Guide · Guitar electronics

The Treble Bleed Circuit Guide

Why your guitar gets muddy when you turn down, and how to wire a cap only, parallel, series or parallel and series treble bleed to keep it clear.

By Montances Guitar Wiring7 min readWiring guide
Chapter 01 · The basics

What a treble bleed is

Roll your volume back to clean up and the sound goes dull. That's normal for a passive guitar, and a treble bleed fixes it. It's a tiny circuit, usually one capacitor and sometimes a resistor, soldered across two lugs of your volume pot.

With a treble bleed, turning down makes your guitar quieter without making it darker. Your clean tones stay clear, and you can ride the volume knob like a gain control.

Animation: as the volume knob turns down from 10 to 4, a guitar without a treble bleed loses its highs first, while one with a treble bleed drops evenly and stays clear01 23456 78910 VOLUMEWITHOUT TREBLE BLEEDBassLo-mid MidHi-midTrebleFull volumeHighs fade first: muddy WITH TREBLE BLEEDBassLo-midMid Hi-midTrebleFull volumeQuieter but still clear
Turn the volume down and a plain pot loses its highs first. With a treble bleed, the sound gets quieter but keeps its balance.
Where it goes
Between the volume pot's input lug (lug 3) and output lug (lug 2)
Parts
One small capacitor, plus a resistor for parallel or series types
Effect on full volume
Almost none. It only works as you turn down
How many
One per volume pot
Chapter 02 · How it works

Why your tone gets darker

A volume pot is a resistor with a moving contact. On 10, the signal goes straight through. As you turn down, the pot puts more and more resistance between your pickup and the output jack.

Your guitar cable also has capacitance, like a small capacitor to ground. Resistance followed by capacitance makes a low-pass filter, and it cuts the highs first. The further you turn down and the longer your cable, the darker it gets.

How a treble bleed works: a small capacitor between the volume pot's input and output lugs lets high frequencies bypass the pot when it is turned down, before the cable's capacitance can roll them offPICKUP lug 3lug 2lug 1VOLUME POT CablecapacitanceAMPTREBLE BLEEDHighs take this shortcut Turned down, the pot adds resistance. With the cable's capacitance it forms a filter that cuts treble first.
A treble bleed gives high frequencies a path around the pot, so they reach the jack even when the volume is turned down.
Why only the highs?

A capacitor passes high frequencies easily and blocks low ones. So the treble bleed lets the highs skip the pot, while the lows still go through the pot's resistance and get turned down as normal.

Chapter 03 · Your options

The four types of treble bleed

Every treble bleed sits in the same place: across lug 3 and lug 2 of the volume pot. What changes is whether you add a resistor, and how you connect it.

Four ways to build a treble bleed: a capacitor alone, a capacitor with a resistor across it, a capacitor and resistor in series, or a resistor followed by a capacitor with a second resistor across itCAP ONLYSimplest. Keeps the most treble.LUG 3input LUG 2output470pF – 1nFPARALLELCap with a resistor across it. LUG 3inputLUG 2output 1nF150kSERIES (KINMAN)Cap and resistor in a chain. LUG 3inputLUG 2output130k 1.2nFPARALLEL & SERIESA resistor, then a parallel pair.LUG 3inputLUG 2 outputR CapR
Cap only, parallel, series, and parallel & series. All four connect between the volume pot's input and output lugs.
TypeSound when turned downVolume sweepTypical values
Cap onlyBrightest. Can sound thin as the lows drop awayNatural470pF to 1nF
ParallelBalanced. The resistor brings back some lowsCan drop fast near the bottom1nF + 150k
Series (Kinman)Balanced and smoothEven and natural1.2nF + 130k
Parallel & seriesBalanced, with the most control over brightnessEvenCap + two resistors
Chapter 04 · Wiring

Cap only treble bleed

The simplest version, and the one many vintage-style guitars use. One capacitor between the input and output lugs is all it takes.

