CTS pots aren't fitting as replacements for Alpha pots

[Hank-]

Hey, so I got me some CTS pots to replace the factory stock Alpha pots that came in my PRS SE & Godin Session. It turns out I needed short shaft ones because these are long shafts & tend to be, well, long. Now being long isn't a problem because there is an extra nut so I can adjust how much of the threads stick out on top & there is enough space in the cavity.

The primary problem however is that the hole itself is drilled narrower so these CTS ones won't pass through them. Also secondary problem is the volumetone knobs themselves won't seem to fit the top of new ones, I guess the stock ones were narrow here too. I haven't tried forcefully to make it fit though.

Do you guys have a idea for my primary problem? I could drill the hole bigger, I have various drill bits lying around, could use one of those. Don't have a dremel tool or a file, sanding it with sandpaper is gonna take forever. I can't return these, I'm stuck with them.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: CTS pots aren't fitting as replacements for Alpha pots

Hey, so I got me some CTS pots to replace the factory stock Alpha pots that came in my PRS SE & Godin Session. It turns out I needed short shaft ones because these are long shafts & tend to be, well, long. Now being long isn't a problem because there is an extra nut so I can adjust how much of the threads stick out on top & there is enough space in the cavity.

The primary problem however is that the hole itself is drilled narrower so these CTS ones won't pass through them. Also secondary problem is the volumetone knobs themselves won't seem to fit the top of new ones, I guess the stock ones were narrow here too. I haven't tried forcefully to make it fit though.

Do you guys have a idea for my primary problem? I could drill the hole bigger, I have various drill bits lying around, could use one of those. Don't have a dremel tool or a file, sanding it with sandpaper is gonna take forever. I can't return these, I'm stuck with them.

I've had to do the same before...I Like CTS pots and that's normally what I use...I always put a piece of masking tape over the area that needs to be re-drilled...Make sure you have a nice sharp bit,go slow and be careful that you don't crack the wood...If in doubt,let a pro do it.

 

[Hank-]

Re: CTS pots aren't fitting as replacements for Alpha pots

I've worked on plywood board before, well for my pedal needs. I never had to use a large drill bit but I have those. I had not considered causing the wood to crack, now that doesn't sound good at all! lol The Godin has got a satin finish on the body while the PRS SE is gloss. A large size drill bit may actually cause the body to crack if not careful, such situations make me nervous lol I'll have to resort to going to a pro.

A dremel tool would have been so handy right now, they probably have a tiny attachment to do this kinda job real easy.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: CTS pots aren't fitting as replacements for Alpha pots

I've worked on plywood board before, well for my pedal needs. I never had to use a large drill bit but I have those. I had not considered causing the wood to crack, now that doesn't sound good at all! lol The Godin has got a satin finish on the body while the PRS SE is gloss. A large size drill bit may actually cause the body to crack if not careful, such situations make me nervous lol I'll have to resort to going to a pro.

A dremel tool would have been so handy right now, they probably have a tiny attachment to do this kinda job real easy.

What sucks is,once you do the damage you can't turn back...If you had a small round sanding dremel roller,you could slowly enlarge the holes..Using a drill is just always iffy! I've done it on guitar tuner holes,but scary on the body!

 

[King IzzO)))]

Re: CTS pots aren't fitting as replacements for Alpha pots

Use a step bit or a forstner.

 

[DreX]

Re: CTS pots aren't fitting as replacements for Alpha pots

Are the stock holes 6mm and the CTS pots 9mm? If it's a plastic pick guard I'll drill the holes out, but for body mounted pots I'd sooner just buy 6mm replacements than modify the guitar itself.

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: CTS pots aren't fitting as replacements for Alpha pots

You just need to drill the guitar with 3/8 inch holes and get standard knobs.

 

[Hank-]

Re: CTS pots aren't fitting as replacements for Alpha pots

What sucks is,once you do the damage you can't turn back...If you had a small round sanding dremel roller,you could slowly enlarge the holes..Using a drill is just always iffy! I've done it on guitar tuner holes,but scary on the body!

Agreed, irreversible damage is a bad option. I get shaky in such tiny working situations that require too much care & precise handling. That's it, I'm buying a dremel tool by the end of this month.

Use a step bit or a forstner.

