Ok solderers...what replacement pots have you ordered and worked on for your guitars? CTS? Fender? Gibson? My LP is in need of new pots after 20 years of fire, heat, water damage and shredding. Any of you with great tech skills have some input?
Ok solderers...what replacement pots have you ordered and worked on for your guitars? CTS? Fender? Gibson? My LP is in need of new pots after 20 years of fire, heat, water damage and shredding. Any of you with great tech skills have some input?
Guitars/Bass - MIM Fender Classic 50s Strat, MIM Fender Standard Strat, Squier Classic Vibe 50s Tele, Gibson Les Paul Studio, Epi '56 Gold Top Les Paul, Martin DSR acoustic, Sigma Martin Auditorium electric/acoustic, Squier Jazz Bass.
Amps/Cabinets/Modelers - Model 2558 50 watt Marshall Silver Anniversary Jubilee combo w/ Celestion Vintage 30s, 4x12 Marshall cabinet w/25 watt Greenback Celestions, Fender Blues Junior w/ a couple of Billm mods, Line 6 POD 2.0, Roland Micro Cube
Pedals/Effects - Cry Baby Classic Wah, Boss TU-2, Boss NS-2, Boss RC-2 Loop Station, Ross Compressor, MXR Micro Amp, Danelectro FAB Echo, Danelectro FAB Chorus, Danelectro Chicken Salad, Marshall Guv'nor Plus, Marshall Echohead, Duhvoodooman's Zonkin' Yellow Screamer, Digitech Digiverb, Digitech Bad Monkey, Dunlop Fuzz Face, Homemade Loop Bypass pedal, Duhvoodooman's Sonic Tonic (Maxon SD-9 clone +), Voodoo Labs Superfuzz
I prefer CTS, but I've used ALPHA's also with no problems. When I buy CTS pots, I always check them with my VOM and try to use only those that are 500k or higher for humbuckers and 250k and higher for single coils. I save the others that test under 500k for P-90 pickups (along with 300k pots), and those that test under 250k for overly bright single coils. It might be nit picking, but I've found that it does make a difference. The pots cost under $3.50ea, so it's not a great expense.
What do you use with 250k pots for a tone cap?Originally Posted by Bloozcat
-Ray
Depends on the pickups. With overwound pickups, I usually use Orange Drop 715P-200v caps in .010mf or .015mf. With '60's type winds or vintage winds I usually use .022mf or .033mf. These are the values that I've found to work best for me. You could go to .047mf or as high as .10mf if that's what you like.Originally Posted by ray82609
The older Strats from the '50's used .10mf and .047mf (or .050mf) caps. Later on they went to the .022mf's.
So, try lower value caps for the darker pickups, and higher value caps for brighter pickups. The only one who can tell you what sounds best to you, is you...so experiment a little. I find that having the right k-ohm value pot is an equal part of the cap/pot equation as well. I'll even try 300k pots with some Strats to get the right tonal balance. They, like the 250k pots have the +/- 10% variance as well, so I'll often use pots that are running in the 265k-285k range.
Of course, this is but a part of the overall equation. There's body wood, bridge materials (especially the inertia block), the nut, action height...etc. Guitars are like a big puzzle and putting them together is half the fun (for me anyway)
Hey Bloozcat, that's some great info your providing, right on the money in my book too
Glad to have you around![]()
Zõ§õ
The power that music has to connect people to each other has always been one of the guitarists driving forces. - John Frusciante
Axes'
R-Axe Guitars "Black Betty" - 1st Ultimate DIY
Ibanez X-Series-DT350 (Star Shape)
Ibanez AEG10E - Black
Yamaha RBX200F Fretless w/DiMarzio DP127 Pup
Amps
Peavey 110 Audition
Pedals/FX
CryBaby 535Q
DigiTech CF7 Chorus Factory
BOSS BD-2
Thank you. I'm happy to be here.Originally Posted by ZoSo65
I've learned the same way that most everyone else has learned...by listening to others with experience and then applying that information in my own experiments.
