Questions about Lil' 59, JB Jr, and other mini humbuckers.

[BNSFJoe]

This is my first post, so bare with me.

I'm looking to get a mini humbucker for my Strat, but I'm confused about the wiring. Would I use a 500k or 250k volume pot? I plan on keeping, for now, the stock Fender single coils in the neck and middle, but wouldn't a 500k pot cause the stock singles to sound bad, and wouldn't the same happen to the mini humbucker if I used a 250k pot?
Thanks in advance for any info.

 

[teleblooz]

Re: Questions about Lil' 59, JB Jr, and other mini humbuckers.

The tone between 250K and 500K pots is so subjective. It really depends on what your ear likes to hear and what works best for you. Personally, I like and use 250K's.....even with humbuckers. I have used 500K and even 1megs in a strat before. While there was more cut and clarity, I went back to the 250's and have never looked back.

My 71 tele has the stock 1meg pots in it. I did change the whole control plate out with 250K wired pots, and liked the reults, but in this guitar, I really don't mind as I want it to remain stock and it's not my main guitar. If it was, I'd re-drop the 250K plate back in.

Also keep in mind, I'm an old fart who plays the blues. My old ears may be more sensitive to the higher frequencies. That said, I've pretty much always used 250K's in various guitars the last 35 or so years. So, it all boils down to what works for you. At least pot changes are fairly easy and inexpensive. You just never know what combo is going to float your boat till you try.

 

[ErikH]

Re: Questions about Lil' 59, JB Jr, and other mini humbuckers.

You can leave the pots stock. The only additional thing you'll have to do is swap the ground and hot leads of the neck and middle pickups around or position 4 (bridge + middle) will sound out of phase, very thin and nasely. The mini buckers sound fine with 250k pots, especially the Little '59 (my favorite one).

 

[tone_guru]

Re: Questions about Lil' 59, JB Jr, and other mini humbuckers.

I dropped a mini Demon in a Strat one time. It sounded amazing. I just kept the pots stock. Try it and see. Pots are cheap, so you could try it with both and see what you like better.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Questions about Lil' 59, JB Jr, and other mini humbuckers.

The JB JR and Little 59 are designed to drop right into a stock Strat with 250K volume and tone pots. That said, I think the bridge model JB JR sounds a little dark...so I like it with 500K pots. But 500K pots make stock Fender single coils sound a little to bright. Probably stick with 250K. Lew

 

[BNSFJoe]

Re: Questions about Lil' 59, JB Jr, and other mini humbuckers.

Thanks guys
After I decide on which pickup I want I'll just let my ears decide for me.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Questions about Lil' 59, JB Jr, and other mini humbuckers.

Thanks guys
After I decide on which pickup I want I'll just let my ears decide for me.

That's ALWAYS the best way to do it. Experiment and then decide for yourself...