Tone pot values

Re: Tone pot values

I've noticed a difference between 250K and 500K tone pots, even with them all the way open. A couple of my guitars have 250K tone pots now. The most recent is my Frankenstrat with dual Screamin' Demons. I had a 500K volume and 2 500K no-load tone pots. I ran that for a while before changing the volume to 300K and ran it like that a while longer. Then recently I changed both tone pots to 250K (normal, not no-load) and that's where it stands now. Sounds great. Just the right amount of high-end roll-off on both pickups, good range on the tone adjustment if I need it. Sounds big and growly. With 500K all around it could get too thin at times.

I have a P-90 loaded SG Junior that has a 500K volume and 250K tone. Sounds perfect that way.
 
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Re: Tone pot values

I've been putting in a tone bypass switch in all my builds. That way I can basically keep my tone adjustments at the guitar but have the option to quickly and conveniently flick a switch to get full-on treble or flick it again to access my preset tone (I keep my amp settings pretty bright to aid in over-all clarity and to have plenty of treble available when I need it). Obviously, this preset value can be tweaked very easily (at the guitar tone pot) depending on room conditions, blend needs for the rest of the band, individual song requirements, etc. It has proven to be very convenient and effective.

I agree with this approach. That's a great feature
 
Re: Tone pot values

I've noticed a difference between 250K and 500K tone pots, even with them all the way open. A couple of my guitars have 250K tone pots now. The most recent is my Frankenstrat with dual Screamin' Demons. I had a 500K volume and 2 500K no-load tone pots. I ran that for a while before changing the volume to 300K and ran it like that a while longer. Then recently I changed both tone pots to 250K (normal, not no-load) and that's where it stands now. Sounds great. Just the right amount of high-end roll-off on both pickups, good range on the tone adjustment of I need it. Sounds big and growly. With 500K all around it could get too thin at times.

I have a P-90 loaded SG Junior that has a 500K volume and 250K tone. Sounds perfect that way.

This is what my experience was too. The 500k were just too bright for me for volume pots. 250k tames just enough but still growls.
But of course, I’m always wondering “what would it sound like if I just changed this one thing...”
lol
 
Re: Tone pot values

This is what my experience was too. The 500k were just too bright for me for volume pots. 250k tames just enough but still growls.
But of course, I’m always wondering “what would it sound like if I just changed this one thing...”
lol

That's been my problem too. Not being able to leave well-enough alone. After band rehearsal last week with it this way, I'm leaving it alone. My rig is so simple that any little change is highly noticeable.
 
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