Having played Fenders for quite a few years (played Gibsons way back) I've gotten used to one volume, one tone. In upgrading my Epi Les Paul I'm considering reducing to the 1-volume, 1-tone style with a tone push-pull to split both the humbuckers. Please chime in on your opinions on the usefullness/redundency of the 2-volume, 2-tone system. The only real value I see is pre-setting for the neck and bridge settings to switch between rythym and solo but I was wondering more of the value of mixing when in the 2-pickup mode......does anyone use that option....thanks.
2 volumes 2 tones
- Thread starter Frogster
- Start date
Iron Horse
New member
Re: 2 volumes 2 tones
They are great to get different sounds from the 2nd position, for both distorted and clean, rhythm and lead, and I mean heavy rhythm tones, and on the other hand, I get very acoustic-like tones from the mid position with bridge vol. and neck tone backed off a tad.
They are great to get different sounds from the 2nd position, for both distorted and clean, rhythm and lead, and I mean heavy rhythm tones, and on the other hand, I get very acoustic-like tones from the mid position with bridge vol. and neck tone backed off a tad.
FAC
New member
Re: 2 volumes 2 tones
I never used the dual volume controls on my les paul, so I did in fact wire it up with a master volume and master tone. I know it is a tradeoff with respect to versatility, but it is more intuitive for me--I know others like the ability to blend the two pickups differently in the middle position, or perhaps do the solo/rhythm thing like you mentioned, so they like having the two volume setup.
It's pretty easy to rewire, so you could always try it and then switch back if you don't like it. Just make sure to label all the wires so you can get them back to stock if needed. Currently, the pickups go to their respective volumes/tones, then to the toggle switch, which goes to the output jack. The easiest, if not cleanest, way to try this out is to simply connect the pickups directly to the toggle switch by soldering together the wires that go into and out of the volume pots. Then, take the output from the toggle switch, which currently goes directly to the jack, and pass that through the volume pot, to create a master volume. If you ever want to get it back to stock, all the wires are still in place and it is a snap.
I never used the dual volume controls on my les paul, so I did in fact wire it up with a master volume and master tone. I know it is a tradeoff with respect to versatility, but it is more intuitive for me--I know others like the ability to blend the two pickups differently in the middle position, or perhaps do the solo/rhythm thing like you mentioned, so they like having the two volume setup.
It's pretty easy to rewire, so you could always try it and then switch back if you don't like it. Just make sure to label all the wires so you can get them back to stock if needed. Currently, the pickups go to their respective volumes/tones, then to the toggle switch, which goes to the output jack. The easiest, if not cleanest, way to try this out is to simply connect the pickups directly to the toggle switch by soldering together the wires that go into and out of the volume pots. Then, take the output from the toggle switch, which currently goes directly to the jack, and pass that through the volume pot, to create a master volume. If you ever want to get it back to stock, all the wires are still in place and it is a snap.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: 2 volumes 2 tones
Advantages to 2 volume/2 tone:
1) blend PU's when on together (toggle in middle position)
2) use different pot & cap values for each PU to fit the wood's tone (250K bridge/500K neck)
3) use different alternative wirings for each HB, like coil cut, phase, parallel, and series - get far more tone options without using foot pedals
4) set PU's at different volume levels (solo/rhythm)
5) back off treble on bridge PU, without darkening the neck
You can get by with 1 volume/1 tone, but you're reducing your versatility. Plus reducing the resale value of the guitar.
Advantages to 2 volume/2 tone:
1) blend PU's when on together (toggle in middle position)
2) use different pot & cap values for each PU to fit the wood's tone (250K bridge/500K neck)
3) use different alternative wirings for each HB, like coil cut, phase, parallel, and series - get far more tone options without using foot pedals
4) set PU's at different volume levels (solo/rhythm)
5) back off treble on bridge PU, without darkening the neck
You can get by with 1 volume/1 tone, but you're reducing your versatility. Plus reducing the resale value of the guitar.
