Anyone tried 250k volume with ......

Re: Anyone tried 250k volume with ......

STRATDELUXER97 said:
Lew has said many times about his loss of highend from years of playing..I'd bet any pickup would have to be really toppy/trebly for Lew to think it's too bright!
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I wear hearing aids much of the time now. Always use them when I play out - even if I'm gigging on the acoustic.

Bruce says I sound exactly the same. I guess that's a good thing. LOL!
 
Re: Anyone tried 250k volume with ......

STRATDELUXER97 said:
Not taking sides,but in my many years of playing strats mostly and Teles,but not as often,I get compliments on my playing ability and sometimes my tone..I've "never" had any other musician,guitarist,or person tell me that my strat tones were to piercing or that my tone just sucked..We always seem to leave out the other gear in our tonal equations like the amp,pedals,string types etc..Whether I play a strat,Tele,LP,SG or whatever,it sounds like me..I so much agree about how much the tone is in our hands also.

There are better players and I'm not the best,but piercing strat tone or bad tone,just isn't part of my playing experiences..To this day,most of my favorite players,play strats!
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Good tone is good tone.

You're a good player, John, so you play with a good tone regardless of what brand of guitar you're playing.

Just goes with being a good player.
 
Re: Anyone tried 250k volume with ......

Lewguitar said:
I wear hearing aids much of the time now. Always use them when I play out - even if I'm gigging on the acoustic.

Bruce says I sound exactly the same. I guess that's a good thing. LOL!
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It is a good thing pal!
 
Re: Anyone tried 250k volume with ......

Lewguitar said:
Good tone is good tone.

You're a good player, John, so you play with a good tone regardless of what brand of guitar you're playing.

Just goes with being a good player.
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Thanks Lew...Well you have way more experience than I and are probably a much better player..If I can't play the part,I can at least try to look the part and not have bad tone! LOL...Hence all the modding and stuff I used to do..These days I just play alot more,less tweaking,work always on that picking technique,learn new tunes and enjoy!
 
Re: Anyone tried 250k volume with ......

John, this is way off topic but have you ever played through a good Klon? Or good Klon Klone? I think you'd like it.
 
Re: Anyone tried 250k volume with ......

I like 500k pots in my Strats just because I'm of the opinion that I can take treble away through a couple means, the volume and the tone knob, and I wire a global tone so I can de-brighten the whole guitar at once. IMO giving away treble limits what the guitar can do with overdrive, you get creamy tones when you subtract treble but you lose some sizzle, for lack of a better term. I also install this veratone mod on my Strats http://www.diyguitarmods.com/custom-varitone-wiring.php I've put together about ten of these things and have spares. They vary the tone cap value from .047uF to .0015uF with six steps in all. I think the 500k is giood in tandem with this veratone like selector because it exposes more signal to the influence of the various caps. So not only can I take away high end in a controlled manner, but I have a lot of choices as to which frequencies will be removed, and to what degree.
 
Re: Anyone tried 250k volume with ......

I'm sort of with you on this subject Drex although 500K in a Strat is to bright for my tastes.

Still, once that treble is gone, it's gone for good.

That's why 250K for a humbucker seems...what's the word?

WRONG! :lmao:

Like I said, once it's gone, it's gone for good.

I'd rather use 500K for humbuckers and then just turn down the treble on my amp if I need to.
 
Re: Anyone tried 250k volume with ......

Lewguitar said:
I'm sort of with you on this subject Drex although 500K in a Strat is to bright for my tastes.

Still, once that treble is gone, it's gone for good.

That's why 250K for a humbucker seems...what's the word?

WRONG! :lmao:

Like I said, once it's gone, it's gone for good.

I'd rather use 500K for humbuckers and then just turn down the treble on my amp if I need to.
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I also add more treble at the amp when I need it, and have never maxed out the treble or presence there.

