250k pots vs. 500k pots

[dingdongbell070]

i Know this isn't directly related to pickups but its pretty close so I was just wondering what the difference is between these. I have heard that the 250k pots produce a warmer tone which is what i am after. Does this just relate to the volume pot? Thanks

 

[Aceman]

Re: 250k pots vs. 500k pots

Mostly people like 500k's with HB's. Personally, I like a 300k stock Gibson on a hot bridge, like a Distortion. For the neck, though, I like to go to 500K.

 

[dani]

Re: 250k pots vs. 500k pots

250k pots roll off more trebles to ground hence the perceived warmer tone. vol pots will have more roll off compared to tone pots. also, the value of caps will affect the roll off as well. the higher the cap value, the more trebles are bled to ground.

of the two, pot value has a more dramatic effect than cap values. you might want to try 500k vol and a 250k tone pot and experiment with cap value like .022, .033 or .047 before going to 250k vol.

 

[5F6-A]

Re: 250k pots vs. 500k pots

My Les Paul from 1991 came with 250ks for volume and 500ks for tone. This is wrong and I'm swapping them a.s.a.p. for 500k. I always wondered why it sounded so dull that guitar. Please check the value before swaping p/us...

 

[TheArchitect]

Re: 250k pots vs. 500k pots

My Les Paul from 1991 came with 250ks for volume and 500ks for tone. This is wrong and I'm swapping them a.s.a.p. for 500k. I always wondered why it sounded so dull that guitar. Please check the value before swaping p/us...

It may not be your preference but I wouldn't categorize it as wrong. Lots of guys prefer 250k. Its just a balancing act between guitar and rig.

 

[5F6-A]

Re: 250k pots vs. 500k pots

I guess it's a matter of taste

 

[John Wymore]

Re: 250k pots vs. 500k pots

I guess it's a matter of taste

This is true. Listen to your guitar and if you like it then don't worry about it. If it's too bright and ice picky try lower value pots and higher value tone caps. If it's too dark, muddy or lacks clarity then try higher value pots and lower value tone caps. A lot of players really like the 500K upgrade for the LP and others are fine with the 300K stock setup. It really is a matter of taste, style and what setup you play through.

Pots and caps are a great and cheap way to fine tune your guitar to hit that tonal sweet spot. I suggest experimenting with a few values to see what you like best.

 

[Aceman]

Re: 250k pots vs. 500k pots

Yes - it's all a matter of taste. Now leave the 300k at the bridge and put a 500k on the neck!

 

[alanfc]

Re: 250k pots vs. 500k pots

250k pots roll off more trebles to ground hence the perceived warmer tone. vol pots will have more roll off compared to tone pots. also, the value of caps will affect the roll off as well. the higher the cap value, the more trebles are bled to ground.

of the two, pot value has a more dramatic effect than cap values. you might want to try 500k vol and a 250k tone pot and experiment with cap value like .022, .033 or .047 before going to 250k vol.

can Tone and/or Volume pots' effect be counteracted with amp settings?

Sounds ridiculously obvious of course,

but I mean, for example, there's a difference between having a 250k tone pot and turning UP the Treble on the Amp,
as opposed to-
changing to a 500k tone pot and bringing the tone on the amp back down? Does that make sense? :smack:
Thanks

 

[John Wymore]

Re: 250k pots vs. 500k pots

This could be true.

The change in volume pot values somewhat alters the resonant peak of the pickup thus changing it's tone a bit. If the tone control on your amp has it's boost or cut frequency at or near the resonant frequency of the pickup then you would likely get some counteraction as you describe.

The tone pot and cap are a low pass filter which works much like the treble cut control on your amp so some interaction could happen there as well if the frequency cutoff for both controls is similar.

As I mentioned above, all these interactions vary a lot depending on your setup. You really need to try different things to fine tune your tone.

I equate this a lot to my experience in car racing. We often go out on test day and try 25 different suspension settings. While many of these settings may work well, in the end one alwyas turns out to be a little better than the rest!! You never find that sweet spot though unless you try several combinations.

 

[alanfc]

Re: 250k pots vs. 500k pots

OK thanks (I'm from Portland! Sunset Apollo )

anyways I'm not so good with tech so I'd like to put off pot changing.

but,
I wonder if this is it, this is how I'm trying to understand it:

250k pot with a humbucker that SHOULD have a 500k, and upping the Treble on the amp>>> is like having messy hair and looking into a mirror, and cleaning the mirror to clear up the reflection (of the messy hair)
as opposed to,
500k pot with a humbucker>>> having neatly combed shiny hair, with the relative clarity of the mirror being somewhat irrelevant.
I mean with the performance of the pickup, it WANTS the 500k yes?
(I make sense to myself atleast )

 

[Peterku]

Re: 250k pots vs. 500k pots

The hotter the pickup the less volume pot values will affect the sound. While with traditional single coils the effect can be dramatic (with a higher-value volume pot you'll get more highs, less perceived mids, a generally clearer sound and a sharper attack), with hot humbuckers the difference will be much more subtle.

 

[noth]

Re: 250k pots vs. 500k pots

250k pots roll off more trebles to ground hence the perceived warmer tone. vol pots will have more roll off compared to tone pots. also, the value of caps will affect the roll off as well. the higher the cap value, the more trebles are bled to ground.

of the two, pot value has a more dramatic effect than cap values. you might want to try 500k vol and a 250k tone pot and experiment with cap value like .022, .033 or .047 before going to 250k vol.

A little clarification may go a long way, here. As the cap value goes up in value (increases), it actually reaches down and begins to cut a larger range of frequencies - into the lower highs, and even into the mids. It does not actually cut more highs, but cuts more frequencies. So it may well sound like more highs are being cut. Put a big enough cap in there and the tone control would begin acting like a volume control - cutting all frequencies! The cap value combines with the pot value and pickup (this determines the circuit impedance) and acts, like someone else here said, as a low pass filter, so named because it lets the lows pass, while blocking the highs.

Hope this helps,
Noth