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Volume\Tone Pot Identification

DriftingByTheStormDriftingByTheStorm Posts: 8,684
edited March 2005 in Musicians and Gearheads
Hey All ...

i'm a player not a guitar tech whiz,
and was wondering...

i just opened up the black plastic backing to the volume\tone controls on my SG Pro ...

I'm pretty sure the pickups are originals, as this model came with P90's and mine has soapbar P90's that look well worn ...

however the inscription on the pots is
"DiMizario" ... they look old enough to be original,
but i was just wondering,
is this typical of Gibson to use DiMizario parts for the electronics?

I wouldn't think so, but i just said i am no techy.

What affect would this have on my tone if they are in fact replacement parts?

Would a picture help anyone?

Hrrm.
Thanks :)
-nick-
If I was to smile and I held out my hand
If I opened it now would you not understand?
Post edited by Unknown User on
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Comments

  • exhaustedexhausted Posts: 6,638
    those are likely replacement pots. the pots in my gibsons have no visible branding.

    i've used dimarzio branded pots with no issues.
  • mccreadyisgodmccreadyisgod Posts: 6,395
    Most people identify pot by flavor or odor...





    (wait for it... wait...)

    Is there a numerical value on them? Like 250K? 500K?
    ...and if you don't like it, you can suck on an egg.
  • Pacomc79Pacomc79 Posts: 9,404
    gibson mainly used CTS pots as far as I know and bumble bee capacitors.

    at least on Les Pauls anyway.
    My Girlfriend said to me..."How many guitars do you need?" and I replied...."How many pairs of shoes do you need?" She got really quiet.
  • DriftingByTheStormDriftingByTheStorm Posts: 8,684
    i will open it up when i get home and check (at work, duh :)
    for a hz rating or whatever the heck,

    but in general,
    do these affect tone in anything more than a benign way?

    I read about people freaking over their pots on ebay and stuff ...

    people really wanna know whats in the guitar .... i know most of them are collectors or whatnot ... i could care less about the perceived value of my guitar, because it is SUH WEEET and i would never sell it ...

    but as far as the tone goes, did i get robbed?
    that would suck.

    i know the short answer is based on the question:
    well how does it sound?

    and the answer,
    from my ears anyway,
    is FUCKING SWEET ...

    but maybe i just don't know what "authentic" pots sound like.
    lol.

    oh wells,
    -nik-
    If I was to smile and I held out my hand
    If I opened it now would you not understand?
  • exhaustedexhausted Posts: 6,638
    the impedance rating of the pots will have more of a bearing than anything else.

    i would assume that whoever changed them would have used the correct values.
  • mccreadyisgodmccreadyisgod Posts: 6,395
    DriftingByTheStorm wrote:
    but in general,
    do these affect tone in anything more than a benign way?

    ...but maybe i just don't know what "authentic" pots sound like.
    lol.


    Players say, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

    Collectors say, "If it's broke, but original, don't fix it."

    Different pot values will affect your tone... but it sounds like someone found a winning combination. Heck, if they're 1-meg pots... that might be why it has so much noise, but that's also why it has great tone!
    ...and if you don't like it, you can suck on an egg.
  • mccreadyisgodmccreadyisgod Posts: 6,395
    We ever get a number on these?
    ...and if you don't like it, you can suck on an egg.
  • WiLL75WiLL75 Posts: 415
    What would you throw into a '76 mustang, for tone and volume pots? What rating?
    7-9-03 New York(MSG II baby!)
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  • mccreadyisgodmccreadyisgod Posts: 6,395
    WiLL75 wrote:
    What would you throw into a '76 mustang, for tone and volume pots? What rating?


    Stock single-coil pups? 250k. Probably Bumblebee.
    ...and if you don't like it, you can suck on an egg.
  • WiLL75WiLL75 Posts: 415
    mccreadyisgod wrote:
    Stock single-coil pups? 250k. Probably Bumblebee.

    Everything on it, until I replace the pots, knobs and switches, is stock.
    7-9-03 New York(MSG II baby!)
    9-4-05 Calgary (10c Tix!)
    8-8-09 Calgary
    9-21-12 Calgary (10c Tix! Row 12!!)
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  • mccreadyisgodmccreadyisgod Posts: 6,395
    You could go with a higher value to get more output, and a bit heavier tone... but if you want the stock tone, just new pieces, 250K is what you want.

    Stew Mac:

    http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Electronics,_pickups/Components:_Control_pots_and_knobs/1/Control_Pots.html

    All Parts:

    http://www.allparts.com/categories.php?cat_id=548&cat_name=250K%20POTS

    A good deal from Torres:

    http://www.torresengineering.com/newcgepotlin.html
    ...and if you don't like it, you can suck on an egg.
  • WiLL75WiLL75 Posts: 415
    mccreadyisgod wrote:
    You could go with a higher value to get more output, and a bit heavier tone... but if you want the stock tone, just new pieces, 250K is what you want.

