Gretsch Tone Switch

DepecheMoses

DepecheMoses

New member
Man, I really need to learn how to read switches in diagrams...
How do I wire this? Like I understand the 123k and 392k cap part (unless they're 12.3k and 39.2k, then I guess I didn't understand them), understand the grounds, the other wire goes to hot... But what switch is this? Is it just a DPDT? If so, how do I wire it?
 
Re: Gretsch Tone Switch

Find another Gretsch with a tone switch and copy the wiring layout...the old Retch diagrams are kinda crummy.
 
Re: Gretsch Tone Switch

Actually, the 123k and 392k are resistors not caps. Capacitors are measured in microfarads (uf). I believe the switch is SPDT on/on/on.
 
Re: Gretsch Tone Switch

of course, you can play with those values to make the preset tones more useful...like 330 pF and 1000 pF
 
Re: Gretsch Tone Switch

hermetico said:
THEY ARE CAPS!!!!

It's a cap switcher, just to select two different cap values, nothing that you cannot do with a pull/push or DPDT on/on switch.

K's, when talking about caps mean 1000 pF (pico Farads),

1000 pF = 0.001 uF (MicroFarads) = 1 nF (NanoFarads)

So, those caps are:

123k = 123000 pF = 123 nF = 0.123 uF, more ore less 0.1 uF (dark one)
392k = 392000 pF = 392 nF = 0.392 uF, aprox. 0.4 uF, still more dark

in guitars, you usually mount

0.022 uF = 22 nF = 22000 pF = 22K = 223 (in american notation)
0.033 uF = 33 nF = 33000 pF = 33K = 333 (in american notation
0.047 uF = 47 nF = 47000 pF = 47K = 473 (in american notation)

In american notation, the last number is the exponent in base 10.
473 pF = 47 x 10^3 = 47 x 1000 = 47000 pF

In Europe, it's more typical 22K (22000) or 2K2 (that means 2200).
Click to expand...

Sorry, my mistake. You are absolutely correct. But, isn't the Gretsch tone switch a 3 position switch? 1) straight through, 2) cap #1 (dark), 3) cap #2 (darker).
 
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Re: Gretsch Tone Switch

If I was using the Esquire circuit (3.3k resistor with a .15uf cap) I would put the resistor first and the capacitor going to ground, right? Or does it not matter?
 
Re: Gretsch Tone Switch

How about a small choke on one side? Less bass, more twang...seriously, the stock Gretsch tone switch is one of the more useless accoutrements ever installed in a guitar.
 
Re: Gretsch Tone Switch

I'll probably put a varitone on it for a while, like the one link described; then I can figure out what I should and shouldn't use. I'm accustomed to not using a tone knob at all though. But the choke actually sounds like a pretty good idea, how would I accomplish that?
 
Re: Gretsch Tone Switch

Hermetico said:
So, those caps are:

123k = 123000 pF = 123 nF = 0.123 uF, more ore less 0.1 uF (dark one)
392k = 392000 pF = 392 nF = 0.392 uF, aprox. 0.4 uF, still more dark
Click to expand...

Just following up on this old post to point out that this is incorrect.

The "k" signifies pF, and the 3rd digit signifies the number of zeros after the first two digits.

The correct interpretation is:

123k = 12000pF = 12nF
392k = 3900pF = 3.9nF

See here for more details: http://tubeamplifierparts.com/handy-amp-info/capacitor-code-chart.html

R.
 
Re: Gretsch Tone Switch

Seeing as you've gone to all the trouble to join simply to point out an error, maybe you can complete the job and find where the diagram that it refers to is now. Otherwise its teats on a bull.
 
Re: Gretsch Tone Switch

robinbowes said:
The "k" signifies pF, and the 3rd digit signifies the number of zeros after the first two digits.
Click to expand...

Close. You are correct about the numbers. 123k is two significant digits "12", followed by three zeros. So 12,000pf, or .012 uf.
But the "k" refers to a +/- 10% tolerance. We already know it's pf by the "123" number.
 
Re: Gretsch Tone Switch

ArtieToo said:
Close. You are correct about the numbers. 123k is two significant digits "12", followed by three zeros. So 12,000pf, or .012 uf.
But the "k" refers to a +/- 10% tolerance. We already know it's pf by the "123" number.
Click to expand...

Ah yes, of course.

We got there in the end :)

R.
 
Re: Gretsch Tone Switch

Thanks for putting the new diagram link in.......now I can see what we are all referring to.
 
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