NS Aristocrat stuff

[md54]

Hi folks,

I have just picked up an Aristocrat from ebay here in the UK. Very impressed for the price £550 as new condition. I was looking for a cheaper equivalent of the Ibanez George Benson.

Spent most of last night setting it up and with a small truss rod adjustment, much bridge fiddling and new strings it's playing well this morning. Looks so good without the pick guard in sunburst.

However, the guitar plugged in is behaving a little oddly. The tone control works as you would expect for tone but it also has a massive volume effect as well! If I dial in a mellow jazz tone volume falls through the floor and I need to make a volume up adjustment to compensate. Ditto in the other direction except volume down to correct. Never come across such a big change like this before. I like the sound of the PUs. Very defined, articulate, bright but definitely not harsh.

Any thoughts.

 

[Fixit]

What are the values of the volume pots 250 or 500Kohm, or something else, and are they audio taper or linear taper pots?

 

[md54]

What are the values of the volume pots 250 or 500Kohm, or something else, and are they audio taper or linear taper pots?

Sorry, we are now talking in a different language! I have no idea. Would this be on the Guild web site?

 

[JavelinaJoe]

This could be the common problem called Treble bleed which can be solved by soldering in a resistor/capacitor. Here's a link to an example of the fix:

http://www.guitar-mod.com/rg_diag_treble_bleed.html

The parts are easy to come by or you could take it to your local electric guitar guy. I would have thought the NS models would have this included. Now I have to go check mine out.

 

[md54]

I thought treble bleed was relating to the volume pot. ie less treble at low volume? Actually I never really get this electronics stuff but I just wondered if anyone else has this issue?

 

[parker_knoll]

yeah, I'm not sure how those are wired. your best bet maybe to modify it to Les Paul vintage wiring which works well. if you can use a soldering iron it's an easy job.

While you're at it you might be advised to upgrade the pots. For some reason Korean guitars always seem to have great luthiery but really skimp on the electronics. CTS pots are only about a fiver each in the UK, or you can buy a premade wiring loom for about £30 with good quality components ready to fit right in. Someone else should be able to confirm if a Les Paul loom can drop into an Aristocrat. Higher value pots will be brighter. 500k is the standard and vintage Guilds came with 500k.

http://www.premierguitar.com/ext/re..._Power-Play-4-Mods_lespaul_50s_wiring_WEB.jpg

give it a google for other diagrams if you find that hard to follow.

 

[md54]

I thought treble bleed was on the volume control. ie more volume more treble. Less volume = treble bleed.

I dunno. It's all magic isn't it?

Looks like a visit to the local work shop.

Thanks anyway guys.

 

[parker_knoll]

you can buy a drop in loom like i said. you can probably do that yourself.