When I think back to the days before the internet, it was like the informational dark ages. It's so great to have access to so much information and experience today. And as much fun as it is when you find the right tone formulas with your own equipment, it's just as much fun sharing it with others. It's sort of like a club that we're all members of. We all bring different talents and experiences to the club, and that's what makes the club fun.
Bloozcat - excellent response...what was looking for. Don't companies like CTS gauge their pots to close tolerances or is it hit and miss? I wouldn't have ever considered checking them...though I might now that I've read your post. Only thing is I have to order them online. Where did you get yours?
Guitars/Bass - MIM Fender Classic 50s Strat, MIM Fender Standard Strat, Squier Classic Vibe 50s Tele, Gibson Les Paul Studio, Epi '56 Gold Top Les Paul, Martin DSR acoustic, Sigma Martin Auditorium electric/acoustic, Squier Jazz Bass.
Amps/Cabinets/Modelers - Model 2558 50 watt Marshall Silver Anniversary Jubilee combo w/ Celestion Vintage 30s, 4x12 Marshall cabinet w/25 watt Greenback Celestions, Fender Blues Junior w/ a couple of Billm mods, Line 6 POD 2.0, Roland Micro Cube
Pedals/Effects - Cry Baby Classic Wah, Boss TU-2, Boss NS-2, Boss RC-2 Loop Station, Ross Compressor, MXR Micro Amp, Danelectro FAB Echo, Danelectro FAB Chorus, Danelectro Chicken Salad, Marshall Guv'nor Plus, Marshall Echohead, Duhvoodooman's Zonkin' Yellow Screamer, Digitech Digiverb, Digitech Bad Monkey, Dunlop Fuzz Face, Homemade Loop Bypass pedal, Duhvoodooman's Sonic Tonic (Maxon SD-9 clone +), Voodoo Labs Superfuzz
The tolerences are +/- 10%...and even with that, I've had 250k pots that measured 209k (225k is -10%), and 500k pots that measured 424k (450k is -10%). Rarely (if ever) do I see any pots that are over the 10% tolerance. I'm sure if CTS were to produce their pots to a +/- 5% tolerance, they'd charge a lot more.Originally Posted by tone2thebone
I get my pots from here:
http://www.internetmusicsupply.com/
They were running $3.22 ea, but I think there was a price increase recently. The site is a little quirky sometimes, and prefers that you use Netscape when ordering. They have been telling me that they're in the process of fixing the site...it couldn't come too soon. They have treated me very well with my orders though. They carry AllParts stuff at about 22% off the prices on the AllParts web site.
EDIT to note: BTW, if you're considering upgrading any wiring in your guitars where top quality components weren't used in the first place (not your LP), I buy capacitors, resistors, and other misc, electronic parts from here:
http://www.mouser.com/
I usually use Sprague Orange Drop caps, #715P-200v in various sizes (.010mf, .015mf, .022mf, .033mf, .047mf) in my single coil guitars w/250k pots, like Strats. In my humbucker equipped guitars with the 500k pots, I usually use Mallory 150's - 250v in most of the above mentioned microfared sizes. They only run about $.59 - $.79 each. You can spend a lot more on paper in oil caps, and bumble bee caps, but to me (and my pocketbook), I have a hard time hearing any audible difference in tone.
