LP Classic question
- Thread starter SchecMan
- Start date
Aceman
I am your doctor of love!
Re: LP Classic question
You know, most guys say change them to 500K, but I've gone hybrid. I put 500K for the neck volume, which did open it up somein a nice way. For th bridge, however, I put a DD in and kept the 300K. I think that actually tames the top a bit. Just my preference. I'd say you could maybe go either way the Custom. For those power mid/treble high output creatures, I kinda like the original 300k. I think those contribute to some of a Paul's "fatness"
You know, most guys say change them to 500K, but I've gone hybrid. I put 500K for the neck volume, which did open it up somein a nice way. For th bridge, however, I put a DD in and kept the 300K. I think that actually tames the top a bit. Just my preference. I'd say you could maybe go either way the Custom. For those power mid/treble high output creatures, I kinda like the original 300k. I think those contribute to some of a Paul's "fatness"
Boogie Bill
New member
Re: LP Classic question
I just put a set of the Musician's Friend 50th Anniversary A2 Seth Lovers in my 1996 Classic Premium Plus. I left the 300Ks in, but I'm ordering an RS Kit, and I have Gotoh lightweight tailpieces coming from Allparts. The Seths are very sweet and a big improvement, IMHO. I do all kinds of music, classic rock, jazz, blues and country. The Gibson Ceramics were just too hot for the front end of my Mesa amps.
A second Classic will soon be getting the same treatment, only with a set of Antiquitys. I can hardly wait.
Bill
I just put a set of the Musician's Friend 50th Anniversary A2 Seth Lovers in my 1996 Classic Premium Plus. I left the 300Ks in, but I'm ordering an RS Kit, and I have Gotoh lightweight tailpieces coming from Allparts. The Seths are very sweet and a big improvement, IMHO. I do all kinds of music, classic rock, jazz, blues and country. The Gibson Ceramics were just too hot for the front end of my Mesa amps.
A second Classic will soon be getting the same treatment, only with a set of Antiquitys. I can hardly wait.
Bill
Re: LP Classic question
I put a set of Antiquity HBs in my '99 Classic, but pulled them in favor of a set of uncovered 59s. The Ants were too weak in the knees for the acoustic tone of my LP, but the 59s round out the sound very nicely. I left the stock pots in it, and it is plenty open and bright sounding. Try 'em stock and see/hear whether it works before going to the added trouble and expense of swapping 'em out.
I put a set of Antiquity HBs in my '99 Classic, but pulled them in favor of a set of uncovered 59s. The Ants were too weak in the knees for the acoustic tone of my LP, but the 59s round out the sound very nicely. I left the stock pots in it, and it is plenty open and bright sounding. Try 'em stock and see/hear whether it works before going to the added trouble and expense of swapping 'em out.
KLINKDETROIT
New member
Re: LP Classic question
I just got a 1990 classic made for Robin Finch of NIN/Guns n Roses. Wheeeeeee. LOL. It came stock with roughly 340k vol and 430k tones. I just changed them to 530k vol 350k tones. I am not sure if I like it yet? It brightened it up alot as well as thinned it out although it sounds less like the tone knob is turned down.
I just got a 1990 classic made for Robin Finch of NIN/Guns n Roses. Wheeeeeee. LOL. It came stock with roughly 340k vol and 430k tones. I just changed them to 530k vol 350k tones. I am not sure if I like it yet? It brightened it up alot as well as thinned it out although it sounds less like the tone knob is turned down.
John Wymore
New member
Re: LP Classic question
As can be seen from all the posts, it really is personal preference!!
I see pot values and cap values as the fine tuning to get your perfect tone after the other major stuff is in place. It's well worth experimenting with a few different values until you hit the sweet spot.
One thing that might be worth doing is actually measuring the 300K pots you have in your guitar now. The CTS pots run +/- 20 percent accuracy so in reality you could be anywhere from 240 to 360K.
As can be seen from all the posts, it really is personal preference!!
I see pot values and cap values as the fine tuning to get your perfect tone after the other major stuff is in place. It's well worth experimenting with a few different values until you hit the sweet spot.
One thing that might be worth doing is actually measuring the 300K pots you have in your guitar now. The CTS pots run +/- 20 percent accuracy so in reality you could be anywhere from 240 to 360K.
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L
Lewguitar
Guest
Re: LP Classic question
I'd switch them to 500K because I know from experience just how great the PGn and Custom sound with 500K pots.
I would not want to lose any of the highs I'm getting now with 500K pots...and I know I would lose some highs and articulation with 300K pots.
Change 'em...IMO.
Lew
SchecMan said:
I'd switch them to 500K because I know from experience just how great the PGn and Custom sound with 500K pots.
I would not want to lose any of the highs I'm getting now with 500K pots...and I know I would lose some highs and articulation with 300K pots.
Change 'em...IMO.
Lew
Boogie Bill
New member
Re: LP Classic question
I think it is better to have the highs in the pickup, and cut a little of the Treble or Presence at the amp. Having a dark pickup, that you have to add high end at the amp--will also be adding noise and hiss. And you will ALWAYS be losing some highs from cord and effects losses--unless your going straight into the amp with a very low capacitance, and very short, cable.
