Scott Henderson Discussion

[randope]

hey scott,
My friend and I were cleaning up the circuits of his SH Suhr when I noticed that it had a capacitor & resistor wired to the volume pot. I figured it must be a treble bleed but I remembered that you don't like that tone. Did you once have it installed on your guitars? Do you still have this mod in your current guitars?

Regards,
Randy

[Scott Henderson]

John doesn't put that mod in the guitars he makes for me. I use a very short cable going from the guitar to my first pedal, so I don't loose treble when I turn down. Most guys use a much longer cable so he puts the mod in his guitars. I think it sounds terrible, but I guess it doesn't bother some people. I'd rather the guitar get all dark and muddy when turning down than use that mod.

[bigscottfan]

Scott, have you ever tried the "50s wiring" mod for stratocaster?
I like it a lot, helps to retain the highs when I turn the volume down.

All the best.

[Scott Henderson]

What's the difference between the 50's wiring and the normal one? Can you post a picture of it?

[bigscottfan]

Here is a link to an article that also has a picture of the mod.
http://www.premierguitar.com/articles/gibson_50s_wiring_on_a_stratocaster

I think it is simply that one connects the tone pot after the volume pot (output) instead of before it (input) as usually. Some say it also alters the tone a bit, but I didn't notice anything I could put my finger on.

[Scott Henderson]

I asked John about this mod and he said "Fender changed that for a reason."

In his opinion it's not a good idea, since the tone of the guitar also changes depending on where the volume knob is, in a more drastic way that it does with the normal wiring. He says a better solution to the treble loss problem is to use a short cable to your first pedal. But he also said the 50's wiring is something to check out because some guys like it. I'm too lazy to take a guitar apart but if I run across someone who's using that mod I'll try to borrow their guitar and check it out.