Last edited by Bloozcat; March 29th, 2006 at 01:28 PM.
all this talk about pots is making me hungryOriginally Posted by Bloozcat
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Guitars: Gibson 1998 Les Paul Special : Peavey Predator (Early 90's Fat Strat Copy) : Ibanez GAX30TROriginally Posted by just strum
Brownsville Reso - 101 Electric Reso : Fender GDO-300 Maple Quilt Top Acoustic
Amps: Fender Super Champ XD
Effects: Digitech RP250 Modeling Guitar Processor : DVM "Phased and Confused" Script Phaser Clone : Digitech Bad Monkey
Danelectro Cool Cat Chorus : Behringer Distortion Modeler : Ernie Ball Volume Pedal : Dunlop Cry Baby Wah
Is that like munchies pot hungry or kitchen pots-you-cook-with hungry?Originally Posted by warren0728
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could be either!...and one of them i didn't even think about![]()
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Guitars: Gibson 1998 Les Paul Special : Peavey Predator (Early 90's Fat Strat Copy) : Ibanez GAX30TROriginally Posted by just strum
Brownsville Reso - 101 Electric Reso : Fender GDO-300 Maple Quilt Top Acoustic
Amps: Fender Super Champ XD
Effects: Digitech RP250 Modeling Guitar Processor : DVM "Phased and Confused" Script Phaser Clone : Digitech Bad Monkey
Danelectro Cool Cat Chorus : Behringer Distortion Modeler : Ernie Ball Volume Pedal : Dunlop Cry Baby Wah
Warren - if you make something to eat please leave your clothes on.
Blooz - Thank you for all that information!
Guitars/Bass - MIM Fender Classic 50s Strat, MIM Fender Standard Strat, Squier Classic Vibe 50s Tele, Gibson Les Paul Studio, Epi '56 Gold Top Les Paul, Martin DSR acoustic, Sigma Martin Auditorium electric/acoustic, Squier Jazz Bass.
Amps/Cabinets/Modelers - Model 2558 50 watt Marshall Silver Anniversary Jubilee combo w/ Celestion Vintage 30s, 4x12 Marshall cabinet w/25 watt Greenback Celestions, Fender Blues Junior w/ a couple of Billm mods, Line 6 POD 2.0, Roland Micro Cube
Pedals/Effects - Cry Baby Classic Wah, Boss TU-2, Boss NS-2, Boss RC-2 Loop Station, Ross Compressor, MXR Micro Amp, Danelectro FAB Echo, Danelectro FAB Chorus, Danelectro Chicken Salad, Marshall Guv'nor Plus, Marshall Echohead, Duhvoodooman's Zonkin' Yellow Screamer, Digitech Digiverb, Digitech Bad Monkey, Dunlop Fuzz Face, Homemade Loop Bypass pedal, Duhvoodooman's Sonic Tonic (Maxon SD-9 clone +), Voodoo Labs Superfuzz
kinda takes the fun out of itOriginally Posted by tone2thebone
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Guitars: Gibson 1998 Les Paul Special : Peavey Predator (Early 90's Fat Strat Copy) : Ibanez GAX30TROriginally Posted by just strum
Brownsville Reso - 101 Electric Reso : Fender GDO-300 Maple Quilt Top Acoustic
Amps: Fender Super Champ XD
Effects: Digitech RP250 Modeling Guitar Processor : DVM "Phased and Confused" Script Phaser Clone : Digitech Bad Monkey
Danelectro Cool Cat Chorus : Behringer Distortion Modeler : Ernie Ball Volume Pedal : Dunlop Cry Baby Wah
What would you have done had your friends come through that door that morning Warren?
Guitars/Bass - MIM Fender Classic 50s Strat, MIM Fender Standard Strat, Squier Classic Vibe 50s Tele, Gibson Les Paul Studio, Epi '56 Gold Top Les Paul, Martin DSR acoustic, Sigma Martin Auditorium electric/acoustic, Squier Jazz Bass.
