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Post subject: JA-90 Controls Question
Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2012 11:18 pm
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I've had my JA-90 Tele for about 6 months and I've just noticed a couple of peculiar things about the controls:
1. When in the center position, both volume pots control both pickups. So, both pickups are always at the same level, I can't adjust one up and one down. Can anyone else with a JA-90 tell me if theirs is wired like this, please. Even if it was done on purpose, I'm going to change it because I don't like it.
2. Both tone pots barely make any difference when turned except when turned all the way down a hum disappears but comes back as soon as I hit 1 on a tone pot. I'm probably going to replace these pots. Anyone have a good idea for replacement pots?

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Post subject: Re: JA-90 Controls Question
Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2012 7:33 am
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This is probably the schematic for your guitar:

http://www.seymourduncan.com/support/wi ... ematic=p90

When both pickups are selected, the volume controls are very interactive to the point that turning one all the way down will silence both pickups. I'm sure that if you listen very carefully, you will hear the change in volume as you turn the controls. There is a way to make them independent:

http://www.dominocs.com/AshBassGuitar/W ... ndVol.html

but it has its own problems.

As far as the tone control goes, the P-90s are single coils, so they will hum. Changing the pots won't make any difference. Fender uses CTS pots which are good pots. Check the value of the tone capacitor. You may prefer something different. Check all your ground connections and check for cold solder joints.

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Post subject: Re: JA-90 Controls Question
Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2012 9:33 am
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Thanks Bluesky, that does look like the wiring for my Tele. I have '50's style wiring on my LP. What do you mean by it has a downside? I'm going to try cleaning the tone pots latter to see if that help, they really have very little effect on the tone and one is scratchy. The same with the volume pots. When I adjust either volume on my LP there is an immediate change in tone, but with the Tele very little. I was just surprised when I turned one all the way down and they both shut off. The caps on my Tele are a rust red color and have 2A223J stamped on them. I'm not sure of the rating.

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'10 American Deluxe HSS Sunset Metallic
'10 JA-90 Thinline Telecaster
'15 Music Man JP-15 Blueberry Burst
'07 Les Paul Standard Faded LCPG #82
'14 Carvin ST300
'12 Carvin CS424S
'66 Guild Starfire IV w/Bigsby
'14 Warmouth Partscaster Daphne Blue


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Post subject: Re: JA-90 Controls Question
Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2012 10:30 am
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Check out this site:

http://www.dominocs.com/AshBassGuitar/index.html

I believe your caps are 0.022 mfd but would not swear to it.

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Post subject: Re: JA-90 Controls Question
Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2012 9:33 am
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Am I correct in thinking that my Tele has Non-Linear pots, which means that they don't change evenly throughout the 1 to 10 range? The volumes are B500k Cor-Tek and the tones are D500k Cor-Tek.
My LP specs says it has 500k Audio Taper pots and Sprague Orange Drop 715 .022uf caps. Do the Audio Taper pots give a more linear response throughout the range?
I'm wondering, if my thinking is correct, if I'd be happier with '50's wiring and Audio Taper pots.

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'10 American Deluxe HSS Sunset Metallic
'10 JA-90 Thinline Telecaster
'15 Music Man JP-15 Blueberry Burst
'07 Les Paul Standard Faded LCPG #82
'14 Carvin ST300
'12 Carvin CS424S
'66 Guild Starfire IV w/Bigsby
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Post subject: Re: JA-90 Controls Question
Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2012 10:53 am
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I am not familiar with Cor-Tek posts and can find no info on them.

This site show the different pot tapers - A, B, D, etc.

http://www.planetz.com/?p=1506

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Post subject: Re: JA-90 Controls Question
Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2012 12:14 pm
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bluesky636 wrote:
I am not familiar with Cor-Tek posts and can find no info on them.

This site show the different pot tapers - A, B, D, etc.

http://www.planetz.com/?p=1506


Thanks Bluesky, you've been very helpful. Cor-Tek is what's stamped on my pots. I assumed it was related to CTS, but obviously I'm taking shots in the dark because I know nothing. :)

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'10 American Deluxe HSS Sunset Metallic
'10 JA-90 Thinline Telecaster
'15 Music Man JP-15 Blueberry Burst
'07 Les Paul Standard Faded LCPG #82
'14 Carvin ST300
'12 Carvin CS424S
'66 Guild Starfire IV w/Bigsby
'14 Warmouth Partscaster Daphne Blue


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Post subject: Re: JA-90 Controls Question
Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2012 12:27 pm
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Drew365 wrote:
bluesky636 wrote:
I am not familiar with Cor-Tek posts and can find no info on them.

This site show the different pot tapers - A, B, D, etc.

http://www.planetz.com/?p=1506


Thanks Bluesky, you've been very helpful. Cor-Tek is what's stamped on my pots. I assumed it was related to CTS, but obviously I'm taking shots in the dark because I know nothing. :)


From what I could find, Cor-Tek appears to be a Korean company. CTS is American owned and American made. I do not know where your guitar is built. I do know that all American and Mexican made Fenders use CTS pots. Google Cor-Tek and you might find more than I had time for.

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Post subject: Re: JA-90 Controls Question
Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2012 1:36 pm
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Well I Googled Cor-Tek. Wow, what a can of worms. Definitley not related to CTS.
My guitar was made in Indonesia. So I think it's safe to say that the Cor-Tek pots are not the best quality, even though the build quality of the guitar itself is pretty nice.

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'10 American Deluxe HSS Sunset Metallic
'10 JA-90 Thinline Telecaster
'15 Music Man JP-15 Blueberry Burst
'07 Les Paul Standard Faded LCPG #82
'14 Carvin ST300
'12 Carvin CS424S
'66 Guild Starfire IV w/Bigsby
'14 Warmouth Partscaster Daphne Blue


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Post subject: Re: JA-90 Controls Question
Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2012 6:19 pm
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Wow. I did not realize that Fender branded guitars were being made in Indonesia. USA, Mexico, and now China, yes. I know Squiers have been made in Indonesia but not Fenders. Especially "Artist" models. :shock:

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Post subject: Re: JA-90 Controls Question
Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2012 8:47 am
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When I first started thinking about getting the JA-90 I was surprised at how inexpensive it was. I only paid $650 delivered to my door. After I got it I was pleasently surprised at how nice it was. I'm willing to put a few bucks into redoing the electronics and hopefully I'll be happy with it for a long time. Here's a pic of the neck joint:
Image

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'10 American Deluxe HSS Sunset Metallic
'10 JA-90 Thinline Telecaster
'15 Music Man JP-15 Blueberry Burst
'07 Les Paul Standard Faded LCPG #82
'14 Carvin ST300
'12 Carvin CS424S
'66 Guild Starfire IV w/Bigsby
'14 Warmouth Partscaster Daphne Blue


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Profile
Post subject: Re: JA-90 Controls Question
Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2012 5:26 pm
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That's nice. :D

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