recommend a volume pot

[BrianS.]

My band plays a lot of old r&b with a smattering of blues, country and rock thrown in. I play mostly clean or slightly overdriven.

My rig is fairly simple and I'd like to get into using my volume knob as more than an "on/off" affair...something I've never done too much of.

The problem I'm encountering is that even just slightly rolling it back muddies the tone quite a bit. My guitars electronics are very simple: 1 volume and a 3 way toggle hooked to two humbuckers...no tone control.

I'm guessing my problem is due to the cheap potentiometer, which is a 500k Alpha. Maybe I damaged the pot while soldering it in, too. There is no other indication of damage, though, as it works smoothly.

I have a CTS pot sitting in my parts bin, but I'm wondering if something like a Bourns or other brand (if there is any) might be better.

Thanks.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: recommend a volume pot

The problem isn't with the brand of pot so much as how it is wired. Certainly CTS or Bourns are better quality than Alpha (I use CTS exclusively), but they all will reduce the treble as they are rolled off. 50's wiring will significantly reduce that treble loss. There is also a "treble bleed" mod that seems to help keep those highs from disappearing (although I didn't find that it helped a lot).

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: recommend a volume pot

RS Guitar Works Super pot, with a treble bleed modification.

The pot is expensive, but for the price, you know you are getting a custom-built "upgraded" CTS pot: http://store.rsguitarworks.net/RSG1.html.

The volume mod is something you can do yourself with ultra-cheap parts from the local electronics store. But you can also buy it pre-assembled at Mojotone for $2: http://www.mojotone.com/guitar-parts/Guitar-Capacitors/Volume-Mod-for-Guitars. If you want to do it yourself, you can see right on the picture what values to use.

 

[wolf5150]

Re: recommend a volume pot

I recently bought 2 mill spec pots with premium treb bleed mod alread installed from SINGLECOIL.COM and they're the best I've ever tried. The volume and tone stay incredibly even as the pot is lowered and the torque is perfect. I'd highly recommend contacting him and asking his advice. I'm very glad I did.

 

[BrianS.]

Re: recommend a volume pot

Thanks fellas!