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Post subject: Tone Knob "Detent" at 10 on American Stats - WHY?
Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 2:11 pm
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I just bought a 1997 American Strat, and noticed that the lower tone control knob has a notch or "detent" when you turn it to the 10 position. The other tone control, and the volume control, don't do this. The tone knob turns smoothly 1-9, and then clicks into the 10 position. I thought maybe the pot was bad, but I went to Guitar Center today and the clerk and I discovered that about half the American Strats in the store had this "feature" and the others didn't. Can anyone explain why you would need to "lock" the tone control at 10, and only the bottom tone control? And why do only some Strats have this? Thanks, Michael


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Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 4:00 pm
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Hello Trapdoorspider,

That detent at 10 is the Delta-tone system
at work. In that position it bypasses any
filtration through capagitors resulting in
a more direct prescence of the pickups.

Cheers.


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Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 5:15 pm
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Wow, hard to imagine the guy at Guitar Center wasn't able to explain the features of the product line. Hmmm.

What you're describing is "Deta tone" otherwise known as a full-pass or no-load tone control. When you turn it up to 10, it disconnects the tone pot from the circuit so there is no treble at all being bled off of the circuit. With most tone controls at ten, there's still a little bit, so the Delta Tone gives you full-bore tone as if the tone control wasn't there at all. The potentiometer inside is different, not just the detent that you feel, but electronically there's no longer any connection to the capacitor or ground when it's at 10. From 9 to 0 it should work the same as a regular tone control.


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Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 6:14 pm
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[quote="Bob V"]Wow, hard to imagine the guy at Guitar Center wasn't able to explain the features of the product line. Hmmm.


Right you are! Delta-tone is not a new puppy even though they've hyped it in the new '08's

That's why stores like GC should have specialists who know the inside out of a particular line. Checked out a new amp recently and the salesperson didn't know squat. When they put a new product on display you would think they'd have a manufacturer's rep give 'em the once over.

That's why this forum. Greatest collection of knowledgeable Fender geeks under one roof.

Doc :lol:


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Post subject: Thanks for the answer!
Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 9:49 pm
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Thanks for explaining this to me. I've never had an American Strat before, and so I feel kinda stupid because I was complaining that my tone control was had an irritating "notch" towards the end. The knob still feels "gritty" when I turn it to other positions — it also tends to bind a bit around positions 4-6, but there's no scratching or static through the amp, so I guess it's okay. And yeah, I know — why was I even asking anyone at GC anyway?? - Michael


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