It is currently Mon Mar 16, 2020 11:16 am

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 12 posts ] 
Author Message
Post subject: 500k pot to replace no-load tone pot
Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2019 3:27 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Tue Jan 10, 2017 9:32 pm
Posts: 69
Hi, has anyone replaced their no-load tone pot with 500k? That is, the 2nd tone pot with a detent on 10.
My MIA is now at the shop undergoing this surgical transplant. The original no-load pot crackled and don't last.


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: 500k pot to replace no-load tone pot
Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2019 1:37 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star

Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2007 1:53 am
Posts: 4240
Is this the 60th Anni Strat which had the scratchy-tone-pot problem some time ago? https://forums.fender.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=107118

Anyways, a no-load pot works just like a regular pot until that CLICK! at 10, when it 'disconnects' from the circuit. So, the difference until that point is the same as with any 250K/500K pots - but also note that the taper, curve and tolerances between pots can also be different.
And then there are the optional capacitors, treble bleeds, greasebuckets and other extras which play their part in the final outcome...

But I'm curious - why that specific change instead of just replacing the 250K no-load pot with a new one?


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: 500k pot to replace no-load tone pot
Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2019 1:52 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Tue Jan 10, 2017 9:32 pm
Posts: 69
jmattis wrote:
Is this the 60th Anni Strat which had the scratchy-tone-pot problem some time ago? https://forums.fender.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=107118

Anyways, a no-load pot works just like a regular pot until that CLICK! at 10, when it 'disconnects' from the circuit. So, the difference until that point is the same as with any 250K/500K pots - but also note that the taper, curve and tolerances between pots can also be different.
And then there are the optional capacitors, treble bleeds, greasebuckets and other extras which play their part in the final outcome...

But I'm curious - why that specific change instead of just replacing the 250K no-load pot with a new one?


Good memory! Yes, it's that same scratchy knob. So, I replaced that with an original no-load. And the new one became scratchy :lol: So the routine of pumping contact cleaner started again. But that only lasts a couple of days. Then, I bought an obsidian blender harness but the shaft rattled :lol: I thought to myself, let's forget that and get a 500k pot that'll come close to a no-load. That idea came after rummaging the forums on tone pots, taper and calculated the combination to be something 166kohm.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: 500k pot to replace no-load tone pot
Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2019 2:34 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Fri Feb 05, 2010 4:31 am
Posts: 14047
Location: Province de Québec, Canada
Bauzer wrote:
: So the routine of pumping contact cleaner started again. But that only lasts a couple of days. .


1- You did not use a good contact cleaner like Deoxit or GC Chemical. Most other don't do the job.
2- Or you did not turn shaft's pot at least 10 turns

If cleaner work but last only couple day, sure it is what I wrote.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: 500k pot to replace no-load tone pot
Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2019 6:24 am
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Fri Jan 02, 2015 6:57 am
Posts: 2237
Location: UK
stratele52 wrote:
Bauzer wrote:
: So the routine of pumping contact cleaner started again. But that only lasts a couple of days. .


1- You did not use a good contact cleaner like Deoxit or GC Chemical. Most other don't do the job.
2- Or you did not turn shaft's pot at least 10 turns

If cleaner work but last only couple day, sure it is what I wrote.


So go and stand in the corner and think about what you did. ;-)

_________________
John

After all this time I should be better.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: 500k pot to replace no-load tone pot
Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2019 6:26 am
Offline
Amateur
Amateur
User avatar

Joined: Thu Oct 30, 2008 8:46 am
Posts: 133
a reason a pot gets scratchy is not enough use.

I'm sure I've seen other makers of no load pots you could use.. not just a Fender original (which we know is not made by Fender)

https://guitarelectronics.com/cts-250k- ... -tone-pot/

_________________
This is my guitar, there are many like it but this one is mine.


Image


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: 500k pot to replace no-load tone pot
Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2019 7:42 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star

Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2007 1:53 am
Posts: 4240
Bauzer wrote:
Then, I bought an obsidian blender harness but the shaft rattled

So is that in the guitar now? Checked the website; they use Emerson Pro (= CTS) pots, which should be top quality - and they (ObsidianWire) give a three year warranty.

But since you've had your share of scratchiness with pots that should be OK (Fender's pots in MIA's are CTS made, too), is there something which would accelerate the pots going bad - always on 10, seaside area with salty climate, kids pouring coke on the guitar..?

Might be you next need to go military/aerospace-spec'd pots… :lol:


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: 500k pot to replace no-load tone pot
Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2019 6:45 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Tue Jan 10, 2017 9:32 pm
Posts: 69
OK, I stood in the corner all morning :mrgreen: The guitar is not near the sea, however, my tech is! So, after dropping off the guitar I took my son to the beach 8) 8) The Fender CTS no-load is popping whenever I click from 10-9. The Emerson Pro CTS is not "hand-selected" as advertised by Obsidian, and the shaft rattles when touched. But I did get a refund, so.... Anyway, I got my guitar back this morning, and no, I didn't go the the beach again :roll: It now has a 500k pot with linear taper. My volume and tone #1 are linear taper at 250k. So, the 2nd pot is now sounding like before on #5 and below. From #6 up, I get something very close to the no-load tone. I wouldn't say it's identical to no-load, as it was more "clanky" if that's a correct description. The 500k pot when opened up is right there but just under the clanky noise of no-load.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: 500k pot to replace no-load tone pot
Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2019 7:58 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Sun Jun 28, 2009 6:57 pm
Posts: 1868
Location: Kansas City Mo
I always remove the no loads but use a Fender 250k CTS

_________________
https://www.facebook.com/groups/fenderguitarandamp/


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: 500k pot to replace no-load tone pot
Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2019 8:14 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Tue Jan 10, 2017 9:32 pm
Posts: 69
donnycraven wrote:
I always remove the no loads but use a Fender 250k CTS

Why? Curious.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: 500k pot to replace no-load tone pot
Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2019 9:50 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Sun Jun 28, 2009 6:57 pm
Posts: 1868
Location: Kansas City Mo
Bauzer wrote:
donnycraven wrote:
I always remove the no loads but use a Fender 250k CTS

Why? Curious.

The signal is always going to sound better with capacitance on it, more pleasing to the ear. Also I find it annoying when they get stuck in 10. I have no reason to take the capacitor out of the circuit, it doesn't sound good. Fender has always used 250k pots for volume and tone on strats.

_________________
https://www.facebook.com/groups/fenderguitarandamp/


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: 500k pot to replace no-load tone pot
Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2019 10:05 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Tue Jan 10, 2017 9:32 pm
Posts: 69
That too was my reason for removing the no load. But I didn't think about the cap. Another alternative is an Emerson blender which doesn't have a detent.


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 12 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: