Legacy Volume Issue

[LoudinNY]

First time poster with an issue (or what I perceive as an issue) and I am hoping that some of the knowledgeable folks here can weigh in……. I own a ’96 Legacy. I am experiencing issues w/ the volume pot. The volume pot is hardly audible/usable from 1-4 or 5. It’s not until 5-10 when you start to hear the volume increase. When I compare the Legacy to my 1960 RI Les Paul, I find that the LP’s volume functions in the entire 1-10 range and is usable throughout the sweep. The same applies with my son’s mex 90’s black label strat. In addition (with all amp settings the same - Blues Jr) when I compare my Legacy to other guitars it is nowhere near as loud. Is this a common trait of the G&L alnicos or is there an underlying pickup and/or pot issue I’m experiencing?
This issue is not new and it’s persisted since I’ve owned the guitar. I’ve just learned to work around it but lately it’s been driving me crazy. Too my ears the guitar just doesn’t sound right. Maybe I’m just accustomed to a slightly hotter pickup.

Also I wanted to add that the Legacy is unable to drive the Blues Jr to a slightly overdriven tone state.

I guess a simplification of my issue would be:

1 Should the volume pot be audible/usable through the entire sweep 1-10?
2 Should the Legacy me able to drive a Blues Jr to a slightly overdriven state?

[john o]

Hi LoudinNY and welcome to the forum.
I have a trib Legacy with the usual alnico pickups, have a normal continuous volume increase from 0-10, and no problems with output, or overdriving a tube amp in the usual way a single coil pup would. Would check the wiring under the pickguard for connection problems, but assuming none, sounds like you might need to replace the volume pot.
Do the PTB tone controls work well?

[LoudinNY]

Hi LoudinNY and welcome to the forum.
I have a trib Legacy with the usual alnico pickups, have a normal continuous volume increase from 0-10, and no problems with output, or overdriving a tube amp in the usual way a single coil pup would. Would check the wiring under the pickguard for connection problems, but assuming none, sounds like you might need to replace the volume pot.
Do the PTB tone controls work well?

I appreciate the response .... The tone controls appear to function fine. The lack of output concerns me at 1-3 you hardly notice the guitar is plugged in.....

[Craig]

Hi LoudinNY and welcome to the forum.
I have a trib Legacy with the usual alnico pickups, have a normal continuous volume increase from 0-10, and no problems with output, or overdriving a tube amp in the usual way a single coil pup would. Would check the wiring under the pickguard for connection problems, but assuming none, sounds like you might need to replace the volume pot.
Do the PTB tone controls work well?

I appreciate the response .... The tone controls appear to function fine. The lack of output concerns me at 1-3 you hardly notice the guitar is plugged in.....

See the Gallery for Legacy Diagrams we have.

Are you the original owner or was there a previous owner?

[SouthpawGuy]

The volume pot is hardly audible/usable from 1-4 or 5. It’s not until 5-10 when you start to hear the volume increase.

Long shot .... is the volume pot by any chance wired left handed ? Typically a right handed pot wired lefty functions more like an on / off switch.

[LoudinNY]

I bought the guitar in late 90's, it was sold to me as a demo from the dealer (the now closed Daddys Junky Music). I'll see if I can pull the pickguard and take a look at the wiring.

[helle-man]

1 Should the volume pot be audible/usable through the entire sweep 1-10?
2 Should the Legacy me able to drive a Blues Jr to a slightly overdriven state?

Yes to both questions. I would have a technician check it out. It could be the previous owner installed a pot with a weird taper and value.

Will