Brian May Red Special Electronics: Potentiometers, Capacitor and KAT RS Superpot

This video covers the evolution of the electronic circuit in Brian May's Red Special guitar from the original 1964 build to the current state which dates from 2018. I focus primarily on the potentiometers and treble cut capacitor and reveal the values of the original potentiometers and capacitor in the Red Special.

I discuss how you can modify a vintage TCC Metalmite CP33N capacitor by removing the electrolyte and inserting a modern polyester Vishay item in the same manner as the Gibson heritage ‘bumblebee’ capacitors. I finish by showing you the KAT RS Superpot and discuss what factors you should consider before deciding to fit one to your guitar.

Time Index of Chapters

00:00 - Introductory montage.
00:33 - A look under the hood of my Brian May Red Special replica.
00:56 - Montage of my YouTube video thumbnail images.
01:17 - The original as built 1964 electronics configuration.
01:36 - Vintage TCC Metalmite CP33N 22 nF paper-in-oil capacitor.
02:10 - Measuring two vintage TCC Metalmite CP33N 22 nF paper-in-oil capacitors to illustrate the tolerance variation.
02:32 - Showing a modern Vishay polyester capacitor.
02:56 - Measuring a modern Vishay polyester capacitor of the correct value.
03:05 - Showing original type long shaft audio/log taper potentiometers.
03:28 - Measuring the DC resistance of the 220 kOhm potentiometers.
03:44 - Showing the original design aluminium potentiometer and capacitor mounting plate.
04:15 - Showing an original Bulgin/Radio Spares stereo 1/4” jack socket.
04:59 - Mounting the long shaft potentiometers onto the aluminium plate.
05:12 - Showing how the TCC Metalmite CP33N capacitor fits between the volume and tone potentiometers.
05:34 - Showing the Bourns PDB181-GTR02-254A2 plain shaft 250 kOhm potentiometers that Nigel Knight fitted in 2013.
06:05 - Measuring the DC resistance of matched Bourns PDB181-GTR02-254A2 plain shaft 250 kOhm potentiometers.
06:37 - Showing Oxley Developments silver plated barb cone lock PTFE insulated terminals fitted by Nigel Knight in 2013.
07:05 - Fitting KAT custom stainless steel pot shaft extenders.
07:35 - Showing Brian May Guitars (BMG) official aluminium control knobs.
08:03 - Showing Guyton aluminium control knobs (1/4” diameter bore).
08:39 - Showing custom designed and 3D printed plastic pot shaft extenders.
09:20 - Summary of legacy Red Special electronics (1964-2018).
09:30 - The KAT RS Superpot and tone cut circuit delete.
09:46 - Showing a KAT RS Superpot.
10:06 - Discussing why Nigel Knight fitted a KAT RS Super to Brian May’s Red Special guitar.
10:40 - Discussion of what factors you should consider before fitting a KAT RS Superpot to your Brian May Red Special replica.
11:20 - Outro 1.
11:30 - Outro 2.

Please check out my other YouTube videos which cover a wide range of topics related to Brian May’s guitars and musical equipment and also my website, dsgb.net (Doug Short Guitar Blog) which features in depth information on my guitar build and modification projects.

2022 KAT RS Superpot and KAT RED-18 Strap-Mount Treble Booster by Knight Audio Technologies:

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