My tone knobs acts as a second volume knob after rewire.

[man-in-moon]

I used the alternate Esquire diagram on my mim tele. And am having a few issues. First off my tone control acts as a second volume instead of a tone control. The second issue is the 3rd position on my switch doesn’t work at all. I have checked the connections and redid them. I had a local tech check them as well so far everything is wired up good and right. But nothing we do fixes the issue.
Any suggestion on what I can try? The pickup I am using is a hot lead stack with Emerson pots, switch and cap.

 

[Artie]

Re: My tone knobs acts as a second volume knob after rewire.

The tone control acting like a volume control is almost always caused by missing a "zero" in the cap value. For example, using .22 uf instead of .022 uf. I'd check that first.

 

[freefrog]

Re: My tone knobs acts as a second volume knob after rewire.

man-in-moon,

Does the tone pot acts totally like a volume control? IOW, does it mute the sound when set @ 0/10? Or does it just make the tone weaker/thinner?

Also: could you check the DCR of the pickup? This question might seem strange but there's a reason behind.

 

[Artie]

Re: My tone knobs acts as a second volume knob after rewire.

I always hate to sound like a d**k when commenting on other peoples tech's, but the following two statements are mutually exclusive.

. . . the 3rd position on my switch doesn’t work at all.

I had a local tech check them as well so far everything is wired up good and right.

There's almost nothing easier, in the world of electronics, than finding a "dead" position on a guitar switch. Put the meter across the output jack, and look for a short or an open. Then start flipping the switch, turning the pots, and wiggling wires 'til something changes.

 

[man-in-moon]

Re: My tone knobs acts as a second volume knob after rewire.

The cap I’m using is an Emerson 0.022uf paper and oil. The tone pot doesn’t do anything at all until it turned down to about 5 then volume drops drastically and is completely gone at 0. I’m wondering if 1 or both of the pots are bad. The volume pot works until you turn it down to 5 then below that it’s like it’s on 0. How do I check the DCR on the pickup?

 

[man-in-moon]

Re: My tone knobs acts as a second volume knob after rewire.

I will put a meter on it to check stuff. What would be the best to set my meter on to get an accurate reading?

 

[Artie]

Re: My tone knobs acts as a second volume knob after rewire.

Put the black lead of the meter on any ground in the guitar. The one on the output jack is best, but some Tele's use those barrel output jacks that are difficult to access. Put the red meter lead on where the hot lead of the pup attaches to the 3-way. If you're measuring the neck pup, put the switch on the bridge position. Then do the opposite for the bridge pup. Meter on "ohms", of course. Since you're using push-pulls, the meter should read the full series DCR of each pup in series mode, and approximately 1/4th in the parallel mode.

Oh wait. Did you say Esquire? Is this a 1-pup Tele?

 

[man-in-moon]

Re: My tone knobs acts as a second volume knob after rewire.

Yeah I’m just running a bridge pickup with a 3 way switch

 

[man-in-moon]

Re: My tone knobs acts as a second volume knob after rewire.

I just checked with a meter in position 1 it’s reading around 19k in position 2 it’s reading 9k on position 3 it’s not reading at all. The readings on the volume is around 19k when I turn it below 5 it drop to no reading the tone control drops to no reading when it’s turned down.

 

[devastone]

Re: My tone knobs acts as a second volume knob after rewire.

What is position 3 supposed to do? Sounds like position 1 is series, position 2 is coil split, and position 3 doesn't have anything hooked to it. Not sure what options you are looking for there?

 

[freefrog]

Re: My tone knobs acts as a second volume knob after rewire.

I agree with Devastone.

Below is my attempt on the schematic. For me a jumper is missing (I've pictured it in green).

Regarding the tone pot: the leg of the cap coming from the lug of the pot must NOT touch the housing of the pot (where I've put a red arrow).



More later if necessary and if time permits.

 

[man-in-moon]

Re: My tone knobs acts as a second volume knob after rewire.

Position 1 is full out put with tone control position 2 is split with tone and position 3 is split no tone control. The tone control doesn’t really work in any position except as a volume cut.

 

[man-in-moon]

Re: My tone knobs acts as a second volume knob after rewire.

The missing jumper might explain things. The only thing I changed from the diagram was switched the white wire for black and replaced the yellow wire with the red and white. That’s how the guy I talked to at SD told me to wire it.

 

[freefrog]

Re: My tone knobs acts as a second volume knob after rewire.

The missing jumper might explain things. The only thing I changed from the diagram was switched the white wire for black and replaced the yellow wire with the red and white. That’s how the guy I talked to at SD told me to wire it.

Yes, I had understood this. Hence my answer. It should work once the jumper added.

regarding the tone pot, I can only repeat what I've said: the leg of the cap coming from the center lug of the pot mustn't touch the ground at all. It had to stay away from the metallic housing of the pot AND it musn't touch the metal of the plate either, nor any conductive paint possibly layered in the cavity.

 

[man-in-moon]

Re: My tone knobs acts as a second volume knob after rewire.

I talked to the people at Emerson they said it sounds like the pot is bad so I have a new one coming in. When I install it I will add the jumper.

 

[freefrog]

Re: My tone knobs acts as a second volume knob after rewire.

I talked to the people at Emerson they said it sounds like the pot is bad so I have a new one coming in. When I install it I will add the jumper.

I hope it will solve your issue albeit I really don't see the reason of this diagnosis*. Let us know if it works once the whole thing redone... At least I stand on the idea that a Jumper is missing in the alternate Esquire wiring schematic. If someone from the Duncan staff reads this, I hope it to be useful...


*Foonote about the tone pot: such a control is just a variable resistor allowing a defined amount of signal to go to ground through the capacitor.

If a tone potentiometer is dead, there's only two solutions: either it stays stuck on a fixed resistance (250k or any other value, no matter its position), either it has zero resistance (zero Ohm) whatever is the action on the control. In ANY way, it CAN'T electronically become a volume control, AFAIK.

It's different if the tone CAP....
1- is not wired properly (with its two legs connected to ground, for example, making a short cut and changing the cap in a kind of jumper to ground),
2- if it's defective and/or exhibits some inadequate value, as mentionned above by ArtieToo...
For the record, a 2,2µF cap (= 100 times more than a regular 22nF cap) would cut any frequency above 60hz in a guitar with passive PU's and would therefore change the tone pot in a kind of volume control, since the lowest fundamental frequency produced by a 6 strings axe is 82hz (low E string unfretted)....

All that being said just to be clear, man-in-moon, and not at all to "pontify". It's just that I don't understand how people @ Emerson diagnosticized a dead pot in this case - but I see behind a possible intent to make you spend more money, so I hope they sent you a new pot for free, at least...

Good luck anyway.

 

[man-in-moon]

Re: My tone knobs acts as a second volume knob after rewire.

The new pot is free. I noticed on the old one the shaft is real loose to the point it rattles if my guitar gets shook much. It moves so much it make my knob hit the control plate.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: My tone knobs acts as a second volume knob after rewire.

Well, it could be a bad pot, but as freefrog said, it is more likely the cap touching ground. Or possibly, poor soldering which is grounding the middle lug of the tone pot. Also, if the third lug is grounded it WILL become a volume pot.

When you get the new pup, be very careful about wiring it in (since that is most likely the problem anyway).

Oh, and one more thing...get a new tech since it is clear he doesn't know what he is doing.