Using Tone Pot As Neck On Switch?

[Chistopher]

I was at this other forum where a guy had a wiring diagram where you could do the 7-way Strat mod for basically free. The way it worked was when the neck tone was on 10, the neck pickup would be on regardless of position. If the neck tone was on say 9, the neck pickup would be off.

He had a diagram, but the good people at Photobucket must have had something against the idea, because the link is broken. Gotta love Photobucket and their magic disappearing pictures. But anyway, the only thing he said was it involved the unused terminal on the tone pot.

Anyone know what I'm talking about?

 

[Mincer]

Re: Using Tone Pot As Neck On Switch?

This does sound interesting. Let us know if you come across the diagram.

 

[VinceT]

Re: Using Tone Pot As Neck On Switch?

Did a quick google as this sounded interesting. I thought it sounded like it must be using a no-load tone pot and sure enough, from Strat-talk:

“However, since you said "neck on function connected to the tone pot", I'll leave this here: You can cut out some of the resistive element of your tone pot creating a no load pot, and use the 3rd lug for other uses, K you can do this( I've done it and it works) your tone pot works normally 1-9, then once on 10 or in the no load position, you are using the 3rd lug to turn the neck pickup on. Get it?
So, 1-9 your tone pot works normally, and once you go to 10, you can use that 3rg lug like a moni toggle switch or push pull pot”

I didn’t spend any time looking for a diagram, but it sounds to me like you wire the no-load as normal, then jump the neck hot to the third lug and the third lug to your switch output.


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[VinceT]

Re: Using Tone Pot As Neck On Switch?

Since I’m more of a Luddite, I use a big switch to put the bridge on when needed:

https://youtu.be/2nDRKkaUe-8


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[Plessure]

Re: Using Tone Pot As Neck On Switch?

It removes tone control from the neck pickup?

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Using Tone Pot As Neck On Switch?

I just use a push pull on one of the tones for an "always on"
Or if it's a bridge humbucker on a strat, replace one tone with a three position on-off-on
With the two "on" position being always on

 

[Chistopher]

Re: Using Tone Pot As Neck On Switch?

I agree on a switch being easier to use, but this has a lot of applications where it would be better. A rear route SSS that you don't wanna drill on, for example. If you have a no-load pot on hand, it can be reversed with a simple movement of one wire, so it's easy. It'd be cool on a modified Esquire wiring too.

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Using Tone Pot As Neck On Switch?

I agree on a switch being easier to use, but this has a lot of applications where it would be better. A rear route SSS that you don't wanna drill on, for example. If you have a no-load pot on hand, it can be reversed with a simple movement of one wire, so it's easy. It'd be cool on a modified Esquire wiring too.

I agree
I prefer a master tone / master volume set up
That leaves an extra hole in a sss pickguard

For me to fill with a switch

But you are correct, it may have a use somewhere

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: Using Tone Pot As Neck On Switch?

Did a quick google as this sounded interesting. I thought it sounded like it must be using a no-load tone pot and sure enough, from Strat-talk:

“However, since you said "neck on function connected to the tone pot", I'll leave this here: You can cut out some of the resistive element of your tone pot creating a no load pot, and use the 3rd lug for other uses, K you can do this( I've done it and it works) your tone pot works normally 1-9, then once on 10 or in the no load position, you are using the 3rd lug to turn the neck pickup on. Get it?
So, 1-9 your tone pot works normally, and once you go to 10, you can use that 3rg lug like a moni toggle switch or push pull pot”

I didn’t spend any time looking for a diagram, but it sounds to me like you wire the no-load as normal, then jump the neck hot to the third lug and the third lug to your switch output.


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That doesn't sound right. If you jumper the pickup across the lugs to the jack, you've completely bypassed both the tone control, the switch and the volume so the neck is always on at full.

To me it sounds like the pickup hot must be coming into the tone control at the center lug, the outside lug for 0 has the cap going to ground and the outside lug for 10 is the no load side and wired to the master volume, maybe. But this statement has not been approved. Always test before soldering.

 

[Chistopher]

Re: Using Tone Pot As Neck On Switch?

I found something else interesting, another forum claims that you can get rid of the volume pot cutting treble if you ground the third lug on the tone pot. I would test it myself, but I'm currently out of the state my guitars reside. Does this seem like sound advice?

 

[dystrust]

Re: Using Tone Pot As Neck On Switch?

I agree
I prefer a master tone / master volume set up
That leaves an extra hole in a sss pickguard

For me to fill with a switch

But you are correct, it may have a use somewhere

I like to fill the extra hole with a no-load pot wired as a neck / bridge blend. It's the same basic idea as the 7-sound mod, but the blend is variable.

I found something else interesting, another forum claims that you can get rid of the volume pot cutting treble if you ground the third lug on the tone pot. I would test it myself, but I'm currently out of the state my guitars reside. Does this seem like sound advice?

That sounds like 50s wiring. The most important part of that mod is to wire the tone control to the output lug of the volume pot instead of the input.

 

[Chistopher]

Re: Using Tone Pot As Neck On Switch?

That sounds like 50s wiring. The most important part of that mod is to wire the tone control to the output lug of the volume pot instead of the input.

I have used 50s wiring but what I think they were getting at was you keep the relationship between the volume and tone the same, you just ground the spare lug on the tone and it magically fixes the issue that has plagued passive guitarists since the electric guitar's conception. Like I said, I don't have any of my axes on me until Sunday, but would any of y'all be able to do a quick experiment on one of your guitars.

All you would need to do is turn the volume on one of your guitars down to 5, wrap a wire onto the 3rd lug then tap it to the back of the tone pot while sustaining a chord.

It's fine if no one wants to do it, I'll just wait until I get back home to find out.

 

[beaubrummels]

Using Tone Pot As Neck On Switch?

I'm hoping to open up my LP today or tomorrow and fix some things. I'll try it. It sounds odd that it would work, however because there's extremely little to no signal reaching the third lug when the tone is on 10.

 

[RorySquier]

Re: Using Tone Pot As Neck On Switch?

I've done a mod to my '98 American Standard Strat which is in my avatar. It's the neck pick up on switch which by-passes the neck pup tone control in positions 1, 2, & 3. It has a no-load tone control for the bridge and middle pick up so I can get full treble. It's a great mod to get the extra tones like having all three pick ups on at once which sounds very sparkly and the bridge and neck pup alone for that Tele sound but out of phase for that cool nasally tone.



;>)/