Do all import guitars use different sized pots than a US made guitar?

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Matt300ZXT

Matt300ZXT

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I'm going to make an order with Philadelphia Luthier or some other company that has bunches of stuff and get a few odds and ends to keep in the guitar toolcase: Floyd nut locks, maybe some saddle inserts, maybe a 5 way switch or two, and some pots. This Washburn Steve Steven's Signature import that I'm doing a fret job on now, but waiting on the crowning file (Music Nomad takes forever to ship out orders dammit), had Duncan's put in it and I think my buddy that put them in put the wrong pot back in. It stands up a little too tall, and it's old and a bit scratchy, so might as well order a few for a few bucks a piece and was curious if all imports use smaller shaft diameter pots, or if it's mostly just an Epiphone to Gibson counterpart thing. I've got a good set of sharp drill bits, I could always just tape it up and turn one by hand to ream out the hole a little, or see if they have a stepped reamer if that's a much safer bet.

If there is a particular pot I need to order with a certain spline count for import knobs, I could do that, as all the gold hardware has a bit of tarnish/patina on it and I kinda like it and don't wanna buy a new knob.
 
Try (without forcing) your knobs on your other guitars 🤷‍♀️
IME, like Napalm said, most are alpha and most require larger holes for non metric pots.
 
I found CTS makes metric pots. I'm going to order a few of those to keep around in the ol' tool case for a rainy day. So far I haven't found any other place that stocks them besides Philadelphia Lutherie. Mojo, Stew Mac, All Parts, no one.
 
man, I haven't run into having to ream holes for pots, but if I do run into something that doesn't fit, I'm getting the right diameter. F routing out wood.
 
Erock said:
man, I haven't run into having to ream holes for pots, but if I do run into something that doesn't fit, I'm getting the right diameter. F routing out wood.
Click to expand...
I just get a round file and tape off the finnish. As long as I lay it in my lap with the whole between my legs, I can bang it out really quick. I've worked out those muscle groups a lot over the years.
 
Safest and cleanest way for me to enlarge a pot hole:
1747396207640.png
 
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Matt300ZXT said:
I'm going to make an order with Philadelphia Luthier or some other company that has bunches of stuff and get a few odds and ends to keep in the guitar toolcase: Floyd nut locks, maybe some saddle inserts, maybe a 5 way switch or two, and some pots. This Washburn Steve Steven's Signature import that I'm doing a fret job on now, but waiting on the crowning file (Music Nomad takes forever to ship out orders dammit), had Duncan's put in it and I think my buddy that put them in put the wrong pot back in. It stands up a little too tall, and it's old and a bit scratchy, so might as well order a few for a few bucks a piece and was curious if all imports use smaller shaft diameter pots, or if it's mostly just an Epiphone to Gibson counterpart thing. I've got a good set of sharp drill bits, I could always just tape it up and turn one by hand to ream out the hole a little, or see if they have a stepped reamer if that's a much safer bet.

If there is a particular pot I need to order with a certain spline count for import knobs, I could do that, as all the gold hardware has a bit of tarnish/patina on it and I kinda like it and don't wanna buy a new knob.
Click to expand...

No. Some import pots have the metric equivalent of 3/8" bushing diameter. My preferred supplier has them with both 24 and 18 spline shafts, but I prefer the 18 spline shafts. They are definitely more durable than 24 spline.
 
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