ASAT Special- no tone control

Mon Nov 26, 2012 1:54 pm

Just got a used beauty that I love, but it seems the tone control doesn't work. I have a little electronics experience (but not guitars, other than replacing a 5 way switch & installing a loaded pickguard). I haven't opened it up yet. Just wanted to get some input. Is it most likely a bad pot or cap? If I want to change the components values can I replace them w/out changing the volume pot too? Thanks!

Re: ASAT Special- no tone control

Mon Nov 26, 2012 2:49 pm

It's probably a solder joint that went bad...easy fix and most likely you'll be able identify the problem soon after you have opened her up. The cap is grounded on one side , most likely to the chassis of the pot, if the pot chassis ground was broken or a cold solder joint that would also take out the tone control.

Yes, you can change caps without removing the pot.

Pics are a plus if you don't find it to be an easy fix,

Elwood

Re: ASAT Special- no tone control

Mon Nov 26, 2012 6:24 pm

my wiring

http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b51 ... f4fcc0.jpg

my drawing
http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b51 ... 1d6401.jpg

wiring diagram I found....1990 ASAT (not sure which model- classic maybe?)
http://www.guitarsbyleo.com/GALLERY2/ma ... alNumber=8


Well I replaced the tone pot with a 500k and it is still not working. When I compare how mine was wired to this 1990 diagram, the only difference I see is that mine has a black jumper wire soldered between both pot chassis (but the 1990 does not) , and mine has no ground from the tone pot chassis to bridge. It appears that my bridge is grounded to the volume pot. So I'm back to square one. Could it be a bad cap on the tone pot? That's really all that's left right? Do I have to replace it with the '223J100V' or can I just use one of the .03uf 100V or .33MFD fender replacements they sell in the repair parts section of Guitar Center? I've never seen a cap with the weird 223J stamp before. I have a DMM but no Cap tester.

http://www.glguitars.com/schematics/index2.asp Based on what is here, I should have a resistor in there as well, but I don't, so I think someone has maybe tried to modify this one?