ToneShaper Treble Bleed Network (Variable)

Our variable treble bleed network is a simple device that attaches to your volume control to mitigate treble rolloff that happens when you turn your volume control down. Our unit is variable, it is adjusted via a tiny pot (we give you a small screwdriver) so you can dial it in for your application.

What's it do? You may have noticed that when you turn down the volume control on some guitars (all vintage Strats or Teles, for example), the tone changes too. The treble frequencies are attenuated, and the tone becomes somewhat dull. This is something that many people have never noticed - while it drives other people crazy - but if you check it out then you'll find that the tonal change really is there, even though you may never have noticed. And like many things, once you hear it, it's hard to un-hear it.

The treble-bleed is a resistor/capacitor (RC) network that can be used to address this problem. These things are used in many modern guitars, so if your guitar doesn't seem to sound any different at lower volumes than at higher volumes, then it's likely your guitar has some sort of treble bleed device installed in it, though it's unlikely to be adjustable.

Our tiny unit (1/4" x 5/8", or about 6mm x 16mm) comes with long leads that allow you to attach it to the volume pot, then leave it dangling outside the control cavity. This way you can adjust it while you test the guitar, and when you have it right where you want it you just tuck it inside the control cavity.

The reason that adjustability is a cool thing is because every situation is different. The output of the pickups, the amount of capacitance in your guitar cable, your ears, all of this changes from one player to another. And you might use one of these variable treble bleeds in a Stratocaster with single coils, say, and a second unit in a Suhr with humbuckers. In that scenario you might want the unit in the Suhr to be adjusted so that when it's at half volume you really hear the treble, as the neck humbucker might otherwise be too muffled. The Strat might not have the same issue, and you might find that the treble bleed in that guitar can be somewhat more dialed back.

These scenarios or countless others may apply in your situation, so the ability to optimize the unit for your application, that's a cool thing for sure!