Why do I lose tone when I cut down volume in my strat?

windwalker9649 · **Posted:** Wed Mar 07, 2012 9:01 pm

Yeah, its actually a high-pass filter.

longboarder · **Joined:** Sat Feb 13, 2010 10:36 am **Posts:** 68

I would try this out first:
http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/I ... aster.aspx

I convinced a buddy of mine to be the guinea pig and wire his HWY 1 Strat this way, and it made a noticeable difference in treble loss when the volume knob is rolled back. Worth a shot before you start spending money, for sure.[/quote]

Ok, I'd like to thank you all for your input and your comments. Here is what I have done so far:

1) I removed the push/pull vol pot I was using for the series/parallel wiring, removed all that wiring ( I really did not like the sound when wired in series so why have it?) and replaced the vol pot for a standard 250k CTS.
2) Changed the wiring using the Gibson 50's wiring described above and in the process replaced all wires and solders that did not look too good.
3) Always had issues with the output jack making noise, so replaced that too with a high quality switchcraft jack.
4) The stock 5 way switch I had replaced some time ago when I rewired to have my mid tone pot controlling the neck and mid pups, and the other tone pot just for the bridge pup.

So with the exception of the tone pots and just a couple wires, everything has been upgraded. Maybe I should have replaced those too, but never had an issue with them. I've made so many wiring changes to this guitar that I've become pretty good with the solder gun. All the wiring now looks good, no clutter, no mess.

Guitar now sound great........... no noises, no hum, those Dimarzio Area pickups I love, plus I have a couple upgrades like the tone control for the bridge AND.......the Gibson 50's wiring did work. I can roll back volume and the tone stays pretty much balanced.

Most important: It sounds like a strat nice, clean and qwaky.

MrMajstyk · **Posted:** Mon Mar 12, 2012 4:07 am

ExiledonMainSt wrote:

longboarder wrote:

I own a MIM strat that I replaced pickups to Dimarzio Area 58, 67 & 61. They sound great , but I notice I lose tone as I roll back volume. If I go to 6 or 7is like if I turn tone in half also. Is this normal? Can this be improved by replacing the electronics (pots, caps, wiring)????
I've been looking online and found some companies like TFN Technologies that offer prewired harnesses for strats. Some of the options include the S-1 switching with wiring options like what comes with the Deluxe Strats. See below:

http://home.earthlink.net/~tfntech/id20.html

Is this worth it?

I would try this out first:
http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/I ... aster.aspx

I convinced a buddy of mine to be the guinea pig and wire his HWY 1 Strat this way, and it made a noticeable difference in treble loss when the volume knob is rolled back. Worth a shot before you start spending money, for sure.

Awesome link...and I would like to try this on my MIM Deluxe Player Strat...except for this passage that I don't get:
"As you can see, we’re only swapping two wires, marked red and green, and cutting the jumper wire normally connecting the two stages of our 5-way pickup selector switch. Remember, there’s a jumper wire running from lug “A” of stage 1 to lug “A” of stage 2 on the switch, connecting both stages. This allows each pickup signal to exit from the same lug and connect to the volume pot. We do not want it for this mod, so it’s important to cut this connection."

Huh??? What is "lug A" and what is a "stage" 1 or 2??? I am new to this, but after reading that article, I definately want to do this mod to my guitar! It would also liven-up the Vintage Noiseless pups!

longboarder · **Joined:** Sat Feb 13, 2010 10:36 am **Posts:** 68

Huh??? What is "lug A" and what is a "stage" 1 or 2??? I am new to this, but after reading that article, I definately want to do this mod to my guitar! It would also liven-up the Vintage Noiseless pups![/quote]

The lugs are where you connect your wires on the 5 way switch, and if you look at the 5 way you'll see it has two separate plates where all the connectors are. Those are the stages. But don't get confused by all this and just wire like shown in this diagram:

http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/I ... aster.aspx

I do want to comment, I did the "Gibson 50's wiring and although it does reduce treble loss when vol is rolled back, I wonder if adding a vol kit would work better.
Hum......does anyone know what will happen if I leave the 50's wiring and add a volume kit (resistor and cap)?

Rebelsoul · **Posted:** Mon Mar 12, 2012 11:56 am

I've known about this wire mod (50's Gibson) for some time now but just haven't tried it,mainly because I thought it might make my Strats sound brighter,but after reading this and no gig this weekend,I figured what the heck.
I really like it,it gives me way more tonal range and the high end stays in the mix as I lower the volume so much better than before...fiddling with the volume and tone knobs at different levels gave me some very cool tones...I changed it on my favorite,a '62AVRI with David Allen tru vintage 54s,the Strat sounds awesome...the next one was my '62 Hot Rod Strat with Klein pickups...again better,but the David Allen pups are some of the best,if not the best I've ever put in a Strat.
It was worth the few minutes it took to perform the work...and easily reversible if you don't like the change.
I can't wait to play the guitar at gig level sound next Sat. night.

MrMajstyk · **Posted:** Fri Mar 16, 2012 3:43 pm

Sadness.
None of these mods will work on a DELUXE PLAYER Strat without a complete re-wiring!
I opened my guitar, and my wiring...even my 5 way switch...doesn't look anything like a regular strat. I expected a couple of extra wires and/a mod of some sort to accomodate the push-in switch, but I was amazed to find a whole different set up!

So...I emailed Dirk Wacker (writer of those great mods), for suggestions, and even included the schematic for the Deluxe player, and he replied:
"...this guitar is available over here in Europe as well, but it is not very popular and common. We receive an average of approx. 20-30 guitars a week for modifications, repair work etc. and we never had one like this on the workbench "
Apparently the Deluxe Player is even less popular overseas than it is here at home!

However, he said he would look into it after he's done with the big "Misikmesse" show and get back to me.

Whatever I find out I will follow-up and post here because I think these mods (the "50s Gibson wiring" and the "shared tone control for the mid and br pup") would make this great guitar even better! (IMO)

alanssaab · **Posted:** Sat Mar 17, 2012 2:16 am

i would like to throw another option into the mix , the rory gallagher wire setup , one tone control , and most of the wiring is done away with , and it sounds excellent , i rewired my 85 mij 57 reis a few weeks ago and am amazed at the difference in sound , and so have a few other players who have tried it , heres a link
http://www.seymourduncan.com/support/wi ... s_1v_1t_5w
cheers
Alan

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Why do I lose tone when I cut down volume in my strat?

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