Ibanez JS1000 wiring question

[Monsta-Tone]

I wasn't sure where to put this thread.
It's not really about pickups, but more about wiring.

I have an Ibanez JS-1000.
It has a High-Pass Filter on a push/pull Volume pot.

I have 3 questions about this.....

1. Why is it on a push/pull, and simply not wired to the pot? Does JS feel that it robs or changes the tone when it's in the circuit?

2. The schematic shows a 330pf cap on the High Pass Filter. My guitar has a .047 Orange Drop (716p series).

3. The tone capacitor is a standard green chicklet. Would I hear any difference if I replaced it with an Orange Drop?

[Zhaggy]

1. NOw Joe has the option of using it or not. If it's hardwired to the pot he can't change it.

2. Isn't really question, is it.

3. Both caps have different values so obviously they would sound different. And some say there is a big difference if they are the Orange Drops even if they are the same value.

[Monsta-Tone]

I fully understand, but.....

1. Is there an actual purpose for bypassing the cap? I can hear no audible difference when the guitar is turned up all the way.
This leads me to believe that the only reason for it is when you turn the guitar down you will have the option of cap or no cap.
I was just wondering (yeah, I know they built it to his specs) if there is a logical reason other than the fact that he wants it.

2. Should have been this question:
Is there a real reason to use a .047 instead of the 330pf cap for a High Pass?
Is there a point where the size of the cap does not matter?

3. Do guys here think that changing a tone cap out for a higher quality or different type makes much of a difference in over all tone, sustain, harmonics of a guitar?

[jeremy]

the hi-pass cap keeps a bright tone as you roll the volume down. sometimes thats nice, sometimes you want the tone to darken a little so its on a switch.

the .047 uf cap is used for rolling off high end. the 330pf cap is used to keep high end in the signal.

it might make a minimal difference but its subtle. value makes more difference than type

[Zhaggy]

1. If I've understood correctly there should be no change in tone when volume is full up whether the cap is there or not so I would think it's just because Joe likes it that way and have the option of having it or not. Although there may be this: http://www.dominocs.com/Gibson/Wirin...hPassFalbo.htm Here Frank explains how having a HPF makes the tone work very differently. So it might be this.

2. Different valu caps sound different and react differently so I would think its just a matter of personal taste. 0,047 microfarads is ALOT larger value than 330 pikofarads so I guess these very small values work best in the HPFs and "larger" values work best in tone pots but NOT vice versa. I'm no electrician so I can't tell you if the actual size of the cap makes difference if they are same value. It might or might not affect the tone.

3. Definitely would make a difference in sound, harmonics. Don't know if it will affect sustain as it has more to do with the actual guitar not the electronics. But again it's a matter of personal preference.

[Monsta-Tone]

Thanks guys, it's starting to make sense a little.

Jeremy,
Are you saying that the .047 cap in my guitar that is in the place of the 330pf is actually acting like a Low Pass filter because of it's size?

Also, if the volume is up all the way, does the High Pass actually still keep the guitar brighter?


Zhaggy,
That was a good read, thanks!
I might try Frank's idea. I almost never use my tone knob though.
I do use my volume all the time though for dynamics when the song we are playing at the time has vocals.


Here is what I am thinking that I need for my guitar.......
Replace tone capacitor with higher quality
Install correct value (330pf) High Pass capacitor. Placing this capacitor across the volume pot like most manufacturers do instead of having it on a switch.
Possibly use the push/pull on the volume for a tone knob bypass.

I was reading about the new American Strat Deluxe ("Passing Lane Switch").
Sounds pretty interesting.

Have you guys ever experimented with bypassing the tone knob?

[Zhaggy]

Zhaggy,
That was a good read, thanks!
I might try Frank's idea. I almost never use my tone knob though.

Have you guys ever experimented with bypassing the tone knob?

I read that article just now myself as I took a look at these HPF because I'm not very familiar with them either. It is a pretty good idea. I have about 10 guitars (lost count) and I don't have treble bleer or HPF on any of those but I would like to some day get to it.

I have a few of the guitars with only a volume pot no tone. It's a bit sharper and snappier with out the tone pot. I don't feel it's noticeably brighter it's audiable but I think it has more to do with the attack of the notes.

[jeremy]

if the volume is full up the treble bypass cap doesnt do much, as you roll the volume down it keeps the tone bright.

you have a .047 uf cap across your volume control? if so (and your guitar doesnt sound like mud) then its shaving off bottom end

[Monsta-Tone]

you have a .047 uf cap across your volume control? if so (and your guitar doesnt sound like mud) then its shaving off bottom end

This guitar was already pretty bright! Can't immagine making it brighter.
Maybe the guy had a super dark sounding amp or was an 80's big hair guy.


Thanks for the help Jeremy! I'll be putting the stock value back in. The .047 is a 716P series, so it's roughly half the size of a 12AX7!

Like I said earlier, I never use the tone knob, so I will most likely just install the 330pf across the volume and forget about it.

I'll probably use the push pull to remove the tone pot from the circuit when pulled out.

[jeremy]

This guitar was already pretty bright! Can't immagine making it brighter.
Maybe the guy had a super dark sounding amp or was an 80's big hair guy.


Thanks for the help Jeremy! I'll be putting the stock value back in. The .047 is a 716P series, so it's roughly half the size of a 12AX7!

Like I said earlier, I never use the tone knob, so I will most likely just install the 330pf across the volume and forget about it.

I'll probably use the push pull to remove the tone pot from the circuit when pulled out.

i would pull that cap right off and see what you have. it seems that cap is cutting a bunch of bottom end off, by removing it you wont gain any high end but you should be a bunch of bass back into the signal

[ehdwuld]

Thanks for the help Jeremy! I'll be putting the stock value back in. The .047 is a 716P series, so it's roughly half the size of a 12AX7!

what?

its a tube?

weither its a ceramic chicklet or a Paper in Oil (PIO) or mylar cap
the value is all that is noticeable
there is only a very slight difference in types of caps
only truly pedantic ears hear the difference
and in a gig situation even those wont hear it

the treble bleed isn't to make the guitar brighter
it is to keep it from getting darker when the volume is roiied back
I put one on each of my guitars

my buddy finds that they prevent him from using the volume knob
to roll up into a lead tone and back down for rhythm


you dont have to completely remove it to take it out
just lift one leg ( either by desoldering it or cutting it)
and wrapping electrical tape over it

desoldering it would allow you to easily change your mind at some point

its your guitar
not Joe's

do what you want