how to bypass tone pots in Strat?

[adrianb]

Title says it all. My Strat has the normal Strat wiring: two tone pots, a lead from the 5-way to the input on the mid pot, then a lead with cap from the output on the mid pot to the input on the mid pot, then finally a lead from the output on the mid pot to the 5-way. Just the standard wiring really, so i don't have to provide a pic.

I actually attempted to do this tone bypass mod myself. What i did was unsolder the two wires to the tone pots from the 5-way. I did NOT short the legs on the 5-way. Did i do the right thing? How would i know if something went wrong?

[erikh]

You're on the right track. Go from the 5-way straight to the volume pot, then volume pot to output jack. If no sound comes out, then you'll know something went wrong.

If you plan on leaving the tone pots in place for cosmetic reasons, then just tape off the unsoldered wires.

If your wiring looks something like this:


Just disconnect the two wires from each tone pot to the 5-way.

[adrianb]

erikh said:

You're on the right track. Go from the 5-way straight to the volume pot, then volume pot to output jack. If no sound comes out, then you'll know something went wrong.

If you plan on leaving the tone pots in place for cosmetic reasons, then just tape off the unsoldered wires.

I left the tone pots on because they're push-pulls for the coil taps on the neck and mid.

Anyway, i'm getting a signal out of each pickup so i guess i'm ok. I completely removed the wires to and from the tone pots.

My goal was to get the most signal out of my neck and mid, which i felt were really dark and not balancing well with the bridge. After having done the mod i think there's very tiny difference in the sound. I'm glad i did it however because i never use the tone pots; the only time i touch them is to check if they're at 10.

[adrianb]

Yes Erik, it's exactly like that. Like i said in my first post, stock Strat wiring.

Thanks a lot. I needed that reassurance as i've been thinking about my wiring quite a bit.

[erikh]

No problem. I wanted to be sure because your description of the wiring didn't jive quite right.

"a lead from the 5-way to the input on the mid pot (OK here), then a lead with cap from the output on the mid pot to the input on the mid pot (you meant the neck pot I hope), then finally a lead from the output on the mid pot (neck pot actually) to the 5-way."

That's why I posted the link just to be positive.

The difference may not be all that much but enough to help them balance better for you. I don't use tone controls either, other than the Fender TBX control in my strat.

[adrianb]

Oh, i hadn't noticed that. ;D Yeah, my post was wrong, but i'm glad you spotted the mistakes.

To be honest i hear little difference between having and not having the pots in the circuit. There's a little more treble in the neck position, but as for the mid pickup, maybe if i listen a bit harder i'll hear it, but when playing normally i don't hear it. So, as for balance it's almost just like before. Almost. At least now i could stop checking to see if the tone pots are at 10, and i got two extra pots in case my volume wears out.