Why Different Tone Pot Values on the Same Guitar

[Martian]

Here's a question for all you electronics gurus:

I've seen guitars where from the factory, they come with a 500K volume pot and a 250K tone pot. I'v also seen the exact opposite and other variations as well. I know the 250K vs. 500K philosophy where single coils vs. humbuckers are concerned but my question is, why would two different pot values be used and what is the reasoning behind which pot K value gets assigned to the volume and which pot K value gets assigned to the tone?

TIA,
Martian

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Why Different Tone Pot Values on the Same Guitar

Here's a question for all you electronics gurus:

I've seen guitars where from the factory, they come with a 500K volume pot and a 250K tone pot. I'v also seen the exact opposite and other variations as well. I know the 250K vs. 500K philosophy where single coils vs. humbuckers are concerned but my question is, why would two different pot values be used and what is the reasoning behind which pot K value gets assigned to the volume and which pot K value gets assigned to the tone?

TIA,
Martian

The higher the pot value,the less resistance the circuit sees,and the more highend in the circuit also...I Like to stay with the same pot values throughout but the tone pots could be 250k with a 500k volume pot..This gives the pickup(s)overall more highend and the 250k tone pots gives a guy quicker travel on the tone control adjustment as it shunts your highs to ground quicker with less taper...To me the volume pot is more critical to the overall equation than the tone pots...Experiment though and see what works for you? You can also taper a 500k pot down to 250k or 300k with the right value resistor..Something like a 750k across both outside pot terminals comes to mind? I have an article on this in the vault also that you can read and see..

John

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Why Different Tone Pot Values on the Same Guitar

The higher the pot value,the less resistance the circuit sees,and the more highend in the circuit also...I Like to stay with the same pot values throughout but the tone pots could be 250k with a 500k volume pot..This gives the pickup(s)overall more highend and the 250k tone pots gives a guy quicker travel on the tone control adjustment as it shunts your highs to ground quicker with less taper...To me the volume pot is more critical to the overall equation than the tone pots...Experiment though and see what works for you? You can also taper a 500k pot down to 250k or 300k with the right value resistor..Something like a 750k across both outside pot terminals comes to mind? I have an article on this in the vault also that you can read and see..

John

Clicky here..

https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?t=335

[Martian]

Re: Why Different Tone Pot Values on the Same Guitar

Clicky here..

https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?t=335

John,

Thank you very much for your most informative response. I truly do appreciate it!

Martian

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Why Different Tone Pot Values on the Same Guitar

John,

Thank you very much for your most informative response. I truly do appreciate it!

Martian

Anytime...Glad I could help a forum buddy!

John

[ArtieToo]

Re: Why Different Tone Pot Values on the Same Guitar

The higher the pot value,the less resistance the circuit sees . . .

I'm sure this was a "typo", but the higher the pot, the more resistance the circuit sees.
The higher the resistance, the lower the load on the pickup, which makes everything else John said true.

One of the rerasons the Tone pot isn't critical is, its not connected across the pickup. So, a 250k tone pot, turned all the way down, is exactly the same as a 500k tone pot turned down to "5". A 500k tone pot just gives you lower to go, or more highs to roll off.

Artie

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Why Different Tone Pot Values on the Same Guitar

I'm sure this was a "typo", but the higher the pot, the more resistance the circuit sees.
The higher the resistance, the lower the load on the pickup, which makes everything else John said true.

One of the rerasons the Tone pot isn't critical is, its not connected across the pickup. So, a 250k tone pot, turned all the way down, is exactly the same as a 500k tone pot turned down to "5". A 500k tone pot just gives you lower to go, or more highs to roll off.

Artie

Thanks Artie for clearing that up for us...Just turned 44 and it's all down hill from here!

John