5 Reasons To Change Your Pots

[@DylanTalksTone]

This is A Great pot for a very affordable Price amzn.to/2qq68ZQ , Here is a good pushpull amzn.to/2KFvVnK , and here is a good no load amzn.to/2KJQ9wt

[@raymaybury5337]

Are they damped? I bought some for my strat a few years ago and they work ok electrically, but move a little too freely.

[@ma2perdue]

Hey Dylan!!! The only thing i want to ask - is what kind of jams do you like? Merle Haggard type jazzy country music makes me giggle. Sometimes i like that on a day when i dont have anything else to worry about=)

[@commentfreely5443]

5 reasons to smoke pot

[@1invag]

That great pot for an affordable price has majority of 1 star reviews on amazon?

[@sparkyguitar0058]

I did some research and found 500k work best with humbuckers. My L. P. Studio came with changed pups. 496/500 and 250k pots and garbage wire. I replaced the pots with 550k CTS pots, .11 caps for more treble control to make more use of tone knobs and 22 gauge wire.

[@Partsunknown426]

My Mom hit me once with a pot. she said this should tone you down.

[@vibrationalkeys3320]

🌞

[@destianpatrianagara1119]

😂😂

[@Tjam1]

Underrated comment

[@nickfehrenbach382]

😂

[@fartman1510]

Lmao 👍

[@tsiggy]

that's a great video, dude. i had no idea what so ever about pots before i watched it and now i feel that i know so much more.

[@sammyrothrock6981]

Excellent analysis on the subject I feel the exact same way

[@soundknight]

Would love to see you do a video on methods to brighten modern les paul wiring when you alter the volume level...

[@KRAZEEIZATION]

Pots make no difference to tone except for the tone pot! The build quality is another matter!

[@magnusgilberg775]

Had to change my volume pot because it broke. Probably broke because I did to many volume swells

[@MrSouthsilicon]

Hi Dylan what pot values would you recommend for a pair of Gibson P94 and what capacitors value would you suggest..?

[@boxerfencer]

Voltage divider vs variabble

[@adakhochalai]

Very true

[@williambelford9661]

Isn't "go round the outside, round the outside, round the outside" from Malcolm McLarens "Buffalo Girls" long before Eminem?

[@kandimba]

But where do I get a volume pot that goes up to eleven?

[@pcrem9953]

Do you have a Sharpie? 😁

[@USSLIBERTYREMEMBERER]

wouldn’t it make more sense to just upgrade the pot itself? like, make 10 louder?

[@willcresson8776]

@@USSLIBERTYREMEMBERER whooosh Edit: im the idiot who missed the joke

[@willcresson8776]

Id talk to the louder is more good folks at jhs

[@USSLIBERTYREMEMBERER]

Will Cresson thats almost verbatim how the interviewer responds in spinal tap but alright

[@chrisyoung8062]

Probably should explain that the reason for an audio taper pot is because our hearing is not linear. We hear on a logarithmic scale. Therefor the audio taper actually sounds more linear to our ears.

[@flash001USA]

Yeah you're correct saying that our hearing is not linear but a nonlinear pot does not necessarily match human hearing. That was never the sole intention for the design of a nonlinear pot. I wanted to point that out because I worked in the field of electronics for 45 years until I retired so I've read just about every spec sheet on the most common components out on the market that you could ever imagine. Here's a good example and it is a real world example: A while back I had a mic gain potentiometer that had a bad place on it on a mixing board that I own. It was a linear pot which meant whenever you adjusted it the audio gain or reduction depending which way you were turning it was gradual. I looked everywhere for this particular part and couldn't find nothing but a audio taper pot to put in its place. What I noticed was and what I absolutely expected to happen was adjusting that channel was a little tricky because the mic gain would suddenly go up or go down too fast when adjusting it which made it difficult to set. The saving grace for me was I was using this board as a sub mixer with a digital audio station so for all of the channels I was able to leave them set for a minimum gain due to the fact that the DAW had a decent amount of output gain on it. If I would have had to constantly use that control such as under a live situation or as my main adjustment it would have been annoying to say the least. Before I forget I wanted to mention that they also use nonlinear pots or audio taper pots in other applications that have absolutely nothing to do with audio it all just due to the fact of the way they react when they are adjusted.

