Capacitor Placement:

[Inspector #20]

I've examined a few diagrams and it doesn't seem like where you place the capacitor makes any difference in its function.

Looking at how many capacitors either connect between the volume and tone pots, or from middle lug to ground, I see no potential tonal advantage.

Would you electrical wizards confirm or refute???

 

[JohnnyGoo]

I always do it 50s style just so not to boggle my pea brain. But ya im sure theres alot of ways to do this.

 

[Hackmaster]

I too am curious.
I usually ground my caps to the back of my tone pots.
I also wire the cap to the outside lug of the tone pot, not the middle.
Why?
Don't know, just seems to be what I see more of in on line wiring diagrams, and ease of installation.

 

[RVA]

I do not think placement affects tone, but rather the potential for interplay between the knobs. I think that is the primary reason people prefer '50s wiring

Les Paul Wiring Diagram | Seymour Duncan

Let’s take a closer look at the various ways you can wire up your four-pot guitar: Les Paul 50s wiring and modern wiring.

www.seymourduncan.com

IMO caps have noting to do with tone other than the value affecting degree to which treble can be rolled off.

 

[CabanaBoy]

If I rewire a guitar for myself for what ever reason it's generally 'vintage', but if I get a guitar that is wired 'modern' I leave it alone. No real reason, just my preference - either way works/functions.

 

[smitty_p]

I've examined a few diagrams and it doesn't seem like where you place the capacitor makes any difference in its function.

Looking at how many capacitors either connect between the volume and tone pots, or from middle lug to ground, I see no potential tonal advantage.

Correct.

In a series circuit, which is what a tone circuit is, all current is present equally across all components and voltages will be dropped along the components regardless of order.

So, it does not matter if the circuit is wired so the pot is the first component or if the capacitor is the first component.

Keep in mind, this principle applies regardless of '50s or Modern wiring. The ONLY meaningful difference between the two schemes lies in where you tap for the tone circuit. Modern wiring taps at the input to the volume pot; '50s wiring taps at the wiper of the volume pot. It is irrelevant whether the tone pot or the tone cap is the first component.

I usually wire so the capacitor is the first component. I solder it onto the desired volume pot terminal and then to the tone pot input terminal. Then I solder the wiper terminal of the tone pot to the pot casing, but I do that more for economical use of materials, so I don't have to cut and strip another piece of wire.