250k vs 500k vs 1000k volume pots?

[messenger]

Whats the difference when using different value volume pots? I know that you usually use a 500k for humbuckers, and 250k for single coils, but what happens when you use different values? Are the sonic differences drastic or subtle?

 

[glpg80]

250k rolls off the highs on H's, 500k's are a larger resistance for the coils and magnets to conduct across, therefore you get a larger voltage potential across it meaning higher output to your amplifier.

1M pots are the same. alot of high output pickups and guitars use them to balance out the current the pickups are capable of producing when the strings vibrate.

1M allows more control over a tone range for high output humbuckers. 500k pots are ususally the most common though because its a mix of both quick attack and great output potential.

it is noticable, but not as much as a new speaker. i would say any musician that has a good ear can tell the difference. it would be like changing cables, or parallel/series wiring difference in noticability, or fresh string change is another example.

 

[Giga]

250k rolls off the highs on H's, 500k's are a larger resistance for the coils and magnets to conduct across, therefore you get a larger voltage potential across it meaning higher output to your amplifier.

1M pots are the same. alot of high output pickups and guitars use them to balance out the current the pickups are capable of producing when the strings vibrate.

1M allows more control over a tone range for high output humbuckers. 500k pots are ususally the most common though because its a mix of both quick attack and great output potential.

it is noticable, but not as much as a new speaker. i would say any musician that has a good ear can tell the difference. it would be like changing cables, or parallel/series wiring difference in noticability, or fresh string change is another example.

I think your reasoning of what happens technically is wrong but the tone differences you're describing is pretty spot on..

Giga.

 

[glpg80]

explain where im wrong then?

i've no doubt done my fair share of pot changes. correct my explanation if you say its wrong dude.

P-90's have a voltage ouput of about 1/2 volt, single coils are around 1/4 a volt. voltage is current x resistance, the pot acts like a variable resistance with the humbuckers creating current with a magnet, coil, and vibration of strings.

but if that is wrong please correct me.

 

[Giga]

explain where im wrong then?

i've no doubt done my fair share of pot changes. correct my explanation if you say its wrong dude.

P-90's have a voltage ouput of about 1/2 volt, single coils are around 1/4 a volt. voltage is current x resistance, the pot acts like a variable resistance with the humbuckers creating current with a magnet, coil, and vibration of strings.

but if that is wrong please correct me.

Remember the pots aren't *in* the signal line but beside it creating a shortcut to ground thus leaking away more or less signal coming from your PU. The volumepot (together with the tonepot actually) in fact works as a voltagedivider together with the input impedance of your amp and the voltage coming from the PU.

Giga.

 

[glpg80]

explain where im wrong then?

i've no doubt done my fair share of pot changes. correct my explanation if you say its wrong dude.

P-90's have a voltage ouput of about 1/2 volt, single coils are around 1/4 a volt. voltage is current x resistance, the pot acts like a variable resistance with the humbuckers creating current with a magnet, coil, and vibration of strings.

but if that is wrong please correct me.

Remember the pots aren't *in* the signal line but beside it creating a shortcut to ground thus leaking away more or less signal coming from your PU. The volumepot (together with the tonepot actually) in fact works as a voltagedivider together with the input impedance of your amp and the voltage coming from the PU.

Giga.

gotcha. thanks for the clarification