250k or 500k pots?

[moronmountain]

So I'm getting ready to install new pickups in my '80 Dean ML. I was thinking about replacing the pots as well because the shafts on the originals seem to be bent slightly. If using a high output pickup like a Bill Lawrence/Wilde L500XL, Bare Knuckle Aftermath, or Duncan JB, should I go with 500k pots? I'm assuming the stock ones are 250k, but I haven't looked yet. What are the pro's/con's of using either one? What about the tone pot?

 

[blackba]

The typical uses are 250k for Single coils and 500k for humbuckers. 1meg pots are also used. Gibson has also used 300k pots in the past.

For volume pots, you want audio taper. I have also put audio taper pots in the tone position, but you could use linear taper here. For humbuckers I go with all 500k pots both volume and tone.

I would probably start with the stock pots and see how it sounds. If you want it a little brighter/clearer than switch to 500k.

 

[moronmountain]

The typical uses are 250k for Single coils and 500k for humbuckers. 1meg pots are also used. Gibson has also used 300k pots in the past.

For volume pots, you want audio taper. I have also put audio taper pots in the tone position, but you could use linear taper here. For humbuckers I go with all 500k pots both volume and tone.

I would probably start with the stock pots and see how it sounds. If you want it a little brighter/clearer than switch to 500k.

Thanks. I would keep the stock ones, but the shafts are kinda bent, so they don't turn well.

Does anyone know if it's possible to have the tone knob only affect the front pickup? If so, could you point me to a wiring diagram?

 

[fishyfishfish]

Yes you can go to Seymour Duncan and under wiring diagrams they have everything under the sun.

 

[BeZo]

The typical uses are 250k for Single coils and 500k for humbuckers. 1meg pots are also used. Gibson has also used 300k pots in the past.

For volume pots, you want audio taper. I have also put audio taper pots in the tone position, but you could use linear taper here. For humbuckers I go with all 500k pots both volume and tone.

I would probably start with the stock pots and see how it sounds. If you want it a little brighter/clearer than switch to 500k.

Thanks. I would keep the stock ones, but the shafts are kinda bent, so they don't turn well.

Does anyone know if it's possible to have the tone knob only affect the front pickup? If so, could you point me to a wiring diagram?

If you can't find one online, PM me and I'll draw one up and feed it to my scanner. What you'd have to do is feed the lead from the one pickup to the tone pot and then into the switch, or jump the lead from the switch to the tone pot. It's prolly easier just to take the lead from the pickup into the tone pot and then jump the wire to the switch though.

 

[Mudder]

FWIW the JB sounds great with 250k pots.

 

[johnny q]

FWIW the JB sounds great with 250k pots.

+1......or even 300K pots.

 

[billboogie]

My 79 ML has 500k pots. They are the original pots.

 

[bigangryguitar]

FWIW the JB sounds great with 250k pots.

+1......or even 300K pots.

2+ those pickups are some of my favorites with a 250k pot. Gets rid of the ice pick highs and makes it just sing.

 

[mixeduplydian]

FWIW the JB sounds great with 250k pots.

+1......or even 300K pots.

2+ those pickups are some of my favorites with a 250k pot. Gets rid of the ice pick highs and makes it just sing.

+3 They do tend to dull the neck 'bucker though, still trying to find a way to compensate for that without having separate volume controls for each pickup.

 

[luxxtone]

Standard is 500k. If the guitar is overly bright for some reason, you can always use 250k to knock it down a bit. But 95% of the pot changes we do here for guitars with humbuckers get 500k pots. Also, if you're changing them out anyway, be sure to get good pots with a tight tolerance....makes a huge difference. Either custom spec CTS or Bourns pots would be a great way to go. Some pots have a 20% or over tolerance that can really change your tone if it's too far under or over.

 

[rottingcorpse]

the bill lawrence xl500 and duncan dimebags in my guitars all have 500k pots. these are all stock usa washburn dimes and custom shop deans.

i should note that if your 80's dean still has stock wiring, it probably is wired for the "out of phase" thing. zelinsky did this on purpose to give his stuff a different sound.