Thunder series—Active models

New Sept 2020: CLICK HERE for detailed information on active circuitry on Thunder models
courtesy of Forum member Purge (David Blair)

Active circuit Version 1

Volume, tone, active gain, 3 mini switches for coil tap, phase and active on/off:

Notes

  • Based on the wiring in a January 1983 Thunder IIA
  • It should be suitable for any Thunder active guitar with controls for volume, tone and active gain and 3 mini switches for coil tap, phase reverse, and active on/off
  • The coil tap and phase mini switches are  DPDT
  • The active bypass switch is a 4 pole changeover switch
  • The volume pot is 500K log
  • The gain pot is 250K log and the active tone pot is a 500K linear pot with a centre detent
  • Resistor R1 is 1 meg, capacitor C1 is  0.022 microfarad mylar

1 – the white wire from the neck pickup connects directly to the red wire on the shielded cable to the pickup switch. The join is wrapped in insulated sleeving
2 – there is a pcb on the back of the phase switch which provides the interconnections between the terminals. If the switch needs replaced the pcb is not needed and can be replaced by 2 link wires as shown
3 – this is a bare wire which connects to single terminals on the coil tap and phase switches and also is soldered to the bodies of all three mini switches
4 – this battery earth connects to the switch terminal on the (3 terminal) jack socket – the circuit is completed when a jack is inserted, connecting this terminal to earth.
5 – One end of R1 and C1 connects to the switch terminal, the other end of both components is soldered to the switch body

click to enlarge

Fault Finding / Trouble Shooting Information for this Circuit

Active circuit Version 2

Volume, passive tone, active tone, 3 mini switches for coil tap, phase and active on/off:

Notes

  • This diagram is based on the wiring in a mid-1983 Thunder II-A
  • The wiring in a 1984 Thunder I-A is identical
  • The 3 mini switches are all DPDT
  • The volume and tone pots are 500K log
  • The active tone pot is a 500K linear pot with a centre detent
  • The tone cap C1 is a 0.022 microfarad mylar capacitor

All the passive components on the PCB are easily available, should any need replaced. The only active component is the IC, an LA6358 dual op-amp. These may  be difficult to obtain, and can be directly replaced if needed by an LM358.

1 – the white wire from the neck pickup connects directly to the red wire on the shielded cable to the pickup switch. The join is wrapped in insulated sleeving
2 – there is a pcb on the back of the phase switch which provides the interconnections between the terminals. If the switch needs replaced the pcb is not needed and can be replaced by 2 link wires as shown
3 – this is a bare wire which connects to single terminals on the coil tap and phase switches and also is soldered to the bodies of all three mini switches
4 – this battery earth connects to the switch terminal on the (3 terminal) jack socket – the circuit is completed when a jack is inserted, connecting this terminal to ground.

click to enlarge

Active circuit Version 3

Volume, passive tone, active tone, pull switches for coil tap and phase, mini switch for active on/off:

Notes

  • This diagram is based on the wiring in a 1985
  • The PCB layout and components are identical to those in Version 2 of the active circuit (above)
  • Pull switches for coil tap and phase reverse
  • Mini toggle switch for active on/off
  • The active on/off mini switch is DPDT
  • The volume and tone pots are 500K log
  • DPDT pull switches
  • The active tone pot is a 500K linear pot with a centre detent
  • The tone cap C1 is a 0.022 microfarad mylar capacitor
  • All the passive components on the PCB are easily available, should any need replaced
  • The only active component is the IC, an LA6358 dual op-amp. These may  be difficult to obtain, and can be directly replaced if needed by an LM358.

1 – the white wire from the neck pickup connects directly to the red wire on the shielded cable to the pickup switch. The join is wrapped in insulated sleeving
2 – the ground wire/screen on the cables from the pickup switch and both pickups are all soldered to the body of the active EQ pot
3 – this battery earth connects to the switch terminal on the (3 terminal) jack socket – the circuit is completed when a jack is inserted, connecting this terminal to ground

click to enlarge

 

 

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