Changing dual volume controls to single?

I think it is a design issue. I don't know if my theory is correct but it should be very near...

Your guitar is more or less a Les Paul guitar, which was the first electric guitar (or one of the initial electric guitars). It has a double volume and double tone knobs, one per each pickup, so you can control the volume and tone in the final mix. Moreover, it has a switch for selecting the pickups.

Leo Fender wanted to reduce the cost of manufacturing, thus he introduced several changes, for example, the bolt on neck: it is easier and also cheaper to build and also to repair if it is broken. The Tele with double pickup (Broadcaster, Nocaster... they were the very beginning) has a volume and tone. You are reducing two potentiometers and several connections. The Stratocaster is an update from the Telecaster.

I repeat I don't know if the reasoning is correct but it is truth that the Leo Fender's objective was to reduce the cost. It seems reasonable that modification.

On your second question. No, it is more or less easy to do that modification to your guitar. Your guitar uses two humbucker pickup. Usually they have four wires and they are different to the single coil pickups used in the Strat guitars (sometimes they also use humbucker).

The Seymour Duncan and DiMarzio sites have several layouts for wiring guitars in different configurations. Look for your configuration and do it. Note that the color code change practically for every brand so you will need to check you code but it seems your guitar uses Duncans.

Now, just a comment. Personally I'd never do that modification in your guitar. Note you'd be reducing the tone possibilities. On the other hand, you say you are comfortable with soldering, you must keep in mind that a cold ironing could ruin your sound and it is not a cheap guitar.

I'll think twice! :wink:

Good luck!

Thank you for the response.... very thorough!

My guitar only has the single tone control, even though it has the dual volume... so, it is *kind of* like a Les Paul.

I have been thinking about bringing it in to get set up soon... so, I'll ask them to see what they think.

I had a suggestion on the Schecter forum to switch it to dual tone, single volume rather than its current single tone, dual volume... that sounds interesting to me!

Thank you again