JB and PG - Loss of Volume Problem

[sonicboomer]

I have a strange, puzzling situation with both my JB and PG pickups and am looking for any possible input (no pun intended). In my 1980 Les Paul, I have installed BOTH a JB and a Pearly Gates in the bridge position at different times, but have a strange problem with both. When wired directly from the volume pot to the output jack (no tone), I get great volume and full-range, bright tone from the pickups. However, when the volume pot is wired to the tone pot IN ANY FASHION, I immediately lose noticeable volume and high end. I initially thought it was a bad tone cap between the volume and tone pots, but that is NOT the case - even when I run a wire alone (no cap) between the volume and tone, I still lose the volume and high end. Mind you, everything is wired correctly, and I even tried the same experiment with the 59 in my neck position, and it worked fine - NO difference in volume/tone between running straight from the volume pot to output and running through the tone pot. I've replaced the caps, replaced the pots, but still have the same problem with the bridge pickup circuit, regardless of whether I use the JB or PG. Has anyone had a similar problem?

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: JB and PG - Loss of Volume Problem

Have you measured the resistance of the pots you're using?

 

[sonicboomer]

Re: JB and PG - Loss of Volume Problem

Have you measured the resistance of the pots you're using?

Thanks much for the reply, and you raise an interesting question - it may be that the volume is a 500K, with the tone at 250 -not sure, but I'll look into it and see what happens.

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: JB and PG - Loss of Volume Problem

When stuff like that happens to me, one of the pots usually isn’t grounded correctly, is intermittent or has a weak solder joint.

 

[Mincer]

Re: JB and PG - Loss of Volume Problem

I'd love to know what the issue is. Report back with what you find.

 

[sonicboomer]

Re: JB and PG - Loss of Volume Problem

Thanks to everyone for all of the suggestions/comments. I'd like to give you some really rare, exotic answer, but the truth is that I just simply replaced all four pots with CTS 500K, replaced the tone caps, and resoldered everything - problem solved. If I had to take a guess now, I think there actually may have been a problem in the volume pot, or perhaps a related cold solder joint. Anyway, $40 bucks, some solder and elbow grease later, all is well! Thanks again for the input!