JB 250K or 500K Pot?

[UnderTheFlame83]

For a single humbucker guitar with no tone and one volume would a 250K or 500K pot matter that much with the JB?

I want to put the JB zebra in a Kramer Baretta Special and just trying to decide if I want to replace the 500K stock one with a CTS 250K.

 

[Mincer]

I've heard people having great results either way. I think with the cost of pots being so low, it is worth experimenting to see which one you like. Seymour uses 250k. Most hard rock players use 500k.

 

[51501984]

Many years ago I tried the JB with a 250k pot and I didn't care for it , just sounded kinda dull and lifeless . I've always used it with a 500k pot since then . What amp and what kind of music are you playing ?

 

[UnderTheFlame83]

Many years ago I tried the JB with a 250k pot and I didn't care for it , just sounded kinda dull and lifeless . I've always used it with a 500k pot since then . What amp and what kind of music are you playing ?

Amp is a Randall RG100SC and music is metal. 80s hair metal to 90s death metal. No cleans really for this guitar. Volume maxed 90 percent of the time.

 

[Clint 55]

Whatever you want. Dark, medium, or bright. 250k, 500k, or 1 meg.

 

[51501984]

Amp is a Randall RG100SC and music is metal. 80s hair metal to 90s death metal. No cleans really for this guitar. Volume maxed 90 percent of the time.

I'd bet the 500k would work best for that

 

[jeremy]

especially since you have a 500k in there now, try that. if you find it too bright then you can swap it out but i bet youll like the 500k

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Just had a Duncan designed HB-102 (JB inspired) in my HSS Strat with 250k pots. Was very warm, sounded great.

 

[alex1fly]

I'd start with a higher value and work my way lower if needed.

 

[UnderTheFlame83]

Thanks for the replies. I'm just going to keep the stock 500K in there and see how that sounds first.

 

[eclecticsynergy]

I think that's a wise choice. Could be pretty bright in a Fender scale trem guitar with no tone, but if so you can always swap in a 250K.

 

[Clint 55]

2 meg

 

[Artie]

There's a simple little trick to do, (if you have a meter), that will answer this question definitively. Just wire up your volume pot like the diagram below, quik-'n-dirty. Start at "10." Then slowly turn the knob down while listening to the tone change. If it's a log pot, you'll probably hit 250k at around the 7-ish range. But turn it back and forth 'til it sounds best. Then, carefully, without moving the knob, clip or unsolder the ground lead and measure ohms between the center lug and the ground terminal that you just clipped. That will be the pot value that you like best.

You will, of course, have to round up or down to the closest standard pot value.

 

[IMENATOR]

I never tried it with 250k really, I would suggest using 500k and just adjust your guitar tone or amp eq at taste.

 

[Clint 55]

There's a simple little trick to do, (if you have a meter), that will answer this question definitively. Just wire up your volume pot like the diagram below, quik-'n-dirty. Start at "10." Then slowly turn the knob down while listening to the tone change. If it's a log pot, you'll probably hit 250k at around the 7-ish range. But turn it back and forth 'til it sounds best. Then, carefully, without moving the knob, clip or unsolder the ground lead and measure ohms between the center lug and the ground terminal that you just clipped. That will be the pot value that you like best.

You will, of course, have to round up or down to the closest standard pot value.

ArtieToo: Why is it that my linear 1 meg volume starts to sound darker at 7 than say a 300k on 10?

 

[Artie]

ArtieToo: Why is it that my linear 1 meg volume starts to sound darker at 7 than say a 300k on 10?

All pots are not created equal. "7" on the dial, may not be 300k. You have to have a DMM to know for sure, and even then, it must be measured while at least one terminal is disconnected.

 

[Clint 55]

It's puzzling to me.