Those would work, I don't have those. The drill I have is a heavy duty drill, ya know the big one that is heavy & you need two hands to hold. Only good thing going for it is that the speed control is on the trigger button instead of a separate switch.
I'll skip on the drilling. If it were those one handheld wireless drills the kind Paul Gilbert uses live, that would have made it a little easier to do the drilling with that step or forstner bits. This I feel is a job for a dremel tool or handheld small drill machines, neither that I have with me. :headache:

 

[King IzzO)))]

Re: CTS pots aren't fitting as replacements for Alpha pots

Just use the alphas then, they aren't bad.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: CTS pots aren't fitting as replacements for Alpha pots

Just use the alphas then, they aren't bad.

Bingo!

 

[Hank-]

Re: CTS pots aren't fitting as replacements for Alpha pots

Are the stock holes 6mm and the CTS pots 9mm? If it's a plastic pick guard I'll drill the holes out, but for body mounted pots I'd sooner just buy 6mm replacements than modify the guitar itself.

I didn't measure them. It's body mounted for both. I don't really wanna use alpha ones again, it seems I should have researched the CTS pots a bit before buying them randomly, these(CTS) seem to be bigger size than stock alpha stuff in general, unless I misread that somewhere online recently lol

You just need to drill the guitar with 3/8 inch holes and get standard knobs.

Yup. I didn't think I'd have to do much for different brand pots. Live & learn. Sigh.

 

[Hank-]

Re: CTS pots aren't fitting as replacements for Alpha pots

Just use the alphas then, they aren't bad.

I know, but the taper is a little too much active on the higher side of the dial with the alpha's. I was hoping to get a smoother & a little more even spread taper with CTS ones.

 

[DreX]

Re: CTS pots aren't fitting as replacements for Alpha pots

I think the finish coat usually goes through and around those control holes. I'd be worried about what might happen if the finish is sheared away by widening the hole. Maybe nothing, but maybe it could lead to delamination. If I were to drill it out, I'd put super glue or something around the drilled edge to try and seal it.

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: CTS pots aren't fitting as replacements for Alpha pots

Drilling 3/8" holes in place of metric holes is as easy as it gets; there is very little wood being removed when you do it. There is nothing that should stop you from doing it, as long as you have a drill and the right bit (and it's sharp). Tape over the holes, and widen them in steps if you are really super paranoid about it. If you really can't do it, take it to someone else who can. And if, for some reason, you ever want to go back to metric pots, there are adapter bushings for that.

OTOH, there is a whole lot that can go wrong using the wrong tool for the job (e.g. freehanding it with a Dremel).

 

[Tune-O-Matic]

Re: CTS pots aren't fitting as replacements for Alpha pots

I have run into this many times with CTS pots on import guitars but I never drill the holes larger. Instead of drilling them, use a wood reamer. It is precisely designed to make a hole larger and you don't run the risk of the chipping wood or the finish especially if you use it by hand. http://www.harborfreight.com/t-handle-reamer-66936.html I don't have this particular one but it shows how inexpensively you can get them. The one I have is the exact size for the hole needed for CTS pots. I took the handle off and just chuck it in my hand drill and have a perfectly sized round hole in less than 30 seconds.

 

[Swampy]

Re: CTS pots aren't fitting as replacements for Alpha pots

.... there is a whole lot that can go wrong using the wrong tool for the job (e.g. freehanding it with a Dremel).

Uh-huh.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: CTS pots aren't fitting as replacements for Alpha pots

Uh-huh.

So you speak from experience? LOL

 

[Chris of Arabia]

Re: CTS pots aren't fitting as replacements for Alpha pots

I had the same issue with my Korina SE. The original tone pot didn't suit, as I needed a push-push pot in there. I just used a round file; took a couple of minutes and it was done.

 

[Swampy]

Re: CTS pots aren't fitting as replacements for Alpha pots

So you speak from experience? LOL

LOL. Yes and no. Not on a guitar, but I am a finish carpenter and the dremel is a great tool, I use one often, but for slightly over sizing a hole, it would not be my first choice.

 

[trevorus]

Re: CTS pots aren't fitting as replacements for Alpha pots

If there's a Harbor Freight nearby, go get a step bit set. They have this one bit in a 3 bit set that has a long land on each that is perfect for this job.