Anyone replace their PRS pots?

[papersoul]

Some people think it should practically be against the law to replace the pots in a PRS, but I am tempted. My LP standards all I did was replace the Gibson pots with same value CTS pots because I thought the taper was better. Same tone, better taper.

On my 1994 PRS CE 22 the master volume is like 470k from my measurement and I am tempted to drop in a 500k CTS but am I wasting my time? Worth it?
The stock taper has a very gradual almost linear rolloff. Now on my LP's with the CTS Audio taper pots, the rolloff to clean is much faster!

 

[papersoul]

Re: Anyone replace their PRS pots?

Anyone?

 

[jmh151]

I love the Pots in my PRS. So much so that I want to put them in my other guitars.

From what I read, there was an exceptional pot that Paul once used, he liked the taper and feel, and had them cloned by another electronic company. I'm much happier the pots on my recent PRS than I am with the CTS pots on my other guitars.

RS guitar works has CTS make them pots with a custom taper which were my favorite until I discovered recent PRS pots.

If you have an older PRS maybe the current pots are better, all I know is the ones on my 2010 PRS are exceptional

 

[papersoul]

Re: Anyone replace their PRS pots?

Can you purchase PRS pots???
Pickups make a difference in taper too, right?

 

[jmh151]

Re: Anyone replace their PRS pots?

Yes , you can purchase PRS pots directly from PRS , but they are very expensive compared to CTS, I think theyre $25 a pot compared to a $5 CTS pot, but IMO very worth it as there is a difference in each adjustment of the pot, whereas most CTS pots only sound good fully on.

Taper is the rate in the curve in which the pot changes resistance, so pickups don't make a difference in taper. The PRS pots have a smooth taper, meaning there is a smooth consistent difference in when you turn the pot up or down, whereas many pots become useless when you turn them down below 5 until you turn them off.

 

[papersoul]

Re: Anyone replace their PRS pots?

Yes , you can purchase PRS pots directly from PRS , but they are very expensive compared to CTS, I think theyre $25 a pot compared to a $5 CTS pot, but IMO very worth it as there is a difference in each adjustment of the pot, whereas most CTS pots only sound good fully on.

Taper is the rate in the curve in which the pot changes resistance, so pickups don't make a difference in taper. The PRS pots have a smooth taper, meaning there is a smooth consistent difference in when you turn the pot up or down, whereas many pots become useless when you turn them down below 5 until you turn them off.

Yep, my Gibsons with CTS pots are almost off below 5. Your description of that PRS taper is how I would describe mine.

True!!! I do like that about the PRS volume pot! Do they sell long shaft and short shaft? I might buy them for my three Gibsons! Where can I get them and do they have 300k and 500k?

 

[aleclee]

Re: Anyone replace their PRS pots?

Doubt you'd hear a difference so you'd mainly be changing the taper and, perhaps, the tension. In addition to the distinct taper, PRS-speced pots have pretty low tension (resistance when you turn them).

You might also try disconnecting the treble bleed cap before you swap out pots. It might be affecting the taper of your volume control.

 

[Crane]

Re: Anyone replace their PRS pots?

I changed the pot in my Mira.
I bought it from Guitar Electronics.
The specs said +/-3 %. I am very pleased with the change. The stock PRS pot is garbage compared to what I have now. Also, the new pot has more resistance, which I prefer.
I went to purchase another and they were out of stock so I wrote them and they sent me a link when it was restocked.
Now the specs say +/- 10%.
Not sure how much difference it makes but here is the link:
https://secure.guitarelectronics.com/c=AUQ3DM9M0n2y3VDAPvG12VDZi/s=guitarelectronics.com/product/CPC250/CTS-250K-Audio-Taper-Precision-Tolerance-Guitar-Super-Pot.html

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Anyone replace their PRS pots?

You might also try disconnecting the treble bleed cap before you swap out pots. It might be affecting the taper of your volume control.

^
This…

…probably explains everything that some people love and others hate about the Master Volume pot on American PRS CU and CE guitars.

IMO, on PRS SE series guitars, a pot upgrade is essential

 

[papersoul]

Re: Anyone replace their PRS pots?

^
This…

…probably explains everything that some people love and others hate about the Master Volume pot on American PRS CU and CE guitars.

IMO, on PRS SE series guitars, a pot upgrade is essential

The American PRS pots seem fine...I am keeping it! I also like the treble bleed is essential.