chipwich Posted November 15, 2011 Posted November 15, 2011 Greetings. I love the guitar and tone of the P90s, but the volume pots seem to be on/off in the first 10-20 % of rotation. Not progressive at all. Is this normal? The only thing that I have to compare it to is my Epi LP Trad Pro, which has progressive volume over the whole range. Thanks for your help.
StijnV Posted November 17, 2011 Posted November 17, 2011 That is in fact normal, but the taper of pots is also a subjective issue. Some people like the slow and smooth taper while others like a quick roll-off. You might want to consider to place CTS pots for example instead of the factory standard pots.
chipwich Posted November 17, 2011 Author Posted November 17, 2011 That is in fact normal, but the taper of pots is also a subjective issue. Some people like the slow and smooth taper while others like a quick roll-off. You might want to consider to place CTS pots for example instead of the factory standard pots. Thanks for the reply StijnV. I notice from the Gibson web site that the volume pots are 300k and the tone 500k. If I would like a more progressive taper, should I look for a 300k CTS pot, or does the resistance indicate the taper?
LOSTVENTURE Posted November 17, 2011 Posted November 17, 2011 My Trad has 500k pots for both the tone and volume, and that value allows for great control. If I were you I would switch that 300k pot for a 500k linear taper. Incidentally, the Ohm rating has nothing to do with the taper. Don
chipwich Posted November 17, 2011 Author Posted November 17, 2011 My Trad has 500k pots for both the tone and volume, and that value allows for great control. If I were you I would switch that 300k pot for a 500k linear taper. Incidentally, the Ohm rating has nothing to do with the taper. Don Thanks Don. I was just now reading on Stewmac.com about the effects of different Ohm ratings. Probably stating the obvious to the members of this forum, but given that the 60s Tribute has P90s, it makes sense that Gibson would use 300k pots. Looks like CTS gives you the choice of 250k or 500k. Not wanting to change the tone, I think what I actually need are CTS short shaft 250k pots.
Angellus Posted November 19, 2011 Posted November 19, 2011 Thanks Don. I was just now reading on Stewmac.com about the effects of different Ohm ratings. Probably stating the obvious to the members of this forum, but given that the 60s Tribute has P90s, it makes sense that Gibson would use 300k pots. Looks like CTS gives you the choice of 250k or 500k. Not wanting to change the tone, I think what I actually need are CTS short shaft 250k pots. you can get 300k CTS http://www.guitarpartsworldwide.com/CTS+300K+POT+-+LONG+SHAFT+PU16TXhBRE14b0RkalZIWnZKSGM thats a page in the uk. audio taper seems to be what your after. the difference between 300k to 500k? 500k is brighter tone wise than 300k. Gibson pots (though specified 300k) can vary when actually measured anywhere from 230k to 340k so they are not entirely accurate. CTS have a +/- 5% tolerance making them as close to the stated specification. My personal oppinion? take out all the pots and caps buy some orange drop caps or bumblebee replica's and replace pots with CTS
CaptainNemo68 Posted November 19, 2011 Posted November 19, 2011 500k volume pots are awsome - more control and brighter sound.
Voodoo Monkey Posted November 19, 2011 Posted November 19, 2011 I have a 60's Tribute Gold Top Studio and it does do that to an extent.
chipwich Posted November 20, 2011 Author Posted November 20, 2011 500k volume pots are awsome - more control and brighter sound. Yes, but on a single coil? I really don't want to change the tone at all, just get a more gradual taper so that swells are more progressive, or so that I can dial in just the right level. I really do appreciate everyone's input though.
stein Posted November 20, 2011 Posted November 20, 2011 Yes, but on a single coil? I really don't want to change the tone at all, just get a more gradual taper so that swells are more progressive, or so that I can dial in just the right level. I really do appreciate everyone's input though. What you are describing is the "linear taper" pots. An "audio taper" will be the same pot, but have a different taper as it is turned down, and is really made to compensate for what you are describing. It will not change the sound or tone (provided it is the same pot, i.s. brand and construction), only the taper as you go from 1-10 on the range. CTS brand is what Gibson is currently using.