Cap-only treble bleed: a 1nF capacitor soldered between the volume pot's input lug and output lug SEEN FROM THE BACK VSIGNAL INFrom pickup or selector SIGNAL OUTTo output jack hotCAP1nF (102)TBC cap GroundCap only: one capacitor across lug 3 and lug 2
Cap only: a 1nF capacitor across lug 3 and lug 2.
  1. Find the input lugWith the pot seen from the back and lugs pointing down, the input (lug 3) is on the left. It's the one your pickup or selector switch wire goes to.
  2. Find the output lugThe middle lug (lug 2) goes to the output jack.
  3. Solder the cap across themBend one cap lead to lug 3 and the other to lug 2. Caps like this have no polarity, so either way round works.
Too bright?

If the guitar sounds thin or harsh when turned down, try a smaller cap, or add a resistor using the parallel or series wiring below.

Chapter 05 · Wiring

Parallel treble bleed

The most common version. A resistor sits side by side with the cap, with both connected from lug 3 to lug 2. The resistor lets some lows through as well, so the sound stays fuller when you turn down.

Parallel treble bleed: a 1nF capacitor with a 150k resistor across it, both between the volume pot's input and output lugs SEEN FROM THE BACK V SIGNAL INFrom pickup or selectorSIGNAL OUTTo output jack hot CAP150k resistorbrown green yellow1nF (102)TBC cap GroundParallel: resistor across the cap, lug 3 to lug 2
Parallel: a 1nF cap and a 150k resistor, both between lug 3 and lug 2.
  1. Twist the leads togetherLay the cap and resistor side by side and twist their leads together at each end.
  2. Solder one end to lug 3The input lug, on the left from the back.
  3. Solder the other end to lug 2The middle lug, which goes to the output jack.
Which TBC?

Our parallel treble bleed comes in two versions: TBC 1 for 250k pots (usually single coils) and TBC 2 for 500k pots (usually humbuckers).

Good to know

With a parallel bleed, the volume can drop away quickly near the bottom of the knob, especially with an audio taper pot. If that bothers you, try the series version.

Chapter 06 · Wiring

Series (Kinman) treble bleed

Here the resistor and the cap are joined end to end, in a chain. This version was made popular by Kinman, and it's known for keeping the volume knob's sweep smooth and natural.

Series (Kinman style) treble bleed: a 130k resistor and a 1.2nF capacitor joined end to end between the volume pot's input and output lugs SEEN FROM THE BACK V SIGNAL INFrom pickup or selectorSIGNAL OUTTo output jack hot130k resistor brown orange yellow1.2nF (122)TBC capGroundSeries: resistor and cap in a chain, lug 3 to lug 2CAP
Series: a 130k resistor and a 1.2nF cap in a chain between lug 3 and lug 2.
  1. Join the partsSolder one resistor lead to one cap lead, end to end.
  2. Resistor to lug 3Solder the free resistor lead to the input lug.
  3. Cap to lug 2Solder the free cap lead to the middle lug. The order doesn't matter: cap first or resistor first works the same.
Chapter 07 · Wiring

Parallel & series treble bleed

This version combines the two. A resistor comes off the input lug first, then a cap with a second resistor across it runs to the output lug. The extra resistor gives you more control over how bright the bleed sounds, and keeps the volume sweep even.

Parallel and series treble bleed: a resistor from the volume pot's input lug, followed by a capacitor with a second resistor across it, ending on the output lug SEEN FROM THE BACK V SIGNAL INFrom pickup or selectorSIGNAL OUTTo output jack hot CAPSeries resistorfrom lug 3Parallel resistoracross the cap TBC capGroundParallel and series: a resistor, then a cap with a resistor across it
Parallel & series: a resistor from lug 3, then a cap with a resistor across it to lug 2.
  1. Make the parallel pairLay the cap and one resistor side by side and twist their leads together at each end.
  2. Add the series resistorSolder the second resistor to one end of the pair.
  3. Solder it to the potThe free end of the series resistor goes to lug 3. The other end of the pair goes to lug 2.
Chapter 08 · Fine tuning

