Anyone Like Concentric Knobs?
- Thread starter Natman
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Grandturk
Guest
Re: Anyone Like Concentric Knobs?
Not I. But I'm a minimalist when it comes to guitar controls - my optimum setup is 1 hum, 1 volume.
Not I. But I'm a minimalist when it comes to guitar controls - my optimum setup is 1 hum, 1 volume.
jhale667
New member
Re: Anyone Like Concentric Knobs?
I'm considering using one for the first time on a Vintage Kramer body that only has routs for two controls, and I want the bridge humbucker to be single volume, but I want a separate volume AND tone control for the neck pickup w/o having to ruin the body by routing it for another knob...
I'm considering using one for the first time on a Vintage Kramer body that only has routs for two controls, and I want the bridge humbucker to be single volume, but I want a separate volume AND tone control for the neck pickup w/o having to ruin the body by routing it for another knob...
JaySwear
New member
Re: Anyone Like Concentric Knobs?
they aren't bad. i had one on a nashville power telecaster. one knob was master volume for the piezo, the other knob was a concentric and was volume and tone for the pickups. it was a little tall, but worked just fine. i can definitely see it working great for a guitar with tons of options. looks like a pain to wire up though haha
they aren't bad. i had one on a nashville power telecaster. one knob was master volume for the piezo, the other knob was a concentric and was volume and tone for the pickups. it was a little tall, but worked just fine. i can definitely see it working great for a guitar with tons of options. looks like a pain to wire up though haha
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Anyone Like Concentric Knobs?
I use a lot of push-pulls, but don't like concentrics. Too clumsy, expensive, and you rarely ever need one if you lay out your pots right. On a two pot guitar I'll make one pot a volume for the neck and the other a volume for the bridge. When both are push-pulls, you can get coil cut for each PU separately, which gives you 8 PU combinations. If you EQ your PU's together with magnets & pot values, you have them set and don't need to adjust a tone pot.
I use a lot of push-pulls, but don't like concentrics. Too clumsy, expensive, and you rarely ever need one if you lay out your pots right. On a two pot guitar I'll make one pot a volume for the neck and the other a volume for the bridge. When both are push-pulls, you can get coil cut for each PU separately, which gives you 8 PU combinations. If you EQ your PU's together with magnets & pot values, you have them set and don't need to adjust a tone pot.
jake_xms3_punk
New member
Re: Anyone Like Concentric Knobs?
i like to have seperate controls for both my pickups. i havn't used any concentric pots on a guitar yet, but i plan on doing so in the future
i like to have seperate controls for both my pickups. i havn't used any concentric pots on a guitar yet, but i plan on doing so in the future
F
Funkfingers
Guest
Re: Anyone Like Concentric Knobs?
I'm schizoid about this. I hate stacked concentric pots on guitars. I like them on bass guitars with active circuitry - especially if the control cavity is cramped. The difference must be because, on bass, I tend to dial in the EQ setting for a given song and leave it. On guitar, I might very well make frequent adjustments during a song.
When I am in a hurry, I feel the need to have one knob per function.
I'm schizoid about this. I hate stacked concentric pots on guitars. I like them on bass guitars with active circuitry - especially if the control cavity is cramped. The difference must be because, on bass, I tend to dial in the EQ setting for a given song and leave it. On guitar, I might very well make frequent adjustments during a song.
When I am in a hurry, I feel the need to have one knob per function.
ratherdashing
Kablamminator
Re: Anyone Like Concentric Knobs?
My Tele's tone knob is a concentric - one for each pickup. I did this because I have a humbucker in the neck and I like a different tone circuit for that, and since it's a Tele I don't have much room on the control plate.
I would never use a concentric pot for volume or anything else I manipulate a lot. They tend to be a lot tighter than a standard pot, and I need to be able to rotate the volume quickly and smoothly. For tone they're just fine, because I pretty much only twiddle those between songs.
My Tele's tone knob is a concentric - one for each pickup. I did this because I have a humbucker in the neck and I like a different tone circuit for that, and since it's a Tele I don't have much room on the control plate.
I would never use a concentric pot for volume or anything else I manipulate a lot. They tend to be a lot tighter than a standard pot, and I need to be able to rotate the volume quickly and smoothly. For tone they're just fine, because I pretty much only twiddle those between songs.
SabbathFan0220
New member
Re: Anyone Like Concentric Knobs?
I don't like 'em. I like to have a separate control for each function. I also don't like push-pulls. I would rather have another mini toggle somewhere. I guess people are afraid of cluttering their guitar with controls but that doesn't bother me.
I don't like 'em. I like to have a separate control for each function. I also don't like push-pulls. I would rather have another mini toggle somewhere. I guess people are afraid of cluttering their guitar with controls but that doesn't bother me.
