pot shaft diameter????

[dazedandconfused001]

ok so awhile back i did a bit of work on a guitar and replaced the pots, problem is the knobs didnt fit. why in the hell is there not a universal pot size i mean humbuckers an single coils have a standard size? also even if there isnt how in the hell would i find out if the pots and knobs will fit before buying! i mean i have to buy all on web cuz a severe lack of music anything in my area! WTF is goin on!?!

[ginormous]

Re: pot shaft diameter????

Moving thread to The Guitar Shop.

[ArtieToo]

Re: pot shaft diameter????

Reamers-R-Us is your friend.



Edit (2018): I just realized that my post has nothing to do with "shaft" size.

[darthphineas]

Re: pot shaft diameter????

I've really only encountered 2 sizes of threads on pots. And as I've steered more toward certain brands or even levels of quality, it seems that my experiences have led me more toward stuff with 3/8". In many cases, that means I do have to enlarge the existing pot hole. Just takes a minute.

But generally, most places should show some sort of spec indicating the sizes. If not, perhaps the manufacturer site does. If not, email or call them.

[dazedandconfused001]

Re: pot shaft diameter????

my issue is less the guitars hole size that can be drilled out. more the inability to put knobs on them

[Darg1911]

Re: pot shaft diameter????

There are two types of shaft splines ... fine spline and coarse spline. CTS pots are fine spline, Alphas are coarse spline. Bourns are usually coarse spline. They make pretty much the same style knobs for both types so you should be covered for what style knob that you want. You just have to get knobs with the correct spline type.

[eclecticsynergy]

Re: pot shaft diameter????

I think it's more than just the splines- the Asian pots actually have a narrower shaft.

[ehdwuld]

Re: pot shaft diameter????

Ok here's what I did to make the Asian metal knobs fit my MIM 3/8 pot shafts

Drill bit
By hand
Slightly larger than existing hole
Test
Nope not enough
Up 1/16
Again by hand
Test
Nope
No more splines
Drill motor
1/16 bigger
Fits

On the first attempts I pushed the back off the pots trying to force it on
Drill out to swedge fit

[dave74]

Re: pot shaft diameter????

I use the big CTS/Dimarzio pots and knobs from EMG (was ordering a pickup/wiring anyways so grabbed some flat-black knobs and rings on the same order). They fit perfect together.

I'm with you OP, it's like they just try to complicate things on purpose sometimes. IIRC the stock knobs on my rg-prestiges also fit the CTS shafts if I need a cosmo/chrome.

Carvin does about everything their own way of course lol. Smaller this, bigger that, different those.

[orpheo]

Re: pot shaft diameter????

never ever use a drill bit to widen a hole. use a damned reamer: those tools are made to enlarge a hole.

[ehdwuld]

Re: pot shaft diameter????

never ever use a drill bit to widen a hole. use a damned reamer: those tools are made to enlarge a hole.

He's talking about the holes in the knobs not the pickguard or body
A reamer is tapered and won't fit into
A half inch deep knob

[dave74]

Re: pot shaft diameter????

I just use a small round file and gently ream her out a bit. Gotta work with what you got lol.

[ItsaBass]

Re: pot shaft diameter????

ok so awhile back i did a bit of work on a guitar and replaced the pots, problem is the knobs didnt fit. why in the hell is there not a universal pot size i mean humbuckers an single coils have a standard size? also even if there isnt how in the hell would i find out if the pots and knobs will fit before buying! i mean i have to buy all on web cuz a severe lack of music anything in my area! WTF is goin on!?!

I'd educate yourself on the specific issue by reading this article (to start): http://blog.philadelphialuthiertools...uitar-or-bass/

As for why, it's because there is enough demand for various type of pots that it is profitable to produce them. Different companies and different projects call for different specs, and use different systems of measurement. The why of this is a long and frustrating story.....but you have to learn to work with it, because it's probably not going to change.

You know which is which because you read the specifications of the parts you are using, and/or you figure out that if something from one system doesn't quite fit, then the right part must be from the other system. Knowledge gained through experience will also allow you to see the differences with your eyeballs. You can usually tell very quickly whether a pot is metric or customary simply by looking at it.

Contrary to your statement, all pickups do not adhere to a single standard. They come in annoyingly various sizes, in both commonly used systems of measurement. Off the top of my head, I can think of having read pickup polepiece spacing specs that state (in millimeters) 48 (DiMarzio), 49 (Duncan), 49.2 (Gibson), 50 (various imports and Suhr), 51 (DiMarzio), 52 (various imports), 52.4 (Gibson), 52.6 (Duncan), and 53 (various imports and Suhr), as well as (in inches) 1.915 (DiMarzio), 1.93 (Duncan), 1-15/16 (Gibson), 2.01 (DiMarzio), 2.07 (Duncan), and 2-1/16 (Gibson). Confusing things more, some of those are conversions of each other, and which you read depends on where you're reading it. This is clearly far from a single standard, as you stated was in place.

[Pontiac Jack]

Re: pot shaft diameter????

If the knobs are loose on the shaft,use thin wall shrink tube.
Slip the shrink tube over the spline,heat it up and push the knobs on while the tubing is still warm.
This is one time the cheap,thin shrink tube comes in handy.

Cheers,PJ

[dazedandconfused001]

Re: pot shaft diameter????

I'd educate yourself on the specific issue by reading this article (to start): http://blog.philadelphialuthiertools...uitar-or-bass/

As for why, it's because there is enough demand for various type of pots that it is profitable to produce them. Different companies and different projects call for different specs, and use different systems of measurement. The why of this is a long and frustrating story.....but you have to learn to work with it, because it's probably not going to change.

You know which is which because you read the specifications of the parts you are using, and/or you figure out that if something from one system doesn't quite fit, then the right part must be from the other system. Knowledge gained through experience will also allow you to see the differences with your eyeballs. You can usually tell very quickly whether a pot is metric or customary simply by looking at it.

Contrary to your statement, all pickups do not adhere to a single standard. They come in annoyingly various sizes, in both commonly used systems of measurement. Off the top of my head, I can think of having read pickup polepiece spacing specs that state (in millimeters) 48 (DiMarzio), 49 (Duncan), 49.2 (Gibson), 50 (various imports and Suhr), 51 (DiMarzio), 52 (various imports), 52.4 (Gibson), 52.6 (Duncan), and 53 (various imports and Suhr), as well as (in inches) 1.915 (DiMarzio), 1.93 (Duncan), 1-15/16 (Gibson), 2.01 (DiMarzio), 2.07 (Duncan), and 2-1/16 (Gibson). Confusing things more, some of those are conversions of each other, and which you read depends on where you're reading it. This is clearly far from a single standard, as you stated was in place.

well why in the holy roman empire was this never explained!!!! i feel like this crap is common knowledge and i am eons behind. tell me in the future is youtube still grossly over populated by video game lets players!?!