What is going on in this control cavity?

[StSpider]

So I recently bought a early 90s PRS CE.

I’m very happy with the guitar, which is my first PRS by the way, but the tone pot does not work. It only rolls back the top end 1 time out of two and even when it does a slight tap is enough to “disconnect” it. I think the shaft is damaged.

On top of that, the black speed knob fits quite loosely on top of it, one gentle pull is enough to remove it. The volume and the rotary switch are quite snug.

I opened the control cavity to see if I could figure out what was going on, I thought the pot might have been replaced with a different one because the knob does not look cracked at all.

To my surprise I saw a lot of extra caps on the tone pot that I did not expect.

I’d like to understand what is going on especially if I want to replace the tone pot with another one possibly from PRS, I’d like to put the guitar in stock conditions first, but I can’t if I don’t know what’s original or not about the state it’s in. Adding to the confusion, I see that tone pots from the PRS store come with a completely different cap presoldered to them.

https://i.imgur.com/oh2ZBxh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/Dpol6uK.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/2VLk2Jk.jpg

I hope the pictures can clarify what I’m talking about.

Thanks!

 

[Wakester]

It kind of looks like a previous owner tried to add a treble bleed circuit over the top of the existing circuit. Considering the age of the guitar, it may be worth it to replace the the tone pot. the PRS store has them with the capacitor installed for $10. The other option would be to replace the entire electronics package, there are a few good Electronic Luthiers on Reverb selling drop in harnesses that can put new life into an old axe.

 

[Rider1260]

Yea that's a mess - If your knob does not fit I'm better replaced tone pot will extra resistors and a cap on a cap installed just get a new set of pots and replace them both while your in there IMHO

 

[AP515]

So two caps in parallel (like in the photo) simply add capacitance. So the previous owner was wanting to step up the capacitance. He also added a resistor. All of it can be removed and you can put it back to spec using one of the diagrams on the PRS website. I agree with the above, just buy a new pot with the cap already installed.

 

[DISTORT6]

So I recently bought a early 90s PRS CE.

I’m very happy with the guitar, which is my first PRS by the way, but the tone pot does not work. It only rolls back the top end 1 time out of two and even when it does a slight tap is enough to “disconnect” it. I think the shaft is damaged.

On top of that, the black speed knob fits quite loosely on top of it, one gentle pull is enough to remove it. The volume and the rotary switch are quite snug.

I opened the control cavity to see if I could figure out what was going on, I thought the pot might have been replaced with a different one because the knob does not look cracked at all.

To my surprise I saw a lot of extra caps on the tone pot that I did not expect.

I’d like to understand what is going on especially if I want to replace the tone pot with another one possibly from PRS, I’d like to put the guitar in stock conditions first, but I can’t if I don’t know what’s original or not about the state it’s in. Adding to the confusion, I see that tone pots from the PRS store come with a completely different cap presoldered to them.

https://i.imgur.com/oh2ZBxh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/Dpol6uK.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/2VLk2Jk.jpg

I hope the pictures can clarify what I’m talking about.

Thanks!

I hope you got this all sorted out.
That being said…is that a Powder Blue finish?
You GOTTA post some pics!

 

[StSpider]

I hope you got this all sorted out.
That being said…is that a Powder Blue finish?
You GOTTA post some pics!

I'll definitely will once I can take some good shots of it! I'm actually eager to talk about how much I like this guitar, but I won't be able to take good pictures before the weekend because all the hours with good natural lighting I have to spend at work.