Anyone using these solder-free push/pull pots?

[rmackowsky]

https://toneshapers.com/cts-pot-500-...ft-2-pack.html

I am new to guitar wiring and I am planning on upgrading a cheap Cort strat with push/pull pots for different wiring options. Came across these and wondered if anyone has tried them? I heard that the CTS push/pull pots can be a bit challenging to solder. These solder-free pots also offer the option of switching between 500K and 250K, as well as trying different tone cap values (built in) by changing the dip switches.

Thoughts?

 

[beaubrummels]

Haven't tried but looks like a great solution.

Those actually are CTS pots, as are the ones they say are difficult to solder to. (Look at the bottom view, it says CTS right on them.)

The pots they say are difficult to solder to were intended for surface mount, not hand-soldering, so it's a bit misleading. There's another kind of CTS push/pull that has actual hand-solder lugs and isn't that bad to work with if you know how to solder.

 

[Mincer]

Had not heard about these, but now I am curious. I will be watching this thread. I didn't know these were a thing.

 

[rmackowsky]

Haven't tried but looks like a great solution.

Those actually are CTS pots, as are the ones they say are difficult to solder to. (Look at the bottom view, it says CTS right on them.)

The pots they say are difficult to solder to were intended for surface mount, not hand-soldering, so it's a bit misleading. There's another kind of CTS push/pull that has actual hand-solder lugs and isn't that bad to work with if you know how to solder.

Yes, Toneshapers used CTS push/pulls (with permission) and added the circuit board.

When I Google CTS push/pool pots, all I get are the difficult to solder ones with the plastic casing. Do you have a link to the more standard CTS push poll pots?

 

[Artie]

When I do the solder ones, I always insert the wire from the rear. Then, not hard to solder at all, and no shorts. But still, those look like a good solution for those who don't want to solder. (If you've got the real estate.)

 

[rmackowsky]

When I do the solder ones, I always insert the wire from the rear. Then, not hard to solder at all, and no shorts. But still, those look like a good solution for those who don't want to solder. (If you've got the real estate.)

What about soldering from pot to pot? Usually that is done on the casing of the pot itself. But since these are plastic, where would you do it?

 

[Masta' C]

Those are basically the MojoTone push/pulls, which are really nice, with a quick-connect board soldered on...very interesting!

 

[Masta' C]

From the description:

We offer two versions of our push/pull:

Option One: PP01 (500k)
PP01 is just a straight-ahead push/pull, it does exactly what any push/pull pot does, nothing more and nothing less. It is fully solderless.

Option Two: PP02 (500k/250k)
Our PP02 pot in just like our PP01 but with several additional features built-in, and you can enable or defeat these options using the mini-DIP switches:

• Engage a resistor to drop the pot loading from 500k to 250k
• Built-in treble bleed may be engaged when used as a volume control
• Choose from seven built-in capacitor values when used as a tone control

 

[Artie]

What about soldering from pot to pot? Usually that is done on the casing of the pot itself. But since these are plastic, where would you do it?

They still have a metal body. However, whenever possible, I use something like this: https://guitarelectronics.com/solder-lug-washers-for-pots-switches-4/

 

[rmackowsky]

They still have a metal body. However, whenever possible, I use something like this: https://guitarelectronics.com/solder-lug-washers-for-pots-switches-4/

perfect thanks

 

[Artie]

perfect thanks

You're welcome. By the way, if you search, you can find them where the large hole is a "star" washer. I like those better. More bite. But they can be a bit more difficult to find. If I find a link, I'll post it.

 

[beaubrummels]

Yes, Toneshapers used CTS push/pulls (with permission) and added the circuit board.

When I Google CTS push/pool pots, all I get are the difficult to solder ones with the plastic casing. Do you have a link to the more standard CTS push poll pots?

I'm thinking of these: https://www.ctscorp.com/wp-content/uploads/Series-18VRG-Data-Sheet-Rev-A.pdf

But the Bourns version and even the imports work just as fine.

 

[Artie]

I'm thinking of these: https://www.ctscorp.com/wp-content/uploads/Series-18VRG-Data-Sheet-Rev-A.pdf

But the Bourns version and even the imports work just as fine.

Thanks for the link. Saved the document.