[@chrisyoung8062]

@@flash001USA I'm sure there are all sorts of potentiometers for specialized purposes but in the context of this video, which is an audio application, the reason for an "audio" taper is to better match the way we hear and not sound like the volume is only increasing all at the end of the pot's range. This is specifically for volume controls and not necessarily what you would want for tone.

[@flash001USA]

@@chrisyoung8062 You won't get an argument out of me with your reply or even your original reply to this video. An audio taper has a faster attack or "feel" and most guitar players prefer an audio taper over a linear taper so yeah I would have to agree with you that it would be perceived to deliver more of a natural volume curve the way our ears perceive sound but the original pot designs didn't start out with an audio pot in mind. My only point was that in early electronic designs and even today there was an actual need for fast reacting nonlinear pots even for non-audio applications but that the earlier stereo and musical equipment manufactures probably quickly realized that the nonlinear pots were the ticket and much better suited for audio applications and it's probably safe to say that someone pretty sharp sat down and refined nonlinear pots along the way to deliver a better "feel" just for audio applications like musical equipment and stereos.

[@makmcqueen8634]

@@flash001USA Agree I actual prefer close to linear as I like to have usable range from say 2 up some of the boutique "correct taper" actually I cant hear a signal below 5 so not that useful if I want clean dirty and lead in one sweep.

[@spentron1]

@@chrisyoung8062 Tone needs to be audio for a different reason. It is in 2-terminal mode and electrically the influence becomes more linear with a audio pot. Practically, the upper half of the sweep (e.g. 50-500K) affects resistive loading whereas the lower sweep (0-50K) varies the tone capacitor and the damping of the resonant circuit it forms with the pickup. However, controls can be linear when because settings above the 10% resistance of audio taper are mostly used. This is somewhat true of guitar volume except distortion and compression then swing the choice back towards an expanded sweep to compensate.

[@mikekelly1771]

Still searching for a pot that goes to 11

[@hammerjohnson4892]

I had an ancient Fender Champ Amp that had a volume that went to 11. I gave it to my girlfriends son to finish graduating when he was talking about dropping out a few weeks before he granulated. He has been keeping me apprised of his adventures in making it work correctly. Most of the capacitors were shot or leaking or even burst. He has learned a lot from that amp and I didn't have to mess with it!

[@jimbrown7812]

DiMarzio makes knobs that go to 11.

[@andrewdenine1685]

Old traynor amps

[@theearthenstar1355]

Mad Hatter guitar products

[@draganblastovicz7487]

Mike Kelly, you’ll find those at the same place your drummer buys his custom made left-handed drumsticks.

[@bradferguson9840]

Hey Dylan, just wanted to say thanks for doing what you’re doing. I only discovered your channel recently and I’ve learned so much from your vids. Great stuff - much appreciated!

[@scottclark7592]

funny how people love push pulls- and they often have a pot diameter equal to the "cheap dime sized pots"

[@michael_caz_nyc]

I don't like them at all. I prefer the Gilmour mini-toggle. It''s more sure & Seamless when in the middle of a Live performance.

[@scottclark7592]

@@michael_caz_nyc Right on- for a strat-Not keen on drilling my les paul though!

[@owre]

I have a Squier strat that I did all this stuff too. It sounds great, but really I did it just to do it. It was Covid time and I got to learn a lot. So, sometimes just do it because you can and soldering is fun.

[@danielhanssen8664]

I also began soldering during the pandemic, so much fun, now I am obsessed. I am also gonna study electrical from the fall as a result of this. 😀

[@paulakapablo1749]

Same here, but I got a tele. The guitar was cheaper than a kit.

[@mihailmilev9909]

@@danielhanssen8664 oh nice!

[@mihailmilev9909]

@@paulakapablo1749 wow, where u get it?

[@Vor_Tex_Sun]

pots make zero difference in tone. It is all the setup and fingers

[@barbmelle3136]

From Leo: Good sense advice "if you have a guitar, and like how it sounds, don't change anything" Truth of the week. I have guitars I bought 10 years ago that had small pots, and I'll change them when they have trouble.....they are still fine. At the same time if someone wants to change parts just because they want to, I'll provide that service. I only stock Audio Taper pots these days, and you are right, different brands have different Taper rates. Some of the cheap pots have almost no taper, even though they are marked as audio taper. I charge just as much to install a chinese pot the guy got from amazon as I do a quality CTS or Bourns, so the better part is the better value.

