Changing "Blend" to Master Volume

kalimusic · Post by **kalimusic** » Mon Mar 21, 2005 2:12 am

Has anyone done this? How'd it work out?
I never use the blend and would really like to convert it to a master volume, or install a 1 meg pot for a master volume.

8mileshigh · Post by **8mileshigh** » Mon Mar 21, 2005 5:22 am

Never even thought about it...but I like the idea.....I'll watch this one with interest.

tony_carey · Post by **tony_carey** » Mon Mar 21, 2005 5:28 am

A lot of people change the blend to do one thing or another. But I constantly use my blend control as a master tone, so couldn't do with out it. A master volume is a great idea, as on stage, I have to switch to the bridge p/up & then turn it down if I want to leave my guitar on 'standby'.

I would consider changing the bass tone pot to a master volume however..A, because I NEVER use the bass tone & B, because it would then be just close enough to do a spot of violining....

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Mon Mar 21, 2005 8:07 am

Now there's a good one. I have seldom touched that knob myself.

kalimusic · Post by **kalimusic** » Mon Mar 21, 2005 8:17 pm

The blend pot on my 330 12 is 500k and is now functioning quite nicely as a Master Volume. I like it. I used a larger knob in the same style as the original and mounted it to stick up higher than the other controls so it's easy to get to.

But i, too, like Tony's idea and may go for that. I've always wonderd why Rick put the volume controls at the lower edge where they're hardest to reach.

I found the schematic on the RIC site to be incorrect, or simply the wrong schemo, for my '66 330. But the change is very simple:
the two leads going to the blend pot are removed and then spliced together and the output jack hot goes to the wiper (center) of the new MV pot. the unused, never-been-soldered lug of the MV pot takes the output from the pups and the lug below center must be grounded.

Master Volume works really well for me. Particularly because i use the middle position and need both pup volumes at 100% to get the tone i like.