Can I do a direct through bypass mod?

[littlebadboy]

Direct through switching. I read that by connecting the pickups directly to the output jack, the tone will be louder, stronger and more direct,offering maximum twang and spank a Tele has to offer. So, I was thinking of using this rotary switch knob to replace my tone knob because I don't use it anyway:

http://www.guitarfetish.com/PRS-Styl...h_p_18140.html

or

http://www.guitarfetish.com/5-Way-Ro...d_p_18141.html

(not sure which)

However, I would still like to have the option of the sound of my pickups passed through a resistor and cap. I thought that in replacement of an actual tone knob, I will use a 250k resistor and a 47 cap which has the same effect of setting the tone knob on high - which I usually do anyway.

So, if I may ask, is this possible and can I use the above mentioned rotary switches to make it switch back and forth from direct to output and through the resistor and cap with the 3-way switch still functioning? If yes, can anybody lead me to a diagram for this? I'm not really good in electronics and I have a cheap Hadean telecaster I'd like to experiment on.

Thanks!

 

[guitarbuilder]

In the 60's Harmony guitars sometimes employed a bypass of the cap to get a brighter sound.

http://harmony.demont.net/guitars/H47/134.htm#

 

[randomhitz]

Seems like no-load pots on the volume and tone controls would accomplish that without the need for a switch.

 

[awasson]

Why not use a pull pot on the tone control?

Pull it out to push everything from the 3-way or 4-way selector switch directly to the output jack, otherwise it goes through the volume & tone stack.

Also, try the Gibson 50's vintage tone mod... It might make the tone control useful: http://www.premierguitar.com/articles/19909-mod-garage-50s-les-paul-wiring-in-a-telecaster

 

[sjohnbruton]

I did a treble bleed circuit on my last build. It's just a .001uF cap and a 150k resistor wired in parallel across the volume:



I really like it and I recommend it! But I may try the Gibson 50's wiring in my next one...

I do like the idea of the "no-load" switch or pot, too.

John

 

[littlebadboy]

Why not use a pull pot on the tone control?

Pull it out to push everything from the 3-way or 4-way selector switch directly to the output jack, otherwise it goes through the volume & tone stack.

I'm not good with electronics... I thought about the pull pot, but what happens when I pull to switch to direct and turn the knob?

 

[littlebadboy]

Another thought, I can use a volume push pull pot to switch the pickups directly to the output jack too, right? If yes, will I be able to put a treble bleed still?

 

[awasson]

I'm not good with electronics... I thought about the pull pot, but what happens when I pull to switch to direct and turn the knob?

If you use a pull pot to switch direct, you can put the pull pot switch in the circuit right between the 3-way switch and the volume control (wired directly to the output jack). At that point, it would be going direct and turning the volume and tone controls would have no effect because they would be completely bypassed.

If you wanted to still use the volume control and bypass the tone, that could be done too but the switch would need to be introduced to the circuit in a different spot in the circuit. Bypassing both the volume and tone would be simpler from a wiring perspective.

EDIT: I don't think the treble bleed is necessary to have in the circuit when you switch to bypass because a treble bleed is used with the tone stack which Would be switched out.

 

[wadeeinkauf]

Here is my experience.
If you go direct to the output jack on the neck pickup this pickup has a very unpleasant bell like shrill tone for the single coils/stacked coils I use. I did not like this at all...it needs the tone circuit to filter out these very high audio frequencies.
The standard 3 position strat had the bridge bypassing the tone circuit but not the volume pot...as awasson suggested above.
I think it is great to experiment with pickup wiring as you can many tone differences this way....for me the tone circuit is just about useless.
I have gone to a rotary switch on all my builds after trying push-pulls and the standard gibson 2 vol 2 tone...but I use humbuckers so have a lot more useful options. With the rotary switch you could wire the two single coils:
1. neck
2. both (normally parallel)
3. bridge
4. both series
5. out of phase
6. bridge direct to jack...with or without keeping the volume.

The fender S1 switching does a lot of this....check that wiring out for ideas....Those switches are available $25 bucks or so.
Wade

 

[Vizcaster]

Seems like no-load pots on the volume and tone controls would accomplish that without the need for a switch.