[@dongdelacruz1250]

TRUE

[@gladiluchina]

youre quite sure man! if you like how the guitar sounds, just keep it as is, changing things in your guitar can leave the sound pretty bad you should change only if something is broken or out of order! pots , caps wont change a lot if you change for a custom pickups they will speak very wild.

[@ramencurry6672]

Changing the guitar even if there’s no improvements is fun because nerding out is a pleasure and therapeutic.

[@funnelbeaker9839]

it''s only the size of the knob that matter , not the size of the pot, when it comes to ratio...

[@MajRatbag]

I'm not sure what you said about the small pots being more difficult to operate with accuracy unless you put a big knob on them is correct. No matter the size of the pot, one revolution is one revolution. You could have a giant pot or a minuscule pot with the same knob on both and the knob rotation will be the same on both, hence the same level of accuracy (provided the construction is of equal quality). A big pot with a tiny knob will be difficult to be accurate with, just the same as a small pot with a tiny knob. That's not a drawback of mini pots but rather mini knobs. The drawback of mini pots is that the resistance is packed into a smaller track around the inside and so has a lower resolution making it more difficult to be super accurate with but the resolution is plenty high enough for guitar use.

[@bigdoghat3827]

I changed the taper of the tone pot on my Squier bass and it made a big difference. It drove me mad that it was really bright and then very quickly really dark with not much in between. Now it goes smoothly from bright to dark with changes in tone happening all the way along the turn of the pot.

[@steelman774]

What type of pot did you switch to?

[@csul5961]

how do you change taper? I have same issue.

[@mydearriley]

you went to the taper version? the audio pot?

[@mauricerrr]

Which pot did you change it to? I have this same problem

[@mydearriley]

@@mauricerrr I did two audio (linear) pots. I think the tone settings work fine.

[@rongarcia0118]

Thanks for sharing this. I like to build bass guitar kits and with every build I post I have people telling me to change the pots because their cheap, and I don’t because I have not been disappointed with the tones they produce.

[@Wolf_K]

So much mojo surrounding pots these days. For example: in boutique pedals Alpha pots are considered high quality (zvex for example has always used these) but in guitars they’re considered junk and must be CTS. Ha! Many people say “these mini pots sound like shit” but that’s simply not true as pots don’t sound like anything, they resist and that’s all. Pots shunt a predefined (by the ohms of it) amount of signal to ground (in a guitar). They don’t have a sound or contribute to it other than the ohms of the resistance preventing full output sound. Large pots, small pots, are all the same in working. When buying pots you want quality of manufacturing, taper, and tolerance. Aside from aesthetics, size is irrelevant. If size was any relevance it would always be stated so on electronics schematics as it would be a requirement to build that circuit correctly. Besides that, it’s just plain ignorance of electronics to claim size makes any difference whatsoever.

[@kuzWich]

Wolf H , totally agree, but marketing departments have to justify their existence, and spread the word of ‘wisdom ‘ haha... Though the build quality is another aspect which has to be considered, but most likely has no chance of testing before purchasing. I was absolutely blown by workmanship of the early ‘60s Centralab pots which I had luck getting my hands on. When I first saw them, considered them unrecoverable; there were soo much oxidation and dirt, they wouldn’t make a slightest move. Luckily they turned out to be fully serviceable and after taking them fully apart and giving some treatment, they shone as new. About a full millimeter of pure pressed carbon resistive layer is another thing that got me impressed...

[@Wolf_K]

kuzWich Yes. Bourns pots, in fact many more expensive brands, will always be lesser known amongst guitarists as CTS was the standard and so CTS must be the standard today. Haha. I’ve put Alphas in my guitars and they’re fine, no problems. In fact, I’ve had a set in my Jaguar for over ten years. The inflated prices guitar stores sell CTS pots for is absolutely ridiculous and if you’re into electronics and building things you know you can buy them far cheaper at stores such as Mouser. Same with quality capacitors that sell for cents on Mouser sell for dollars on guitar stores. I like vintage gear, or at least vintage designs, but just because it’s vintage doesn’t means it’s better. This is a logical fallacy based on nothing more than mojo, hype, marketing and greedy salesmen. We can make guitars and associated parts today just as well and in all cases even better than back in the 50’s and 60’s.

