Changing Tone Pot

[Jims Les Paul]

I'm trying to get more highs from my neck pickup. Will changing the tone pot from 500K to 1Meg make a difference? Do I need to change the volume pot as well?

 

[eddie_bowers]

Test disconnecting the cap first. If that does the trick then a higher value might help. Consider a no-load pot (you can make your own) or a different (lowe) cap value and type (PIO) as well.

 

[Jims Les Paul]

So if removing the cap does the trick, I should drop in the higher value pot?

PS - how do I make a no load pot?

 

[eddie_bowers]

If that works it means that your on the right track. Here is a page that tells you how to make a no-load pot. It's really easy. I would go with that before a one meg tone pot because from my experience (doing the exact same thing) most of the throw of the tone pot wont do much until your down to about 6. With the no-load you will get infinite resistnace (open) when at 10 and you can warm it up a bit at 9.

In my attempt to get the mud out of my neck pickup I first did the no-load pot thing until I found some caps (Vitamin Q) that gave me a really good sound with a standard 500k pot. You get more treble without a cap obviously but you also get a more punchy (less smooth sound), so if you want that, it depends on your tastes.

 

[Jims Les Paul]

If that works it means that your on the right track. Here is a page that tells you how to make a no-load pot. It's really easy. I would go with that before a one meg tone pot because from my experience (doing the exact same thing) most of the throw of the tone pot wont do much until your down to about 6. With the no-load you will get infinite resistnace (open) when at 10 and you can warm it up a bit at 9.

In my attempt to get the mud out of my neck pickup I first did the no-load pot thing until I found some caps (Vitamin Q) that gave me a really good sound with a standard 500k pot. You get more treble without a cap obviously but you also get a more punchy (less smooth sound), so if you want that, it depends on your tastes.

I disconnected the cap and it I'm getting closer to the sound I'm looking for. I read about making a no-load pot and you're right - it is easy.
I'm leaving the cap off for now and see but I would like to try the Vitamin Q cap too. What value cap did it for you?
PS - thanks for your help.

 

[eddie_bowers]

I like the .015 Vitamin Q in the Neck the best, but what i'm actually using is a little more complicated and strange:
http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/tonefreaks/12110-reinventing-tone-control.html
I think you would be fine with just the .015 Q however.

If your still not quite there even with the cap disconnected, you can always use 1 meg volume pots (thats what i'm doing). It will give you higher output and a bit more treble as well. You pretty much have to change both however or you may end up with some strangeness in the middle position.

 

[Jims Les Paul]

I like the .015 Vitamin Q in the Neck the best, but what i'm actually using is a little more complicated and strange:
http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/tonefreaks/12110-reinventing-tone-control.html
I think you would be fine with just the .015 Q however.

If your still not quite there even with the cap disconnected, you can always use 1 meg volume pots (thats what i'm doing). It will give you higher output and a bit more treble as well. You pretty much have to change both however or you may end up with some strangeness in the middle position.

Interesting read!

I've ordered some .010 and 0.015 orange drops and a few treble bleed caps for the volume controls. I'll post my thoughts when they're in the guitar.

Jim