Tone Pots

Scott360 · October 20th, 2009, 11:35 PM

I'm considering disconnecting both tone pots on my Strat - having heard that running direct from the volume pot to the output improves tone. I almost never use either tone control. Wondering if anyone has tried this modification and what the result was like.

Thanks

peskypesky · October 20th, 2009, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott360

I'm considering disconnecting both tone pots on my Strat - having heard that running direct from the volume pot to the output improves tone. I almost never use either tone control. Wondering if anyone has tried this modification and what the result was like.

Thanks

i'm like you. i almost never use the tone controls. it just seems like they muffle the sound when you use them, so i always have them cranked all the way. i might do the same as you and disconnect them.

fumbler · October 22nd, 2009, 10:10 AM

I use them a lot myself. But if you don't and don't think you ever will then go ahead and disconnect them.

You could also try no-load pots for a few bucks (they take themselves out of the circuit when on 10). You could also use the extra pots for blender wiring.

I like keeping my options open!

Ray-Boy · October 22nd, 2009, 10:21 AM

My luthier says the capacitors soldered to the pots makes a big difference. I also almost never use the tone pots but options are a good thing to have.

macman70 · March 29th, 2010, 11:33 AM

if I disconnect the tone pots how should i leave the wires?
Should I put on electrical tape or those wire clamp things, do not want the wires hanging out in the pickguard.

Hugh · March 29th, 2010, 01:09 PM

Look at the bottom of this page and see "similar threads" for more info.

I was going to try the same thing, but after getting my Barb E.Q. eq pedal, I've found that I love having some control with my tone pots. I actually seldom run my tone pots at 10 now, usually around 7-9.

I think tolerances may have something to do with tone pots as well. Make sure your tone pots read between 240 k or higher. CTS audio taper pots are considered quality pots, but can vary.

jmo as a noob tech, others may disagree with my thoughts

tjk3052 · March 29th, 2010, 01:54 PM

Consider increasing your pot size from 250K to 500K. That would brighten things up enough that you might want tone controls. You don't have to lose the versatility of tone controls to brighten up your sound.

LukeM · March 29th, 2010, 06:28 PM

Sounds like you guys need some decent electronics. Try some smaller values of cap, you won't lose as much highs when you roll off and it shouldn't sound "muffled" as you describe.

+1 on the blender wiring though.

larryducas · March 29th, 2010, 06:57 PM

I took mine out once, and it was so bright I couldn't stand it. I put the caps back in without the tone pots. Eventually went back to the tone pots. I would leave them in IMHO.

amstratnut · March 29th, 2010, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by larryducas

I took mine out once, and it was so bright I couldn't stand it. I put the caps back in without the tone pots. Eventually went back to the tone pots. I would leave them in IMHO.

Agreed. If you like the sound of your bridge pup thats what it sounds like with no tone pot. Its not just the position its the lack of a cap that makes it so bright. I switched my tone to the bridge form the middle and wound up never using the middle because it was too bright. So now I have bridge and middle on one pot and neck on the other. To me that sounds best. I do tend to keep em full up most of the time.

capt_goodvibes · March 30th, 2010, 06:30 AM

Make your passive tone-pot more effective

http://www.singlecoil.com/docs/rotary.pdf

Astro1176 · March 30th, 2010, 07:38 AM

In the past I have taken the tone controls out of guitars but with my strat I replaced the tone pots with 'no load' pots. This means when the tone is on full (most trebbly) - the capacitor is completely disconnected from the circuit, so you have the best of both worlds.

With the amps I have used so far, I must say that the difference of the capacitor out of the circuit compared to going through 250ohms is almost impossible to spot.

orcslayer · March 30th, 2010, 08:37 AM

I switched my middle pup tone control to work with my bridge pup. Now i can take some of the "ice-pick" brightness off the bridge, but the middle one is just about perfect -brighter than before, but not too harsh.

thecount · March 30th, 2010, 09:33 AM

I actually use my tone controls quite a bit. A guy suggested a trick to me a while back where you dime the treble control on the amp and use the guitar's tone control to back off the treble. I was very skeptical but it works very very well. Adds punch and presence. I usually run my tone controls at about 6-7 and it sounds fantastic. Give it a try, you might be surprised.

boof · March 30th, 2010, 10:09 AM

blower switch?