Amps/Cabinets/Modelers - Model 2558 50 watt Marshall Silver Anniversary Jubilee combo w/ Celestion Vintage 30s, 4x12 Marshall cabinet w/25 watt Greenback Celestions, Fender Blues Junior w/ a couple of Billm mods, Line 6 POD 2.0, Roland Micro Cube
Pedals/Effects - Cry Baby Classic Wah, Boss TU-2, Boss NS-2, Boss RC-2 Loop Station, Ross Compressor, MXR Micro Amp, Danelectro FAB Echo, Danelectro FAB Chorus, Danelectro Chicken Salad, Marshall Guv'nor Plus, Marshall Echohead, Duhvoodooman's Zonkin' Yellow Screamer, Digitech Digiverb, Digitech Bad Monkey, Dunlop Fuzz Face, Homemade Loop Bypass pedal, Duhvoodooman's Sonic Tonic (Maxon SD-9 clone +), Voodoo Labs Superfuzz
i guess i would have had to make extra pancakes...it would be the polite thing to do!Originally Posted by tone2thebone
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Guitars: Gibson 1998 Les Paul Special : Peavey Predator (Early 90's Fat Strat Copy) : Ibanez GAX30TROriginally Posted by just strum
Brownsville Reso - 101 Electric Reso : Fender GDO-300 Maple Quilt Top Acoustic
Amps: Fender Super Champ XD
Effects: Digitech RP250 Modeling Guitar Processor : DVM "Phased and Confused" Script Phaser Clone : Digitech Bad Monkey
Danelectro Cool Cat Chorus : Behringer Distortion Modeler : Ernie Ball Volume Pedal : Dunlop Cry Baby Wah
Tone - Duh! He'd have been hospitable, and offered them some bacon.
Warren, Nelskie's got ya pegged pretty good.Originally Posted by Nelskie
Chaulk one up for suthun hospitality.
Guitars/Bass - MIM Fender Classic 50s Strat, MIM Fender Standard Strat, Squier Classic Vibe 50s Tele, Gibson Les Paul Studio, Epi '56 Gold Top Les Paul, Martin DSR acoustic, Sigma Martin Auditorium electric/acoustic, Squier Jazz Bass.
Amps/Cabinets/Modelers - Model 2558 50 watt Marshall Silver Anniversary Jubilee combo w/ Celestion Vintage 30s, 4x12 Marshall cabinet w/25 watt Greenback Celestions, Fender Blues Junior w/ a couple of Billm mods, Line 6 POD 2.0, Roland Micro Cube
Pedals/Effects - Cry Baby Classic Wah, Boss TU-2, Boss NS-2, Boss RC-2 Loop Station, Ross Compressor, MXR Micro Amp, Danelectro FAB Echo, Danelectro FAB Chorus, Danelectro Chicken Salad, Marshall Guv'nor Plus, Marshall Echohead, Duhvoodooman's Zonkin' Yellow Screamer, Digitech Digiverb, Digitech Bad Monkey, Dunlop Fuzz Face, Homemade Loop Bypass pedal, Duhvoodooman's Sonic Tonic (Maxon SD-9 clone +), Voodoo Labs Superfuzz
absolutely....a southern man has a reputation to keep!Originally Posted by tone2thebone
just be glad i didn't serve them the donuts (look ma no hands!!)![]()
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Guitars: Gibson 1998 Les Paul Special : Peavey Predator (Early 90's Fat Strat Copy) : Ibanez GAX30TROriginally Posted by just strum
Brownsville Reso - 101 Electric Reso : Fender GDO-300 Maple Quilt Top Acoustic
Amps: Fender Super Champ XD
Effects: Digitech RP250 Modeling Guitar Processor : DVM "Phased and Confused" Script Phaser Clone : Digitech Bad Monkey
Danelectro Cool Cat Chorus : Behringer Distortion Modeler : Ernie Ball Volume Pedal : Dunlop Cry Baby Wah
DUDE! ewww. just. ewww.![]()
Guitars:
Fender 2006 MIM Fender Stratocaster HSS in 3TS
Ibanez RG 570 with a bridge Invader
ESP M II Deluxe with a Tune-o-Matic bridge
Eleanor, the magical, mystical Road Worn wonder Tele
Blackstar HT Club 40