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Post subject: 250k vs 500k tone controls
Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2018 2:58 pm
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I have a 2009 standard Stratocaster, MIM, with standard 250k tone controls. What, if any, are the advantages of upgrading to 500k? And, what are the disadvantages, if any, of doing the up grade?

I'm not a expert on the electronic side of things, so any help or advise would be greatly appreciated.

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Post subject: Re: 250k vs 500k tone controls
Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2018 3:28 pm
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Assuming your MIM Standard is equipped with 3 single coil pickups, a switch to 500s will result in a brighter sounding guitar.

That's the simplified answer.
There are answers with more detailed explanation but the end result will be the same.

I've seen pickup builders who choose 240s and sometimes 220s for their pre-wired SSS Strat harnesses in order to get a warmer tone.
I assume those builders have the pots made for them since they're not very common.

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Post subject: Re: 250k vs 500k tone controls
Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2018 4:02 pm
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Ya, I'm not sure that "upgrade" is really the correct term.
An "upgrade" would be replacing stock "mini" pots with CTS (but I think the MiM already comes with decent electronics).
"Mod" would certainly be the correct term, but the value of the pots works with the value and characteristics of the pickups. Gibson guitars use 500k, but they also use humbuckers, which have a "darker" tone, and would generally be too "dark" with 250k pots.

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Post subject: Re: 250k vs 500k tone controls
Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2018 7:09 pm
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You didn't mention what you are trying to accomplish w/ a change to a higher resistance potentiometer. I can only assume you want a brighter sounding tonal range.
That would accomplish the task, however a few minor tweaks to the capacitor value would also accomplish the task. By increasing the capacitor value you increase the low frequency peak and by reducing the capacitor values you increase the high frequency peak.
Normal values are generally
.1
.047
.033
.022
.018
You can pick whatever sounds best to you after a little trial and soldering. Use clip to test then solder when you reach a decision.


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Post subject: Re: 250k vs 500k tone controls
Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2018 8:45 pm
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Thanks for all the info on the tone controls. I don't want a "brighter" sound, so I think I'll leave well enough alone.
I might see if I can find some of the 220 pots. I really like a mellow sound. I have a Gibson Epiphone Les Paul Pro that sounds great. I do like the Strat sound for some of the new country songs.

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Post subject: Re: 250k vs 500k tone controls
Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2018 3:16 am
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Ron37388 wrote:
Thanks for all the info on the tone controls. I don't want a "brighter" sound, so I think I'll leave well enough alone.
I might see if I can find some of the 220 pots. I really like a mellow sound. I have a Gibson Epiphone Les Paul Pro that sounds great. I do like the Strat sound for some of the new country songs.


Humbucker and single coil are two different beast, like apple and orange.

Before buying 220 k pot , read how many ohms are your pots, some 250 k pots may read 220 k or 270 k or....
Good luck to find pot with the right shaft to fit your knob ; split with right groove.

IMO, you waiste your time.


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Post subject: Re: 250k vs 500k tone controls
Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2018 5:31 am
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stratele52 wrote:
Before buying 220 k pot , read how many ohms are your pots, some 250 k pots may read 220 k or 270 k or....
IMO, you waiste your time.

This.
Parts tolerance is typically 10%. Precision parts will be 5% or 1%, which means that a 10% part will never be within 5% of rated value... your 250k pots are likely in the 225-237k or 262-275k range.
It is doubtful that you will hear the difference if you just buy a 220k pot off the shelf. There is also the problem of finding a split-shaft pot with the right shaft length.

Much easier, parallel a resistor with the pot to lower its value. A 250k resistor will effectively halve the value... I'd try a 1meg resistor and see how you like the sound... attach it with alligator clips temporarily.

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Post subject: Re: 250k vs 500k tone controls
Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2018 11:53 am
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You may be more a Gibson guy than Fender guy ?


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Post subject: Re: 250k vs 500k tone controls
Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2018 4:27 am
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Quote:
attach it with alligator clips temporarily
What I've done before is to solder a couple of temporary wires onto the relevant points (remove the original cap first) and run them under and outside the scratchplate. Then try the different caps across those wires. Avoids any dismantling between cap changes. I've also used this with treble-bleed caps, and of course you could use for potentiometer experimentation too.

Sorry if this is what you meant, Rich & sfc!

Have to agree, though, the whole exercise does seem a bit of a waste of time. Perhaps you've bought the wrong (type of) guitar, Ron?

Cheers - Peter.


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