250K vs 500K Pots on a Stratocaster

[Jay Menon]

My strat pickups are Kinman Blues, which are a little 'milder' sounding than their Traditional / Woodstock sets. These pickups did however, sound very nice through the original (Far Eastern) pots which I subsequently measured at around 480K.

Kinman recommends 250K pots - but I wouldn't mind having the guitar a little brighter (with the option to turn the tone down when required).

I'm therefore considering using 500K pots (Volume-Log and Tone-Linear).

If it winds up too bright, can I turn a 500K pot down, and by doing so equate it to a 250K pot? And would that apply to the volume, tone or possibly both pots?

Or would it be wiser to just go with the recommended 250K pots? And use a 'no-load' tone pot, to give the 'bright' option?

Taking it all apart and re-wiring it all over again would be a real nuisance that I'd rather avoid...

Also I wonder if the sonic differences are subtle and influenced by expectation bias...

[zenguitar]

The problem is that you will get good results from all the options, but while many of us can have opinions on which one is 'best', the only opinion that counts is yours. I can understand why you wouldn't want to subsequently take it apart and rewire again, but I think you've reached the point where you have to commit to something.

If it helps, based on what we've discussed here about your plans, this is what I would go with.

As you like the sound of the pick-ups with the pots measured at 480k I would use that as a solid starting point. So if you can persuade Axesrus to test a few of their 500k Log push/push pots to find one close to that (475 to 485, maybe 470 to 490, that sort of range) that is where I would start. For tone I would go for 250k Lin. And if you are going for the neck mix pot either a 1Meg or 500K Lin pot (if a 500k pot I would measure it's resistance and find one with a higher resistance than the volume pot).

Alternatively, if you want the push/push pot on the tone pot get the 250k Lin version, and test a number of standard 500k Log pots to find one around 480k.

Once you've wired it up, DON'T PLAY IT for a day or two. Spend the time playing something non-Fenderish, Gibson, semi-acoustic, Gretch, that sort of thing.

Then come back to your strat with fresh ears and spend a little time getting used to it. It'll probably be just fine, and if not you may only need to tweak one part.

Andy

[Folderol]

In practical terms 480k is pretty close to 500k and within the normal +/- 10% tolerance. However, if you wanted to, you could pad it down a small amount with a 20Meg Ohm resistor across the ends of the pot. Such a high value won't make have any noticeable effect on the pot's behavior, but will drop the overall resistance by about 3%.

[Jay Menon]

Thanks Andy and Folderol

I'll do exactly as you suggested

Currently
Vol, Tone 1 and Tone 2 all 250K (Tone 2 serves both middle and bridge)

If I find it's not bright enough, I'll increase the Vol pot to 500K - that should do the trick.

I'm also toying with the idea of assigning the tone controls to neck and bridge and leaving the middle pickup without a tone control. That would be interesting...

Kind regards
Jay

[Sam Spoons]

This has set me thinking about rewiring my P90 'bitsa' Strat. It has 2 x P90s with a three way PU selector, one tone and one volume pot and a toggle switch instead of the blend pot mod (which I have on my '61 style Strat). I might fit one or two push/push pots (I'm not a fan of push/pull pots), the tone one to bypass the tone control for sure and I'm not sure how to utilise the other. Maybe a volume control bypass for a quick solo boost? Suggestions anyone?

[zenguitar]

How about the Jerry Donahue tele wiring?



This is the Peavey JD Omniac version. You might want to tinker with the cap and resistor values but it might be worth a try.

Andy