Blend pot question

[PFDarkside]

To simplify things, imagine my Strat (SSS) will be wired the following way:
- 3 Way switch (B + N)
- Blend pot to blend in the middle pickup with any of the three combos

Will there be a difference in tone between the blend pot on Zero and the blend pot taken out of the circuit? Will having a 250K pot and pickup put a "load" on the rest of the electronics and alter the sound some?

 

[Artie]

Re: Blend pot question

If the blend pot isn't a no-load pot, it will have some affect on the tone. It will be like having a 125k volume control all the time.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Blend pot question

Ah, of course. The problem with a no-load is that it would have to be wired backward to be removed from the circuit at Zero. However, switching to 500k pots should basically sound like a 250K volume at total bypass, right?

Edit... do they make left handed audio taper no-loads?

 

[Artie]

Re: Blend pot question

In order to have 250k all the time, you'ld also need to change the volume control to 500k. (Which shouldn't be a problem.) Or, its not that hard to convert a standard pot to a no load.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Blend pot question

Basically "scratch" off the material at the far sweep of the pot?

 

[Artie]

Re: Blend pot question

What I do is, cut a thin line in the carbon trace, right next to the solder lug, using an exact knife. Others here, add a dab of paint or nail polish at the end of the lug. (To lift the wiper.)

 

[Frebnedzo]

Re: Blend pot question

Okay, I'm trying to do this very thing and the lightbulb finally went off.

I have a 6 position strat switch (actually 6 position 4 pole rotary switch)
going to 500k master volume.

In the sixth position, I have neck and bridge, and I'm bringing in the
middle pickup through its own 500k volume pot. (The sixth position
isolates the middle/volume pot so it isn't in any of the normal strat
setup).

In position 6, the circuit sees an extra 500k resistor parallel, and
the master volume now acts like a 250K master volume.

This will make the overall RC circuit with the tone control a
little different in this position? Decribe, please. Will it be
useable or unuseable without a no load pot? (I'll be using a
push/pull pot for the middle pickup, so I don't think it will be
possible to get a no load pot off the shelf).

Thanks a lot

 

[Artie]

Re: Blend pot question

Too much thinking.

I believe, that if you use a no-load pot, you can keep your master volume at 250k. When the blend pot is "off", it will be out of the circuit. Also, when its all the way "up", its out of the circuit. So, it will only be a parallel resistance as you start to blend in the middle - I think.

I'll cogitate on this some more at work, and get back to you.

btw - I made a couple of no-load push-pulls for someone on the boad awhile back. Its pretty simple, actually. I don't think it will impact the tone control much. Again, I'll think about this more at work.

Artie