What would you guys consider to be the best possible pots set complete for a new Epiphone Les Paul pro? It came stock with the volume pots coil tap push pull with a plug and play pickup plug on each? Are these any good? What is the reasons for your choices also? Thanks so much
Best Pots
- Thread starter tcarnes68
- Start date
Ayrton
New member
Re: Best Pots
The two main choices are CTS or Bourns. Either is fine, just what you might prefer. However, unless there is something wrong with your current pots, there is little to gain in swapping them.
Your guitar's push/pull is a series/parallel mod. Should you find it useful, you can retain it, or replace it with a more traditional setup.
The two main choices are CTS or Bourns. Either is fine, just what you might prefer. However, unless there is something wrong with your current pots, there is little to gain in swapping them.
Your guitar's push/pull is a series/parallel mod. Should you find it useful, you can retain it, or replace it with a more traditional setup.
Re: Best Pots
You can buy full size metric Bourns or CTS pots that will drop right in. Philadelphia Luthier's Supply has the metric CTS, and I have seen metric Bourns and Alpha on Ebay and other places. I don't know how the taper is on those pots, I usually like a custom vintage type audio taper over the stock CTS audio taper, like the Dimarzio custom CTS pots with the dished back, but many people are happy with the stock audio taper. The metric type have the slightly smaller bushing size that will fit in the Asian guitars, but are full sized pots.
Al
You can buy full size metric Bourns or CTS pots that will drop right in. Philadelphia Luthier's Supply has the metric CTS, and I have seen metric Bourns and Alpha on Ebay and other places. I don't know how the taper is on those pots, I usually like a custom vintage type audio taper over the stock CTS audio taper, like the Dimarzio custom CTS pots with the dished back, but many people are happy with the stock audio taper. The metric type have the slightly smaller bushing size that will fit in the Asian guitars, but are full sized pots.
Al
Gtrjunior
New member
Re: Best Pots
Good to know! I had no idea they made metric pots. Would have been ideal when I rewired my Kramer Focus.
Good to know! I had no idea they made metric pots. Would have been ideal when I rewired my Kramer Focus.
NegativeEase
New member
Re: Best Pots
Honestly, as long as the taper is what you want -I would pick them on dimensions, adding functionality (Push/pull etc) and the rotational feel over the actual brand name..
does anybody say Bourns sound better than CTS or Alpha or vice versa? if so they are insane -all 3 manufacturers use the identical principle and technique.
I do have a special Push Push that has positional detents -for dialing in the exact gain on my active electronics on one guitar -it's extremely useful in the studio when matching tracking and recording setups for the record for finding future tones... live play.. not so much of any advantage.
Honestly, as long as the taper is what you want -I would pick them on dimensions, adding functionality (Push/pull etc) and the rotational feel over the actual brand name..
does anybody say Bourns sound better than CTS or Alpha or vice versa? if so they are insane -all 3 manufacturers use the identical principle and technique.
I do have a special Push Push that has positional detents -for dialing in the exact gain on my active electronics on one guitar -it's extremely useful in the studio when matching tracking and recording setups for the record for finding future tones... live play.. not so much of any advantage.
Re: Best Pots
I was more or less just wondering as it seems I don’t have very good control of tone when I lower the volume pot. I lose some of the characteristics when I turn down and was wondering what the difference in for instance a 500ohm vs 250 ohm or if if these stock ones weren’t as good as a better name brand . Make sense?
I was more or less just wondering as it seems I don’t have very good control of tone when I lower the volume pot. I lose some of the characteristics when I turn down and was wondering what the difference in for instance a 500ohm vs 250 ohm or if if these stock ones weren’t as good as a better name brand . Make sense?
Gtrjunior
New member
Best Pots
Well, you always lose “something” as you turn down. That’s where a lot of the tonal variety comes from. If you feel like you are losing too much high end you can add a treble bleed to the wiring to help retain the high end as you roll down the volume.
Or there is a wiring schematic called 50’s wiring that helps retain the high end too. I personally prefer the 50’s wiring.
