Volume and tone pots

[stratcat33511]

Did a search but didnt find my specific answer

500k pots for humbuckers ?
Linear volume and audio tone ?

WHats the diff?

If I had a 500k volume pot and a 250k tone pot - with humbuckers
What would happen if I subbed a 500k tone in place that scenario ?

[Kap'n]

Did a search but didnt find my specific answer

500k pots for humbuckers ?
Linear volume and audio tone ?

WHats the diff?

If I had a 500k volume pot and a 250k tone pot - with humbuckers
What would happen if I subbed a 500k tone in place that scenario ?

In general, I find linear pots horrible for volume controls. They can sound good for tone controls, particularly on a telecaster. You get nice subtle graduations of tone from 3-10 on the knob, and an abrupt cutoff between 1 and 3 which makes for some good effects use.

If you go below the volume control's resistance on the tone control, it sounds like it's turned partway down even on 10. If you go above it, you sort of get ten and a half out of the tone control but a funkier sweep. It's more effective to go with a higher value volume control if you feel you need it, IMHO.

[stratcat33511]

it's for my showmaster, actually
It has a 500k vol and a 250k tone
something aint right
Acoustically and physically plays and sounds great acoustically
Plugged in everything dimes its a fuzzy muddy mess - especially the neck bucker
There's really only 2-3 good slots on my 5-way
I'd much rather try pots before pickups

500k audio for both then ?

[chuckocaster]

try straight to the output jack first bypassing the pots. if it doesn't sound okay i'd then fiddle with the pup heights. normally people use 500k audio pots with a .022 or .033 cap for humbuckers. the pickups might be way too hot, alot of times manufacturers try to overwind ceramic humbuckers to the point of them just sounding buzzy and messy.

but i'd try bypassing the controls first to see what the guitar sounds like plugged straight in. you can then go from there.

[stratcat33511]

try straight to the output jack first bypassing the pots.

but i'd try bypassing the controls first to see what the guitar sounds like plugged straight in. you can then go from there.

How would I do that ?
Here's a generic wiring dwg from fender
http://support.fender.com/service_di...Aupg1_SISD.pdf

[cdw2000]

Based on the wiring diagram you provided, to bypass the volume and tone controls:

1) Disconnect the red wire from the volume control end terminal.

2) Disconnect the jack signal wire from the volume control middle terminal.

3) Temporarily connect the jack signal wire directly to the red wire and insulate with some electrical tape (or just make sure it doesn't touch any other parts).

[stratcat33511]

thanks for the info cdw
I can handle that, and I'll let yous know what I find out

What I find interesting is the Fender drawing shows Neck as SD 59 and Bridge as SD PG, which may be true for the newer > 2004models, but ....
My pickups are not those!( its a 2003 FWIW )
Mine are Bridge; Atomic II and Neck; Black Canyon fender monstrosities
Which, with the use of a 5-way, have all of 2-3 interesting sounds; clean only
- dirty, OD, or distorted ... its a muddy mess!

Also, I have a 250K tone pot instead of the 500k tone the drawing shows
The drawing also shows a neck parallel wiring

[cdw2000]

Are you the original owner? Maybe it was modified. Every diagram for the HH showman on Fender's website indicates 500K pots are used for both volume and tone controls, though it does not appear that they have diagrams for prior to 2004.

[stratcat33511]

I am the Orig Owner, a plyer and not a collector

I changed the machine heads and had a new nut cut

I vaguely remember complaining to my tech of the limited sound capability years ago
Maybe they modded it ! And I just noticed !
I have quite a few six string electrics
The reason this doesn't get played out as much is is that its Gloss Black ( which I don't like, really ) and very limited range of sound
BUT its a looker.! and a player !

But it plays awesome and sounds very lively acoustically
I wanna like the sound

We'll see after I bypass the controls
Hard to do now with the wife and kid around
Not much time or space to plug into an amp
and really put it through its paces

More to come

Are you the original owner? Maybe it was modified. Every diagram for the HH showman on Fender's website indicates 500K pots are used for both volume and tone controls, though it does not appear that they have diagrams for prior to 2004.

[cdw2000]

I just did some research and it seems that Fender put out something called the Showmaster Scorpion HH, that did come with this set of pickups. I have not yet found the wiring diagram, though.

The model number is 026-1800 if my research is correct. You might try calling Fender to see if they can send you a diagram. Then you'll be able to check that it is wired correctly.

Those pickups are described as high output with a lot of mid-range punch, so maybe they just are not your cup of tea. Maybe changing to the more traditional showmaster pickups would suit you better.

[stratcat33511]

Yes it is in fact a scorpion HH
I remember there being no info when I got it in 2003
I was using it in the store I was teaching out of
My wife bought it for me for my birthday

Thanks I will look into this some more
it's getting interesting

[stratcat33511]

here's what it sounds like clean

http://snd.sc/u1npUa

[stratcat33511]

Well the response from Fender was:
Exactly what I already had as far as drawings
and they couldn't' tell me what the pickup specs were either
Looks and sounds like its time to Mod this

[cdw2000]

I just listened to your clip. So you were just strumming and not changing the tone control position or anything? And it was not recorded through a wah pedal? Weird, I have never heard a guitar do that.

I wonder if your pickups might be too close to the strings? Try lowering them and see if that wah effect goes away.

[stratcat33511]

I hit a chord and played the tone knob - that's where the wah sound is coming from
I'll check the height and stuff this weekend
Cant wait

[stratcat33511]

Ok, so the pickups were set to (I guess) standard height 3/16
I lowered them so they border on 1/4 on both sides of each and
VOILA !
It started to open up and sound clearer
But the family came home by the time I got it together, so I'll have to experiment a bit and record some samples to compare,
but I think I'm on the right track
Thanks a Million