Which potentiometers to get for smooth sweep

[Clyngedal]

Hi guys!

I have been using 1Meg (1000k) audio-taper pots for both volume and tone controls. These pots have sounded OK when all on 10. But now I have started playing more than just trebly punk music, so I need volume and tone controls that are usable.

What I want is volume and tone controls with a smooth sweeps. Right now, the tone controls only have noticeable settings, which are 0 and 10. This is almost the same with the volume controls, no real difference in volume between 3-10, all the change happens from 0-2, which is more like "on-off".

So, any suggestions for volume/tone pots? I'm after suggestions for both which types; linear/audio taper and which values 250k/500k/1Meg to get

By the way, my guitar is a Epiphone SG G-400, with Seymour Duncan SH-6 Distortion humbuckers. (The humbuckers will most likely be replaced by a JB/Jazz set any time soon)

 

[captcoolaid]

500k cts pots the good ones not the ones you get for cheap. I would get a new harness for it but that is just me. Check out Martin6string here on the forum in the vender section.

 

[Liam]

I like RS Superpots. They have a really nice taper, and are closely toleranced to 500K. For tone I like 500K CTS Audio taper.

Liam

 

[HOT-BRIT]

500k cts pots the good ones not the ones you get for cheap. I would get a new harness for it but that is just me. Check out Martin6string here on the forum in the vender section.

J
also check with Jonesy

 

[Clyngedal]

I like RS Superpots. They have a really nice taper, and are closely toleranced to 500K. For tone I like 500K CTS Audio taper.

Liam

Thanks! I think I might get some of those Superpots for volume then. But when it comes to tone, I've heard a lot of different things, some say linear, some say audio taper.. I really don't know what to go with :O

 

[Gargoyle]

I actually prefer the linear pots for volume as they reduce the gain without reducing the volume up a the business end..........

 

[Clyngedal]

I went to Denmark Street in London today, and I got both 250k and 500k audio taper pots, so I'll try out some different combinations
I got the Seymour Duncan JB and Jazz pickups as well!

 

[mobprop667]

jonesy set me up with the cts 500xl pots and i couldnt be happier. i have a demo here somewhere, if i can find the link i will add it here.

here it is:

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-YvOfaWWgY]YouTube - Cts 500xl pot demo[/ame]

 

[cynic79]

You may need to do some experimenting to see how well different pot values and wiring schematics work for you. Since you've been using 1 meg pots, lower value pots (250k or 500k) are going to cut out some treble. For reference, the classic setup is 500k pots in a Gibson style guitar, and 250k pots in a Fender style guitar, but you should use what sounds best to your ears. I do know that Seymour Duncan recommends 250k pots with the JB due to the amount of high end that pickup puts out, but others prefer 500k pots.

You also need to consider whether to go with modern wiring or 50's-style wiring. While I can't speak on how these circuits work electronically, in terms of sound the 50's wiring cuts less treble as you turn the volume down, but the sweep of the tone control changes as you lower the volume, which in turn affects the taper of the volume control. With modern wiring, the sweep of the tone control remains consistent as you turn the volume down, but you lose more high end as you lower the volume. You can mitigate that by adding a treble bleed circuit, but some people don't like the way those sound either.

Try out the pots you have and see what you think of the taper of each. If you find a value you like, consider getting some higher quality pots (high end CTS, RS Superpots, Bourns, etc.) if you don't like the taper of what you have. Try out some different wiring diagrams as well:
http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/tonefreaks/558-wiring-library.html

 

[code46]

Some interesting info in these videos:

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUkrpqEmXb8&feature=channel_video_title"]Potentiometers - How They Work, Disassembly and Exploration[/ame]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Df5kO9VxYcE&feature=channel_video_title"]Guitar Potentiometers: Why change them?[/ame]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdfIZEB2rdM&feature=channel_video_title"]Guitar Potentiometers part 2, Comparing Linear/Audio Taper and Selecting Pots[/ame]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ANG3OrL5HI&feature=channel_video_title"]Guitar Potentiometers part 5, Comparing Tone Pot Tapers[/ame]

 

[cheeseflavor]

jonesy set me up with the cts 500xl pots and i couldnt be happier. i have a demo here somewhere, if i can find the link i will add it here.

The 500xl is a great pot, but if I'm not mistaken, they're not available in short shaft and the OP needs short shaft for his SG.

I'm confident someone will correct me if I'm wrong

Steve

 

[MATTM]

The 500xl is a great pot, but if I'm not mistaken, they're not available in short shaft and the OP needs short shaft for his SG.

I'm confident someone will correct me if I'm wrong

Steve

Steve,

The 500XL is simply the designation for Long Shaft (thus the XL). They are the exact same pot as the Premium CTS500 short shaft.

 

[tazzboy]

That is correct and they do read over 500K which is important when buy Pots.

 

[Clyngedal]

You may need to do some experimenting to see how well different pot values and wiring schematics work for you. Since you've been using 1 meg pots, lower value pots (250k or 500k) are going to cut out some treble. For reference, the classic setup is 500k pots in a Gibson style guitar, and 250k pots in a Fender style guitar, but you should use what sounds best to your ears. I do know that Seymour Duncan recommends 250k pots with the JB due to the amount of high end that pickup puts out, but others prefer 500k pots.

You also need to consider whether to go with modern wiring or 50's-style wiring. While I can't speak on how these circuits work electronically, in terms of sound the 50's wiring cuts less treble as you turn the volume down, but the sweep of the tone control changes as you lower the volume, which in turn affects the taper of the volume control. With modern wiring, the sweep of the tone control remains consistent as you turn the volume down, but you lose more high end as you lower the volume. You can mitigate that by adding a treble bleed circuit, but some people don't like the way those sound either.

Try out the pots you have and see what you think of the taper of each. If you find a value you like, consider getting some higher quality pots (high end CTS, RS Superpots, Bourns, etc.) if you don't like the taper of what you have. Try out some different wiring diagrams as well:
http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/tonefreaks/558-wiring-library.html

Thanks a lot mate, good advice in this!
I think I will go with the modern wiring, and I might throw in some phase-switching as well. The pots I got are high quality CTS pots

 

[Steve0525]

What did they end up sounding like??? Im trying to decide what to get for my LP

 

[Clyngedal]

Sorry for late reply..

I went ahead with 500k volume and 250k for tone. Sounds awesome!