250k or 500k - the difference

gilles27

gilles27

New member
Sorry if this has benn covered a million times, did a search or two and got nowhere so here goes.

What are the main differences between the two? on a humbucker guitar, what could be expected from swapping 500s for 250s all round. Is it worth having different values for different pickups. How about the difference between volume and tone pots. any help would be marvelous...
 
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Re: 250k or 500k - the difference

250 k tone pot at 10 is the same as 500 k tone pot at 5 (well, if the pot is linear, not log.). 500 k is more, but with Fender-style SCs that isn't needed, and some buckers (a JB for example) work better with a 250 pot in a bright axe.
 
Re: 250k or 500k - the difference

oks cheers. so you reckon in a humbucker guitar, 500s are a good match for a dark wood?
 
Re: 250k or 500k - the difference

If you want good definition in the neck position, 500K's are the way to go for almost any PU. This position is naturally loud, dark, and bassy, and treble is needed to prevent that blanket-over-the-speaker sound.

Bridges are more complex, and depend on the the PU's EQ & magnet, and the player's goals. To me, a bridge PU with an A5 or ceramic magnet needs a couple 250K's, same as if it's naturally bright, like a PAF or a JB. If you're into metal with massive distortion and effects, you'll want a bright, thin bridge PU to prevent muddiness. For rock and blues (clean or with overdrive), a balance between warmth & treble works best.

If a bridge PU is highly overwound (which reduces treble and clarity, & boosts mids), 250K's will take off too much treble & make the sound compressed & artificial. Same goes for warm magnets (A2, A3, A6, and A8) which bring reduced treble to the table, and further reduction is counter-productive. For these, 500K pots work best.
 
Re: 250k or 500k - the difference

Blueman summed it up well.

To elaborate a little on what Iron Horse said, as the number goes up (250, 500, etc) the amount of treble that comes through is greater. Keep in mind that there are pots rated at 350K or 1000K (also known as 1Meg) and at many other ratings between.
 
Re: 250k or 500k - the difference

Also keep in mind that turning a 500 Kohm tone pot to where it reads 250 Kohm is the same thing as having a 250 Kohm pot in the first place. There's rearely a good reason to go lower tone unless you depend on quick adjustments.

(same trick doesn't work for volume)
 
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