Treble bleed mod on Silhouette Special

[Rivers]

Looking at installing a new 250KA volume pot and wanted to insert a treble bleed mod as well and am trying to understand what the differences would be, when using different values or capacitors vs resistors?

I came across DrKev's treble bleed mod page here and it looks like he's using a 560pf + 150K Ohms mod (in parallel). Just thinking out aloud, what differences might there be when comparing that set of values say, vs the 2 below:

DiMarzio – 560 pF capacitor & 300 kΩ resistor
John Suhr – 680 pF capacitor & 150kΩ resistor

Thanks!

 

[DrKev]

The difference between those two capacitor values is not really large enough for you to worry about. You'll probably not hear the difference in sound unless you did A-B comparisons of recordings. Higher value resistors will make for a brighter signal at the lower 1/2 of volume pot.

 

[Rivers]

The difference between those two capacitor values is not really large enough for you to worry about. You'll probably not hear the difference in sound unless you did A-B comparisons of recordings. Higher value resistors will make for a brighter signal at the lower 1/2 of volume pot.

Thanks @DrKev! What treble bleed cap/resistor values would you recommend for a humbucker / humbucker setup with a 500K volume pot?

 

[nervous]

FWIW the ones I have used in both my older dual humbucker Axis Sport's have a 150k resistor and .0015 uf Sprague Orange Drop like this:

https://reverb.com/item/5105326-2x-sprague-orange-drop-treble-bleed-kits-mod-0015uf-150k-strat-tele-others

 

[beej]

I've been using the Suhr values in my guitars for ages, 680 pF & 150k.

 

[DrKev]

Thanks @DrKev! What treble bleed cap/resistor values would you recommend for a humbucker / humbucker setup with a 500K volume pot?

Humbuckers vs singles really doesn't change much and can be ignored as far as I'm concerned. We're dealing with high frequency loss due to a combination of cable capacitance and volume pot resistance. My rule of thumb* is that capacitor value should be similar to or slightly larger than the cable capacitance and parallel resistor should be between 50% and 100% of the nominal volume pot value, larger values give more brightness lower at lower volume settings.

*based on circuit simulations to best match the frequency and height of pickups resonant peak with the volume pot full on vs almost off.

I think, if I recall correctly, last time I rewired my Silhouette Special, I have a 220 kΩ resistor. I think. Most pickup and guitar manufacturers suggest lower values than my rule. Are they "wrong"? Well, it's not what I would suggest based on my circuit studies. But the fact is that if you need a treble bleed to make you happier with your guitar you will be happier no matter who's suggestions you follow. Remember, for years PRS just used a single 180pF cap with no parallel resistor, and I think that's pretty awful at the lowest volume pot settings. But I also think it's better than nothing.