Advice needed regarding R8 Les Paul

[sml]

Hi all,

First of all I am new to this forum and want to say hello to everybody.

I am rather new the Gibson world and recently bought a new R8 from my
local dealer and really love it.
However two issues came up and I hope that some of the experts in this forum
can give me some advice.
First, I found out that when turning up/down volume using the pots this does not happen in a "linear" way, i.e. between position 8 - 10 the most is happening while between positions 1 - 7 nearly nothing. Is this the expected way the volume pots should work?
Secondly, while playing yesterday the neck pickup went nearly out (was very quiet) for around a minute or so. After that it worked fine again without doing anything. Any ideas? Any actions required?

Your help is much appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

 

[blackie2]

First, do a search on potentiometers (pots) and you'll find lots of useful information to help you out. Yes it's normal and some people like it and some don't. Second, you probably have a short in your control cavity on the volume pot that opening up the cover should point you in the right direction by just moving the leads around to make sure they're soldered correctly.

 

[strat1701]

the last new member asking questions like the ruined it for you getting any help from me.

 

[Fiftywattmafia]

Welcome, SML!

Well the steep volume roll off seems to be pretty common these days with the Historic pots. Interestingly enough many of the vintage pots had a similar sweep. Either way, I'm not a fan of that kind of sweep.

Martin Six String Custom has great replacement harnesses of varying price range. You'll get the roll off you are seeking with those.

In addition you get better caps than what is currently stock in Historics.

If you don't mind going away from CTS....Paul Reed Smith offers replacement volume pots that are expensive but work incredibly well for a gradual and low friction roll off. I also like the Yngwie pots made by Seymour Duncan.

As for the cut out of sound...yes likely a loose solder connection?

 

[musicmaniac]

Welcome. You bought it new from a local dealer so I'd take it back and have them look at it.

 

[freebyrd 69]

Welcome to the forum. As Fiftywatt said above, the volume and tone pots being linear in their roll off can be a very common issue. I couldn't care less about vintage accuracy, I like my guitar to have a nice linear sweep, as I use my controls A LOT to dial in tone.

MSSC is a sponsor here, and makes a great harness. RS guitar works also makes a good one. I have used both, and it solved that particular problem instantly.

As for the cutting out....that's a wiring problem of some sort. That should not happen. If you bought it new, you could certainly take it back to the dealer. However, if you are going to replace the harness anyway, you might just want to mention that to whomever is going to do the work, and they could probably clear that up when installing the new harness.

Either way, good luck, and welcome!

 

[sml]

Thanks a lot for your advice.
Imwill take the guitar to my dealer.

Stefan