Eliminate Muddy Tone: The Kinman Circuit |
Treble Bleed Comparison |
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The Kinman (Series) circuit uses an RC network in series with the signal path, which offers a more linear, “modern” response. Unlike parallel designs, the Kinman approach maintains a consistent tonal balance throughout the entire range of the volume sweep. This is the preferred choice for players using high-output humbuckers or active systems who need to preserve their sound without introducing the frequency shift that can occur in vintage-style parallel setups. |
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Keep your high-end bite and clarity—even when you roll your volume down.
If your guitar tone turns muddy, dark, or loses its punch when you lower your volume knob, your rig needs a treble bleed circuit. The Boffin FX “Kinman-Style” Adjustable Treble Bleed preserves your high frequencies at lower volumes, delivering a balanced tone and a highly consistent sound across the entire sweep of your volume pot.
The In-Series Difference
Unlike standard parallel circuits, this Kinman-style mod features an in-series design where the capacitor and resistor run inline. This layout is specifically engineered to fix the unnatural, uneven volume drops that plague certain guitar wiring setups using traditional parallel treble bleeds.
Tuned for Power: High-Output & Bridge Pickups
This specific configuration (Black Model) is fine-tuned with a 1,592 Hz cutoff frequency ($0.001\mu\text{F}$ Capacitor / 100K Resistor).
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Ideal for Bridge Pickups: Keeps high-gain and hot bridge positions cutting through the mix.
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Perfect for High-Output Pickups: Optimized for both hot single-coils and powerful humbuckers.
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The Ultimate Telecaster Mod: Highly recommended for single-coil Telecasters to maintain that classic bridge-position twang at lower volumes.
Key Features
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Smooth Volume Sweep: Eliminates the “abrupt drop-off” issues common with parallel treble bleeds on specific guitar setups.
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Dial in Your Tone: Features a built-in 500K trim pot (adjustable trimmer), allowing you to fine-tune the treble bleed response perfectly to your ears and rig.
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Peel-and-Stick Mounting: No loose components rattling around. The bottom features a secure adhesive backing for a clean, seamless installation inside your control cavity.
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Simple 2-Wire Installation: Easily solder your hookup wires directly to the clearly marked Input and Output pads on the board.
Selecting Your Adjustable Treble Bleed Circuit
We offer our adjustable circuits tuned to different frequencies to match your specific pickups:
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⚫ Black (This Model): High-output bridge pickups. Recommended for single-coil Telecasters, hot humbuckers, and aggressive bridge positions.
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🔵 Blue: Tailored for vintage humbuckers under 10k ohms. Excellent choice for neck positions.
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🟢 Green: Best for low-output pickups (both single-coils and humbuckers). Ideal for neck pickups.
💡 Not sure which one you need? Check out our Ultimate Guide to Treble Bleed Circuits to find the perfect match for your guitar wiring setup.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
| Circuit Layout | Kinman-Style (In-Series) |
| Component Values | 0.001uF Capacitor / 100K Resistor |
| Cut Off Frequency | 1,592 Hz |
| Tuning Control | 500K Trim Potentiometer |
| Dimensions (H x L) | 25mm x 18mm (1″ x 0.6″) |
| Mounting Type | Integrated peel-and-stick adhesive |
Not sure which one you need? Check out our Ultimate Guide to Treble Bleed Circuits.
Treble Bleed Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my guitar tone get muddy when I turn down the volume?
Passive guitar circuits act as a low-pass filter. As you roll off the volume, the resistance increases, causing high frequencies to bleed to ground. Our circuits counteract this by providing an alternative path for those high frequencies.
Which circuit type should I choose for my pickups?
For vintage-output single coils, the Standard (Parallel) is ideal. If you use high-output humbuckers or desire a very consistent tone throughout the entire volume sweep, the Kinman (Series) is generally preferred. The Hybrid allows for fine-tuning the balance between these behaviors.
Can I install this if I am not an experienced technician?
Our circuits are designed for straightforward integration. If you are comfortable with basic soldering, you can easily install these directly onto your existing volume potentiometer lugs.
Does this work with my onboard Boffin FX Booster?
Yes. In fact, many players integrate our treble bleed circuits alongside our onboard MOSFET boosters to create a fully optimized signal chain that maintains both gain and tonal clarity at any volume level.
Alan K. (verified owner) –
Small and easy to solder up