Pots?

[Prassel]

Well, another newbie question...

I'm intending to switch pickups on most of my guitars... I won't do this myself, I'm way too clumsy to handle a soldering iron. >_O

However, I get a little confused as to all the talk of "250k pots" "500k pots" and having to change pots here and there due to switchin pups...

The guitars I'm switching pups on currently have the (in my opinion at least) dreaded EMG-H3's (passives)... so, the questions I'd like to ask are

a) Do I need to concern myself with this at all?

b) If a change is required, will these "pots" come along with the pickup when I buy it, or do I have to get them separate?

c) Silly question... but would a guitar tech require a lot of intricate details on what I "want" with the switching of pups? Seeing as I really know nothing of the intricates of pickups, only what I like to hear... I'm asking because at times I've had techs look and sound like I shouldn't switch stuff at all if I don't know the technical details involved...

d) The cruncher... What exactly are these pots? I guess they're not tea pots... hurhur. -.-


I guess I got a little overwhelmed by all the info on this forum, so I might just be fretting for nothing, but it's best to make sure! On the one hand I read stuff that makes it sound like "unless you want something REALLY specific, just switch and go!", and on the other really intricate stuff that makes it sound as if there's tons of forehand knowledge involved...:smack:

Cheers

 

[arnarg]

Re: Pots?

As I understand it, 500 k pots are "normally" used for humbuckers both in tone and volume.

 

[FuseG4]

Re: Pots?

a) yeah, it's not crucial but making sure you have the right pots will help with controlling the amount of treble or bite your pickups have.
b)pots are sold seperately
c)many techs will just put the new pickup in exactly like the old one unless you tell him anything different.
d) pots are... someone else will have a good technical explanation.

In general, pots with a higher value will have a brighter tone even with the knob on 10. 1 mega Ω pots have a sharper sound but the sweep of the pot feels like it's an on/off switch.
500KΩ pots have a bright sound which help to balance out the warm sound of humbuckers, especialy good for when you need clarity from a neck position humbucker.
I've never used 333KΩ pots but I think a lot of Les pauls used em
250KΩ pots have less treble than the others, even when on full. They are great for single coils or bright bridge humbuckers.
25KΩ pots are for active pickups and stuff like that.

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Pots?

pots are variable resistors
a resistive material and a wiper that travels along it
as the wiper moves along the resistance becomes more or less

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[FuseG4]

Re: Pots?

^ sweet