beowolverine93 Posted November 2, 2011 Share Posted November 2, 2011 What is the difference between a 300k pot and a 500k pot? What are the pros and cons of both? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tazzboy Posted November 2, 2011 Share Posted November 2, 2011 What is the difference between a 300k pot and a 500k pot? What are the pros and cons of both? 500K allow more treble and volume when fully set to 10 and what was used back in the 1950's to the early part of the 1970's before Gibson made the switch the 300K audio. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beowolverine93 Posted November 2, 2011 Author Share Posted November 2, 2011 Why did they switch to 330k Pots? Or what's the advantage of them vs. a 500k Pot? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beowolverine93 Posted November 2, 2011 Author Share Posted November 2, 2011 300* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tazzboy Posted November 3, 2011 Share Posted November 3, 2011 Too be honest I don't know why. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malchik Posted November 3, 2011 Share Posted November 3, 2011 I have no idea why they would have 500k tone tops when they have 300k volumes. The first thing I usually change on my Gibson are the volume pots. Sadly, now with the PCB boards, I have to replace the whole harness. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stein Posted November 3, 2011 Share Posted November 3, 2011 The shortest answer is 300k is for P-90s, and the 500k is for humbuckers. The short answer for sound wound be the higher value will give more volume and brightness, and the smaller value warmer and fuller sounding. In real life use, there MAY not be much difference. The ones I have measured, those marked 500k usually measure anywhere from around 400k to 500k. they RARELY or never exceed 500k, and if I was to guesstimate the average, it would be around 450k. In real life, 300k pots I have measured are usually 310-400k. They rarely if ever are under 300k, and are USUALLY much higher toward the 400k range. I would guess the middle of the range I would expect is 350k, but most are higher. In other words, I think if you were to actually measure what is in most guitars, it would not be hard to find 300k pots and 500k pots measuring the same. And, the difference on average is less than expected. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L5Larry Posted November 3, 2011 Share Posted November 3, 2011 Since I seem to be on everybody's shitlist right now, would someone like to explain to me what tonal differences ANY potentiometer makes set to "10" and "Zero Ohms" resistance (BYPASS), volume OR tone... Come on now, it's a resistor, it only affects volume. Until you introduce a capacitor (tone control) how can there be any tone deviation because of a pot value. The only difference you will get is sweep range. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angellus Posted November 3, 2011 Share Posted November 3, 2011 500k is brighter gibson pots vary to what they say they are 300k to what they measure 240 to 330k not accurate at all. this is called tolerance. replace them all with CTS pots for a more accurate tolerance +/- 5% personally i have a 500k for my bridge and a 300k for my neck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stein Posted November 3, 2011 Share Posted November 3, 2011 Since I seem to be on everybody's shitlist right now, would someone like to explain to me what tonal differences ANY potentiometer makes set to "10" and "Zero Ohms" resistance (BYPASS), volume OR tone... Come on now, it's a resistor, it only affects volume. Until you introduce a capacitor (tone control) how can there be any tone deviation because of a pot value. The only difference you will get is sweep range. I just checked my shitlist, and I didn't find you anywhere on it. You didn't even qualify as an alternate. Ideally, a volume control will not change the tonality. It IS possible to have the circuit designed to where the volume works as a volume and does not change the tone when it is turned up or down. Personally, the guitars that sound the best to me behave that way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tazzboy Posted November 3, 2011 Share Posted November 3, 2011 and here is another possibility that Gibson doesn't use Plain Enamel 42 wire on all their pickups. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TorturedZen Posted December 15, 2011 Share Posted December 15, 2011 If you're thinking about upgrading your pots I would recommend RS Guitarworks Super Pots. I have them in both my Lesters and while a bit pricey, they really made a difference for me. The pots even come (or they used to) with the measurement taken and written on the pot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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