Lew, that's where your approach has caused some disagreements. 'There's Lew's way and then there's the wrong way.' Life isn't black and white. I often make the case here that there is more than one approach for people to get the sounds they want, more than one way to do things. I like to try new things, to think outside the box. I've learned so much here from people who approach things like that. Apparently you're not particularly one of the more open-minded people in this world. Sometimes you've vehemently argued that your way is the only way, and that anything else, and everyone else is 'wrong.' That can come across as arrogant; some people tolerate your pronouncements like that, others don't. We play a lot of kinds of music, thru a lot of kinds of gear, and taste is an individual thing, which you are not the sole decider of.

I don't tell people here their tones are lousy and 'they must' sound awful. I don't know what they sound like, I don't listen to them play. If they're happy with their tones, that's all that matters. Based on things I've tried, I'll suggest things if someone wants to try something different to get what they want. For you to automatically make assumptions and tell people their tones are crappy is really rude. There is no 'Lew standard of tone' that we all strive towards, using the 'Lew approved' methods. News flash: Lew doesn't do it that way, so all of you people are wrong. Better get with the program.. This forum is about sharing ideas, including new ideas. Your views are one of many. Those who do things differently are not 'wrong.' Come on, you're a old guy with failing ears, wearing hearing aids, telling us your ears are better than ours. Did you ever stop and think that just may effect how you percieve tone? Your quote 'Once it's gone, it's gone for good'; could that apply to your hearing loss too? How about a little humility and some courtesy for others?
 
Re: Anyone tried 250k volume with ......

blueman335 said:
I also add more treble at the amp when I need it, and have never maxed out the treble or presence there.

Lew, that's where your approach has caused some disagreements. 'There's Lew's way and then there's the wrong way.' Life isn't black and white. I often make the case here that there is more than one approach for people to get the sounds they want, more than one way to do things. I like to try new things, to think outside the box. I've learned so much here from people who approach things like that. Apparently you're not particularly one of the more open-minded people in this world. Sometimes you've vehemently argued that your way is the only way, and that anything else, and everyone else is 'wrong.' That can come across as arrogant; some people tolerate your pronouncements like that, others don't. We play a lot of kinds of music, thru a lot of kinds of gear, and taste is an individual thing, which you are not the sole decider of.

I don't tell people here their tones are lousy and 'they must' sound awful. I don't know what they sound like, I don't listen to them play. If they're happy with their tones, that's all that matters. Based on things I've tried, I'll suggest things if someone wants to try something different to get what they want. For you to automatically make assumptions and tell people their tones are crappy is really rude. There is no 'Lew standard of tone' that we all strive towards, using the 'Lew approved' methods. News flash: Lew doesn't do it that way, so all of you people are wrong. Better get with the program.. This forum is about sharing ideas, including new ideas. Your views are one of many. Those who do things differently are not 'wrong.' Come on, you're a old guy with failing ears, wearing hearing aids, telling us your ears are better than ours. Did you ever stop and think that just may effect how you percieve tone? Your quote 'Once it's gone, it's gone for good'; could that apply to your hearing loss too? How about a little humility and some courtesy for others?
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Good post Rick....Both of you always have alot to offer on the forums though!
 
Re: Anyone tried 250k volume with ......

blueman335 said:
I also add more treble at the amp when I need it, and have never maxed out the treble or presence there.
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Imagine turning your guitar's volume down to two, and then thinking you'd get back whatever you had lost by turning your amp up to ten.
 
Re: Anyone tried 250k volume with ......

I have to make a trip today - but I can't wait to see how this turns out!!!! I have three beers all lined up and waiting.

On topic:

The depth, width, and taper of turning a tone pot down is VERY different than a pot of a specific value.
500k on 7.2 ≠ 250k on 10
The difference is detectable. (But it is a decent approximation if you are thinking 250k)

I personally use a Gibson 300k on a Distortion. To me - it is perfect. I have also used stock 300k's on a Custom as well. That isn't a Custom 5.

