modulator wrote: I agree that log pots makes sense in terms of perceived effect to number dialed, but then, apparently my Ibanez uses linear pots. Gibsons as well. So, in the end, does it really, really matter?

In one sense, not really. Log pots and linear do the same thing...?

Though there are certain techniques that really work when you have a log volume pot that responds lots in the first 1/4 of a turn (tremelo by rolling the pot quickly back n forth and/or violin type volume swells). That wah technique of Dan Platlansky's also springs to mind.

Personally I prefer a log volume pot, perhaps because I've spent a lot of time on a strat and just got used to having my little finger able to roll it when I need to.

And I'm a big believer in the treble bleed mod, either adding a resistor in Kinman style, or the 50's wiring style for humbuckers.

modulator wrote: So, choice of capacitors?

IMHO, Caps don't do anything until you turn the tone pot down. From what I've read/watched, types of cap doesn't seem to make much difference either. Though the cork sniffers will always say that Orange drops or Tropical fish ones make all the difference. I put .47's in pretty much everything, some like .23's in their guitars - it just rolls off a bit less treble compared to the .47.

On the tone I prefer a linear pot, makes more sense to me there - perhaps because the active basses I've had seemed to respond in a linear fashion for the boost/cut's of their respective controls. I do use the tone pot a lot (I think it's essential on a bass).

modulator wrote: What would be nice is toning down the bridge pickup, but that is negating the whole point of having a singe coil guitar, apparently. On the other side, a less-dark neck pickup would also be lekker. I find myself playing on the middle pickup most of the time, even on my humbucker - single coil -humbucker monster.

Usually...on strat's the bridge pup isn't wired to a tone pot. Makes it fairly bright (icepick) without the extra resistance ion the circuit. Mine's wired to the tone pot, I prefer it a bit less icepick-y.

If you're neck pup is a bit dark, maybe get a treble booster style pedal (TS/Clone) or try another pup in that position. Or even remove it from the tone pots. I'd go for a treble booster first though.

modulator wrote: Ah, no, I really do not want answers of the "try them both" or the "whatever works for you" type.

The thing is...we all have different sounds in our heads and our ears all hear largely different things (E.g. My drummer mix's are very, very bright - because his ears are fried from not using earplugs when bashing away on cymbals.).

Also we have differing techniques and differing needs when playing. E.g. I like to keep things simple when playing live, minimal switching and very straight forward controls so I don't get confused.

As usual, I'm no help 8)

Meron, thanks for the input. Not "no help" at all, opinion driven by years of experience. I am disgusted that you do not recommend rainbow-coloured polka dot caps....

Seems this guitar has the bridge wired to a pot, which makes sense (?) in a Strat. Unless one loves to kill ears.

One of the reasons you don't get a straight answer here is that either option is workable, and depending on the pickups, the cable you are using, the amp's input impedance, even the pedals you are using, log or lin might be better for your application. I prefer linear everything, but I don't play a strat. Even Fender have tried so many different schemes over the years, and multiple different ways of wiring the tone pot.

I know you don't want to mess around with multiple options, but at least for cap values it's worth getting some crocodile clips and auditioning a few different values- if you buy two .47 caps, you can connect one to get .47, connect two in parallel to get .94, and two in series to get .23 (remembering that caps normally only have a 20% tolerance anyway, so you might get a lot of variation from cap to cap)- you can see how all of those values sound without too much mucking around, then solder on the one/combination that works best for you.

Peter

Not an easy subject. I was hoping to avoid the loose wires hanging out with crocodile clips, but that would be the best way to test caps. Will see how I go about it, wait until it's time for a string change maybe, and work it from there.

modulator wrote: Not "no help" at all, opinion driven by years of experience.

I'm really embarrassed to say that a decade ago I should have gotten myself a treble booster style pedal (like one I was describing in thread about buffers/preamps) - it just works. I'm getting one this weekend, Wizard is finalizing his build and I'm gonna put it head to head with a Voodoo labs sparkle drive (TS clone) and see what happens. Did try out the sparkle drive during the week on guitar and bass - it was really good on both!

modulator wrote: I am disgusted that you do not recommend rainbow-coloured polka dot caps....

Sorry! Maybe I can find you some unobtanium...:roflmao:

I do have a stash of orange drop caps...and after doing some reading and trying them out I conclude...they look cooler than the 0.25c caps you'd get at your local electronics store. Time to make another see thru pickguard ?