Thanks Matt, Death, and Az!
I can't believe I never knew about this. I've been playing electrics for 32 years and I never could figure out why my Fender tone knobs just worked like on/off switches - or my Rick 12 string either. I just thought that was normal for everyone. Wow.
I've also got a Gibson and a Bachbird. I'm going to be checking all of them like some conspiracy theorist looking for the Illuminati! In the words of Jimbo Jones, "Now I don't believe in nuthin'!"
The crazy thing is, I'm not usually a fan of second guessing guitar designers by replacing things on my instruments unless something breaks. So I'll need a bit of a think as to whether or not I buy replacement pots and change the sound. But if the sound is wrong in the first place....but, but....Agggghhh!