    Stew Mac:

    http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Electronics,_pickups/Components:_Control_pots_and_knobs/1/Control_Pots.html

    All Parts:

    http://www.allparts.com/categories.php?cat_id=548&cat_name=250K%20POTS

    A good deal from Torres:

    http://www.torresengineering.com/newcgepotlin.html

    Once again, mucho thanks. :)

    I have to look again, but the pots that are in there now...one of them had something on the bottom of it...maybe a capacitor? Resistor? I have it written down at home somewhere...there were values on it...

    My mustang has the most buzz out of all my guitars. I'm thinking it's a combo of old single coils, old switches and pots.
    7-9-03 New York(MSG II baby!)
    9-4-05 Calgary (10c Tix!)
    8-8-09 Calgary
    9-21-12 Calgary (10c Tix! Row 12!!)
    My URL
    http://www.myspace.com/thehuskytruckers

    http://www.facebook.com
  • mccreadyisgodmccreadyisgod Posts: 6,395
    WiLL75 wrote:
    Once again, mucho thanks. :)

    I have to look again, but the pots that are in there now...one of them had something on the bottom of it...maybe a capacitor? Resistor? I have it written down at home somewhere...there were values on it...

    My mustang has the most buzz out of all my guitars. I'm thinking it's a combo of old single coils, old switches and pots.


    Tone pots have capacitors.

    Old single-coil pups have a lotta buzz... shielding helps a lot, so does cleaning the wiring. Make sure the solder joints are solid, the ground is attached, the jack is clean, the switch is making good connections.
    ...and if you don't like it, you can suck on an egg.
  • WiLL75WiLL75 Posts: 415
    mccreadyisgod wrote:
    Tone pots have capacitors.

    Old single-coil pups have a lotta buzz... shielding helps a lot, so does cleaning the wiring. Make sure the solder joints are solid, the ground is attached, the jack is clean, the switch is making good connections.

    Ok, so it was on the tone pot. This is probably a dumb question, but how come I didn't see one in any of the pics of the pots off the pages?
    7-9-03 New York(MSG II baby!)
    9-4-05 Calgary (10c Tix!)
    8-8-09 Calgary
    9-21-12 Calgary (10c Tix! Row 12!!)
    My URL
    http://www.myspace.com/thehuskytruckers

    http://www.facebook.com
  • mccreadyisgodmccreadyisgod Posts: 6,395
    WiLL75 wrote:
    Ok, so it was on the tone pot. This is probably a dumb question, but how come I didn't see one in any of the pics of the pots off the pages?


    Because they sell the pots and the caps separately. You'd have to solder a cap to a pot to make it a tone pot. All pots are essentially the same by themselves, but by putting the proper capacitor in the circuit, you get tonal adjustment instead of volume adjustment. I don't know if those places sell pots with tone caps already installed...
    ...and if you don't like it, you can suck on an egg.
  • WiLL75WiLL75 Posts: 415
    mccreadyisgod wrote:
    Because they sell the pots and the caps separately. You'd have to solder a cap to a pot to make it a tone pot. All pots are essentially the same by themselves, but by putting the proper capacitor in the circuit, you get tonal adjustment instead of volume adjustment. I don't know if those places sell pots with tone caps already installed...

    Ok, that makes sense. So I'd order two pots and one cap. What rating should the cap be?
    7-9-03 New York(MSG II baby!)
    9-4-05 Calgary (10c Tix!)
    8-8-09 Calgary
    9-21-12 Calgary (10c Tix! Row 12!!)
    My URL
    http://www.myspace.com/thehuskytruckers

    http://www.facebook.com
  • mccreadyisgodmccreadyisgod Posts: 6,395
    WiLL75 wrote:
    Ok, that makes sense. So I'd order two pots and one cap. What rating should the cap be?


    I'm going to plead partially ignorant, but Stew Mac says:

    0.020mf and 0.050µF are common guitar tone control caps.

    I really can't tell you the difference, maybe Ex would be better to ask that one.
    ...and if you don't like it, you can suck on an egg.
  • WiLL75WiLL75 Posts: 415
    mccreadyisgod wrote:
    I'm going to plead partially ignorant, but Stew Mac says:

    0.020mf and 0.050µF are common guitar tone control caps.

    I really can't tell you the difference, maybe Ex would be better to ask that one.

    That funny looking UF looks familiar...but so does the mf...hahaha. I'll know more when I'm at home...if I can find the piece of paper.
    7-9-03 New York(MSG II baby!)
    9-4-05 Calgary (10c Tix!)
    8-8-09 Calgary
    9-21-12 Calgary (10c Tix! Row 12!!)
    My URL
    http://www.myspace.com/thehuskytruckers

    http://www.facebook.com
  • mccreadyisgodmccreadyisgod Posts: 6,395
    WiLL75 wrote:
    That funny looking UF looks familiar...but so does the mf...hahaha. I'll know more when I'm at home...if I can find the piece of paper.


    Yeah, I'd just use the same value as the stock cap.
    ...and if you don't like it, you can suck on an egg.
  • WiLL75WiLL75 Posts: 415
    mccreadyisgod wrote:
    Yeah, I'd just use the same value as the stock cap.

