Thunder 1a electrics restore
4 posters
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Thunder 1a electrics restore
Hi all,
I am a new member living in the Northampton area of England and would appreciate some help with restoring, or partly restoring the electrics of my Thunder 1A, serial number 2121266, that I bought new in 1982/3.
The guitar still plays welll - frets and neck etc being in good condition.
Three "guitar repairers" have had a go at it over the years for reasons that I can't remember.
I no longer have the active option and the battery holder and wires to power it are missing.
I tried to upload some photos but don't know how to. (he FAQ says I can't).
The right hand knob,(looking at the guitar face on as if someone else was playing it), controls the neck pick-up volume.The next knob controls the bridge pick-up volume. The left hand knob controls the tone of the bridge pick-up only.
Two of the small switches are broken off and the one remaining is the on on the right, (which I believe switches the coil tap). I am not bothered about having tone controls as I find I can get the tone I want through the amp and an EQ pedal settings and seem to want to boost the treble frequencies rather than cut them.
I expect that a full restore is either not possible or beyond me but would at least like to be able to coil tap the bridge pick up to give me a single coil sound.
I am a complete beginner when it comes to understanding circuit diagrams but can just about handle soldering!
I wish I had looked after it better - the guitar deserves it!
Any thoughts would be appreciated
Geoff
I am a new member living in the Northampton area of England and would appreciate some help with restoring, or partly restoring the electrics of my Thunder 1A, serial number 2121266, that I bought new in 1982/3.
The guitar still plays welll - frets and neck etc being in good condition.
Three "guitar repairers" have had a go at it over the years for reasons that I can't remember.
I no longer have the active option and the battery holder and wires to power it are missing.
I tried to upload some photos but don't know how to. (he FAQ says I can't).
The right hand knob,(looking at the guitar face on as if someone else was playing it), controls the neck pick-up volume.The next knob controls the bridge pick-up volume. The left hand knob controls the tone of the bridge pick-up only.
Two of the small switches are broken off and the one remaining is the on on the right, (which I believe switches the coil tap). I am not bothered about having tone controls as I find I can get the tone I want through the amp and an EQ pedal settings and seem to want to boost the treble frequencies rather than cut them.
I expect that a full restore is either not possible or beyond me but would at least like to be able to coil tap the bridge pick up to give me a single coil sound.
I am a complete beginner when it comes to understanding circuit diagrams but can just about handle soldering!
I wish I had looked after it better - the guitar deserves it!
Any thoughts would be appreciated
Geoff
GeoffG- Financial supporter
- Number of posts : 13
Age : 75
Location : Northampton, England.
Registration date : 2014-07-02
Re: Thunder 1a electrics restore
Geoff's Thunder IA
In his own words "you could say it's been abused"
Best Thunder colour though.
Looks in pretty good nick apart from the guts
In his own words "you could say it's been abused"
Best Thunder colour though.
Looks in pretty good nick apart from the guts
Re: Thunder 1a electrics restore
If you're not bothered by the absence of the boost circuit, you have several wiring options. It's easy enough to drop in a new pair of toggles and then it's up to you what you do with them...coil cut, series/parallel, phase reversal, kill switch, etc. The Thunder is still a great guitar to play regardless.
You can always keep your eyes open for a "project" Thunder with the circuit still intact, or have a look at places like Guitar Fetish who sell various electronic circuit boosters. One of them may suit you.
You can always keep your eyes open for a "project" Thunder with the circuit still intact, or have a look at places like Guitar Fetish who sell various electronic circuit boosters. One of them may suit you.
_________________
"A little song. A little dance. A little seltzer down your pants." -Chuckles the Clown
GUITARS : https://legend.barryeames.com
MUSIC/PIX/VIDEOS: https://getback.barryeames.com (including Spectrum ST)
Re: Thunder 1a electrics restore
PROBLEM SOLVED!
Thanks to the wonders of the internet, this forum and its members I now have my Thunder 1A restored to its original condition with active, coil split and phase all operational.
Three forum members came forward with advice and offers of help -
Westbone, Barry and Guitarasaurus.
Westbone contacted me to say had all the parts and he fitted them for me.
Many thanks to Westbone, Barry and Guitarasaurus.
Geoff
Thanks to the wonders of the internet, this forum and its members I now have my Thunder 1A restored to its original condition with active, coil split and phase all operational.
Three forum members came forward with advice and offers of help -
Westbone, Barry and Guitarasaurus.
Westbone contacted me to say had all the parts and he fitted them for me.
Many thanks to Westbone, Barry and Guitarasaurus.
Geoff
GeoffG- Financial supporter
- Number of posts : 13
Age : 75
Location : Northampton, England.
Registration date : 2014-07-02
Re: Thunder 1a electrics restore
Excellent!
_________________
"A little song. A little dance. A little seltzer down your pants." -Chuckles the Clown
GUITARS : https://legend.barryeames.com
MUSIC/PIX/VIDEOS: https://getback.barryeames.com (including Spectrum ST)
Re: Thunder 1a electrics restore
How you finding the sounds?GeoffG wrote:PROBLEM SOLVED!
I now have my Thunder 1A restored to its original condition with active, coil split and phase all operational.
That active gain is a blast!
Re: Thunder 1a electrics restore
Another happy ending, another little ray of sunshine in the world, nice work guys!
Sgt. Vimes- Financial supporter
- Number of posts : 3322
Age : 53
Location : tyneside
Registration date : 2011-11-03
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