OT - Electric Guitar pots - World-Designs-Forum

Global · #1 15th April 2007, 09:56 AM

Hi

I have to repair a wiring problem on a Stratocaster clone for my son. While in there I noticed that the tone and volume pots look quite primitive.

Does anyone know if there is any benefit in changing these to something a bit better and is there an RS part that will do the job as the guitar suppliers seem to keep similarly grotty items at inflated prices.

TIA

Mark

Stratmangler · #2 15th April 2007, 11:02 AM

I've never looked for pots in the RS catalogue (with regard to geetars).

These folks do the same make of pot that Fender use, but as you've stated already, these are somewhat primitive.

http://www.wdmusic.co.uk/home/index.php

To be honest, I don't think that a better quality pot is going to make much difference in this application - the pickups are crudely made too.

Chris

alnewall · #3 15th April 2007, 11:05 AM

Bluebell do guitar pots.
You would have to ask Phil if they are grotty or not.

Global · #4 15th April 2007, 11:28 AM

Thanks

I find the guitar world a bit strange as players strive for massive amounts of 'good' distortion!

My concern with the pots are that I reckon they are bound to go noisy very quickly and while distortion is good (in this application) I think crackle is bad!

I'll check Bluebell!

Cheers

Mark

Stratmangler · #5 15th April 2007, 11:44 AM

If you look on Ebay you can find genuine pots from the 50's and 60's from time to time, and they have rediculous price tags.

That said, they are sought out by vintage guitar collectors trying to repair earlier "repair" work, in order to bring the instrument back to original spec.

Personally I don't use the tone pots - they are always set on max - but I like the sound of them being in circuit.
I've never had problems with the volume or tone pots going noisy, but I have had problems with pickup selector switches going noisy.

I'd also advise looking at solder with lead content, as this would be closer to that used originally.

I do agree that the guitar playing world is strange - distortions of all kinds are quite acceptable by most players, and if you remove these most players get quite upset as "their sound" isn't right.

Chris