    I AM tempted to put in 500k pots, see what they sound like. But after checking all the wiring and such I think I'll stick to the 250, see if the cleaning/checking the solder points/etc will clean up the hum somewhat. After I can hopefully improve that, I can experiment with different pots.
    7-9-03 New York(MSG II baby!)
    9-4-05 Calgary (10c Tix!)
    8-8-09 Calgary
    9-21-12 Calgary (10c Tix! Row 12!!)
    My URL
    http://www.myspace.com/thehuskytruckers

    http://www.facebook.com
  • mccreadyisgodmccreadyisgod Posts: 6,395
    500K pots would really add some life to that guitar, but it might also complicate your noise problem... they don't cost much, so it's worth a shot, just don't expect great things. I used to know a guy who used 1-meg pots in his PRS, and they were SUPER-high output and LOTS of treble, worked for him really well, but they made the guitar really sensative.
    ...and if you don't like it, you can suck on an egg.
  • exhaustedexhausted Posts: 6,638
    mccreadyisgod wrote:
    I'm going to plead partially ignorant, but Stew Mac says:

    0.020mf and 0.050µF are common guitar tone control caps.

    I really can't tell you the difference, maybe Ex would be better to ask that one.

    the larger values will suck more treble off when the pot is turned. generally speaking, 473s get used with single coils and 223s get used with humbuckers. however, my fenders had 223s as stock as do my gibsons.

    so if you want a darker sound when the tone is rolled, use a higher value of capacitor.
  • mccreadyisgodmccreadyisgod Posts: 6,395
    exhausted wrote:
    the larger values will suck more treble off when the pot is turned. generally speaking, 473s get used with single coils and 223s get used with humbuckers. however, my fenders had 223s as stock as do my gibsons.

    so if you want a darker sound when the tone is rolled, use a higher value of capacitor.


    I knew you'd come through on that one...

    I hate tone knobs. Useless to me.
    ...and if you don't like it, you can suck on an egg.
  • WiLL75WiLL75 Posts: 415
    exhausted wrote:
    the larger values will suck more treble off when the pot is turned. generally speaking, 473s get used with single coils and 223s get used with humbuckers. however, my fenders had 223s as stock as do my gibsons.

    so if you want a darker sound when the tone is rolled, use a higher value of capacitor.

    Thank you for the advice. My tone is usually all the way up anyways, but it's good to know some numbers.
    7-9-03 New York(MSG II baby!)
    9-4-05 Calgary (10c Tix!)
    8-8-09 Calgary
    9-21-12 Calgary (10c Tix! Row 12!!)
    My URL
    http://www.myspace.com/thehuskytruckers

    http://www.facebook.com
  • WiLL75WiLL75 Posts: 415
    mccreadyisgod wrote:
    I knew you'd come through on that one...

    I hate tone knobs. Useless to me.

    You keep your tone at "10" too?
    7-9-03 New York(MSG II baby!)
    9-4-05 Calgary (10c Tix!)
    8-8-09 Calgary
    9-21-12 Calgary (10c Tix! Row 12!!)
    My URL
    http://www.myspace.com/thehuskytruckers

    http://www.facebook.com
  • exhaustedexhausted Posts: 6,638
    mccreadyisgod wrote:
    I knew you'd come through on that one...

    I hate tone knobs. Useless to me.


    i find it useful sometimes for certain fuzztones but for the most part i don't touch them. i seriously considered just having two volumes on the tele but the wiring wouldn't work with the 4-way switch.
  • mccreadyisgodmccreadyisgod Posts: 6,395
    Yes, I use full-on tone at all times. If I need to adjust tone, I do it on the amp, or use a wah at a static position for a muted effect.

    That's why my next Tele will have two volumes and NO tone controls. It'll have all the tone... all the tone in the world... but no tone knobs!
    ...and if you don't like it, you can suck on an egg.
  • WiLL75WiLL75 Posts: 415
    I adjust my tone on the amp, once I'm happy...it stays how it is.
    7-9-03 New York(MSG II baby!)
    9-4-05 Calgary (10c Tix!)
    8-8-09 Calgary
    9-21-12 Calgary (10c Tix! Row 12!!)
    My URL
    http://www.myspace.com/thehuskytruckers

    http://www.facebook.com
  • WiLL75WiLL75 Posts: 415
    I will also post what was on my cap when I get home. Get it identimified for sure.
    7-9-03 New York(MSG II baby!)
    9-4-05 Calgary (10c Tix!)
    8-8-09 Calgary
    9-21-12 Calgary (10c Tix! Row 12!!)
    My URL
    http://www.myspace.com/thehuskytruckers

    http://www.facebook.com
  • WiLL75WiLL75 Posts: 415
    Ok...here it is...what I wrote on a piece of paper...

    Z5V (it looks like it could be a V or the backwards "U")
    .05m
    100v

    That's what was on the cap.
    7-9-03 New York(MSG II baby!)
    9-4-05 Calgary (10c Tix!)
    8-8-09 Calgary
    9-21-12 Calgary (10c Tix! Row 12!!)
    My URL
    http://www.myspace.com/thehuskytruckers

    http://www.facebook.com
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