"Byrds" mod

brian · Post by **brian** » Sat Oct 09, 2004 7:48 am

There is a site on the internet that sells a couple of "Byrds" pickguard mods, one with a VOX treble booster. Has anyone tried one of these and if so how did it affect the guitar sound ? (I assume they are created for a 370/12 only)

rick12dr · Post by **rick12dr** » Sun Oct 10, 2004 4:57 pm

I have a treble booster[not installed in my Rick],
and my reaction is this; Do you like the thought of icepicks going into your brain?Mind you, I like a bright snappy Rick 12 as much or more than the next guy, but the T boost is sheer overkill.
I use Fender Twins, and, say, you have the Twin set to like around 3. Well, kick in the T boost, and the volume[and attendant squealing and shreiking] seems the equivalent to the Twin now on like 6 or 7.Ever heard the Byrd live set from Monterey? Especially, listen to "Rock and Roll Star". The piercing leads there are pure Treble booster.NOT compressor.Pure vintage live 60s McGuinn.IMO, the T boost should be used with discretion, to say the least.But an interesting device for sure.FWIW, Paul Kantner of Jefferson Airplane is the person who turned McGuinn on to the thing.

scoobster28 · Post by **scoobster28** » Tue Oct 12, 2004 6:02 am

What is the website?

doctorwho · Post by **doctorwho** » Tue Oct 12, 2004 8:50 am

Main products page:

http://www.tonewerks.com/page2.html

Byrds pickguard/treble booster mod page:

http://www.tonewerks.com/page6.html

scoobster28 · Post by **scoobster28** » Wed Oct 13, 2004 5:17 am

Interesting stuff. Thanks. Would love to get a 325 Byrd, but that is a different beast!

admin · Post by **admin** » Wed Oct 13, 2004 9:44 am

Don: I agree, that a Treble Booster can push things right over the top and them some.

Having said that, however, the overall sound is achieved by the complete chain of instrument-booster-amplifier and given the right combination my experience is that it can result in a great sound.

Make no mistake about it, however, be prepared for some feedback and ear-drum piercing notes during the adjustment phase.

doctorwho · Post by **doctorwho** » Thu Oct 14, 2004 11:06 am

Peter siad:

... be prepared for some feedback and ear-drum piercing notes during the adjustment phase ...

I'm finding that out with my Vox AD120VTH!

sir_andrew_of_left_coast · Thu Oct 14, 2004 7:57 pm

I e-mailed the Tonewerks-guy about the Byrds pickguard/booster a while back... he wrote that the booster he installs has a trim pot adjustment on it (I don't know if the originals did or not)... which, I imagine, would enable you to ease-up on the "ear fatigue" a little.

I've heard the 325 Byrd... OUCH!

rick12dr · Post by **rick12dr** » Fri Oct 15, 2004 7:47 am

Though I never installed the T boost in my '67 370-12, I considered that If I did, I might make the "master volume"[which is redundant, since there Are 3 separate volumes anyway, and I personally don't fiddle with pots much at all] into the "trim pot" for the T boost.Just another idea...

admin · Post by **admin** » Fri Oct 15, 2004 9:57 am

And a good idea at that, Don.