new Les Paul - questions about volume controls

[dachshund]

Hello, I bought a 2012 Les Paul Premium Plus a few days ago. My other Gibson is a 336. I talked myself into buying the Les Paul for the split pickups, which was a new one on me. I've been wanting to get both sounds in one guitar, and for whatever reason I can't fall in love with the PRS. But boy does this thing sustain! It's very nice.

 

My question is about the volume controls - there's a very different sound when you back off from 10. It's almost like something gets switched. I suppose the pot is just making an abrupt change to the end of the range. Is this a feature? It seems to remove some of the smooth control between 7-10, and there's also a tone difference. I'd appreciate any thoughts on this.

 

Also, I was disappointed about the phase switch. The tones there are pretty awful, too midrange, and there's the sort of flange effect as you play from low to high notes. Has anyone found a fix for that? Are there mods that will get a better sound from that feature?

 

Thanks!

[kidblast]

Hi dachsund,

 

so, are you saying when you roll back the volume you are loosing tone? (high end)

 

I had the exact same problem when I replaced my stock Burst Buckers with Seymour Duncans. It was probably doing it all along, but maybe it was just more noticeable with the Duncans than it was with the Gibson pickups

 

Good news is this can be cured with a treble bleed circuit on each volume pot. (if this is your problem, this little thing will make a big difference) once you set it for the amount of highs you want to pass thru, you can just leave it. If you like tweaking these are adjustable, there instructions with the part gives you all the info needed to install, setup and adjust)

 

http://www.guitarelectronics.com/c=RbEDFo9RJW3AlZHImDMW2RGcw/product/PMT-VTREB/V-Treb-Variable-Treble-Bleed-Circuit-For-Guitar-Bass.html

 

as for the amount of volume that rolls off, (too much volume change at the top end of the sweep?)

 

That could be an attribute of the volume pots. (at least it usually has been in my experience) as for what's in there, I have 0 experience with the new Les Paul wiring, but I think it should be audio taper, 500k?

 

You could change those too ultimately, but where this sucker is new, I don't know what you are feeling like modifying at this point.

 

The TB circuit is probably a good place to start, of course, not sure if you are handy at all with a soldering iron, but it is pretty easy to install

 

regarding the other observation on the tone / sounds of the push pull circuit, dunno anything about that, I actually prefer the standard/vintage style wiring, but I've never tried a new standard to know if I'd like it or not.

[dachshund]

Anyone with a 2012? Is there any range in volume between the 8 and 10 settings? On mine it jumps from medium volume to full. I would think it's a quality control thing, but both pots do this.

 

Also, it looks like the phase switch only works with both volume controls at 10. If either pot is backed off, the phase control goes back to a regular tone control for that pickup.

[Guest Farnsbarns]

Anyone with a 2012? Is there any range in volume between the 8 and 10 settings? On mine it jumps from medium volume to full. I would think it's a quality control thing, but both pots do this.

 

Also, it looks like the phase switch only works with both volume controls at 10. If either pot is backed off, the phase control goes back to a regular tone control for that pickup.

 

Sounds like you would prefer audio taper pots as fitted in reissues. I believe your standard has linear pots.