On a JB with 500k's I CHOSE to go with an A8 mag swap instead of a pot change. The pot change was not going to be the change I wanted, or enough IMO. I have played a JB with a 250k pot before. I could go either way with that, but I wanted more/different change than just what the pot would do.

I actually use a 500k with a Duncan Detonator for on specific guitar. I MIGHT go 1 meg there….

On my PG loaded Cadillac (which is sounding SUPREMELY sweet these days), I use 500k's. By the way, the bridge Pearly is wound to 9k. (you read that right)

Sidebar: Most/best comments on my tone playing live EVER was the JB through the original 500k pots!


The pots, caps, pups, guitar (scale/construction), tuning, mags all contribute to the sound. FInd what is good for you. Everyone else just has suggestions.
 
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Re: Anyone tried 250k volume with ......

DreX said:
Imagine turning your guitar's volume down to two, and then thinking you'd get back whatever you had lost by turning your amp up to ten.
Click to expand...

Imagine that you don't know what I do. And that goes for how I EQ my guitars and amps, what string gauge I use, and the type of picks. All of that impacts my tones. I don't turn my guitar volume 'down to two', ever. Nor would I expect to get much treble if I did. I have no idea what you do or sound like, nor do I speculate on it. What are you, 'Son of Lew', who knows what everything sounds like without actually hearing it?

How about if it we leave to each person to decide for themselves what tones they like, and how to go about getting them, and not try to impose it on them?
 
Re: Anyone tried 250k volume with ......

I use 300k pots often with humbuckers. I've only found a few (JB and Virtual Hot PAF) that sound good with a 250k pot. I wish someone made a 400k pot to just shave a little of that uncontrolled high end off some pickups.
 
Re: Anyone tried 250k volume with ......

blueman335 said:
I also add more treble at the amp when I need it, and have never maxed out the treble or presence there.

Lew, that's where your approach has caused some disagreements. 'There's Lew's way and then there's the wrong way.' Life isn't black and white. I often make the case here that there is more than one approach for people to get the sounds they want, more than one way to do things. I like to try new things, to think outside the box. I've learned so much here from people who approach things like that. Apparently you're not particularly one of the more open-minded people in this world. Sometimes you've vehemently argued that your way is the only way, and that anything else, and everyone else is 'wrong.' That can come across as arrogant; some people tolerate your pronouncements like that, others don't. We play a lot of kinds of music, thru a lot of kinds of gear, and taste is an individual thing, which you are not the sole decider of.

I don't tell people here their tones are lousy and 'they must' sound awful. I don't know what they sound like, I don't listen to them play. If they're happy with their tones, that's all that matters. Based on things I've tried, I'll suggest things if someone wants to try something different to get what they want. For you to automatically make assumptions and tell people their tones are crappy is really rude. There is no 'Lew standard of tone' that we all strive towards, using the 'Lew approved' methods. News flash: Lew doesn't do it that way, so all of you people are wrong. Better get with the program.. This forum is about sharing ideas, including new ideas. Your views are one of many. Those who do things differently are not 'wrong.' Come on, you're a old guy with failing ears, wearing hearing aids, telling us your ears are better than ours. Did you ever stop and think that just may effect how you percieve tone? Your quote 'Once it's gone, it's gone for good'; could that apply to your hearing loss too? How about a little humility and some courtesy for others?
Click to expand...

I don't recall ever telling anyone their tone is lousy or that "they must" sound awful. You put that in quotes as if I actually said it. That makes you a liar - because you know I didn't say that.

How about a little humility yourself? You're the one who always has to be right and have the last word.

Don't put words in my mouth that I never said or say that I've done things that I haven't done, just to prove some point that doesn't even apply to me.
 
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Re: Anyone tried 250k volume with ......

grumptruck said:
I've clashed alot with Lew's political views... However his tone knowledge has never steered me in the wrong way except the 50's mod. :)

Hell my number one is has callaham block and saddles*... with 5 springs with the trem flushed because of him.

