ikay

Any of these work? - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Acrylic-Plastic-Round-Dot-Neck-Inlays-6mm-3mm-2mm-FB11-FB12-FB13/130954710274

Here's the reply from FretTrax about triggering open strings and zero frets: "Thanks for getting in touch and for your question. I get that question a lot but unfortunately the answer is 'no' - a zero fret doesn't help at all. I already know, without a zero fret, when a string is open - a string is open if it's not fretted (that's how I turn off a previously fretted note). So, I could turn on open notes easily without a zero fret - the issue is knowing when NOT to turn them on and when to turn them off. Otherwise, every open string would ring all the time unless you have a mechanism to SELECTIVELY turn on/off open notes. And, that mechanism is 'pluck detect' where a right hand pluck triggers a note - and that note can be open or fretted. That feature is in the works and then FretTraX will have opens, velocity, etc. All the videos were done with fretted notes only. Some pretty wild things can be accomplished. But, when we add pluck detect (still quite a ways away), things will get even wilder!"

Not working for open strings would be a bit disconcerting. I've emailed to clarify and to ask if it works with a zero fret, will post reply if I hear back.

Hmm, I can't really see this being a wiring issue, particularly as you've already changed the pots and cap without improvement. Have you tried adjusting the pickup height setting? I'm sure you have but that's the first thing I'd play with.

Good to hear that the acetone seems to be working, and good luck with the decal ...

I didn't realise iRealPro did pop/rock as well as jazz standards. It seems to pretty much do it all so wins by a country mile over my meagre efforts! Er, I'll get my coat!

Having spent a few days looking more closely at what I've got, the number of my own charts that I can get into a presentable form is around 200 so somewhat less than I originally said in my first post. Apologies for that, quite a few of them (more than I thought) are very scrappy or unusable for one reason or other. Still a reasonable number though. I'll carry on tidying them up in the background pending investigations into copyright issues.

Oops, hopefully BC feedback will help to tidy up any significant slip ups. If the copyright issue doesn't kaibosh the whole idea!

Aw shucks, too kind Dood!

Thanks Ped. Any interest in adding a chord chart resource on BC?

Over the past 10 years or so I've created around 200 charts (revised figure) for my covers band in a simple format which is easy to use for the whole band. The charts just show the chords and song structure and are particularly useful when learning new songs. Minimises disagreements about who's getting it wrong lol! Sample attached below, all songs are in this simple one page format. Too many songs in the archive to list here but suffice to say largely wedding/function band material. If free access to these charts would be of interest to anyone please drop me a pm and, if there's enough interest, I'll explore ways to make them available to download somehow. Also, if there are any particular songs you'd like charts for just let me know. I'm recently retired and have some time on my hands Chords-This Will Be.doc

A bit of googling suggests that acetone will remove laquer and apparently won't touch catalyzed polyester - but don't take my word for it!

Hipshot customer service is excellent by all accounts so I'd drop them a line and see if they can help - https://hipshotproducts.com/pages/contact

That's an interesting idea, hadn't thought of that! It wouldn't work with the series II as the entire preamp circuit and pots are surface mounted on a single board, but in the series I the Vol/Bal and EQ sections are on separate boards so that might work. The two boards are connected by a ribbon cable (unfortunately soldered, not with an edge connector) so you'd just need to identify the input/output and power supply wires.

The circuit diagram for the TRB5 II is on page 7 here - https://www.manualslib.com/manual/539186/Yamaha-Trb-5iif.html?page=7#manual Both the series I and II have single coil soapbars with a dummy coil. The dummy coil is 'balanced' with the active coil on the circuit board to achieve optimum hum reduction. On the series II this balance was adjustable via presets on the circuit board (VR7 and VR8 in the circuit diagram above). Series I had the same setup but without the adjustable presets. Swapping in a new preamp without the dummy coil 'balancing' circuit opens up the possibility of the pickups being more prone to hum. Shielding will help of course, but the benefit of the dummy coil will be compromised. This is what the thread I read about swapping the preamp in a TRB was alluding too. There are a few examples out there of people changing the TRB preamp with good results so it can be done. It's just something to be aware of. If you do get more hum at least you'll know why!

My only caution would be with the pickups. In the early versions (with the slap cut) the soapbars are single coils with a dummy coil and I've read somewhere (on TB I think) about people swapping in a different preamp and getting an annoying hum. Apparently there's some circuitry on the original preamp which deals with this. I have one of these models (fabulous bass) and have often toyed with the idea of swapping the preamp to get a sweepable mid (rather than the three position rotary switch) but been put off by the potential hum issue. If this is in fact rubbish and swapping an East pre in works with no problem then I'd be interested to know!

CTS do mini pots now too - https://www.allparts.uk.com/products/250k-cts-mini-pot-audio-taper-split-shaft