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Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2010 12:29 pm
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eyecandy wrote:
by the way speaking of tone pots.. there are split shaft, solid, cts .. etc

which one to get?

and what are the difference in the types of pots?


I use CTS pots wherever possible. Fender uses CTS pots on US and MIM instruments. They resell them in Fender marked rack packages for a slight markup over what you can buy CTS pots for. The part number on the CTS pots packaged by Fender is the Fender part numbers on the pots. As far as I can tell the parts numbers stamped on the pots is the only difference. I just buy CTS pots and save a few bucks.

Whether to replace existing pots with split shaft or solid depends on what knobs you want to use. If you want to avoid having to buy new knobs then replace with the same type of shaft that the bass now has. If you want to switch from split shaft to solid shaft then you will need knobs for a solid shaft pot with the set screw in the side which will cost more money than just replacing the pots. Often the new knobs will cost more than the pots. There is no tonal advantage to either type shaft. Sometimes the split shaft knobs can be stubborn to pull off which is really the only drawback to using them. The set screw in the side of the knob can loosen on solid shaft setups which is the disadvantage there, but easily remedied by tightening the set screw. Sometimes you can use solid shaft knobs on a split shaft pot by screwing the set screw into the split in the shaft, but the knobs often do not sit level when you do that. It is best to use the right type of knob for the pot shaft.

Again, some Asian basses use MINI-POTS which seem to work fine and the control cavity on these instruments will not accept standard sized pots. So make sure to get the right size. My Fender 51 RI Precision and the STING artist series bass both use mini-pots for example.


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Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2010 3:11 pm
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I see,, but in what about in terms of sound?

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Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2010 3:33 pm
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eyecandy wrote:
I see,, but in what about in terms of sound?


The only difference in sound results from different values. 250's have less highs than 500's, 1000's more highs than 500's.

As far as the SOUND there is no difference between split shaft or solid shaft or between standard size or mini-pots as far as I can tell in my experience. Only the value matters to the tone.

Another fact is just as in capacitors or resistors there can be some variance in the impedance of the pots. 250, 500 or 1000K is the stated value and there can be some minor variance from pot to pot. These minor variances have very little impact on tone because they are so slight.


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Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2010 4:01 am
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I see.. I guess I'll stick with the CTS..
about the minipots are those 3/8?

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Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2010 1:05 pm
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eyecandy wrote:
about the minipots are those 3/8?


I believe the mini-pots FENDER uses do fit a 3/8ths inch mounting hole. However some other Asian produced guitars use a sightly smaller diameter mounting hole size. It is probably a metric size, but I don't know exactly what size it is. I have had to expand the mounting holes on some non-Fender control plates to install replacement pots that are for a 3/8ths inch hole. I have a cone shaped drill routing bit that works well to expand them.


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