You can't use a no-load pot for a volume control.

 

[littlebadboy]

Update:
I decided to use a push pull volume pot. The "pull" setting will make me bypass the volume-tone circuit from the pickup switch. It would be a nice "boost" option if needed when playing. I ordered the CTS 250k pot at stewmac because they are shorter so I don't need to route my cavity deeper if it was needed. I also ordered for a treble bleed kit and some wires with the cost coming to about $25. I will be copper shielding the cavity too. I'm not sure if needed or will make a difference, but I have some to spare.

Thank you everyone!

 

[wadeeinkauf]

Update:
I decided to use a push pull volume pot. The "pull" setting will make me bypass the volume-tone circuit from the pickup switch. It would be a nice "boost" option if needed when playing. I ordered the CTS 250k pot at stewmac because they are shorter so I don't need to route my cavity deeper if it was needed. I also ordered for a treble bleed kit and some wires with the cost coming to about $25. I will be copper shielding the cavity too. I'm not sure if needed or will make a difference, but I have some to spare.

Thank you everyone!

Since you have already order the pot you will be able to see how you like the push-pull.
Warmoth has push-push pots...works more like the Fender S1 switch but takes normal knobs.... http://www.warmoth.com/Push-Push-Pot-250k-with-DPDT-Switch-On-On-P731C58.aspx The push pull drove me crazy...always pulling the knobs off.
Wade

 

[ccotton]

Since you have already order the pot you will be able to see how you like the push-pull.
Warmoth has push-push pots...works more like the Fender S1 switch but takes normal knobs.... http://www.warmoth.com/Push-Push-Pot-250k-with-DPDT-Switch-On-On-P731C58.aspx The push pull drove me crazy...always pulling the knobs off.
Wade

+1 on the push/push. i use them on my PRS and anything where i'm coil tapping.

 

[Zepfan]

Update:
I decided to use a push pull volume pot. The "pull" setting will make me bypass the volume-tone circuit from the pickup switch. It would be a nice "boost" option if needed when playing. I ordered the CTS 250k pot at stewmac because they are shorter so I don't need to route my cavity deeper if it was needed. I also ordered for a treble bleed kit and some wires with the cost coming to about $25. I will be copper shielding the cavity too. I'm not sure if needed or will make a difference, but I have some to spare.

Thank you everyone!

The problem with no control on the guitar is having to walk back and forth to the amp to adjust settings. On the guitar in my avatar, the tone cap(.022uf) is on a 3-way switch on/off/on. The other side is (.033uf) and the middle bypasses the tone circuit for bright volume only. Very useful and simple.

 

[littlebadboy]

Since you have already order the pot you will be able to see how you like the push-pull.
Warmoth has push-push pots...works more like the Fender S1 switch but takes normal knobs.... http://www.warmoth.com/Push-Push-Pot-250k-with-DPDT-Switch-On-On-P731C58.aspx The push pull drove me crazy...always pulling the knobs off.
Wade

That is a sturdy looking pot! However, I opted for the CTS pots from Stewmac because they were shorter so I won't be too worried if I need to route or not as I do not have a router.

I considered the push-push but I also thought that the push-pull will make me see if I am in or not on bypass mode.

The problem with no control on the guitar is having to walk back and forth to the amp to adjust settings. On the guitar in my avatar, the tone cap(.022uf) is on a 3-way switch on/off/on. The other side is (.033uf) and the middle bypasses the tone circuit for bright volume only. Very useful and simple.

Hmmm... I didn't think about that... well, let's see. However, if the direct sound is of my preference, I would most likely be on it the whole me. I usually keep my volume and tone on max anyway. I think I'm tone deaf.

Thank you all for your suggestions! I will keep all of you posted.

 

[chris m.]

I did the Eldred mod on an Esquire, which includes a tone bypass (not volume bypass) as one of the three choices. It is a noticeable increase in treble and bite, but it's not something
I look for in a bridge Tele pickup, anyway...they have more than enough twang when wired conventionally.

If I were you I would just wire it up straight to the jack, see if the sound is actually something useful to you.
If so, then wire it up so you have that option available. IMO it's probably not worth the trouble....but YMMV of course.