Linear Volume and Tone Pots

[Gtar]

I recently finished building a Warmoth jazzmaster and almost immediately i noticed the volume and tone pots don't seem to work right. It has a Stag Mag in the neck and a JB Trembucker in the bridge, wired both with triple shot mounting rings for series/split/parallel. I am using 2 audio taper 500k CTS pots, one for volume, and one with a .047uf capacitor for tone. When the volume is on 0-6 there is no sound. Then at 7 it jumps to full volume, and 7-10 is the same full volume. The tone pot seems to be a little better, but not much.

Anyone have this happen? What did you do to fix it? Or what would you do?

Thanks

 

[Artie]

Re: Linear Volume and Tone Pots

Step one: did you actually use a .22uf cap? You need a .022uf cap.

Let's assume that was a typo. I've found that I like linear in some guitars, and log in others. I know its a PITA to swap them out, but that may be your best solution. Try one, then the other. Determine which works best for your application. It's a bit of time and effort, but it's the only true way to know.

 

[karpathion]

Re: Linear Volume and Tone Pots

Kinda' sounds like you overheated the pots. I've done it a time or two. Do they feel a little more stiff than any other guitar you've played?

 

[Artie]

Re: Linear Volume and Tone Pots

Yeah . . . that too.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Linear Volume and Tone Pots

I've never had that happen with any CTS pots...neither audio nor linear. I suspect the pot got fried.

 

[uOpt]

Re: Linear Volume and Tone Pots

Does the thing has a switch or are you using pots for mixing like a Jazz bass?

 

[Gtar]

Re: Linear Volume and Tone Pots

To clear things up I am actually using a .047uf capacitor and the two pots are CTS, it turns out, they are both audio taper.

It's possible that some of my soldering is not properly done, I'm thinking a poorly soldering connection could be causing this. How would I know if I overheated it?

Also, I have humbuckers in it that I split for single coil. Should I use a .022uf capacitor?

 

[esandes]

Re: Linear Volume and Tone Pots

i only use linear pots. taper pots are like a bull in a china shop.

 

[Zombiwoof]

Re: Linear Volume and Tone Pots

.47uf and .22uf are not the correct values for guitar tone caps. They should be either .047uf or .022uf. If you really used a .47uf, and not .047uf, that could cause problems right there. I think we are confused whether the .47uf you stated is a typo, and really is .047uf, if it's not a typo you need to try the right values IMO.

Al

 

[Gtar]

Re: Linear Volume and Tone Pots

Correction. I am using .047uf.

 

[karpathion]

Re: Linear Volume and Tone Pots

They tend to stick or become harder to turn, in my experience. Sometimes it's not too hard to turn, but feel a little stiff, none the less.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Linear Volume and Tone Pots

Double check any pots that needed a terminal bent inward and soldered to the body, grounding it.