Alright, so I got some new pickups for my strat and now all I have to do is install them - except that it seems since they are humbuckers the 250k pots that come stock just won't cut it. So I have to get some 500k pots, cool no problem - but there is something called split coil which requires push pull pots - and supposedly I can use a 1 gig pot for a brighter sound.

Basically, this is my first time upgrading pickups or tearing open my guitar at all, and I'm overwhelmed. So I have some questions and I hope you guys won't mind helping me out a bit so I don't completely screw up.

First: How many pots need changing? Just the volume or the tone as well?

Second: Let's say I want my neck to sound brighter by using a 1g pot. Where do I install this? And is it even a good idea to install it along with 500k pots?

Third: Split coil so I can get that single coil if I want? Sounds good. If I need a push pull pot, where do I install it? Volume, tone, all three?

Okay, I think that's it. I got my dad who's an electrician helping me with the wiring, I guess I just want to make sure my guitar actually sounds right when I'm all finished. Thanks!

1, you dont have to have a push/pull for the split coil, you can put in a mini toggle. You dont have to use the split coil if you dont want.
2 You can use different pot values ( you may want to make sure you have the right capacitors for it.
3 I would change all the pots, including the volume, if you dont, you'll find using the 250k in the volume, that you'll lose some of the tone, notably the high freq. when you roll off the volume. Make sure you're using the correct cap value.
4 The neck should be wired to the pot next to the volume pot.

I dont know the wiring off the top of my head, but you should be able to get it off the internet.

Hi clyde: not been a lot of takers on this one, have there?



So for now you're stuck with me. Beggers can't be choosers...

Take a look at this diagram:

http://www.seymourduncan.com/pdfs/suppo ... splits.pdf

That does everything you want: three humbuckers with a push/pull switch under the volume to split all three pickups.

The only thing that's surprising me is that diagram shows 250 k pots. Maybe that has something to do with Seymour Duncan's pickups or maybe it's just an error. Anyhow, I'd use 500 k pots across the board with humbuckers. I wouldn't worry about getting smart trying to mix 500s with 1 megs. 500s are fine.

Good luck - C

EDIT: Oh. Windwalker was writing at the same moment as me and has spoiled my comedy turn. Still, at least we agree on the technicalities!!

I didnt even look at the pickups you were installing, just the questions. Ceri's right the values. I dont know why they would have you put in 250k for humbuckers, I wouldnt use those for stacked humbuckers let alone a regular humbucker. If you did, you'd probably have to have every knob dimed or it would sound like crap.

Dtew mac have a bunch of helpful info here. I would try read as many as oyu think pertain to your questions. Not sure if you will get exactly what you want from here, but for sure some good general knowledge.

http://www.stewmac.com/freeinfo/Electronics.html

maybe start here

http://www.stewmac.com/freeinfo/Electro ... -4000.html

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I'm not an expert, but I play one on the internet.

I'd love to help, but the only thing I know about pots is they don't boil if you watch 'em.

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I really like all them "Aster" guitars. You know, like the Stratoc, Telec and Jazzm.

Thanks for the help guys, and to russianracehorce and ceri: lol.