2 Tone Caps, 1 Push Pull Pot
Happy November! This month, we’re talking about a really cool simple Push-Pull Modification that allows you to choose between two cap values for your guitar. The 2 Tone Cap Push-Pull Pot Mod is great on a Strat or Telecaster, where you might have a Master Volume and a Blender Pot, but still want the capabilities of two Tone Caps.
This modification also is great for those who want to use our Magic Cap on the Bridge pickup. Simply pull up (or push down) to select the right tone cap that will work best for the pickup you’re playing on. The 2-Cap Push-Pull mod is simple to do, and an easy way to get more versatility out of your guitar!
Here’s what you’ll need to perform the mod:
- 250K / 500K Push-Pull Pot
- 2 Separate Tone Caps
- Cloth / Insulated Lead
- Soldering Pencil and Basic Soldering Skills
2 Tone Cap Push-Pull Mod:
Here’s how to wire up the Two-Tone Cap Push-Pull Mod. See below:
HOW IT WORKS:
In order for a tone pot to work, you need input to the pot (this can be through a wire or a cap in traditional uses), and one of the legs to ground the cap. This allows the high frequencies to be sent to ground, thus giving you a darker tone.
Here’s how the 2 Tone Cap Push-Pull Pot Works: The Input comes from the switch or volume pot, depending on what setup you have. The signal enters the pot via the middle lug. Lug 3 connects the pot to the switch section, which connects to the Common Terminals (B & E).
Pushing The Pot Down will connect the Common Terminals to selected Cap 1. This cap has one leg on terminals C & F, and its other leg connects to ground. Likewise, pulling up on the switch connects the Common Terminals to A & D, which relates to cap 2.
Well, that’s it! Pretty easy, and it’s a very usable modification to your guitar. We hope you find it useful! Cheers!
I wired up a push pull pot.. 500K.. soldered on 2 caps.. 1 – .047; 2 – .o22 .. so far I can’t seem to get two different tones selecting push down or pull up. My rig is two humbucker, single coil w/single vol pot 500K and a 3-way selector switch. Still trying to select between two tones. I get same tone no matter what tone I select. The pot functions by rotating, seeking two tone select-ability as defined in the write up.
I was wondering if you knew what the John Stilwell master tone circuit was that Ritchie Blackmore used in his Strats.