What size pot do you use on a HSS guitar?
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Silence Kid
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Re: What size pot do you use on a HSS guitar?
The only answer is 'play around with it;' you've got three pots altogether if it's a Strat, and everyone will give you a different answer (300k, 500k/250k mix, all 250k etc.) Some people are repulsed by some pot values that please others.
Because you asked, I am fine in my personal setup with going all 500k, and cutting back with the tone if required (although I don't find that it is often required.)
The only answer is 'play around with it;' you've got three pots altogether if it's a Strat, and everyone will give you a different answer (300k, 500k/250k mix, all 250k etc.) Some people are repulsed by some pot values that please others.
Because you asked, I am fine in my personal setup with going all 500k, and cutting back with the tone if required (although I don't find that it is often required.)
Re: What size pot do you use on a HSS guitar?
This is where there are no rules. There are so many ways to do this, so experiment. I like 500k volume, with 250k tone for the singles, and 500k tone for the humbucker, but really, it is something you have to try. It is dependent on the pickups and how well you can hear very slight graduations. Have a few pots on hand, and try the few different schemes out there.
This is where there are no rules. There are so many ways to do this, so experiment. I like 500k volume, with 250k tone for the singles, and 500k tone for the humbucker, but really, it is something you have to try. It is dependent on the pickups and how well you can hear very slight graduations. Have a few pots on hand, and try the few different schemes out there.
Re: What size pot do you use on a HSS guitar?
In a guitar with only 2 pots to work with, would it be possible to use a 5 way superswitch to use a 500k tone and then drop the resistance of the tone to 250k when using the singles, using a resistor to drop the pot down to 250k?
Otherwise I like Mincer's idea with a traditional Strat style guitar with 3 pots.
I do have a strat with something similar.. in that it's a Lil 59 humbucker in the bridge, and two CS69's in the middle and neck. I use 250k master volume, and 250k tone for the neck, and 500k tone for the bridge. The middle pickup has no tone pot and is lowered a bit. Eric Johnson style. Except that the tone pot of the bridge has a push pull that puts the Lil 59 into series or parallel. Both options sound good to me, both in positions 1 and 2. In parallel, it has a bit of a Filtertron vibe.
The guitar works well, and the only thing is needing to drop the tone a bit on the bridge, when the Lil 59 is in parallel (5/10 on the tone pot). In series, 500k tone works well and I like it 7-9 out of 10. Even with 10/10, it's not overly bright. I'd imagine a 500k volume it'd also be good, in this case it doesn't seem to be required but it depends. There's always going to be tradeoffs. And this is a SC sized HB. For most full sized HBers, especially high output.. a 500k volume might be more preferred.
In a guitar with only 2 pots to work with, would it be possible to use a 5 way superswitch to use a 500k tone and then drop the resistance of the tone to 250k when using the singles, using a resistor to drop the pot down to 250k?
Otherwise I like Mincer's idea with a traditional Strat style guitar with 3 pots.
I do have a strat with something similar.. in that it's a Lil 59 humbucker in the bridge, and two CS69's in the middle and neck. I use 250k master volume, and 250k tone for the neck, and 500k tone for the bridge. The middle pickup has no tone pot and is lowered a bit. Eric Johnson style. Except that the tone pot of the bridge has a push pull that puts the Lil 59 into series or parallel. Both options sound good to me, both in positions 1 and 2. In parallel, it has a bit of a Filtertron vibe.
The guitar works well, and the only thing is needing to drop the tone a bit on the bridge, when the Lil 59 is in parallel (5/10 on the tone pot). In series, 500k tone works well and I like it 7-9 out of 10. Even with 10/10, it's not overly bright. I'd imagine a 500k volume it'd also be good, in this case it doesn't seem to be required but it depends. There's always going to be tradeoffs. And this is a SC sized HB. For most full sized HBers, especially high output.. a 500k volume might be more preferred.
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Securb
One of Jerry's Kids
Re: What size pot do you use on a HSS guitar?
I always use the original pots and then adjust if the tone is not what I targeted. I try to avoid buying additional parts and doing additional wiring if not needed. To date, I have had no problems using 250-300K pots with humbuckers.
I always use the original pots and then adjust if the tone is not what I targeted. I try to avoid buying additional parts and doing additional wiring if not needed. To date, I have had no problems using 250-300K pots with humbuckers.
Re: What size pot do you use on a HSS guitar?
You are correct! It's called the "Suhr HSS" wiring. That's what I'm currently doing to my strat. If you google "920d Suhr Wiring Harness" you can buy a pre-wired loom with the super-switch, or you can obviously just do it yourself if your soldering skills are up to par.
I'm also planning to do split/series/parallel on the bridge humbucker (using a triple shot), to the fact you've done it with the super switch and the same pot setup gives me hope!
OP, this is what I'd recommend to you (not necessarily the coil split, but the "Suhr HSS" mod). Best of both worlds.
You are correct! It's called the "Suhr HSS" wiring. That's what I'm currently doing to my strat. If you google "920d Suhr Wiring Harness" you can buy a pre-wired loom with the super-switch, or you can obviously just do it yourself if your soldering skills are up to par.
I'm also planning to do split/series/parallel on the bridge humbucker (using a triple shot), to the fact you've done it with the super switch and the same pot setup gives me hope!
OP, this is what I'd recommend to you (not necessarily the coil split, but the "Suhr HSS" mod). Best of both worlds.
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