*his guide mentioned different saddles... I went a little out there with that one.
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Thanks!

My views on the 50's mod changed when I finally found an overdrive pedal I loved and didn't fall out of love with. :)

I've been using a PCE Aluminum Falcon Klon Klone for a couple of years now and found that I like my tone better without 50's Mod wiring when I use the Klon.

I get a fatter, bigger tone without the 50's Mod when I play through the Klon.

Before getting the Klone, I was a straight into the amp kind of guy and did everything with my touch and the volume control of my guitar. I'd crank up my Deluxe Reverb to 5 or 6 and just go for it and 50's Mod wiring worked well for that method of playing. I was able to lower my guitar's volume control to 5 and get a cleanish tone that was bright enough and clean enough to not be muddy.

But when I started using the Klon I found that my tone through the Klon was a little to bright, grainy and sizzley when I played my guitars with the 50's Mod.

So I wired them all back to Modern/Normal wiring with the tone control at the input of the volume control instead of at the output and that works much better with the Klon.

I get the feeling that most guys here do use an overdrive pedal most of the time and always have. And I see now that if you're using an overdrive pedal all of the time that the 50's Mod wiring might not be appropriate.

But I had to find that out for myself - and first I had to find an overdrive pedal that I loved.

For me, the Klon is that pedal.
 
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Re: Anyone tried 250k volume with ......

The only Humbucker I tried with a 250k pots was a JB. I did like it, honestly. And if I have to pair it with a single coil in the future I will most likely use it with a 250k pots. I moved that JB to a Ibby with 500 k pots and I must say I like it too, infact I like it better. To go further I am really surprised that, when I use the JB "split" with the Jazz, I love the tone with 500 k tone pot all the way open! And No it does not sound harsh, But gives me a nice rhythm tone,maybe its the mahogany. On a normal strat single coils I would always want 250 k.
 
Re: Anyone tried 250k volume with ......

Lewguitar said:
I don't recall ever telling anyone their tone is lousy or that "they must" sound awful. You put that in quotes as if I actually said it. That makes you a liar - because you know I didn't say that.

How about a little humility yourself? You're the one who always has to be right and have the last word.

Don't put words in my mouth that I never said or say that I've done things that I haven't done, just to prove some point that doesn't even apply to me.
Click to expand...

Oh, it does apply to you. You just said that 250K's are 'tone killers' with HB's, which kind of means that you're saying that those of us that use them must not have good tones, as if somehow you know that. Why make the sweeping generalization? Isn't it up to each of us to decide for ourselves? A number of players use 250K's, often with JB's. Warm pots may not give the tones you want, but it doesn't mean that the rest of us have to follow lock-step with you. Could it be possible that some guys can get good tones with 250K's? Maybe they're not the universal 'tone killers' you make them out to be, and just may not be your cup of tea? You could leave it at that. I don't speculate on your tones and whether they'd be acceptable to me. Or say that something you do automatically destroys your tone. As long as you're happy with your sound, that's all that counts. We're here to please ourselves, not someone else.

My understanding of this forum is that we're here to toss around ideas and pick what may work for us. My experience is that no matter what it is, no matter how many people don't like it, there's always someone who can use it very effectively. It's one thing to express opinions here, we all do, it's another to say what others do and like, is 'wrong', which you've been doing since I've been on this forum. That's been a trademark of yours, some guys find that to be part of the 'Lew charm', others aren't so thrilled. You quit this forum a few years ago in a big huff over some argument, who knows, maybe over a 250K spat. You've been calmer in this thread, but you've been the 'Grumpy Old Man' often enough in the past. That's the Lew I know.
 
Re: Anyone tried 250k volume with ......

All right Bluesman, put up or shut up. Here's me doing Hideaway:



Now let's hear you play something.
 
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