volume control?

[SEHpicker]

I have wondered about this issue for a long time but have never bothered to ask anyone about it...

The volume controls on my LP go from totally silent to fairly loud with just the slightest turn of the knob. There is considerable difference in tone as you dial it up but only a moderate difference in volume. I always figured this was for a good reason, maybe something to do with how the overall tone sounds or something.(I'm obviously not a tech)

But it would be much more convenient to have the volume rise on a parallel path with the volume control. More of a "straight" rise pattern if you were looking at a graph. This would make it much easier to dial it back for rhythm playing and such. Are there volume pots out there that can do this without sacrificing tone? Or should I leave well enough alone?

Thanks

SEHpicker

[Caevan O’Shite]

That doesn't seem right; sounds like they're not wired correctly, or there's some short or something that effectively rewires/miswires the circuit. It could be incorrect pot-values and/or tapers, too, I guess; make sure everything's right...

 

Before you try swapping components, find a correct schematic/wiring diagram, and make sure that it's wired up correctly.

 

There is more than one way that it can be wired, and still be "correct", too- including the way most Gibson LPs and similar 2xhb Gibsons have been wired for decades, and the way "vintage" 1950s specimens were originally wired. You'll have to decide for yourself what wiring-scheme to go by; but I'd recommend starting with the way Gibson most likely originally wired it (or intended to), just to make sure that things are wired and working correctly. Here's a good place to start...

 

If you change any of the pots, make sure that they're of the correct value (probably 500k for your LP's humbuckers) and taper (most likely "audio"), -AND- that they have the right shaft-length to fit through the routing in the top (probably long for Gibson LP, but this varies with year and model). Stewart-MacDonald and RS Guitar Works are good places to find these and other wiring components for your LP.

[SEHpicker]

Thanks Caevan. This is a 1990 LP Standard, all original and no changes to any of the wiring or components. Bought new from a reputable Gibson dealer in Atlanta.

I probably could have described the problem better. I've played other LPs that seem to have the same issue (for me anyway). I guess a better way to describe it is in comparison to a volume pedal... which has a smooth and consistent transition from silence to full volume. As stated earlier, the volume control goes from silent to about 20-25% of full volume with a very slight turn of the knob. And it doesn't ramp up to that, it just kinda jumps right to that level.(???)

Thanks for any help you can give me on this.

SEHpicker

[Zephyr]

Sounds like the pot hasn't aged well. You could try unhooking and cleaning everything and re-wire it back with fresh solder, or you could just replace the pot. Shouldn't cost more than $5

[Caevan O’Shite]

Thanks Caevan. This is a 1990 LP Standard, all original and no changes to any of the wiring or components. Bought new from a reputable Gibson dealer in Atlanta.

I probably could have described the problem better. I've played other LPs that seem to have the same issue (for me anyway). I guess a better way to describe it is in comparison to a volume pedal... which has a smooth and consistent transition from silence to full volume. As stated earlier, the volume control goes from silent to about 20-25% of full volume with a very slight turn of the knob. And it doesn't ramp up to that, it just kinda jumps right to that level.(???)

Thanks for any help you can give me on this.

SEHpicker

 

Sounds like the pot hasn't aged well. You could try unhooking and cleaning everything and re-wire it back with fresh solder, or you could just replace the pot. Shouldn't cost more than $5

 

Hmmn; first, try some "Tuner Cleaner", also known as "Control/Contact Cleaner & Lubricant" the cheap stuff from radio Shack will be fine, and if the can says "Black & White" (as in B&W TV tuners, as opposed to "Color"), it's also perfectly fine; so long as it's tuner/control-cleaner that includes a residual lubricant for the pot's internal wiper and track.

 

Put a few paper-towels in the cavity around the pots to catch any accidental overspray, etc.

 

Insert the little red straw-like tube into the opening in the side of the pot-body, near the wiring-terminals, and give a good spritz; mind any stray spray. Immediately following, rapidly rotate the control fully back-and-forth no less than forty times. Repeat for all control-pots. carefully apply a little to the toggle-switch, as well, and flip it back and forth a number of times.

 

No offense to either you or Zephyr, but -if- you're not experienced at soldering and desoldering, etc., avoid any soldering-iron work in there if you can; it's too easy to accidentally overheat the pots, the terminals for the wires, caps, etc. don't take much and the caps are easily overcooked, while the grounding connections on the pot-enclosures can be frustratingly hard to heat enough without getting the whole thing too hot. Been there, done that!

 

If the tuner-cleaner doesn't help, then consider some replacement pots in 500k/log/audio-taper/long-shaft (long-shaft for Gibson LP "standards" and Standards from 1977 to current models). Consider converting to the "'50s LP Wiring", too (it's not wired much differently at all, but makes a difference in the response of the volume and tone pots and affects the resonance peaks); you might prefer the "vintage" response.

 

(If you run across 300k pots- IIRC Gibson has used that specific value; they may even be what's stock in yours. But most folks go with either 250k, 500k, or 1Meg pots for guitar volume and tone pot values. The higher the value of the vol-pot, the brighter and clearer the sound- hence 250s for fender-style single-coils, and 500s for Gibsonesque humbuckers...)

 

Here's a great 'page on pots that I just ran across, as I was double-checking my facts...

 

If you don't want a crash-course in soldering workmanship, pay a bona fide pro or otherwise experienced/qualified person to install 'em for you, to save on frustration and have it done right the first time without crackles, pops, and bad tone.

[SEHpicker]

WOW! You're a friggin encyclopedia Caevan! Thank You so much for this info. I will head into town later today and pick up some of that "Control/Contact Cleaner & Lubricant" from RS and will let you know how it works out.

Thanks again Cav.

SEHpicker

[Caevan O’Shite]

Even if that, by itself, doesn't fix it, it's good to have on hand and use now and then as maintenance. Good for the pots on amps, too, just don't get an excess amount all over inside.

 

I've had to use some on my LP a few months back, myself, as well as on the guitars and amp and wah-pedal of a friend.

 

Bestaluck!

 

(Hehh-hehh... just realized that the "RS" in "RS Guitar Works"- a source for pots and caps and such parts- could possibly be confused to mean "Radio Shack", as well... !

 

Yeah, just to be clear, the Tuner-Cleaner, Control/Contact Cleaner & Lube spray can usually be found at radio Shack, but I'd go with either Stewart-MacDonald or RS Guitar Works or another guitar-parts-specialist for the pots.)