I was checking out StewMac, and I found a few components that I would like to upgrade a to-be kit, but I have no idea what ohm the pots are...
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Cheers,
Callum
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I was checking out StewMac, and I found a few components that I would like to upgrade a to-be kit, but I have no idea what ohm the pots are...
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Cheers,
Callum
Hi Callum
Different Ohm pots are applicable for Tone Pots and Volume Pots and sometime also vary according to whether it is a Fender or a Gibson you are wiring. Could you give us some more specific information so that we can guide you?
For example, what model (guitar) are you building?
This may help in the meantime...
The most commonly used Pots are a 250K pot and a 500K pot. But what is the difference between a 250K pot and a 500K pot (I hear you ask) and what is their affect on guitar tone? Firstly, 250K pot and 500K pots are used with passive pickups. The real difference between these guitar pots is the resistance levels. That is what the letter 'K' represents. Normally higher value pots create a brighter tone with your guitar. The reason for this is that the higher value pots don't allow treble or higher frequencies to be diverted to the ground wires as easily as lower value pots do and hence the higher frequencies come through in the pickups. Lower value pots tend to bleed higher frequencies to the ground thereby allowing only the lower frequencies to pass through the pickups. That is why 250K pots tend to make guitars sound warmer with a more present mid-range.
Pots work in conjunction with the pickups to create the sound of the guitar. Humbucker pickups will usually produce warmer sounds than single coil pickups and it is for this reason that Gibson Les Paul guitars are usually wired with 500K pots. These pots help retain the high frequencies that are typically lost with the double pickups. However, the opposite is true about Fender Stratocasters, where the single pickups are wired with 250K pots to try and keep the warmer tones. Capacitors can also be wired into the pot configuration to modify the standard sound.
Guitar pots also come in even lower values like 25K and 50K but these pots are usually used for active pickups.
Values can also be affected by the total pot configuration. For instance all else being equal, a 500K/500K volume and tone set up in a Les Paul is equal to a 250K-volume set up in a Fender. The two connected 500K pots effectively turn into one 250K pot as far as resistance goes.
A popular way to get rid of some highs in your tone is to solder a 500k ohm resistor on your 500k ohm pot to effectively turn it into a 250k pot.
Great response Gavin, very thorough.
Callum, I'd suggest you install the pots supplied with the kit first, then, once you've heard how they sound, try a few different upgrade options to hear what difference it makes. You might be really happy with the pots you've got in the kit.
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Quote from adam on January 3, 2013, 12:32
Great response Gavin, very thorough.
Callum, I'd suggest you install the pots supplied with the kit first, then, once you've heard how they sound, try a few different upgrade options to hear what difference it makes. You might be really happy with the pots you've got in the kit.
I agree with Adam, use what comes with the kit first. :D
You will find that most of the kits come with 500k pots and 223 green cap capacitors.
When I upgrade I use the same values in Alpha pots and Sprauge 223 Orange Drops.. I use Alphas on Pit Bull kits because the shaft size is similar to the supplied pots, meaning I don't have to enlarge the holes and risk tear out.
But to give you more accurate info I would need to know what kit you are building.
Yea, i was looking at the alpha pots with orange drops today when i made my decision on getting the LP-1...Quote:
Quote from dingobass on January 3, 2013, 15:15
Quote:
Quote from adam on January 3, 2013, 12:32
Great response Gavin, very thorough.
Callum, I'd suggest you install the pots supplied with the kit first, then, once you've heard how they sound, try a few different upgrade options to hear what difference it makes. You might be really happy with the pots you've got in the kit.
I agree with Adam, use what comes with the kit first. :D
You will find that most of the kits come with 500k pots and 223 green cap capacitors.
When I upgrade I use the same values in Alpha pots and Sprauge 223 Orange Drops.. I use Alphas on Pit Bull kits because the shaft size is similar to the supplied pots, meaning I don't have to enlarge the holes and risk tear out.
But to give you more accurate info I would need to know what kit you are building.
Hey Callum,
You can't go wrong with the Alphas and Orange drops!
May I make a suggestion that you also invest in a new Switch Craft three way switch as well, Excellent pots and caps deserve an excellent switch!
But before you lash out the cash, try the supplied gear first. This will teach you a lot about wiring your LP and you never know, you may be really happy with the sound!
I have to say the pots that come with the kits are pretty good. I built an LP 1 and am really happy with the sound, saying that i still havent earthed the bridge as i have been to busy with work. So it should only get better when i have done all the shielding as well (finding time at the moment is a pain in the arse). Hope you can raise the funds to get the kit soon . All the best with the build and looking forward to see some picks.
Yea, im still about $120 away (including postage) to getting the kit!Quote:
Quote from ncass81 on January 6, 2013, 20:04
I have to say the pots that come with the kits are pretty good. I built an LP 1 and am really happy with the sound, saying that i still havent earthed the bridge as i have been to busy with work. So it should only get better when i have done all the shielding as well (finding time at the moment is a pain in the arse). Hope you can raise the funds to get the kit soon . All the best with the build and looking forward to see some picks.