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Post subject: Changing the pots?
Posted: Mon May 04, 2015 10:34 am
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Everything is working very well on my new Tele Modern Player. Its a joy to play. The one thing I have noticed is the minimal tone change from the tone control. Volume control works fine. I'm wondering if a pot change might be in order. Any suggestions please?


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Post subject: Re: Changing the pots?
Posted: Mon May 04, 2015 1:41 pm
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Joined: Fri Feb 05, 2010 4:31 am
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Location: Province de Québec, Canada
You must hear a good tone change , guitar new ? Return it to the store .

Second hand guitar , no waranty ;

1- You must know if pot work fine , any meter to read ohms ? If work fine and value is 250 K ohms , it is not the pot
2- Check if tone capacitor is well connected , check value if it is a second hand guitar with mods
3- check tone wiring


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Post subject: Re: Changing the pots?
Posted: Tue May 05, 2015 5:11 am
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stratele52 wrote:
You must hear a good tone change , guitar new ? Return it to the store .

Second hand guitar , no waranty ;

1- You must know if pot work fine , any meter to read ohms ? If work fine and value is 250 K ohms , it is not the pot
2- Check if tone capacitor is well connected , check value if it is a second hand guitar with mods
3- check tone wiring


I'd hate to return it for another one, as mine is set up so well. What I will do is go back to GC and play the same models and make some comparisons. I've heard people say that with a less expensive guitar, they produce them with lower quality electronics. If that be the case, which I'm sure it is, changing out components is a viable alternative. I have read on this forum of those that have done so and have noticed positive sound differences.


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Post subject: Re: Changing the pots?
Posted: Tue May 05, 2015 8:41 am
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F-Stop wrote:
[
I'd hate to return it for another one, as mine is set up so well. But do not work ! What is easy for you , fix the tone circuit or do a set up ? The store must do a good set when you bought a guitar


What I will do is go back to GC and play the same models and make some comparisons.+1000

I've heard people say that with a less expensive guitar, they produce them with lower quality electronics. If that be the case, which I'm sure it is, changing out components is a viable alternative. I have read on this forum of those that have done so and have noticed positive sound differences

We don't talk about same thing. "Low " quality component do not mean your tone should not work. Good quality is more about tone and "fool " proof components

.


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Post subject: Re: Changing the pots?
Posted: Tue May 05, 2015 9:06 am
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stratele52 wrote:
F-Stop wrote:
We don't talk about same thing. "Low " quality component do not mean your tone should not work. Good quality is more about tone and "fool " proof components

.


Actually, I didn't say that they didn't work, I just feel that the change is minimal and perhaps could be more. I had the set up done from another source other than from where I purchased it. Someone who came with great recommendations, by the way. Like a mechanic, I will check out a person's qualifications and get recommendations from those who have used his services. I read loads of testimonials from those who were very happy with his work. When I went to see him, he was rebuilding someone's Martin. I'm sure in safely saying that I doubt very much that someone who owns a Martin guitar would let just anyone work on it, let alone rebuild it. My assumption, whether right or wrong, is that a tech working at a store like GC, is dealing with a large volume of guitars and numerous interruptions and can't devote the time for precision work. For them it's a quick in and out process from techs who are most likely not qualified luthiers.

I appreciate your input and help, but I will head out to the store tomorrow and do some testing on similar models and go from there. If I find that there is a difference between them and mine I will replace it.

Cheers


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Post subject: Re: Changing the pots?
Posted: Tue May 05, 2015 10:43 am
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If you have a multimeter, it's easy to check if the pot is OK, instructions here
But that in-store-comparison should work, too.

Based on your previous posts, my guess is that your guitar tech would have noticed if the pot is defective. So, another possibility:
The MP Tele (both Plus and Thinline) has a combination of a 250K pot and a .033µF cap. If the pot works, a .022 or even lower value cap might be more to your taste - and of course a 500K pot would make the guitar brighter, if that's what you are after.
Edit: Did I shortcircuit on the above; actually to increase the potentiometer range, you need a higher value cap - so: try a .047/.068 or even a .1.
Oh well, caps are cheap so with a pair of alligator clips you can test 'em all, while I tend to my Alzie symptoms... :wink:


I agree with st52 that the 'high quality' in electronic parts (talking pots & caps here) is more about reliability and endurance than sound.
And my humble apologies to those who believe only CTS or Bourne pots and PIO or Orange Drop caps can sound good - I use those, too, but for reliability only :wink:


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