noiseless and SCN noiseless ones are ok but not as good to my ears) then the Clapton boost is a good thing.

You can use it the way you'd use an overdrive pedal as a lead / dirt boost, or to thicken the sound overall and make it darker, more humbucker-like. It's really good with a Vox or similar amp (Matchless, etc) as a lead boost.

Mine isn't a Clapton mod but I do have a mid-boost in the only Strat I've kept ('83 AV'62RI) and it takes the 2nd tone knob from useless to 'wow'. Mine was done by Carruthers by the original owner back when he bought the guitar new. Call Carruthers in CA.

It works great. When it's off, it's a Strat. Turn boost up (works on all pups on mine) and it changes into a different beast and will snarl w/o getting your amp set up to the max. My volume pot is one that really notches into gain only above like '7', is all clean for below that. More noticeable gain than say yer typical pot, can't remember the term for this one.

I loved Strats for years but realized they just don't get roaring w/o a volume pedal or a very saturated amp. The mid-boost makes the Strat a very, very versatile guitar IMHO with anything you plug it into.

I've played Tele for quite a few years now but that Strat ain't going anywhere.

ahhhhh you've got me sold on it, i just don't want to route my barnd new american standard

this guy explains it in detail...

http://www.areyouexperienced.net/fender_clapton_mid_boost_kit.htm

When you take the 2nd tone off, do you just leave a hole or just disconnect the wires on the pot? Just wondering cuz i might do that

I do both. Sometimes I just disconnect the wires and leave the pot and knob in place. In my current strat I took the pot and knob off, leaving a hole. I call it a "soundhole". :grin:

Might as well try out the Clapton mid boost and see if you like it first, you can always sell it on Craigslist or Ebay and get a lot of your money back.

Wayne Alexander is correct.You need the three holes for A: A normal tone pot or a TBX tone pot.B:A Volume boost pot (your only volume control) and C:The midboost pot.The order they are put on the guitar is of course :Volume ,TBX and Midboost.I can only assume that yark14 doesn´t use a "normal" or TBX tone control.

If you are worried about routing into your guitar body try an amp with mid range boost first and see if it will give you the sound you want.