Channels v. Tunnels

Discussion of newer designs, copies and reissue offset-waist instruments.
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Channels v. Tunnels

Post by Singlebladepickup » Wed Nov 08, 2017 10:18 am

How come vintage jaguars use tunnels between the wiring cavities, while classic player has the channels?

The channels make sense, because you can take everything off at once without having to unsolder a bunch of stuff. Why, then, don't more builders offer channels instead of tunnels? And why doesn't fender use it on more of their jaguars? Is it just tradition at this point, or do they want to make it harder to swap stuff?

Basically: Is there some reason to want/prefer tunnels?

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Re: Channels v. Tunnels

Post by timtam » Fri Dec 01, 2017 8:24 pm

I can't see the logic of tunnels either. I'm considering converting the tunnels I have to channels, to make wiring easier. I can make the channels much narrower and shallower than on the Classic Player. The only issue I see is that the aligment between control plates and pickguard must be tight, so that there are no gaps where the channels can be seen. So perhaps more of an issue on a parts Jag where the plates and pickguard aren't guaranteed to be a perfect fit.
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Re: Channels v. Tunnels

Post by Larry Mal » Fri Dec 01, 2017 9:33 pm

Isn't that something? I actually once ordered a pre-wired pickguard for an AVRI Jaguar, and then I opened it up and was like, oh yeah, I have to un-solder everything now.
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Re: Channels v. Tunnels

Post by mackerelmint » Fri Dec 01, 2017 9:40 pm

It's a great question. I've always said that if I get another Jag, I'm routing those stupid things out to save myself some annoyance.

IIRC, there are models that do have channels, or were, but I could be thinking of aftermarket bodies, I guess. Kind of an obvious improvement, but then there are always those weirdos who screech about the sanctity of original designs even when an invisible and functional improvement is made. And they're the ones who always seem to get their way.
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Re: Channels v. Tunnels

Post by burpgun » Sat Dec 02, 2017 7:45 am

I'd never really thought about this until I briefly owned a Fender "Sting" P-bass. As you may know, Mr. Tantric Sex Master's bass doesn't have a pickguard. But if you take your guard off the sig model there's a channel for the wires that looks terrible. Not a big deal, but at the time I was annoyed.

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Re: Channels v. Tunnels

Post by Shadoweclipse13 » Sat Dec 02, 2017 4:37 pm

I usually prefer channels myself as well, but for the Jag and guitars that had a separate (usually metal) plate from the pickguard, I always figured it was for stability, even if a screw doesn't go in there. I've got a couple guitars that have a tiny tunnel between cavity sections, and for the pieces between them, I'm wiring in a small quick disconnect for the hit and ground wires, so I can still remove them quick and easy.
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Re: Channels v. Tunnels

Post by CROSS_guitars » Sat Dec 02, 2017 6:18 pm

I think Fenders originally had tunnels drilled between plates and pickguards because they used celluloid plastics which shrink.
So as the plastic shrinks it leaves a gap, which would look heaps uglier if you could see the rout underneath.
I could be wrong though.

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Re: Channels v. Tunnels

Post by sirspens » Sat Dec 02, 2017 7:28 pm

To be even more complication...

The Telecaster has a channel with a tunnel on each side from the neck pickup... Why? It makes no sense!
Image

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Re: Channels v. Tunnels

Post by MechaBulletBill » Sun Dec 03, 2017 4:54 am

The tele channel is super dumb and annoying

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Re: Channels v. Tunnels

Post by sirspens » Sun Dec 03, 2017 6:35 pm

MechaBulletBill wrote:
Sun Dec 03, 2017 4:54 am
The tele channel is super dumb and annoying
Agreed. You could take the pick guard off if it weren't there!

And you could easily take a drill through the neck pocket and create a tunnel from the neck pickup to the control cavity.

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Re: Channels v. Tunnels

Post by Mad-Mike » Mon Dec 04, 2017 9:25 am

I'm currently working out how to do a Jaguar the opposite - all drilled holes between cavities, so that the pickguard is swappable and changeable to taste - including no pickguard.

TBH, I kind of hate channels because of all the times I've had to spend 15 minutes fishing wires around under a Strat or Mustang pickguard to get shit to go into the channels it's supposed to be in, or having to be delicate with flopping around loose pickups in the Jazzmaster while I get the pickguard back on - but I use them anyway because sometimes they are more convenient. Luckily I rarely have electronc issues.

One of the most elegant full pickguard arrangements with channels I've ever seen are those on Mosrite Ventures/Mark V style stuff. Just a plate on one side, flips up, and the channels are wide so everything goes through easily. But then I do make my own stuff with VERY thin channels - my Mad-Rite is that way - so I guess I am kinda-sorta a Masochist, LOL.

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Re: Channels v. Tunnels

Post by JagInTheBag » Wed Dec 06, 2017 10:51 am

sirspens wrote:
Sun Dec 03, 2017 6:35 pm
MechaBulletBill wrote:
Sun Dec 03, 2017 4:54 am
The tele channel is super dumb and annoying
Agreed. You could take the pick guard off if it weren't there!

And you could easily take a drill through the neck pocket and create a tunnel from the neck pickup to the control cavity.
That would be great! (G&L does this)

Image

Image

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Re: Channels v. Tunnels

Post by sirspens » Sat Dec 09, 2017 11:43 pm

I recently bought a Squier Affinity Butterscotch Telecaster on a whim, and today I decided to take off the pickguard to see what is underneath...

Image

No channel!

Now I have the hard decision of deciding if it looks better with the black pickguard or with no / clear pickguard.

Decisions, decisions....

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Re: Channels v. Tunnels

Post by Logrinn » Sun Dec 10, 2017 1:05 am

Definitely no pickguard IMO.

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Re: Channels v. Tunnels

Post by Futuron » Wed Dec 13, 2017 3:06 am

sirspens wrote:
Sat Dec 09, 2017 11:43 pm
Now I have the hard decision of deciding if it looks better with the black pickguard or with no / clear pickguard.

Decisions, decisions....
The potential for no pickguard is definitely there, but too bad about the screw holes. Would need to fix that, and put something around the neck pickup. A clear pickguard would solve the screw holes problem.

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