1955Hofner
New member
Re: Anyone Like Concentric Knobs?
I only use them when I am limited on how many holes I have to work with in a guitar body. If I want individual vol controls with soap bar pups, and p/p pots for tone, then I use the concentric for the volume controls. This is not always the case though, it's just a variable in assembly that I keep available in mind. Same with the tone, (High Roll off), controls instead of the P/P switches.
I just like to keep an open mind, and use what I think that I'd enjoy, and use the most. Putting too many controls on one guitar is like getting the constant questions at the check-outs when using a debit card. The options never end, something will be forgotten, and then catching up is a disaster in concert.
I only use them when I am limited on how many holes I have to work with in a guitar body. If I want individual vol controls with soap bar pups, and p/p pots for tone, then I use the concentric for the volume controls. This is not always the case though, it's just a variable in assembly that I keep available in mind. Same with the tone, (High Roll off), controls instead of the P/P switches.
I just like to keep an open mind, and use what I think that I'd enjoy, and use the most. Putting too many controls on one guitar is like getting the constant questions at the check-outs when using a debit card. The options never end, something will be forgotten, and then catching up is a disaster in concert.
1955Hofner
New member
Re: Anyone Like Concentric Knobs?
Wiring diagrams of all sorts are available from www.stewmac.com, and yes, it does get involved, but I think the overall gain is worth the time. But that's just me. :wave:
Wiring diagrams of all sorts are available from www.stewmac.com, and yes, it does get involved, but I think the overall gain is worth the time. But that's just me. :wave:
DreX
New member
Re: Anyone Like Concentric Knobs?
I've used several on Tele's because I needed three knobs to do what I wanted done, but didn't want a 3rd hole in the control plate.
A word of warning to anyone looking to but one: get the pot and the knobs as part of a complete package. The concentric pot shaft length and sizes are all over the map. If you get a matched set from the get-go, you won't have to worry whether or not the knobs you buy will fit the pot. Since one knob rests right above the other, a slight misalignment will cause them to crash and grind into each other, so there's very little margin for error, relative to a typical pot and knob.
I've used several on Tele's because I needed three knobs to do what I wanted done, but didn't want a 3rd hole in the control plate.
A word of warning to anyone looking to but one: get the pot and the knobs as part of a complete package. The concentric pot shaft length and sizes are all over the map. If you get a matched set from the get-go, you won't have to worry whether or not the knobs you buy will fit the pot. Since one knob rests right above the other, a slight misalignment will cause them to crash and grind into each other, so there's very little margin for error, relative to a typical pot and knob.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Anyone Like Concentric Knobs?
What's the reliability factor of concentrics? As an outsider, they seem more fragile to me than regular pots, especially in day-to-day use.
What's the reliability factor of concentrics? As an outsider, they seem more fragile to me than regular pots, especially in day-to-day use.
Johnny the Kid
Shaunofthedeadologist
Re: Anyone Like Concentric Knobs?
You actually end up with 10 PU combos.
I think they are great if you are rewiring a two control guitar for les paul style controls. I prefer 2 volume and 2 tone on my guitars and I'd rather drill out two small holes for coil splitting rather than not having a tone. Even if you EQ your pickups with mags and pots, you never know when you want that neck clean tone a little thicker or if you want to give that bridge pickup some more beef or bite.
You actually end up with 10 PU combos.
I think they are great if you are rewiring a two control guitar for les paul style controls. I prefer 2 volume and 2 tone on my guitars and I'd rather drill out two small holes for coil splitting rather than not having a tone. Even if you EQ your pickups with mags and pots, you never know when you want that neck clean tone a little thicker or if you want to give that bridge pickup some more beef or bite.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Anyone Like Concentric Knobs?
I'm not following you. You say you like concentrics, but then say you drill holes to get 2 volumes and 2 tones. Which is it?
I'm not following you. You say you like concentrics, but then say you drill holes to get 2 volumes and 2 tones. Which is it?
L
Little Pigbacon
Guest
Re: Anyone Like Concentric Knobs?
I have one concentric control, an EMG active bass/treble (designed for bass guitar) in that black Music-Yo Kramer. I don't love the ergonomics, but I don't like putting extra holes in the deck, and I needed to fit a 9V battery in there, too. I like the functionality, and it's been problem free since I installed it. I haven't used the guitar heavily, so I don't really know what kind of trench-warfare reliability it has. I'd do it again, though.
I have one concentric control, an EMG active bass/treble (designed for bass guitar) in that black Music-Yo Kramer. I don't love the ergonomics, but I don't like putting extra holes in the deck, and I needed to fit a 9V battery in there, too. I like the functionality, and it's been problem free since I installed it. I haven't used the guitar heavily, so I don't really know what kind of trench-warfare reliability it has. I'd do it again, though.
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