Don’t know where to add this capacitor to TBX circuit

[thedirestrat]

Hey Guitar Nuts,


DireStrat here again. With the close of 2022, which has been the year for me with the most guitar modding and building yet, I’ve been thinking of one last mod… (for the year)

I recently got a Fender TBX pot with the intent to wire it up on my Stratocaster in the Phostenix fashion (not stock):




As you see, there's a Bass Cut if you turn it CW from Center. All is well, I really love this addition....
However...

Of course, as usual, I always seem to find myself thinking of *more*, and while more may not be better, maybe it will be this time?
What if while the bass is being cut, we can also have the high frequencies being cut off too-- not drastically, just the "higher end" of highs, and they get reduced at a much lower rate than a normal Tone Knob.

This way, when I cut off some bass, the potentially harsh frequencies and some of the highs get cut too, leaving me with a punchy round sound.

Regarding clipping off those high high freqs, I remember reading a Premier Guitar article about a Warmth Control, where you replace the standard 0.047 uf capacitor with a lower capacitance one, such as a 6800 pf one, and you only get a warmer (rounder) sound, but most of the treble frequencies are still there. So at least it seems to my inexperienced mind, that a small cap is the way to go, I just don't know where to put it in the TBX Schematic.

That's where you guys come in!
I hope this is possible, it'll be fun discussing, and thanks for your help as usual.

Dire

[cynical1]

Quick question. How would you modify the capacitor and resistor values for a bass guitar? I might have a use for this...without the tweaks...

HTC1

[thedirestrat]

Dec 30, 2022 10:57:14 GMT -5 cynical1 said:

Quick question. How would you modify the capacitor and resistor values for a bass guitar? I might have a use for this...without the tweaks...

HTC1

This guy really explains it well! 
He tested a bunch of different capacitor and resistor values-- see if it can be of use for you!

[cynical1]

Interesting. I have a project that requires a bit more than a normal tone control...and this eliminates a hole. Thanks.

HTC1

[thedirestrat]

Dec 30, 2022 17:20:08 GMT -5 cynical1 said:

Interesting. I have a project that requires a bit more than a normal tone control...and this eliminates a hole. Thanks.

HTC1

I'm glad I was able to help! I don't know how much the video goes in depth for your needs, but if it helped you completely that's awesome. Otherwise, we both know there are some talented folks here who can!

If you know anything about the "presence cut" tweak I want to add to the bass cut side of the knob, I'd love to hear.
That goes for everyone else! Thank you!

[MattB]

This ought to do something like what you want, assuming I actually understand how a TBX control works now.

From 5 to 10 the extra cap will act like a 1M linear tone control. From 5 up to about 8 or so it will probably only cut a few dB. At 9 it will have the same resistance to ground as a standard 250K log tone control set to around 7ish. Most of the cut will be in a very narrow range at the top of the knob.

[thedirestrat]

Dec 31, 2022 14:11:12 GMT -5 MattB said:

This ought to do something like what you want, assuming I actually understand how a TBX control works now.

From 5 to 10 the extra cap will act like a 1M linear tone control. From 5 up to about 8 or so it will probably only cut a few dB. At 9 it will have the same resistance to ground as a standard 250K log tone control set to around 7ish. Most of the cut will be in a very narrow range at the top of the knob.

MattB, this is excellent! Thank you for taking the time to even explain where the most cutting will be, this is useful for deciding which cap to put in. I usually always have something else to say, but I really can’t find the words— you did it! This is exactly what I needed. Thank you! Can’t wait to try it out.

[thedirestrat]

Actually, a good thing for me to ask is this:

Where/how can I learn more about guitar electronics— what do you all recommend? I have a feeling there’s some great guides on this forum.

You know I’m thinking about knobs that cut mids, knobs that boost, simulating coil splits— How to boost bass, treble, mids, how to cut? Which components? Which arrangements? Things exist out there but they are really expensive, when I know the parts only cost like, what, 10 dollars in all? The rest is the wisdom you are paying for.

In 2023, I’d like some of that wisdom, so I can confidently mod with a plan, and I’d actually be able to answer some questions on here maybe, instead of always asking them for a change!

I’m a first year Mechanical Engineering student, and there is an electronics course in the near future— but better to learn as soon as possible, right?