pots

[watersbluebird]

i want to replace the pots on my ibanez bl300. i know that cts are the industry standard. what i'm unsure of is the type i need for tone and volume. is there a difference, or is it just the fact that a cap is used on the tone? thanks

 

[doveman]

Re: pots

You are correct ... they are the same ... just want audio taper vs linear taper. Just have to decide if you want 250k, 300k, 500k ... the bigger the brighter. Most recommend 250k for single coil and 500k for double coil. I personally like 500k on everything. I like bright guitar set ups and then use the tone knob.

Like the pots ... the caps can make a huge difference. I recommend getting several orange drops (.015uf, .022uf, .033uf, .047uf) and a couple of wires with alligator clips ... just put in different caps until you find the ones you like. Then solder in the ones you like.

I also use a treble bleed mod in two if my guitars. If the sound gets too thin when you roll off the volume ... you can put this mod between the 1st and 2nd lug on the volume pot(s) (680pf cap /220k res in parallel). You can vary these caps and resistors ... you'll see various recomendations. The cap keeps it from getting thin when volume is rolled off ... the resistor tweaks in the bass ... (100k adds back a little bass ... 300k adds back more bass). It only affects the sound when the volume knob is rolled off of 10.

see www.acmeguitarworks.com for more info on pots/caps/resistors. You can search on some of my posts for the method I use to do this ... if it helps. I have had success using pots & caps & treble bleed to tweak pickups to the sound I want.

Good luck!

 

[watersbluebird]

Re: pots

thanks for the info doveman. so i just get a pir of pots by cts. could you expand on the audio / linear taper stuff? cheers

 

[doveman]

Re: pots

thanks for the info doveman. so i just get a pir of pots by cts. could you expand on the audio / linear taper stuff? cheers

Audio taper pots change the tone or volume so that it sounds more even to the ear ... but a 500k pot won't be at exactly 250k when on 5 ... but it will "sound" more like it does. Simply stated the audio version is what you want for guitar. Visit here for information about pots, caps, etc. http://www.stewmac.com/freeinfo/I-4000.html section 3 answers your question but the other items are good too.

If your unsure the www.acmeguitarworks.com or www.stewmac.com and you'll get the right stuff. Just pay attention to the physical dimensions ... these sites are pretty good about providing the right dimensions for LPs, vs SGs, vs teles etc.

If you have more questions ... shoot them back.