Anyone agree/disagree?
Bill
I think it is better to have the highs in the pickup, and cut a little of the Treble or Presence at the amp. Having a dark pickup, that you have to add high end at the amp--will also be adding noise and hiss. And you will ALWAYS be losing some highs from cord and effects losses--unless your going straight into the amp with a very low capacitance, and very short, cable.
Anyone agree/disagree?
Bill
Simon_F
Super Moderator
Re: LP Classic question
For me the taper of the pots is at least as important as the value. Those stock volume pots are 300K linear taper. I've changed mine to 500K audio taper.
It all comes down to personal preference, but this is how I perceive the differences:
Going from 300K to 500K volumes gives you more treble and a generally "bigger" more open tone.
Linear taper pots reduce the volume very slightly until you get right down to 2 or 3, then it drops off to 0. This is good for subtle adjustments when playing clean - great for jazz but not so good if you're a rock player who wants to clean up a dirty sound using the volume knob.
Audio taper pots give a much more dramatic rolloff from 10 to about 6, then more subtle down to 0. This is perfect if you want to use your volume pot to go from lead to rhythm or dirty to clean.
I like the added brightness with 500K pots. I like to set up my amp so that when playing my Les Pauls the neck pickup doesn't sound muddy when I roll back the volume for a cleanish bluesy/jazzy tone. If the bridge pickup then sounds too bright I use the tone and/or volume to take off some of the top end for rhythm playing. Then I have some volume and top-end in hand for when I solo.
For me the taper of the pots is at least as important as the value. Those stock volume pots are 300K linear taper. I've changed mine to 500K audio taper.
It all comes down to personal preference, but this is how I perceive the differences:
Going from 300K to 500K volumes gives you more treble and a generally "bigger" more open tone.
Linear taper pots reduce the volume very slightly until you get right down to 2 or 3, then it drops off to 0. This is good for subtle adjustments when playing clean - great for jazz but not so good if you're a rock player who wants to clean up a dirty sound using the volume knob.
Audio taper pots give a much more dramatic rolloff from 10 to about 6, then more subtle down to 0. This is perfect if you want to use your volume pot to go from lead to rhythm or dirty to clean.
I like the added brightness with 500K pots. I like to set up my amp so that when playing my Les Pauls the neck pickup doesn't sound muddy when I roll back the volume for a cleanish bluesy/jazzy tone. If the bridge pickup then sounds too bright I use the tone and/or volume to take off some of the top end for rhythm playing. Then I have some volume and top-end in hand for when I solo.
Young Angus
Kometose Tonologist
Re: LP Classic question
Question...what pots do stock les paul standards come with...say a recent 2004 model?
Question...what pots do stock les paul standards come with...say a recent 2004 model?
Simon_F
Super Moderator
Re: LP Classic question
I suspect they have 300K linear taper volumes and 500K audio taper tones, but maybe someone else can confirm that.
It's easy to check the taper on the volumes. Set the amp to a classic rock mid gain setting, then try to clean up the sound by rolling back the volume. If you notice very little difference until the volume is right down to 2 or 3 it's linear taper. If there's a big dropoff between 10 and 6 it's audio taper.
Young Angus said:
I suspect they have 300K linear taper volumes and 500K audio taper tones, but maybe someone else can confirm that.
It's easy to check the taper on the volumes. Set the amp to a classic rock mid gain setting, then try to clean up the sound by rolling back the volume. If you notice very little difference until the volume is right down to 2 or 3 it's linear taper. If there's a big dropoff between 10 and 6 it's audio taper.
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Aceman
I am your doctor of love!
Re: LP Classic question
Good point on the "can always drop it at the amp" You can't boost something that's not there in the first place. People think that if they get a bright pup it will sparkle up a dark guitar. It won't. All you'll here is a more louder/painful version of the guitars lack of highs. That's why I think its important to listen to the guitar un-amplified. If the tone is not there you can't add it. If it, though, you can take it away...
And I still like 300K for scorching trebly HB's in the bridge!
Good point on the "can always drop it at the amp" You can't boost something that's not there in the first place. People think that if they get a bright pup it will sparkle up a dark guitar. It won't. All you'll here is a more louder/painful version of the guitars lack of highs. That's why I think its important to listen to the guitar un-amplified. If the tone is not there you can't add it. If it, though, you can take it away...
And I still like 300K for scorching trebly HB's in the bridge!
Gearjoneser
Gear Ho
Re: LP Classic question
I agree with this. As a matter of fact, I've heard that some boutique guitar companies are doing this nowadays. It keeps the neck wide open and clear, while keeping the bridge slightly warmer. Honestly, I don't notice much difference, if any. Any difference is like changing the treble on your amp by 1/2 a notch.
Aceman said:
I agree with this. As a matter of fact, I've heard that some boutique guitar companies are doing this nowadays. It keeps the neck wide open and clear, while keeping the bridge slightly warmer. Honestly, I don't notice much difference, if any. Any difference is like changing the treble on your amp by 1/2 a notch.
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