Pots and Caps for Strats

[MrZen]

I just want to confirm I am getting this right. These are all basic setups, no push/pull, extra switches, etc.

SSS: A250K vol, 2x B250K tone, .047 uf cap

HH: A500K vol, 2x B500 tone, .022uf cap

HH: A500K vol, 2x B500 tone, .022uf cap

HSS: A500K vol, B250K tone for single, B500K tone for hum, .047uf cap

I'm not super sure about the HSS but the others make sense to me. Am I missing anything here?

 

[Chistopher]

Audio versus linear taper for the volume isn't set in stone and largely depends on how much gain you have and how you use your volume knob. Cap size is also up to preference. Most people prefer smaller than 47nF. A lot of people get good results with 15 and 10 nF caps.

The pot values you use for HH and SSS are the traditional values. HSS sounds like a pretty good set of values. Don't be afraid to tweak these values based on experience.

 

[Mincer]

And it is up to personal taste, too. I like .047 for humbuckers, for instance.

 

[solspirit]

https://www.seymourduncan.com/blog/latest-updates/3-popular-treble-bleed-mods-what-you-need-to-know

 

[solspirit]

More options.

https://sixstringsupplies.co.uk/pag...XjdCv2-ncWBxP0KRYGbrjMPklV72CDi108eGADFAEs3aX

 

[solspirit]

https://forum.seymourduncan.com/forum/the-pickup-lounge/334870-the-best-cap-material-for-tone-pot

 

[jeremy]

SSS: A250K vol, 2x B250K tone, .047 uf cap

HH: A500K vol, 2x B500 tone, .022uf cap

HSS: A500K vol, B250K tone for single, B500K tone for hum, .047uf cap

this isnt a bad place to start, but as others have mentioned, a lot of it is person preference. i really like vintage taper mojotone pots all around, not audio taper, not linear but in between. i use the duncan pots a lot as well. for cap value, i use everything from 0.01 uf to 0.047uf on both buckers and guitars. in general i find 0.022uf is a good starting place. i use mostly vintage output pups, strat, tele, p90, paf, jaguar, etc... for higher output pups, a different cap value may suit better, though i use a 0.022uf in my jb loaded tele so...

for hss, i would say the pot value depends on the pups. jazz neck in the bridge with two ssl2 in neck and middle, 250 all around. i like a pearly gates in the bridge of a strat with a 250k volume as well

 

[Artie]

i really like vintage taper mojotone pots all around, not audio taper, not linear but in between.

Hey Jeremy: Do these have the "smooth" damped feeling, or are they more free-wheeling?

Edit: I see. They say "Lowest torque possible! Effortless turning!"

 

[Seashore]

All my guitars are double humbucker with 3 way switching, and I play with a lot of distortion. I like audio taper for everything, 500k pots for the neck, and .022uf caps. I often keep the bridge pickup wired straight to the switch or on a blower (or just hardwired) for extra bite in the highs. Even a 500k volume with no tone on the bridge can tame the highs too much for my taste.