Wiring question for tone controls - twist them?

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mlp-mx6
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Wiring question for tone controls - twist them?

Post by mlp-mx6 »

I'm trying to not use shielded cable as much as possible in my current build. This is not in an ODS chassis, BTW. However, I do have a rather long run from the tone stack caps to the tone pots. Is it good to twist these wires together (like some Fenders), or are they best run straight?

Thanks,
Michael
Last edited by mlp-mx6 on Tue Apr 11, 2006 6:31 pm, edited 1 time in total.
jazzyjoepass
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Re: Wiring question for tone controls - twist them?

Post by jazzyjoepass »

I don't think twisting will help in this case. Twists are good for differential signals - where the current in each wire is travelling in opposite directions in a two wire conduit (Eg. Live and neutral wire in your 120Vac, your heaters, etc). That way the resultant magnetic field cancels. This controls electromagnetic emission.

But since your signals are low level, what you want is immunity to external interference, then shielded cable is the way to go.

I hope I'm right in my explanation :( been a long while away from the books.
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Bob-I
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Re: Wiring question for tone controls - twist them?

Post by Bob-I »

mlp-mx6 wrote:I'm trying to not use shielded cable as much as possible in my current build. This is not in an ODS chassis, BTW. However, I do have a rather long run from the tone stack caps to the tone pots. Is it good to twist these wires together (like some Fenders), or are they best run straight?

Thanks,
Michael
I've never seen twisted wires on a tone stack myself. I tend to run them in a bundle and twist tie them together. I've never had oscillation or noise from this method.
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Chris333
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Re: Wiring question for tone controls - twist them?

Post by Chris333 »

You could put a terminal strip near the controls and mount the tone caps and slope resistor on it. Saves having to string wire back and forth between the tone pots and the board. Might be able to eliminate several inches of wire, depending how things are laid out. Frees up space on the board, too.
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Darkbluemurder
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Re: Wiring question for tone controls - twist them?

Post by Darkbluemurder »

I used the Kendrick method in my modded Fender Bandmaster which is to mount the tone caps directly to the related pots. This eliminates several inches of grid wire.
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