when volume knobs make it duller..and BETTER.

[korovamilkdud]

We're all savvy on how rolling down the volume knob on a guitar can cause a loss of high end, right?

I have a guitar that's a bit on the bright side. Rolling off the tone knob actually doesn't cut the harsh frequencies that bother me. In a stroke of irony, rolling the volume knob down some (5-6) DOES. It makes the tone just right.

Obviously, there are some drawbacks to having to roll the volume down to get your tone.

I want to know how to get the sound of a dulling volume pot with the volume all the way up. Anyone keen on how tis phenomenon works and how it might be duplicated at full volume?

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: when volume knobs make it duller..and BETTER.

why dont you just turn up your amp?
a lot of players (mainly jazzers) avoid the full on position on their guitar volume because its too bright and use the volume knob a lot to mix into the band.

 

[guitfiddle]

Re: when volume knobs make it duller..and BETTER.

Look and see if the volume pot is a 500K, and if it is, switch it out for a 250K. That'll make it the same darkness either full up, or down to 8 or 9.

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: when volume knobs make it duller..and BETTER.

Try making a tone control that is usable, and you don't have to use that trick if you don't want to. Try changes in cap values. Usually a lower value will work better than the stock value IME. Choosing a cap is the same as choosing which frequencies the tone pot turns down and which it does not.

I find it hard to believe that the tone control isn't attenuating the frequencies that bother you. Usually the tone control's problem is that along with the highs that you actually want gone, it takes out too many mids that you don't want gone, resulting in a muddy/muffled tone.

 

[korovamilkdud]

Re: when volume knobs make it duller..and BETTER.

Try making a tone control that is usable, and you don't have to use that trick if you don't want to. Try changes in cap values. Usually a lower value will work better than the stock value IME. Choosing a cap is the same as choosing which frequencies the tone pot turns down and which it does not.

I find it hard to believe that the tone control isn't attenuating the frequencies that bother you. Usually the tone control's problem is that along with the highs that you actually want gone, it takes out too many mids that you don't want gone, resulting in a muddy/muffled tone.

It does suck out the upper mids as well. Then there are still some harsh highs left. So the tone cap might work. I'll probably swap out the volume pots too. Thanks.

 

[BEACHBUM]

Re: when volume knobs make it duller..and BETTER.

Could you tell us about your gear? What pick ups and amp are you playing through. The reason I ask is that from your description it's probable that you are experiencing what is popularly called "ice picking" which is caused by certain combinations of pick ups, amps, and speakers that are designed to be on the bright side. If that's the case then the solution most probably won't be found with the pots or electrical components in your guitar. The amp itself can contribute to the problem. Fender amps are particularly bright and there is a fine line between "Fender sparkle" and "Fender ice pick". Pick ups can also be the culprit. Ceramics tend to be more bright and sometimes brittle. Alnico V's are more bright than Alnico II's etc. Last but not least the choice of speakers can contribute in a huge way.

Other factors that can cause an amp to sound overly bright are the area that it's in and the placement of the amp in relation to the listener. Most gigable amps are designed to sound best when cutting through the mix at volume in a fairly large room. If you are playing at home with the amp directly in front of you or on a stand try moving back and placing the amp on the floor. In addition a speaker "beam blocker" available from Webber can do a lot to tame an overly bright amp.

If you are using the volume pot to eliminate the high and mid range frequencies and it gets you a desired tone that's all well and good. However, that isn't really the goal since that leaves you with having to go to your amp to achieve volume control. Short of that you are stuck in that one volume position and its corresponding tone. So, what you really want to accomplish is to have the ability to produce the full spectrum of frequencies all of which sound pleasing no matter what your guitar settings are..

Since I assume you are not looking to change amps then that leaves you with having to determine whether changing the pick ups or the speakers will get you the desired result. Start with the speakers. Since they are the voice of your entire rig they are almost always the solution. I had this problem with both of my Fender amps. In my Twin I changed over to "Eminence Texas Heats" and in my SCXD I changed over to an extension cab with an "Eminence Canibus Rex." Problem solved.

Something that might help here and before you start fixing things that may or may not be broken is to take your guitar and amp to your local GC. Try playing your guitar through several amps that are voiced similarly to yours but have different speaker combinations. If the problem goes away on a different speaker then you have found your answer. Then try playing some of their guitars that are the same model as yours through your amp and see if they ice pick as well. My suspicion is that they will. If they do then you will know that a speaker that has a voicing more suited to your amp and pickups will do the trick.

 

[Grindspine]

Re: when volume knobs make it duller..and BETTER.

The simple answer is to get a lower resistance volume pot, like 300k or 250 k ohms. I would try 300k first if dropping from 500k. It'll give you that sound of the volume at half, but you'll have the feeling of a full range turn on the knob.

 

[Powdered Toast Man]

Re: when volume knobs make it duller..and BETTER.

I'm afraid I don't understand the question. Rolling off the volume knob makes your guitar sound exactly how you want it. What exactly is the problem?

 

[Quencho092]

Re: when volume knobs make it duller..and BETTER.

There are no drawbacks to rolling the volume down a tad. Set your rhythm volume at 7 for example, and be able to boost to 10 for lead, like 175 said just turn the amp up a bit to compensate...