Bad volumen S-1 american deluxe strat

[rhye]

Hi

I have a new fender american deluxe strat and there is one thing that is bothering me. the volumen knob doesnt seem to be working fine, i puts the volumen down to quick so if you put it down from 10 to 5 its like from 10 to 1in another guitar, at 4 you have no sound so you have to move it very carefuly in orther just to put the volumen down a little. I'd like to change the part but i would loose the S-1, and i can't send it back to factory because i live in Colombia. Any suggestions?

[AxeBlaster]

You can buy the S1 volume pots on ebay. Sometimes the knobs are lined up properly either, since there is not notch for them to be placed into. So a 4 can be different on different guitars.

[Vomact]

RHYE:

The problem you are describing is common to MIM's.

Both my Strat and my Baja Tele had the same problem. The volume was either ON or OFF.

You need to install a Treble Bleed circuit, or what is called a Volume Control circuit. For God Sake don't put and S-1 switch in. That will not do you any good. It is only for players that want in and out of phase sounds from the PUPS. You need a special 5 way switch for it AND you have to know how to wire it.

I am taking mine OUT of my Tele as soon as I find the time.....

I digress......

You can do a web search on "treble bleed circuit" and you will find all the instructions you need.

For my Strat and Tele, I used a 1000pF capacitor and a 150 K Ohm resistor.
You can use other values. Many people do. You have to find a combination that 'sounds' good to you.

You simply twist the leads of the resistor around the leads of the cap and solder them. You then solder one lead of the circuit to the center post of the volume pot and the the other lead to the volume pot post that is NOT soldered to the pot case as ground. This will be the pot post that has been wired to your tone (2) control pot (the one closest to the volume pot.)
You can find the wiring diagram at Fender.com.

You should notice a significant difference in the performance of the volume control after this modification.

While your in there you may want to consider putting in some decent tone capacitors, such as Vitamin Q's or Musicaps. The roll off of the stock caps
they put in MIM's leaves much to be desired. You will find a decent set of caps (for a Strat) or a new cap (or a Tele) can make a noticeable improvement in the sound of teh guitar and roll off capacity of the tone controls.

Vomact