DannySnyder
Joined: Mar 02, 2006
Posts: 11053
Berkeley, CA
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Posted on Aug 17 2006 09:53 PM
OK here's a question for you guitar geeks:
I, like many, roll off the tone pot a bit to cut some of the treble, especially on the bridge pickup only position. However, I rarely go beyond a 1/4 turn. Is there a different value pot. that would allow me to decrease the range of a full turn to equal my current 1/4 turn?
Does that even make sense?
— Danny Snyder
"With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo
Playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta
Formerly a guitarist in The TomorrowMen and Meshugga Beach Party
Latest surf project - Now That's What I Call SURF
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JetBlue
Joined: May 30, 2006
Posts: 746
Cool, CA
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Posted on Aug 18 2006 09:35 AM
It makes perfect sense. I hope my answer does...
You can replace it with a fixed resistor in series with a smaller value pot. For example, assuming your tone pot is 250K and you're only using it in the range of 200K to 250K. Replace it with a fixed 200K resistor in series with a 50K pot. Now when you've got the pot at max the total resistance is 250K, and when you've got the pot all the way "off" the total resistance is 200K (pot is zero, fixed resistor accounts for the 200K).
This setup would give you more resolution (finer "adjustability") in the tone range that you're currently using. The only downside is you won't have the full range of tone adjustment that you had stock.
— Don
Last edited: Aug 18, 2006 17:39:42
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jhawkdville
Joined: Mar 04, 2006
Posts: 52
Encinitas, CA
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Posted on Aug 18 2006 11:35 AM
You might also want to consider changing out your tone pot with the ToneStyler unit by Stellartone (http://stellartone.com/).
This is a 16-step control, so it's very repeatable as well as surgical...it selectively cuts treble while "retaining vital midrange and harmonics".
I was considering this for my own axe (or two) but am too busy to get all fiddly with my guitars at the moment. 
~ Jonathan
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DannySnyder
Joined: Mar 02, 2006
Posts: 11053
Berkeley, CA
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Posted on Aug 18 2006 12:14 PM
Hi Jon,
I actually posted about the tonestyler a few months back, my guitar tech had raved about it. It's just hard to justify $120+ for a tone control. If I had a way of hearing it first in my set-up I could consider it.
— Danny Snyder
"With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo
Playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta
Formerly a guitarist in The TomorrowMen and Meshugga Beach Party
Latest surf project - Now That's What I Call SURF
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Wraydar
Joined: Apr 21, 2006
Posts: 265
San Antonio, TX
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Posted on Aug 18 2006 03:27 PM
Or you can change the tone capacitor. To change the cutoff frequency.
— <img src="klzzwxh:0000"></img>
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DannySnyder
Joined: Mar 02, 2006
Posts: 11053
Berkeley, CA
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Posted on Aug 18 2006 03:58 PM
Wraydar
Or you can change the tone capacitor. To change the cutoff frequency.
Wraydar, can you be more specific?
— Danny Snyder
"With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo
Playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta
Formerly a guitarist in The TomorrowMen and Meshugga Beach Party
Latest surf project - Now That's What I Call SURF
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Wraydar
Joined: Apr 21, 2006
Posts: 265
San Antonio, TX
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Posted on Aug 18 2006 04:32 PM
Changing the capacitor will affect how the highs are cut off from the signal. A smaller valued capacitor will cut less highs and a larger one will cut more. So if you've got a .05uF (common for Fender) in there try replacing it with a .02uF.
— <img src="klzzwxh:0000"></img>
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JetBlue
Joined: May 30, 2006
Posts: 746
Cool, CA
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Posted on Aug 18 2006 05:55 PM
I just checked the JM wiring diagram and have removed the edit to my first post. That edit had incorrect info about the tone cap being across the pot...nope, it's in series. Makes the mod even easier though.
I was a little surprised to find that the tone pot is a 1Meg audio taper. I'd be really tempted to try a linear taper pot. The stock cap is .03uF.
Anyway, if you want to try the mod I suggested the wiring is a piece of cake. Let me know if you want instructions.
Wraydar's suggestion would move the whole tonal range up or down the frequency spectrum, but wouldn't increase the adjustment resolution in the range you're interested in. Danny, I'm assuming you have a range from dark to bright that you are happy with in that last 1/4 turn of the pot.
— Don
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Wraydar
Joined: Apr 21, 2006
Posts: 265
San Antonio, TX
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Posted on Aug 18 2006 06:36 PM
JetBlue
Wraydar's suggestion would move the whole tonal range up or down the frequency spectrum, but wouldn't increase the adjustment resolution in the range you're interested in. Danny, I'm assuming you have a range from dark to bright that you are happy with in that last 1/4 turn of the pot.
This is true, JetBlue's suggestion is closer to what you were asking for. I was just trying to give more options.
— <img src="klzzwxh:0000"></img>
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DannySnyder
Joined: Mar 02, 2006
Posts: 11053
Berkeley, CA
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Posted on Aug 18 2006 07:17 PM
thanks to both of you for the suggestions, I'll give it a try and contact you if I need any help. 
— Danny Snyder
"With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo
Playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta
Formerly a guitarist in The TomorrowMen and Meshugga Beach Party
Latest surf project - Now That's What I Call SURF
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jhawkdville
Joined: Mar 04, 2006
Posts: 52
Encinitas, CA
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Posted on Aug 18 2006 10:13 PM
DannySnyder
...my guitar tech had raved about it. It's just hard to justify $120+ for a tone control. If I had a way of hearing it first in my set-up I could consider it.
Danny,
This is the same guy who bought my Bass Driver DI sight unseen and sound unheard? 
Actually, I can understand some justification for the price. A stepped control is a premium feature in audiophile amps. Also, the surface mount (SMT) resistors and caps require some high tech electronic manufacturing capability. Plus, they factored in some "added value" for the "mojo" this unit brings to the table.
But, you make a valid point though. Guitar pups are essentially inductors that interact with RC circuits (i.e., resistor/capacitor filter of a tone control) in ways unique to how the pup is wired. Stellartone probably realizes this, hence their 30-day guarantee..."If you are unsatisfied for any reason, simply return all items to Stellartone® for a full refund."
~ Jonathan
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DannySnyder
Joined: Mar 02, 2006
Posts: 11053
Berkeley, CA
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Posted on Aug 19 2006 12:04 AM
LBOPdot_Net_
This is the same guy who bought my Bass Driver DI sight unseen and sound unheard?
Jonathon, you got me 
I know you're joking, but I'll reply just the same. The DI was a solution to the problem of poor bass tone on my recordings. My tone control, on the other hand works fine, I just wanted to tweak it for convenience sake. That being said, don't be surprised if one of these days I do plunk down the cash for the tonestyler, just to sate my curiosity. Maybe my guitar tech will charge me a small fee to wire one in and immediately remove it out without me having to purchase it... hmmm
— Danny Snyder
"With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo
Playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta
Formerly a guitarist in The TomorrowMen and Meshugga Beach Party
Latest surf project - Now That's What I Call SURF
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