2016 McCarty 594 10-Top

[Tommy]

I just purchased one, but the bridge tone pot appears to be not working. The push/pull works, the volume works, not crackling or popping and everything matches the schematic as far as solder joints, capacitors and resistors.

How can you test a tone pot with a multimeter? suggestions??

Thanks
Tommy

 

[RickP]

Here's a quick Wiki-How article on simple tests for pots with a multi-meter.
https://www.wikihow.com/Test-a-Potentiometer#:~:text= Steps 1 Find out what the,of it. Two of those tabs... More

A great article on potentiometers from Fralin is here: https://www.fralinpickups.com/2017/03/03/volume-tone-pots-101/ This is not so much a how-to, as it is a good primer on different value pots, why they are used, and the variations within those types.

Between the two, you should have something to get you going. There are a lot of videos on YouTube showing how to test them as well. Congratulation on the guitar, it's a modern classic.

 

[Tommy]

Thanks Rick.. Well, I checked the pot according to the instructions and it is good. The resistance goes up when I turn the tone pot dial.
I also checked the wiring according to the PRS wiring diagram and it looks good. I tugged on each wire and they are soldered good.
So any ideas anyone???

 

[Broseph]

Now super dumb question: what position are you in when you’re adjusting the bridge tone? You’ll notice the most effects only when it’s turned on to bridge only, not the middle.

 

[Tommy]

It's in the Bridge position and the split is off.

 

[ViperDoc]

A functioning tone pot that does not alter tone is most likely not grounded properly. Photos?

 

[Tommy]

All the wires look secure and match the PRS Diagram.

 

[Herr Squid]

I had that problem in a Paul's Guitar I bought a while back. It turned out the tone capacitor was dead. That's a pretty easy and inexpensive swap for anybody who's handy with a soldering iron -- it's about as easy to replace one as it is to spend time in the control cavity troubleshooting.

I just bought a replacement and slapped it in. Problem solved.

 

[Herr Squid]

Looking at your photos it appears to me that the lead is just plain yanked out of the capacitor that should be connected to that bottom rearward pot. That would cause the problem you describe!

 

[ViperDoc]

Apologies, I cannot see your photos, but it appears Herr Squid might have found a problem. Good luck!

 

[Tommy]

Looking at your photos it appears to me that the lead is just plain yanked out of the capacitor that should be connected to that bottom rearward pot. That would cause the problem you describe!

That was it.... I glob soldered it and it works. DANG!! I looked and looked at that cavity until my eyes watered and did not see that.
Thanks for seeing it and now it works and all is well...

 

[bodia]

That was it.... I glob soldered it and it works. DANG!! I looked and looked at that cavity until my eyes watered and did not see that.
Thanks for seeing it and now it works and all is well...

Glad to hear you got it sorted out.