Best Pots
- Thread starter tcarnes68
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Gtrjunior
Well-known member
Re: Best Pots
Iirc, guitarelectronics.com has some CTS pots with a 10% tolerance. I’ve been using them for a while without issue.
Iirc, guitarelectronics.com has some CTS pots with a 10% tolerance. I’ve been using them for a while without issue.
mojosman
New member
Re: Best Pots
I've also noticed the shaft diameter affects the fitment on the knobs when using Bourns pots. I used them on one of my Les Pauls, and the knobs I had really didn't fit right. They didn't fully seat, and looked as though they were too high from the guitar body. Toneman was selling speed knobs he said would fit properly with Bourns pots, and they did. They just fit better and looked better on the guitar.
I've also noticed the shaft diameter affects the fitment on the knobs when using Bourns pots. I used them on one of my Les Pauls, and the knobs I had really didn't fit right. They didn't fully seat, and looked as though they were too high from the guitar body. Toneman was selling speed knobs he said would fit properly with Bourns pots, and they did. They just fit better and looked better on the guitar.
Gtrjunior
Well-known member
Best Pots
I had that height issue as well. But I just adjusted the second nut on the shaft so it would sit lower then socked it down on top with the washer and tightening nut.
And yes, there are two different spline counts for these shafts. Fine and coarse. I forget the actual number of splines on each (18 and24?) but you’ve got to get the correct knob to fit the particular shafts.
I had that height issue as well. But I just adjusted the second nut on the shaft so it would sit lower then socked it down on top with the washer and tightening nut.
And yes, there are two different spline counts for these shafts. Fine and coarse. I forget the actual number of splines on each (18 and24?) but you’ve got to get the correct knob to fit the particular shafts.
Ayrton
New member
Re: Best Pots
MEC (as all manufacturers) makes some high-end potentiometers, but the guitar level stuff appears to be about the same as any other.
No need to over think it.
Tone Man (no affiliation) seems to have the best pricing on premade harnesses.
https://www.tonemanguitar.com/store/c1/Featured_Products.html#/
MEC (as all manufacturers) makes some high-end potentiometers, but the guitar level stuff appears to be about the same as any other.
No need to over think it.
Tone Man (no affiliation) seems to have the best pricing on premade harnesses.
https://www.tonemanguitar.com/store/c1/Featured_Products.html#/
Gtrjunior
Well-known member
neville.sc
New member
Re: Best Pots
Agree with c.t.s. or Bourns, been looking at s/d Bourns on ebay, only lets you order 2 at a time, need 6. Think I will settle on Bourns.
Agree with c.t.s. or Bourns, been looking at s/d Bourns on ebay, only lets you order 2 at a time, need 6. Think I will settle on Bourns.
neville.sc
New member
Re: Best Pots
I have just brought back 3 new M.E.C. pickups for my Framus strato ,should have got pots as well. M.E.C. pots are 37 euro each, Bourns seem a good option.tip, go to Marknuekirchen in summer.!
I have just brought back 3 new M.E.C. pickups for my Framus strato ,should have got pots as well. M.E.C. pots are 37 euro each, Bourns seem a good option.tip, go to Marknuekirchen in summer.!
neville.sc
New member
Re: Best Pots
warwick music. or Framus. or H.P. WILFER HIMSELF. OR GOOGLE M.E.C.
warwick music. or Framus. or H.P. WILFER HIMSELF. OR GOOGLE M.E.C.
Re: Best Pots
If you want a pot with a conductive plastic element and you're in the states, Bourns has the 82 and 95 series pots. They're rated for 100,000 rotational cycles. No information given for taper of the log taper versions. Guitar Electronics sells them from about $10 - $20, depending on series and type. Never tried one or seen them in person. The conductive plastic pots that I do have experience with (not for guitar) have a very smooth rotation but rotational torque is higher than anything I've used for guitar. Bourns may have altered that for these instrument series pots. I'll probably try one at some point just out of curiosity. But I'm really happy with the 6 dollar CTS 30% tapers for volume.
If you want a pot with a conductive plastic element and you're in the states, Bourns has the 82 and 95 series pots. They're rated for 100,000 rotational cycles. No information given for taper of the log taper versions. Guitar Electronics sells them from about $10 - $20, depending on series and type. Never tried one or seen them in person. The conductive plastic pots that I do have experience with (not for guitar) have a very smooth rotation but rotational torque is higher than anything I've used for guitar. Bourns may have altered that for these instrument series pots. I'll probably try one at some point just out of curiosity. But I'm really happy with the 6 dollar CTS 30% tapers for volume.
Re: Best Pots
It's not the shaft diameter unless you bought the metric version, it's the knurling on the pot shaft. They use the coarse knurling (18 spline) vs. fine knurling (21 spline) of the U.S. spec knobs like Gibson and Fender use. Stew Mac knobs are mostly 18 spline coarse knurl and will work with them, but it does cut down on your options for knobs. You have to buy ones that are specifically coarse knurled. They should have made the guitar pots with fine knurl IMO, so they would work with more common knobs available on the market.
Al
It's not the shaft diameter unless you bought the metric version, it's the knurling on the pot shaft. They use the coarse knurling (18 spline) vs. fine knurling (21 spline) of the U.S. spec knobs like Gibson and Fender use. Stew Mac knobs are mostly 18 spline coarse knurl and will work with them, but it does cut down on your options for knobs. You have to buy ones that are specifically coarse knurled. They should have made the guitar pots with fine knurl IMO, so they would work with more common knobs available on the market.
Al
Jacew
New member
Re: Best Pots
it seems MEC has now regular style guitar pots as well with good pricing. No reasonably priced push-pulls though...
it seems MEC has now regular style guitar pots as well with good pricing. No reasonably priced push-pulls though...
neville.sc
New member
Re: Best Pots
I just got some M.E.C. pickups for my framus strato, very close to original, told by many they are good. they are made for framus, & have the logo, they were 85 euro each, now 125. the pots are 37 euro ea, not cheap. you can buy direct from warwick /framus vintage, freight is the killer.
Re: Best Pots
For years I always used CTS pots when upgrading wiring harnesses. For my kit built Jr, I wanted a low friction pot, so I decided to try Bourns.
The Bourns pots, compared to the CTS pots I've always used have a MUCH nicer sweep--i have useable sounds from 1-10 on both the volume and tone knobs, with a much nicer taper than the CTS pots (yes, comparing audio taper to audio taper).
I will probably not buy any more CTS pots.
For years I always used CTS pots when upgrading wiring harnesses. For my kit built Jr, I wanted a low friction pot, so I decided to try Bourns.
The Bourns pots, compared to the CTS pots I've always used have a MUCH nicer sweep--i have useable sounds from 1-10 on both the volume and tone knobs, with a much nicer taper than the CTS pots (yes, comparing audio taper to audio taper).
I will probably not buy any more CTS pots.
NegativeEase
New member
Re: Best Pots
Is that a functional of the values of the pot or identical values (Resistance and Taper being equal) in your assessment?
Is that a functional of the values of the pot or identical values (Resistance and Taper being equal) in your assessment?
