How can I add a tone control to my guitar?

Question

I got a guitar second hand for real cheap, but the last owner had modified it to just have two volumes. There is a already routed hole for another potentiometer. I was wondering if anyone could give me a diagram of how to wire it in with two humbuckers? Thanks in advance for the help.

Answer 1

Here's a link to a variety of wiring diagrams, including the one you want:

http://www.guitarelectronics.com/category/wiring_resources_guitar_wiring_diagrams.2_pickup_guitar_wiring_diagrams/

Basically, the tone pot shorts your signal to ground through a capacitor. If the original owner didn't leave the old capacitor inside (but disconnected) you'll need a new one. You can get them at Radio Shack or online. http://www.guitarelectronics.com/category/electronic_parts.tone_capacitors/



If I may offer my opinion on tone controls: I think they're worthless. All they do is cut your high frequencies and make your sound muddy. You're better off controlling the tone with the amp...which has true boost/cut EQ controls. I can honestly say that in over 45 years of playing guitar, I've never used the tone controls...except to try them out and see how worthless they are.



The modification you have is sensible, although I prefer a single master volume. If it was my guitar, I'd consider installing a phase reverse instead of the tone control. If your pickups are the 4-wire variety, you could add a coil tap......all are much more useful than the tone control. Just my 2¢ worth.

Answer 2

TommyMc is right. I almost always have my tone pots turned all the way up anyway and never adjust them. In fact, my newest guitar only has a volume control for the humbucker and another volume control for the piezo bridge pickup. You'd be much better off getting a good EQ pedal.



If you really want to modify the electronics on your guitar though, I've always found the diagrams on the Seymour Duncan web site very easy to understand and they have a whole bunch of different diagrams showing just about every possible guitar wiring option you could imagine.

Answer 3

You can look online for a Les Paul wiring diagram and use that. Do you intend to use a single tone for both pickups? If so simply put the switch BEFORE the volume and tone control circuit.