LP - Independent volume controls?

[papersoul]

Anyone set their LP up for independent volume control when in the middle position? I tried it but thought I noticed something weird happening to the tone! Anyone have this issue?

I guess the tone should not change but it seems the mre changes you make like treble bleed caps, 50s wiring, independent volume, the more the core tone changes.......

Just curious your thoughts....

 

[Iron Horse]

Re: LP - Independent volume controls?

Les Pauls have independent volume & tone controls for the two pickups. What are you talking about?

 

[papersoul]

Re: LP - Independent volume controls?

Les Pauls have independent volume & tone controls for the two pickups. What are you talking about?

Sorry, I meant wiring to allow them to function independently. In the middle position, each volume becomes a master. You can rewire to allow each volume to function separately in the middle. I was curious if anyone noticed any odd tonal changes to the core tone when doing this.

 

[scottish]

Re: LP - Independent volume controls?

Sorry, I meant wiring to allow them to function independently. In the middle position, each volume becomes a master. You can rewire to allow each volume to function separately in the middle. I was curious if anyone noticed any odd tonal changes to the core tone when doing this.

i really thought it already did this. Maybe someone had just rewired the last LP clone i had

 

[Vetteboy]

Re: LP - Independent volume controls?

i really thought it already did this. Maybe someone had just rewired the last LP clone i had

I thought that as well - that's how my '76 Explorer was set up too (albeit with a master tone knob).

 

[lex666]

Re: LP - Independent volume controls?

Most Gibsons already come wired with independent volumes for each pick-up, even in the middle position.

Its when guitars are wired for a single master volume that messes me up. I always feel like I don't have total control over the tone.

 

[jeremy]

Re: LP - Independent volume controls?

depending on how its wired, if you roll one volume all the way off with both pups on it will kill the sound. i wouldnt go as far as to say you have two master volumes since there is alot of tonal variations you can get when you adjust one or the other but they are somewhat interactive. i do notice a tone change and prefer to deal with the fact that when in the middle both volumes need to be up at least a little

 

[papersoul]

Re: LP - Independent volume controls?

depending on how its wired, if you roll one volume all the way off with both pups on it will kill the sound. i wouldnt go as far as to say you have two master volumes since there is alot of tonal variations you can get when you adjust one or the other but they are somewhat interactive. i do notice a tone change and prefer to deal with the fact that when in the middle both volumes need to be up at least a little

Thanks Jeremy, Gibson wires them from the factory so that one volume control will control the overall volume of both pickups weh nthe toggle is in the middle position. I have a wiring diagram that shows you only need to switch the input and output on the volume pot, hence swap the pickup lead and wire runing to the toggle. This will give a non-standard configuration in which case you have more control over each pickups volume while in the middle position. However, I and others have noticed a weird tonal change and I was looking for some confirmation that others have herard this and I am not crazy, LOL. Thanks again.

I kind of found the same thing(An odd tone change) when using a treble bleed cap, that a slight overall tonal change occurs even when on ten.

Look at this post on MyLespaul.com They show the wiring I am talking about..
http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/tonefreaks/558-wiring-library.html

 

[Karmadog777]

Re: LP - Independent volume controls?

I wired my LP for independent vol control in the middle,,,it only makes sence to me when combining a bridge and neck humbucker to be able to blend them. I would never undo the mod.
As far as a tone change Im really not sure because I installed different pickups when I did the wiring mod.
I can get useable, and as good if not better than bridge alone tones now high gain rhythm and lead in the middle now.
What "weird" tone change have you experienced?

 

[papersoul]

Re: LP - Independent volume controls?

I wired my LP for independent vol control in the middle,,,it only makes sence to me when combining a bridge and neck humbucker to be able to blend them. I would never undo the mod.
As far as a tone change Im really not sure because I installed different pickups when I did the wiring mod.
I can get useable, and as good if not better than bridge alone tones now high gain rhythm and lead in the middle now.
What "weird" tone change have you experienced?

When you make the change, some say the tone loses some life and becomes more dull in nature. I kind of notice it but it might be my ears playing tricks since I heard people talk about this before trying it myself!

 

[uOpt]

Re: LP - Independent volume controls?

What you probably mean is the schematics with the volume pots connected backwards.

That's a bad idea. The controls now work more independently, sure, but any use of the volume pots instantly creates a much higher load resistance across the pickups that the standard one. That kills the resonance peaks (of both pickups), and completely. So you can mix your pickups but everything that made their character is gone.

If you really want this you'd have to go active.

 

[papersoul]

Re: LP - Independent volume controls?

Good point, I actually took all my LPs back to basics, standard wiring, no ind. volumes in the middle, an removed the treble bleed. I did keep the bleed on the neck pickup though.

 

[Aceman]

Re: LP - Independent volume controls?

I dig the "just past off" position on the neck volume. I use that to go from screaming bridge to way cleaner "both on" tone.

 

[jimku]

Re: LP - Independent volume controls?

I was all set to wire up my new LP with independent volume controls. Figured it would be better for mixing bridge/neck in the middle position. But three days of googling the subject has convinced me that doing so will totally destroy the treble output of either pickup whenever the volume knob is set anywhere but "10". So I am nixing that bright idea.

 

[Chistopher]

Re: LP - Independent volume controls?

I've always wondered how well independent volume controls would respond when coupled with either 50s wiring or a good treble bleed. I've never gotten around to trying it though.

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: LP - Independent volume controls?

when my Florentine was in the shop
I had the volumes separated

its not as lively as before
but I am comparing it to a real Gibson now

 

[blueman335]

Re: LP - Independent volume controls?

I rewire all my guitars for independent volume controls, I want to be able to blend each PU in any increment I want. I also wire my neck HB's for spin-a-split, so I can dial in as much unbalanced coil tone as I want (more treble, less mids). With just those two mods (and no new parts) I have a much bigger tonal palette to work with. It's not for everyone, but it works for me.