Ibanez Les Paul Recording Model impedance matching

Attila

to all the techno Gurus on the forum and I think more so for Graeme

I was offered a beautiful 1973 Ibanez LP Recording (Mod 2372) MIJ This is a copy of the Giby lp Professional. I am told that it uses low impedance pickups with some wizardry simular as the Gibby.

It has a standard 1/4" output jack and this is where it becomes a bit grey for me, I am told that it must be plugged into to a low impendence port on the the amp or some type of lo-hi converter then in to any Standard Amp.....can anyone shed some light on this for me please

I played the guitar though a 50w tube amp, and although it sounded great the amp was running close to max volume and sounded more like 10w ( the amp is not faulty) and I was wondering if it was due to the formentioned mis match. if so how easy is it to work arround

over to you kind Sirs

Attila

found the answer, I think

Unlike the Les Paul Recording, the Les Paul Personal (and LP Professional) doesn't have an internal, switchable low/high-impedance transformer. So to plug straight into a guitar amp you have to use a special cord which is fitted with the inline impedance matching transformer. This looks very similar to a Shure microphone impedance matching gizmo, and probably is the same thing. If you plug straight into an amp with a regular guitar cord, you get a very, very weak (but extremely clean) signal. If you plug the inline transformer cable in the wrong way, you get virtually no signal. Been there, done that. (That's probably why they mark the ends of the transformer with "Guitar" and "Amplifier".)

Any Idea where I can get one of these "impedance matching gizmos" ?

http://jbwid.com/guitar/lpp01.htm for more ......... that is if you want more ....

Keira-WitherKay

never heard of these guitars.... but don't you just need a common DI box to get the right input signal to match the amp/desk whatever ....as they can boost a signal and most of the better ones have an unbalanced out which could go to the amp (just as a standard jack but with the increased or decreased level) while the balanced out goes to the desk(XLR) the Boss DI box has this feature try it they available at all music stores kinda industry standard .... but thats if i'm understanding the problem ......

peace and light
Keira

Attila

thanks K

you are on the right track ish, This is Les Paul's favorite guitar model when ever you see photo of him he has LP Recording with him

AlanRatcliffe

According to the schematics I have, the models which use the internal switchable transformer use a transformer with the model number 70-043.

For the cable you can use an XLR to XLR cable and add any XLR-TS switching transformer designed to convert LoZ into HiZ. Often available as accessories from mic manufacturers. Two I see mentioned are the Shure A95U and the Electro-Voice 502CP. I have two old, cheap Leem ones somewhere.

AlanRatcliffe

Sorry - you said it has a 1/4" jack, but does it have the XLR out too? If so, you may have to make your own jack - jack impedance matching device, using a transformer for a mic (the type they usually build into the mic itself), but wired in reverse. Input Z would need to be 200 ohm and output 50K IIRC. I'm sure Matt or Graeme could help you with that.

BTW, they have one of those guitars in the back room at Bothner's Plumstead.

Attila

Thanks Alan,

I have decided to buy the guitar and Amp which is brand...brand.. brand "new" If this is any indication there is still bits of grease around tuners, the setup is as good as I have seen on Epi's and ESP Les Pauls, only one thing missing is the top toggel switch's knob went missing.

I Know what happened is the owner did not know about the mismatch and became fedup cause no one could help him.... then mothballed the lot for 36 years Unbelievable Its the Ibanes 2372 Professional guitar & case and an Elk Viking 50 tube amp (not to great) for under R2k.

Thanks again for the info ...

Attila

nick

Attila wrote: Its the Ibanes 2372 Professional guitar & case and an Elk Viking 50 tube amp (not to great) for under R2k.

what a find! congrats 8)

Graeme

Just saw your message now. Looks like you got the answers you needed.
Sounds like a great buy. Post some photos ?

Attila

Thanks G

Would you happen to have one of these gizmos lying around in your workshop

AlanRatcliffe

I think I may have a Leem with a broken XLR in my large wire box. That would be perfect to mod into what you need. Not the best quality transformer, but they work, so at the least it'll be good as a "proof of concept". I'll dig around in there when I get a chance.

Attila

Ahem !!!

Confucius say "always check cable before jumping to conclusions" !!!! what he did not say is that a faulty cable can be a useful bargaining tool with out being dishonest...

I picked up the goodies today went back to the office but could not settle down. so came home plugged it all together and systematically checked amp and guitar out....found the Ibanez works fine on my Cube and vise versa my Washburn works great on the Elk Amp, .....using my cables......teee heee

Turned out to be a faulty cable which was used during the demo, supplied by the seller.... also seems the Japanese have sorted out the impedance mismatch inside the guitar, but will let you know more once I understand what all the switches and knobs do ...... sound great

Thanks for the help a Guys and Girls..... I know Photos to follow

Happy Puppy

?

FatBoy

Nice find man! What a bargain!