[Treble Bleed Mod] - Is there a way of making it switchable with a 2-way mini switch?

[DemoColorScheme]

Hey guys,
all my guitars have a Treble Bleed mod and I'm really happy with it, but I wonder if there's a way to make it switchable with a mini-switch so you can switch back for when you're using certain OD's or fuzz's that like the muffled tone.

[brikus]

Hey guys,
all my guitars have a Treble Bleed mod and I'm really happy with it, but I wonder if there's a way to make it switchable with a mini-switch so you can switch back for when you're using certain OD's or fuzz's that like the muffled tone.

Yes.

As a treble bleed is just a strategically placed capacitor on the volume pot, for instance, you can use a push-pull switch as the volume pot and it would connect/disconnect the capacitor, and therefore the treble bleed function.

[DemoColorScheme]

Thanks! Good tip!

[brikus]

Gunslinger's post in the following thread shows how a treble bleed is generally wired.
http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=801566

Just wire a push/pull pot to connect/disconnect the cap and you're there. :cool:

[Demioblue]

It's available on the Joe Satriani Signature Ibanez. Searching for the wiring diagram on that guitar would give you the way to do it.

[DemoColorScheme]

Thanks, guys. I think it's clear. ;)

[dougk]

I've actually put micro mini sliders on the back covers of some of my guitars with the treble bleeds attached. You can even do a 3 position for two different values.

Its very simple, the treble bleed is wired to one side of the switch, the other left "open".

http://www.pbase.com/dkauer744/image/123035924.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/dkauer744/image/123035925.jpg
(I eventually ground this down so the switch nub was even with the cover and just put a notch in the middle so you could flick it with a pick. Worked GREAT).

[DemoColorScheme]

That's actually a pretty cool idea!

[kevinhifi]

I've done it with a switch to hear the difference, and there's certainly a big difference. I was surprised at how much overall apparent volume the cap adds, which is why some complain about the change in taper.

[THebert]

That is a cool idea, Doug.

[DemoColorScheme]

Let's bump this up for a bit more info again.

[Blix]

I've personally yet to hear a treble bleed mod that doesn't make the rolled off tone thin and harsh.
I prefer my tone to stay similar at all volume levels, and the treble bleed works more like an EQ when rolled down. At least with gain, as I don't use my volume control much with clean sounds.

I made a little clip a while back do demonstrate how I like it for another forum:

http://soundcloud.com/amund-blix/voltest

Quite high gain here. I also often disengage the tone controls, as it also can muddy the tone when rolling down the volume.

[brikus]

I've personally yet to hear a treble bleed mod that doesn't make the rolled off tone thin and harsh.
I prefer my tone to stay similar at all volume levels, and the treble bleed works more like an EQ when rolled down. At least with gain, as I don't use my volume control much with clean sounds.

I made a little clip a while back do demonstrate how I like it for another forum:

http://soundcloud.com/amund-blix/voltest

Quite high gain here. I also often disengage the tone controls, as it also can muddy the tone when rolling down the volume.


The thing is that if you have no cap, the sound gets muddier as you turn the volume down. The trick for a good treble bleed is a suitable cap value.

[JayScott]

I get good results using the cap only. It doesn't mess with the volume taper as much, and the right value cap for your pickups/guitar/amp/ears can keep the sound very consistent as you wind the volume up and down.

By experimenting, I found that generally I like 180pf on Fender-type pickups, and 120pf on humbuckers. I'd have thought the values would go the other way, but my ears are happy!

I also like no-load tone pots, which I think affects the way the volume control works as well. YMMV!:::D

[dougk]

That is a cool idea, Doug.

I built this box at the same time:

http://www.pbase.com/dkauer744/image/123059142.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/dkauer744/image/123059144.jpg

It lets me rotary through different values of caps then add resistors in. Works pretty well (but I need to build a newer shielded version because its NOISY while you test :rotflmao:bonk)

[Rick51]

I've done it with a switch to hear the difference, and there's certainly a big difference. I was surprised at how much overall apparent volume the cap adds, which is why some complain about the change in taper.

[QUOTE=Blix;9551308]I've personally yet to hear a treble bleed mod that doesn't make the rolled off tone thin and harsh.
I prefer my tone to stay similar at all volume levels, and the treble bleed works more like an EQ when rolled down. At least with gain, as I don't use my volume control much with clean sounds.

... QUOTE]

There's virtually no utility in switching a treble bleed in and out if you have the right component values.

I think if you use just a cap for a treble bleed, you are missing the boat. You need a resistor in parallel to smooth out the frequency response. I use 220K and 680 pF in parallel on my teles, and the tone stays consistent as I roll off the volume.

[Blix]

The thing is that if you have no cap, the sound gets muddier as you turn the volume down. The trick for a good treble bleed is a suitable cap value.

Not on my guitars, no treble bleed mod and no mud. Depends highly on which pickup(s) you are using though. Also what type of gain/overdrive used I guess. At least in my rig I see no need for it.

[QUOTE=Blix;9551308]I've personally yet to hear a treble bleed mod that doesn't make the rolled off tone thin and harsh.
I prefer my tone to stay similar at all volume levels, and the treble bleed works more like an EQ when rolled down. At least with gain, as I don't use my volume control much with clean sounds.

... QUOTE]


There's virtually no utility in switching a treble bleed in and out if you have the right component values.

I think if you use just a cap for a treble bleed, you are missing the boat. You need a resistor in parallel to smooth out the frequency response. I use 220K and 680 pF in parallel on my teles, and the tone stays consistent as I roll off the volume.


As I mentioned, no need for it with my gear, there can be a lot of variables, but my tone stays consistent without, so I leave it at that.. :)

[kleydj13]

Interesting concept. I too have had times when this would be handy...:idea

[dougk]

There's virtually no utility in switching a treble bleed in and out if you have the right component values.

I think if you use just a cap for a treble bleed, you are missing the boat. You need a resistor in parallel to smooth out the frequency response. I use 220K and 680 pF in parallel on my teles, and the tone stays consistent as I roll off the volume.

Rick,

I really find the opposite to be true. Not so much switching the treble bleed circuit on/off as an effect but what I do find is the behavior of my guitars while rolling the volume off is VERY amp dependent. Some amp's sound great with out it and some of them loose A LOT of highs as soon as the input level drops.

Its kind of one of those things, there is no 100% perfect for every situation, player, style, touch ect. I like having a little flexibility this way. Hell even different winders pickups will act differently. All you can do is use your ears to decide on what is right or wrong ya know...