Choosing values

There's no single right value. It depends on your pickups, your pot and your ears. These rules of thumb will get you close:

  • The cap sets which frequencies get through. A smaller cap (fewer pF) lets only the very top through. A larger cap lets more of the upper mids through too.
  • The resistor sets how much. A lower value resistor makes the effect stronger and brighter. A higher value makes it more subtle.
  • Match it to your pickups. Bright single coils usually want a smaller cap. Darker, hotter humbuckers can take a bigger one.
SetupCapResistorWiring
Humbuckers, 500k pot1nF (102)150kParallel
Humbuckers or single coils1.2nF (122)130kSeries
Single coils, 250k pot470pF to 680pF (471 to 681)150k or noneParallel or cap only
Simple vintage-style470pF to 1nFNoneCap only

Pickup makers and builders recommend different values, so treat these as starting points. Try a value, play it, and adjust.

Chapter 09 · Before you solder

Install tips

  1. Check which lug is which. The bleed always goes between the lug your pickup wire lands on and the lug that goes to the jack. Never connect it to the ground lug.
  2. Test before you solder. Hold the parts on with clips, plug in, and roll the volume down. Swap values until it sounds right to you.
  3. Keep the leads short. Trim the leads so the parts sit close to the pot and can't touch the casing or other lugs.
  4. Insulate if needed. Slide heat shrink over bare leads in a crowded cavity.
  5. Be quick with the iron. Small caps and resistors don't like too much heat. Tin the lug first and make each joint fast.
  6. Ground everything properly. Make sure all metal parts are grounded, and solder all your grounds to the back of the volume pot.
  7. One per volume pot. Guitars with two volume pots need a treble bleed on each one.

Rather not solder? Choose our pre-wired solderless kits, or let us do it with our wiring services.

Help

Frequently asked questions

What does a treble bleed circuit do?

It keeps your guitar's highs when you turn the volume knob down. Without one, your tone gets darker and muddier as you roll back. A treble bleed is a small capacitor, sometimes paired with a resistor, soldered between the volume pot's input and output lugs.

Do I need a treble bleed?

If you use your volume knob to clean up your sound and it turns dull, yes. It helps most with humbuckers, 500k pots and long cables. If you always play on 10, you won't notice it.

Does a treble bleed change my tone on full volume?

Almost not at all. On 10 there's next to no resistance between the input and output lugs, so the circuit is bypassed. It only does its job as you turn down.

Which is better: cap only, parallel, series or both?

Cap only is the simplest and keeps the most treble, but can sound thin or bright when turned down. Parallel adds a resistor across the cap to bring back some lows, though the volume can drop quickly near the bottom of the knob. Series (Kinman style) keeps a smooth, natural volume sweep. Parallel and series adds a second resistor for finer control. Start with parallel or series if you're not sure.

What values should I use?

Good starting points are a 1nF cap with a 150k resistor in parallel, or a 1.2nF cap with a 130k resistor in series. For a cap-only bleed, try 470pF to 1nF. Use a smaller cap for brighter single coils and a larger one for darker humbuckers. Our TBC 1 is made for 250k pots and TBC 2 for 500k pots.

How do I read the code on the capacitor?

Small caps use a three-digit code in picofarads: the first two digits, then the number of zeros. 102 is 1,000pF (1nF), 122 is 1,200pF (1.2nF) and 471 is 470pF.

How many treble bleeds do I need?

One per volume pot. A Les Paul-style guitar with two volume pots needs two. A Strat with one master volume needs one.

Keep your highs

Clear tone at every volume

Get a pre-wired harness with a treble bleed built in, or send us your setup and we'll suggest the right values.

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More wiring guides: see our potentiometer and capacitor guides, or request a custom diagram.