Well, you always lose “something” as you turn down. That’s where a lot of the tonal variety comes from. If you feel like you are losing too much high end you can add a treble bleed to the wiring to help retain the high end as you roll down the volume.
Or there is a wiring schematic called 50’s wiring that helps retain the high end too. I personally prefer the 50’s wiring.
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NegativeEase
New member
Re: Best Pots
I think every POT I've had an issue with no matter the brand was self inflicted -getting smoke, beer etc on the guitar or not cleaning them for a long long time etc.
I can't really say that ANY pot manufacturer has been an issue for me -they are all pretty damn good.
I think every POT I've had an issue with no matter the brand was self inflicted -getting smoke, beer etc on the guitar or not cleaning them for a long long time etc.
I can't really say that ANY pot manufacturer has been an issue for me -they are all pretty damn good.
Re: Best Pots
Here's a full-sized Alpha with metric shaft/bushing:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1-MVG-GP242A-Vintage-Guitar-A250K-Potentiometer-Alpha-Pot-24mm-5-16-shaft-BRASS/283334923047
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1-MVG-GP24...832729?hash=item41f8033019:g:o84AAOSwd0BV57Es
They also sell them in 1-4 quantities.
Here's the CTS:
https://www.philadelphialuthiertools.com/electronics/pots/cts-metric-250k-split-shaft-audio-taper-potentiometer-coarse-spline/
https://www.philadelphialuthiertools.com/electronics/pots/cts-metric-500k-split-shaft-audio-taper-potentiometer-coarse-spline/
Don't have a link to the Bourns handy, but you can find them.
Al
I just realized that in an LP you probably need long shaft, I don't have a link for those but I'm sure they exist.
Here's a full-sized Alpha with metric shaft/bushing:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1-MVG-GP242A-Vintage-Guitar-A250K-Potentiometer-Alpha-Pot-24mm-5-16-shaft-BRASS/283334923047
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1-MVG-GP24...832729?hash=item41f8033019:g:o84AAOSwd0BV57Es
They also sell them in 1-4 quantities.
Here's the CTS:
https://www.philadelphialuthiertools.com/electronics/pots/cts-metric-250k-split-shaft-audio-taper-potentiometer-coarse-spline/
https://www.philadelphialuthiertools.com/electronics/pots/cts-metric-500k-split-shaft-audio-taper-potentiometer-coarse-spline/
Don't have a link to the Bourns handy, but you can find them.
Al
I just realized that in an LP you probably need long shaft, I don't have a link for those but I'm sure they exist.
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Gtrjunior
New member
Re: Best Pots
Yes, the Les Paul needs a long shaft.
The Epiphone, iirc doos not.
However the op might want to fact check me on that before ordering pots.
Great link btw, Al...thanks.
Yes, the Les Paul needs a long shaft.
The Epiphone, iirc doos not.
However the op might want to fact check me on that before ordering pots.
Great link btw, Al...thanks.
Ayrton
New member
Re: Best Pots
I don't know enough about Alpha, but Bourns has a different taper than CTS. Further, DiMarzio (made by CTS) has a slightly different taper profile as well.
I don't know enough about Alpha, but Bourns has a different taper than CTS. Further, DiMarzio (made by CTS) has a slightly different taper profile as well.
Jacew
New member
Re: Best Pots
I have the same experience. Never seen bad Alpha pot, though number is broken CTS's.
Only Bourns pot I've tried was broken on arrival. With that price I stick with Alpha.
I suggest you to adjust your cap value if you want to change tone of your tone control. Pots don't affect the tone and 250k pot in tone control is identical to 500k pot at half.
I have the same experience. Never seen bad Alpha pot, though number is broken CTS's.
Only Bourns pot I've tried was broken on arrival. With that price I stick with Alpha.
I suggest you to adjust your cap value if you want to change tone of your tone control. Pots don't affect the tone and 250k pot in tone control is identical to 500k pot at half.
