Decision time. I am building a 4 string electric with a tone and volume. Two single coils with 3-way switch and the pots are 250K. I am using a single .022uf tone cap (green, polyester) but there is VERY little effect when I try to lower the tone - That is, the only change is when the tone is about all but 'turned down'.

 

I could get a stronger cap (suggestions wanted!) OR what would the effect be if I put two in parallel? Normally [I, we, all] put the tone cap between the second lug and the case (ground). I want to know if anyone has out two onto a pot. I have another .022uf cap and could easily add/remove. Would you think adding two caps either parallel OR serial would increase the tone response?

 

Comments? Opinions? Other suggestions? Thanks

 

-WY

 

Wiring is such but with 2PU and 3-way switch:

 

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Replies

  • Dude, I just saw on the diagram, even tho its a single single-coil pup, they used a 500K pot. Hmmmmm! You might just be right about that.

     

    -WY


    Artist Formerly Known as Matt said:


    IMHO I would go with a 500 pot and try that.Matt

  • Well Mr. I-changed-my-profile-pic-to-look-like-the-artist-formerly-known-as-prince...

     

    ... You might have something there.The pot seems ok and I did add another cap but it had zero effect. I really think the pup has something to do with it.

     

    -WY

     

    Artist Formerly Known as Matt said:

    Well, Pledgie, part of the problem is this.

    The cap is used to increase mids and lows.

    On a typical cbg .... thar ain't none!

    The "common" values are for a 6 string electric.  And with the single coils I don't think much would change, but caps are cheap.

    IMHO I would go with a 500 pot and try that.Matt

  • Well, Pledgie, part of the problem is this.

    The cap is used to increase mids and lows.

    On a typical cbg .... thar ain't none!

    The "common" values are for a 6 string electric.  And with the single coils I don't think much would change, but caps are cheap.

    IMHO I would go with a 500 pot and try that.Matt

  • One thought is - what type of pot have you used for tone? - I usually use logarithmic because although you can use linear pots if you do you don't get much response until the end which is what you are describing.

    ...

    One good thing about caps is with a couple of crocodile clip leads you can give them a try before you solder to see which sound you prefer.

     

    Audio taper if I have that correct. Bought from CBGitty. I wish I could use clips. No space on the box.

     

    -WY

  • I hope you get a more informed response than mine, but it sounds like that describes your problem no? Then you would want to lower capacitance, which would mean wiring them in series.

  • Hi Wes,

    I have always gone by this from http://www.axesrus.com/axeElectronicsCaps.htm mainly because this is where I tend to buy my caps from.

     

    "The Most Common Capacitor Values are as follows -

    .022 mf

    Our person favourite Cap size. Allowing a good balance between Bass, Middle and Treble, Plenty of mid range without compromising on the extreme ends of the spectrum. Absolutely perfect on single coils. Also, a standard on Gibson Humbuckers.

    .033 mf

    These are the standard in most single Coil Strat style guitars, they cut out a small amount of brights, but boast a very strong mid range that carries through in the mix. Giving a slightly fuller sound than the 0.022s, great if your getting drowned out by the rest of a band.

    .047 mf

    These are as far as your really want to go with your guitar (or bass). Nearly all of the bright top end is gone, leaving behind plenty of bass and middle. Great for full blown distortion. We prefer to use these with humbuckers, as we preffer the slightly dark tones, but its not a hard and fast rule (as Gibson prove very well)."

     

    One thought is - what type of pot have you used for tone? - I usually use logarithmic because although you can use linear pots if you do you don't get much response until the end which is what you are describing.

    Again from the axes r us site there is a nice summary http://www.axesrus.com/axeElectronicsPots.htm (the right hand column.)

    One good thing about caps is with a couple of crocodile clip leads you can give them a try before you solder to see which sound you prefer.

    Regards

    David

  • ... Or reading further on:

     

    Value (Capacitance)
    Now that those rumors are debunked, let’s focus on the more important parameter – the value of the cap. Remember our basic rule to help understand this parameter: the higher the capacitance, the darker the tone.

    In the “golden days” of electrical guitars, Fender and Gibson used tone caps with a very high capacitance (0.1uf/0.05uF and 0.047uF/0.022uF, depending upon the time period). The 0.022uF value is still the standard today. If you need very dark and bassy tones, this value may work for you. For most of us, however, this value is much too large and the effect is more or less useless, resulting in the aforementioned problem of the effect only taking place between 10 and 8. The solution to the problem is simply a tone cap with a much smaller value. This little change will enhance the usability of your tone control dramatically, giving you a good evenness among the complete taper of the tone control without any hotspots, and every movement of the pot will result in a change of tone.

    The value of your tone cap is always a matter of individual choice and needs, because everyone has a different ideal tone and everyone uses the tone control differently. Personally I use very small tone caps of 3300pF up to 6800pF, depending on the guitar and how bright it sounds. With these small values I´m able to dial in a lot of tonal shades and colors all over the tone pot, and with every small movement the tone gets a little bit warmer and sweeter - not dull and dark.

     

    Would I want to not add capacitance, but rather lower it?

     

    -WY

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