500K Pots...Where To Buy? Oh, And Which Caps Too?

[Jeff_H]

I want quality pots that are actually 500K and not 400 or 600. I know I can go to RS and get them, along with the whole wiring kit, but they seem kind pricey. I have a 2 volume 2 tone setup that I need all new pots and caps for, but not a new switch or jack plate.

I have another guitar that needs at least one new pot, so I may replace the rest at the same time. In this case it will need to be completely rewired with new caps.

Speaking of caps..... which ones do you recommend for an LP style setup?

The RS kit is easy/already put together, so I like it for that main reason only. I'll probably take these parts to a tech to wire up, since my soldering skills are poor.

I haven't decided between 50's wiring or modern, but I may do 50's on one and modern on another. Both guitars are USA Dean Hardtails.

Thanks in advance for your input.

 

[Ayrton]

Re: 500K Pots...Where To Buy? Oh, And Which Caps Too?

WD sells specific value pots, but most harness vendors will sell you value specific pots if you ask.

Cap values are like taste in women, everyone gonna have an opinion. I start with .015 neck and .022 bridge and then tweak from there.

The cheapest place I have seen for prewired harness is here (no affiliation) and he uses Bourns pots and Sprague Orange Drops.

https://www.tonemanguitar.com/store/c1/Featured_Products.html

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: 500K Pots...Where To Buy? Oh, And Which Caps Too?

Thanks for that link Ayrton..... will check it out now. I should have mentioned that I like .015 in the neck and 0.22 for the bridge. I always lean towards PIO caps, but am not opposed to alternatives. I used to like strictly vintage quality/sounding components, but I'm more open to other stuff now.

 

[Ayrton]

Re: 500K Pots...Where To Buy? Oh, And Which Caps Too?

You are a better man than I if you can hear a difference between PIO and Sprague.

I roll my own with Bourns and I have both Russian PIO and Orange drops.

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: 500K Pots...Where To Buy? Oh, And Which Caps Too?

I doubt that I can hear the difference, but admittedly I just like the thought of having PIO vs Orange drops. Plus the PIO's look cool, even if no one but me see's them.

 

[metlking]

Re: 500K Pots...Where To Buy? Oh, And Which Caps Too?

I like these ALOT from Mojotone. I have purchased 16 of them in the last year. They seem to range from about 485 to 520 or so.

Excellent taper and tolerance. Very easy to turn too! I like them better than the RS Superpots I have tried.........cheaper too.

They sell them thru the Mojotone website, but you can also buy them from Sweetwater, with no shipping charges!

http://www.mojotone.com/guitar-part...TS-500K-Long-Split-Shaft-Guitar-Potentiometer

http://www.mojotone.com/guitar-part...S-500K-Short-Split-Shaft-Guitar-Potentiometer

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...s-long-shaft-potentiometer-vintage-taper-500k

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...-short-shaft-potentiometer-vintage-taper-500k

I like these for all around good guitar caps on the cheap: https://www.tubesandmore.com/products/capacitor-mallory-630v-150s-axial-lead

If I feel I want a PIO I get these: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OF51CYY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[mxaniac]

Re: 500K Pots...Where To Buy? Oh, And Which Caps Too?

DigiKey Mouser Newark and Amazon

 

[Jacew]

Re: 500K Pots...Where To Buy? Oh, And Which Caps Too?

I want quality pots that are actually 500K and not 400 or 600.

Where do you get these crappy pots? All pots I've ever tested, including very cheap, that say specific value have been around +/- 10k.

 

[Darg1911]

Re: 500K Pots...Where To Buy? Oh, And Which Caps Too?

The Mojotone Vintage Taper (30% taper) pots are made by CTS. They have a 7% tolerance. The Art of Tone also has a CTS vintage taper pot for a little less money. They are 10% tolerance. They offer pots measured to within 5% for a little more money and also matched sets.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: 500K Pots...Where To Buy? Oh, And Which Caps Too?

I bought a bag of CTS 500k pots from Allparts about 20 years ago and I still haven’t used them up.

I like .02 caps for both pickups.

I use PIO caps because whether they actually sound or feel better than Orange Drops, I don’t have to worry about whether I have the very best or not.

I know I do!

 

[jeremy]

Re: 500K Pots...Where To Buy? Oh, And Which Caps Too?

ive pretty much always used cts pots and when i need them these days i go for the mojotone vintage taper at least for 250k. havent had to buy any 500k in a long time since im pretty well stocked. i use whatever cap i have laying around thats the value i want, usually orange drop or mallory. i usually like .01, .015 or .022 caps for tone controls, but sometimes different applications suggest a different value

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: 500K Pots...Where To Buy? Oh, And Which Caps Too?

Thanks for all of the suggestions guys. I have plenty of options now to dig up what I'm looking for.

 

[YeRedHouseOverYonder]

Re: 500K Pots...Where To Buy? Oh, And Which Caps Too?

+1 to mojotone. 7% tolerance and all my pots have read within specs. The lowest may have been 480k or slightly lower. Nice taper and build quality. I also like using the mojotone PIO. They are cost effective PIO that don't break the bank. As you I like using them with 50s wiring or vintage style pickups. I use orange drops for modern builds. Sweetwater is a vendor now if you want to be sure you're not getting knock offs or etc. They come packaged.

If you want to go the ebay route, I like getting my stuff from this seller and the pots I posted a link for. They are 525K within 5% tolerance. The higher spec pots can be used in the neck.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/322779416297

Sent from my LG-H931 using Tapatalk

 

[Clint 55]

Re: 500K Pots...Where To Buy? Oh, And Which Caps Too?

Good advice ppl. I got some PIO caps off ebay from a seller in Siberia lel. Who knows when they'll get here!

 

[Wattage]

Re: 500K Pots...Where To Buy? Oh, And Which Caps Too?

I've been using Philadelphia Luthiery Supply lately

 

[Thundermtn]

Re: 500K Pots...Where To Buy? Oh, And Which Caps Too?

Tagged

 

[metlking]

Re: 500K Pots...Where To Buy? Oh, And Which Caps Too?

Heads up: I just ordered 8 more MOJOTONE 500k pots. Musicians Friend now carries them and with the coupon code "GEARUP" they're 12% off!!

 

[YeRedHouseOverYonder]

Re: 500K Pots...Where To Buy? Oh, And Which Caps Too?

I should probably pick some up for my R8. Previous owner upgraded the pots, but it seems like he might've damaged them in the process.

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[Jeff_H]

Re: 500K Pots...Where To Buy? Oh, And Which Caps Too?

I ended up ordering 2 DIY kits from toneman. I've always used CTS in the past with no issues, but I was curious about the bourns. I'll try my hand at putting one of the kits on, but I am a terrible electronics person.