Potentiometer brands?

  • Thread starter Thread starter dcburn
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dcburn

dcburn

Well-known member
I purchased a '23 LP a little over a year ago. When I got it, the bridge volume pot was fairly scratchy and annoying, so I put in a new CTS.
A year goes by now and that CTS pot is wonky.
Volume spikes by bumping it.
Scratchy.
Sometimes no sound.

I rather not buy another CTS at this point if I don't have to.
I put a lot of mileage on my guitars volume pots.

Is there a brand out there or specific potentiometer you guys prefer?
 
As the game mentioned - there are different levels/types of CTS pots. I have tried several variants. The Warmoth ones are cool overall but I dislike the open backs on them.

I grabbed several sets from Atlantic Custom Guitars, and they feel and look to be super top notch.

Some of my favorite pots I have gotten.

I will say that some pots have a super gentle sweep where you barely touch it and it goes flying.

The ones from ACG are kinda in the middle, they spin easy but not where you blow on it and it moves or it moves while you move around playing...hate when they do that ....


He also measures them for you and will mark the higher rates ones for V and mark the others for T.

I would say they are worth a shot.
 
@dcburn out of curiosity, snap a gut shot if you can. I'd like to see what wiring style and caps you have in there, if you don't mind.
 
Music&Chaos said:
@dcburn out of curiosity, snap a gut shot if you can. I'd like to see what wiring style and caps you have in there, if you don't mind.
Click to expand...
Im at work at the moment...
But I have CTS 500k audio tapers with orange Drop 22 and 15 caps.
50's wiring.
 
Y'all need to lube your pots. Mine got scratchy, and I hit it with my LPS Contact Cleaner and it was good as new.
 
BeZo said:
Y'all need to lube your pots. Mine got scratchy, and I hit it with my LPS Contact Cleaner and it was good as new.
Click to expand...
Even bumping/tapping it to get sound?

Maybe I have excessive finger funk getting into my pots :ROFLMAO:
 
dcburn said:
Even bumping/tapping it to get sound?

Maybe I have excessive finger funk getting into my pots :ROFLMAO:
Click to expand...
It's not going to fix it if you pop the shaft loose, but it will prevent wear and tear and keep it turning smooth. Most of the time scratchy pots are just dirty. It works as preventative maintenance too.
 
BeZo said:
It's not going to fix it if you pop the shaft loose, but it will prevent wear and tear and keep it turning smooth. Most of the time scratchy pots are just dirty. It works as preventative maintenance too.
Click to expand...
Yeah I know, I get it. Was just kidding around.

I do know all about cleaning, Ive taken them apart as well.
Just didn't like the longevity of the pot and was inquiring about other brands.
Ive read stories of the quality of CTS over the years.

Wasn't asking about maintenance.
Been there done that, and that road doesn't go on forever.
Pots are cheap and easily replaced.
 
dcburn said:
Im at work at the moment...
But I have CTS 500k audio tapers with orange Drop 22 and 15 caps.
50's wiring.
Click to expand...
Ah I see. I dig 50s wiring on a LP, makes it hit harder.

How do you like the sound of the orange drops?

I honestly am not a big fan of orange drops in my guitars but I see why people like them.
 
When I do go CTS I tend to go with Dimarzios. They're really solid and have a smooth feel and taper, but most importantly they're carried by my local music store.
 
dcburn said:
Thats great actually.
Click to expand...
I would highly recommend checking them out. They are very well priced and the shipping is reasonable too, unlike most parts places for whatever reason.
 
* something to note is that if you are getting these for a LP, I would seriously just get the Atlantic Custom ones, as they fit the current knobs on Gibson and they also do not stick out too far from the top like many replacements I see ... The threading starts where it should, and not with that extra 1.5mm gap or whatever Mojotone and like I think almost all the others sell except Gibson branded, which aren't great pots for the price IME.
 
Music&Chaos said:
Ah I see. I dig 50s wiring on a LP, makes it hit harder.

How do you like the sound of the orange drops?

I honestly am not a big fan of orange drops in my guitars but I see why people like them.
Click to expand...
Dig the 50's wiring with the volume control. Probably why Im not much of a boost guy at home.
Ill probably seem like a moron, but I've never heard much of a difference between caps in a guitar.
And I've tried them all.
There is some ear ringing mostly from two stroke motors though...
I have some PIO's (bought for a previous LP) in my toolbox, but these orange drops do the job.
I have a tiny blue one that I'm not sure what it is that came in my Firebird I that I took out because I thought I "just had to have" PIO.
Another set of those black with colored stripe bumblebees. Emerson maybe?
Leftover stuff from amp assembly too...

Never tried vintage.
Wont pony up for that.
 
dcburn said:
Dig the 50's wiring with the volume control. Probably why Im not much of a boost guy at home.
Ill probably seem like a moron, but I've never heard much of a difference between caps in a guitar.
And I've tried them all.
There is some ear ringing mostly from two stroke motors though...
I have some PIO's (bought for a previous LP) in my toolbox, but these orange drops do the job.
I have a tiny blue one that I'm not sure what it is that came in my Firebird I that I took out because I thought I "just had to have" PIO.
Another set of those black with colored stripe bumblebees. Emerson maybe?
Leftover stuff from amp assembly too...

Never tried vintage.
Wont pony up for that.
Click to expand...
The Emerson are just shrink wrapped Russian ones they upmark.

I can hear the differences myself but if you are digging it, keep it rockin.
 
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