Modified Electronic on a Harley Benton Custom Line ResoKing
Harley Benton Custom Line ResoKing – Turn a first price resonator into a beast
Harley Benton Custom Line ResoKing. I bought this guitar at the Thomann website for the low price of 198€, shipping included.
The guitar in its original version was ok. The action is set low, and the neck plays fast. But the electronics were really poor.
Neck Pickup
The original mini humbucker didn’t sound too good, and it was a two wires pup that I had to modify into a four wires pickup to split coil it.
I already had Belcat mini humbuckers. I already changed into 4 wires, so I switched pickups for the best. Belcat is an excellent brand even if yo can get them incredibly cheap compared to superstar established brands like Seymour Duncan or DiMarzio.
>>>Huge choice of Resonator guitars<<<
Series/parallel switch
I installed a series/parallel switch on the neck volume pot. Every time I work on a humbucker, I install a three-position toggle switch to have series/split/parallel. When I lack room to have an extra switch, and I have to use a push-pull I always go for series/parallel instead of series/split.
I never understood why people are so crazy about splitting a humbucker. It doesn’t sound good. You get a huge drop in volume, and it gets so noisy that you can only use them with clean sound. There’s not a humbucker pup out there that sounds as good as an ordinary single coil.
If I use three positions, series/split/parallel switch on other guitars is to blend them with other pickups. Selecting two split humbuckers makes them noise free because two coils are selected.
Also, I already tested that belcat in split mode, and it sounds really bad. A mini-humbucker already has a sound close to a single coil. Therefore, it sounds extremely thin and weak in split mode.
>>>Piezo Transducer pickup<<<
Advantage of parallel versus split
The advantage of parallel over split is huge. It sounds close to a single coil, but without a huge drop in volume and it doesn’t get as thin.
It is also as quiet as a humbucker in series since both coils are functioning.
Piezo Pickup
Originally the piezo has no preamp, so it sounds really weak. The difference of volume with the neck’s magnetic pickup is so huge that you can’t use the piezo alone. Also, the tone of it is terrible.
Tillman JFET preamp
I made a Tillman JFET preamp (see diagram) to enhance the piezo and the result is astonishing. Now the piezo carries the same output as the magnetic pickup. It is even a bit louder.
Making a Tillman JFET preamp is incredibly easy and cheap. The only problem with electronic components is that you can’t buy them one at a time. So, you’ll have to buy hundreds of each value only to use one. But the cost of a 1000 pack capacitor is few dollars only, so it doesn’t matter. The JFET is a little pricier, but you can buy the 10 at a time for a low amount of money. (See selected links at the footer of this article)
>>>Multi effects for guitar<<<
Piezo Pickup wiring
I wired the Tillman JFET preamp on the piezo only, and it is always on. The sound of the piezo without the preamp is so bad that I don’t see a use for it.
Three positions toggle switch
I added a three positions toggle switch to have a three positions pickup selector. I didn’t like to have to use both volume pots to mix my pups. This is a straightforward wiring: neck, both pickups, piezo.
Bill Lawrence EQ filter
I added a Bill Lawrence EQ filter instead of a regular tone pot. In the down position, I have a regular 0.047uF cap functioning as a conventional tone pot. When pulled, a 1.5 Henri inductor kicks in coupled to a 0.027uF capacitor. It’s like having a varitone on a dimmer.
But the Inductor acts differently. It filters out the mid. I get a really bright sound when I roll down the tone pot to zero in inductor mode.
It’s also something easy and affordable to craft. A 1.5-henry inductor is a little hard to find, but any inductor will work.
>>> Guitar Pickups Humbuckers <<<
Schematics
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Selected link to make your own advanced resonator
- Resonator guitar @ Aliexpress
- Push-Pull Guitar switches @ Aliexpress
- Pushpull Potentiometer
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I am Hervé Senni, a pro musician and performer, Composer and arranger for quite some time. My main musical instrument is the electric guitar. I am also a bass player, mandolin, Ukulele player. I also invented string instruments.
Over the years, repairing and improving electric guitars that did not have to be upgraded converted me into a self-taught luthier.
This post is also available in: French
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About The Author
Hervé Senni
I am Hervé Senni, a pro musician and performer, Composer and arranger for quite some time. My main musical instrument is the electric guitar. I am also a bass player, mandolin, Ukulele player. I also invented string instruments. Over the years, repairing and improving electric guitars that did not have to be upgraded converted me into a self-taught luthier. Read More
What value did you use for the Pots? 500 k?
whish one?
Both Volumes and Tone. All 500K? And Volume for Piezo in front or behind the Tillman?
All 500k pots and Tillman after the volume pot
Hi.You are really smart guy.But is it possible to make same modifiction with Harley Benton Custom Line 150N?
If you are referring to the Harley Benton N-150C, yes, you can. You’ll possibly have to create an opening in the back of the guitar. And to use a backplate cover like on Gibsons. But maybe you can install the electronics by simply removing the resonator.
Hi.Thank you for reply alot.I have .got one more question.How did you install the Artec pickup to the saddle?If i understood right in your guitar also spider bridge?If it is possible,could you make a drawing??
Best regards.
Polyakov Igor.
Finland
Simply by sliding it into the piezo slice. What is a spider bridge?