Andy40's TLA-1R Build

[WeirdBits]

You're running the linear pot for the tone, right? Switching it to an audio taper should help.

[wazkelly]

I reckon you probably have one of each kind where the volume is most likely an audio pot and the tone a linear pot.

Hope I got that the right way around as easiest way to describe it is one is more gradual across it's sweep whilst the other is more dramatic in the last third or quarter of the sweep.

Some store bought axes have one of each as when looking at pot values to help with a question for Dedman on what to use for P90's the Gibbo website had one of each and also differing values????

On all of my builds I used audio taper 250k for single coils and 500k for Humbuckers as they seem to work in a more manageable and useful way.

I think on the pots they may have some form of an identifying feature and seem to remember on the stock PBG ones the 'A' was audio and 'B' might have been linear and if using the pre wired Tele Control Plate bet this is how it has been set up. If you don't like it just swap it out for same value you are using on the volume pot.

[Andy40]

You're running the linear pot for the tone, right? Switching it to an audio taper should help.

I can't seem to tell the difference, so I need to make the tone an audio taper pot? Sorry im a bit confused.

[wazkelly]

Hi Andy, sounds like you need to install same type as volume pot for the tone pot. Did you use standard PBG's or ordered in CTS or Bourns?

You could always rob one from another of your other unfinished kits whilst waiting for a replacement part to arrive?

[Andy40]

Thanks Waz. Yeah im usually ok with the standard PBG pots as they are marked A or B. These are gotohs and its first time ive used them.

[WeirdBits]

Yep, the tone changes you're getting are what can happen with a linear pot in some configurations. The rate of change of the resistance is consistent across the entire sweep of the pot, so it doesn't change fast enough at the start (10) and too fast at the end (0)... the result is all your tone goes whooop at the very end. A log pot has a big change initially and then a small change at the end which, in my opinion, is better suited for the tone on a Tele (particularly if it is wired on the out of the volume vintage style rather than the in).

What markings, if any, are on your Gotoh tone pot? Could be back, side, pot face etc.

[Andy40]

Thanks Weirdy. I can't see because I've soldered all over the back of the pot to earth wires. but needless to say, your description of how it acts is dead on. so I'll have to get an audio taper pot because i just can'[t get half the tones I want out of the tele.

Don't go anywhere Weirdy , I'll need you when i start wiring my SGD-612

[Andy40]

Interestingly, today I changed the Gotoh tone pot with my standard PBG kit tone pot.

It fixed the issue, but the quality difference was noticeable. There was nothing wrong with the PBG kit tone pot, per se, but it was a bit scratchy and immediately the guitar lost some of the nice sound that came out. (not sure if theres more resistance in the PBG or not)

I had to change it back to the gotoh.

[wazkelly]

At least you now know which type Gotoh pot to order now to get a smoother tone control roll off.

[mitty_c]

Beautiful looking build, mate. Very classy looking. How do you apply your finish? Do you use an air sprayer?