chipwich Posted November 21, 2011 Author Posted November 21, 2011 What you are describing is the "linear taper" pots. An "audio taper" will be the same pot, but have a different taper as it is turned down, and is really made to compensate for what you are describing. It will not change the sound or tone (provided it is the same pot, i.s. brand and construction), only the taper as you go from 1-10 on the range. CTS brand is what Gibson is currently using. Ok, cool stein. I think that I understand now, having read Alan Ratciffe's article, and your reference to audio taper. Sounds like I do have linear taper volume pots, and need audio or "log" taper as you suggest. Thanks a bunch for the clarification. Now to read up on caps...
Angellus Posted November 23, 2011 Posted November 23, 2011 CTS brand is what Gibson is currently using. really? are you sure? if they are they are CTS rejects branded gibson as they have very large tolerances and a drop in quality afaik gibson historically used CTS but not currently
stein Posted November 23, 2011 Posted November 23, 2011 really? are you sure? if they are they are CTS rejects branded gibson as they have very large tolerances and a drop in quality afaik gibson historically used CTS but not currently Yes and no.... I don't know for sure if CTS is the only pot Gibson is using now, but they are using them. CTS has not been the only pot Gibson has used. 50's Gibby's have used CTS and Centralab, (and maybe Stackpole?). CTS is the "hip" pot to use for the vintage thing, and I think most of that is because they are the only ones that still make them the same way. The other makers have changed the design. As for tolerance, I don't know that the old ones were any better than what they are making now. I honestly couldn't say if it is due to age or if they measured the same new. Where your QUALITY comment comes from, I don't know what you would base that comment on.
Angellus Posted November 23, 2011 Posted November 23, 2011 Yes and no.... I don't know for sure if CTS is the only pot Gibson is using now, but they are using them. CTS has not been the only pot Gibson has used. 50's Gibby's have used CTS and Centralab, (and maybe Stackpole?). CTS is the "hip" pot to use for the vintage thing, and I think most of that is because they are the only ones that still make them the same way. The other makers have changed the design. As for tolerance, I don't know that the old ones were any better than what they are making now. I honestly couldn't say if it is due to age or if they measured the same new. Where your QUALITY comment comes from, I don't know what you would base that comment on. quality i would say sweep resistance when turning the dial and sturdiness/materials used to make the pot. yes i agree CTS were not the only pots used I know they definately use then on the reissues along with bumblebee replica's. I replaced all my gibson pots with CTS and I choose to measure the each pot with a multimeter to check the sweep range and value of the pot for accuracy. gibson volume pots that were meant to read 300k were coming up as low as 240k and some as high as 330k. the CTS were reading 295k and 303k was the highest. the tolerance was much lower and I would also relate that back to quality of the component. yes you could say that this is nit picking and most would not notice the difference but having a 240k volume on your bridge pickup and soling in a heavy rock group will not help you cut through the mix and leave you with a darker tone. for this reason I put a 500k for my treble and a 300k for the rhythm so IMO Rhythm and Treble mean exactly that! I suppose its personal preference but thats what I have found. Dont get me wrong I dont work for CTS or anything and to be honest as long as you have a blanced and low tolerance set of pots reading close to what they are supposed to be then you can use any brand. the same arguements can be said about the ceramic capacitors used in the tone circuits.......... but thats another topic
chipwich Posted November 26, 2011 Author Posted November 26, 2011 I'm happy to report that this had a happy and far less complicated ending. My luthier at Maple Street Guitars resoldered the neck volume pot and all is well. He offered to replace the pot if I wasn't satisfied, but both of us hear a difference in the sweep, especially on the top end. Before it was more or less on/off. Yes, should have been taken care under warranty at at GC, but I would rather it be looked after by someone who I know and trust, than go through the return process. Minimal cost, because it was in for a setup. The guitar plays beautifully now. Sorry to have dragged you good folks along for the process. Hopefully, some of you, like me, learned about pots.
DiamondJig Posted November 29, 2011 Posted November 29, 2011 GC is not an authorized Gibson warranty repair center. Your probably better off doing what you did.
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