Are CTS Pots that hard to turn? What about Burns Pots?

[NateCordova]

Hello.

I'm thinking of replacing the Alpha volume pots i have on my guitars with CTS Log Pots, because i saw a online comparison of the two tapers and the CTS is just amazing, it's really natural unlike the Alpha Log, and i can get a bigger range of tones.

However, i like the feel of my New Alpha Pots i bought, they are not too easy or too hard to turn, they're just right, i can go from zero to 10 in one swell, i use the volume a lot.

Are CTS Pots that much stiffer and harder to turn than Alphas? Will it be unpleasant for me?

And what about Bourns Pots? They have a similar taper to CTS.

 

[jmh151]

Re: Are CTS Pots that hard to turn? What about Burns Pots?

IMO they're not hard to turn at all. They are stiffer, so IMO they have a more solid feel. PRS and Bourns pots are very quick, IMO they have be too easy to move.

A lot depends on the knob too. Gibson bell knobs are harder to grip on to. Strat knobs have grip, and Gibson speed knobs have more mass so they're easier to turn.

 

[NateCordova]

Re: Are CTS Pots that hard to turn? What about Burns Pots?

I have Top Hat plastic Knobs frm All Parts on all my guitars, i love them, i'm not a fan of speed knobs as they are very ugly to me lol and i really like the top hat shape..., i find it connects perfectly with my pinky when doing swells...go figure!

But these ones are pretty light and turn fast.

The alpha ones i bought are unlike those that come stock on import guitars... these ones are much harder and solid feeling, maybe it's the same as the CTS?

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: Are CTS Pots that hard to turn? What about Burns Pots?

I recently switched from CTS to Bourns for my volume pots with the goal of a smoother rotation, and switched back a few months later. Any little nudge or bump would spin the pot half way down or more. This was especially irritating on Strats.

The CTS is stiff, but unless you have the forearm strength of a newborn kitten I don't see why that's really an issue.

 

[NateCordova]

Re: Are CTS Pots that hard to turn? What about Burns Pots?

Thank you very much for your opinions. I guess i'll just order the CTS pots, as your descriptions seem to indicate that the current alpha pots i have are probably very close in stiffness to the CTS pots.

No bourns pot will be on any guitar i have as i hate those loose pots that bump!