Volume Pot Problem

[LedSabbath]

So yesterday I switched the Volume pots on my 2004 SG from their standard 300k to 500k pots. I wasn't able to test until today due to how late I switched the pots. When I tested the pots they work fine and are louder at 10, but when I roll them off to say 8 or 9, there is no-subtlety in the volume drop as it sounds like they were at 5 or 6 with the previous pots. The tone controls weren't changed and are working just fine. I didn't change the wiring setup, but think I may a messed up soldering the terminals back to the casing or in soldering the hot output to the bridge pickup. Does anyone have any possible ideas of where I have done wrong or is this just how the pots are supposed to respond?

Here is an image of the wiring diagram:

 

[Nacho8807]

Re: Volume Pot Problem

They may have been linear pots before, and the 500k are audio/log taper.

 

[LedSabbath]

Re: Volume Pot Problem

They may have been linear pots before, and the 500k are audio/log taper.

After looking at Gibson's pot listings on Musician's friend, that is probably where the problem lies. I just picked up an Allparts 500k split shaft at my local Music Go Round (the package didn't specify if it was linear or audio taper). I may pick up a 500k linear off Musician's Friend as the MGR didn't carry the picks I use, so I am probably gonna be ordering a pack of those soon anyway. I also might just switch the wiring as the audio taper are supposed to be the historical pots.

 

[Vajazzled]

Re: Volume Pot Problem

http://www.stewmac.com/Pickups_and_Electronics/Components_and_Parts/Capacitors_and_Resistors/Golden_Age_Treble_Bleed_Circuit.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=shopping&utm_campaign=2014-12-gp&gclid=CJ6O7uHszcICFRNp7AodLkcAgw

May or may not help, but its cheap so what the heck

 

[koshikas]

Re: Volume Pot Problem

if u want to know whether it is linear or audio/log pot, checkout for 'A' or 'B' printed/engraved on the pot together with the pot value ex: B500K or 500KA

'A' - is a audio/log pot
'B' - is for linear pots

also a "treble bleed" mod, only helps if you find that you lose highs when turning down the volume pot, it will not alter how volume level changes along the pot sweep.

 

[jonsick]

Re: Volume Pot Problem

Quick question... audio log 'A' pots for volume control, linear 'B' for tone pots?

 

[Nacho8807]

Re: Volume Pot Problem

Quick question... audio log 'A' pots for volume control, linear 'B' for tone pots?

That's how most of us were taught it should be. That doesn't mean it's what you should do. It's all in how you want your volume and tone controls to react. The OP was used to a small turn of the knob to get a much cleaner sound, and when he switched he had to turn it halfway down to get the same effect. Some guys like it that way, some don't. Like so many other things guitar, it's personal preference.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Volume Pot Problem

Either you've drawn your diagram incorrectly or your wiring to the switch is wrong.

Your diagram shows the black/hot wire to the jack coming off of the grounding post of the switch. And it shows two yellow wires coming off of the hot output terminals of the switch (correctly splinted together) going to ground on the back of your volume pots. (By the way, you only need one ground wire from the switch).

The wire to the jack (black) should be coming from the two output lugs (splinted together) on the switch, and the ground wire (yellow in your diagram) should be coming off of the center (ground) lug of the switch.

Since you're getting sound from your guitar, I assume that your diagram is drawn incorrectly, but you might want to double check your wiring/soldering just in case.

 

[Zombiwoof]

Re: Volume Pot Problem

Vintage Gibson and other guitars used log pots all around, that's what I like. No one seems to know why Gibson now puts linear volume pots in the production guitars (most of them, anyway). Also, many modern log pots don't have the smooth transition that vintage log pots had (there are different log pot tapers), try to find some of the many vintage audio taper pots that are around now. Just my suggestion.

Al

 

[rgand]

Re: Volume Pot Problem

Quick question... audio log 'A' pots for volume control, linear 'B' for tone pots?

Nacho8807 is right about it being preference. I prefer linear in both my tone and volume controls. There is no right or wrong with this, only what you like.

 

[LedSabbath]

Re: Volume Pot Problem

Vintage Gibson and other guitars used log pots all around, that's what I like. No one seems to know why Gibson now puts linear volume pots in the production guitars (most of them, anyway). Also, many modern log pots don't have the smooth transition that vintage log pots had (there are different log pot tapers), try to find some of the many vintage audio taper pots that are around now. Just my suggestion.

Al

After watching a video explaining such, I started looking at different options. Is the Gibson Historical linear subtle? I was also looking in to possibly getting one push-pull for phase switching, does anyone have any good suggestions?

I also just tried the 50's style wiring and wasn't any fan.

 

[LedSabbath]

Re: Volume Pot Problem

Are the RS Superpots any good?

 

[audiocheck]

Re: Volume Pot Problem

Vintage Gibson and other guitars used log pots all around, that's what I like. No one seems to know why Gibson now puts linear volume pots in the production guitars (most of them, anyway). Also, many modern log pots don't have the smooth transition that vintage log pots had (there are different log pot tapers), try to find some of the many vintage audio taper pots that are around now. Just my suggestion.

Al

SO by vintage you mean 50's and 60's?

I have Les Pauls ranging from '79 to '91, all of them have Linear Volume Pots. I bought a 2013 Les Paul and hated the Volume Pots in it, I lost most of my volume between 9 and 7. Where with my older Les Pauls, I would roll down to 2 or 3 and get the same volume drop. I preferred this because I got used to it and I had a wider range where I could get very subtle volume changes.

 

[Zombiwoof]

Re: Volume Pot Problem

Gibson now puts all log pots in the Historic guitars, and 500k values all around. This is the way they did it in the 50's-60's. The linear volume pots only come in most of the production guitars.

Al

After watching a video explaining such, I started looking at different options. Is the Gibson Historical linear subtle? I was also looking in to possibly getting one push-pull for phase switching, does anyone have any good suggestions?

I also just tried the 50's style wiring and wasn't any fan.