Custom Guitar Varitone

This design can be used in any guitar as a replacement for a normal tone knob. However, it requires two mounting holes to install. For this reason, it is a great guitar mod for stratocasters because it can replace the two tone knobs and provide a much larger tonal variety. This mod is my own design. I like it because of its simplicity. After designing several different varitone mods, this is the one that has stayed in my stratocaster.

Similar Guitar Mods

Also, check out Varitone Wiring (with inductor)

Forewarnings and General Info...

This design functions just the same as a normal tone pot is designed to. However, instead of using just one capacitor to limit which frequencies make it to the amp, this design uses a six position (two pole) rotary switch to allow up to six different capacitors to be used. My design also features the Fender No-Load Tone Pot as the tone control. I have done this because the No-Load Tone Pot, in the zero position (of the knob), removes itself from the circuit resulting in a brighter tone.

What You Will Need...

- Basic Soldering Skills
- Soldering Tools
- Wire (I use Black 22 gauge)
- 6 Position Rotary Switch (I used a 2 pole Rotary Switch)
- A 500k or 250k Potentiometer (I used a 500k CTS No-Load Tone Pot)
- 6 (non-electrolytic) Capacitors (I used 6 Sprague "Black Beauty" Caps. The cap values are: .003mfd, .006mfd, .01mfd, .02mfd, .033mfd, .047mfd.)

Audio Clips

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wiring pictures and instructions.