[@kuzWich]

Wolf H, I also prefer Alpha all round 🤝. I like the feel a lot, the viscosity seems spot on for my preference. I agree we ‘could’ make great stuff nowadays, but considering mass production tendency the prices for great are great. Alessandro, for example, seem well built and sturdy, but 40$/1pc seems rather ridiculous to me. And it’s a rebranded PEC if I’m not mistaken which is also pricey.

[@Wolf_K]

kuzWich Yeah, and Alpha pots stay put where you position them as the turn is firmer than CTS, which are almost sloppy. CTS often feel very dry, if you know what I mean. Of course, you can alter it but that’s not my point. ;) I’ve never been one for modern guitar designs. Only modern pickups as they are higher ohms which I need for high gain Metal.

[@Wolf_K]

Mojo sells!

[@ruka5805]

That said, I swapped out my pots only on a $200(Approximate guess, I'm British) epiphone for a set of Bourne's 500k and it did make quite difference to tone, not in it's overall base tone(same pick ups after all) but better response. My best leighman's explanation, was having the tone I already had in HD.

[@ramencurry6672]

Alpha pots are good too

[@johncollins5552]

50s wiring mod is the first mod most all epi phones need. It's easy, try it. Of course if you don't like it, will take ten minutes to undo.

[@uncle_ike]

Something like this has probably already been said... sound levels (decibels) follow an exponential curve, so we generally find audio taper pots so pleasing because that taper follows what our ears perceive to be a measured, gradual increase in volume through the full rotation. Using a linear taper pot for most volume control applications basically limits that full sweep of control you'd have with an audio taper pot to the first 1/3 of its rotation. The rest of the rotation doesn't seem to do anything because it doesn't allow the circuit to produce the exponentially louder signal--more dB's--that our ears perceive as volume.

[@gustavoazevedo9736]

Coincidentally, I've been looking for information about guitar pots this whole week. Good timing, Dylan!

[@bradt.3555]

I agree on using audio taper for all, I do also. I just LMAO when I see people claim how the pots in this 59 LP sound so much better than this new pot. I hate seeing people being taken advantage of because of lack of understanding how something works. I've been arguing with someone over the mis-used terms "handwired" amp and "handmade" guitar. They all are, just different methods of fabricating certain parts. And I've found I really like the way the CTS Emerson Pro pots work. They don't sound any different, obviously, but work really well. You info is very accurate.

[@donrutter6765]

The 59' wiring schematic is different than reissue 59's thats why they sound better. There is no tone loss when you back the volume off.

[@bradt.3555]

@@donrutter6765, I was not referring to the wiring, I was referring to the pot's effect. That comes from it putting resistance in series with the pickup and reducing the resistance to ground, which affects tone no matter where the tone control is connected. Also both wiring's were used in the 50's and thru the years on other guitars. And "better"? That's your opinion,I don't like the other wiring. In the 50's, 60's, 70's & on & on every year had good and not so good guitars. I personally think my PRS Sunburst 22 sounds better than ANY Les Paul I've ever heard, again my opinion. Also with the "50's" wiring the tone controls are less isolated from each other, especially on the center switch setting as they are connected to the output jack and not isolated from each other by the resistance of the volume pot. I agree the two methods sound different. Way to much voodoo & hype on old guitars. Being a musician I tend to get wrapped up in all that nonsense, but being logical and scientifically minded I tend to stay more objective to all of it.

[@KingCrimson82]

i still believe that materials and electrical connectivity is also having a card in sound.

[@jccarter02911]

People have probably started this already but the reason logrythimic pots are preferred is because our hearing is logrythimic. Therefore it tracks with our hearing and sounds better.

[@johnb4024]

I would still go hand-wired for any amplifier. No surface mount components. All-in-all easier serviceability

[@Alyks1]

Thank you, Dylan. I was getting carried away reading all those forums. You really snapped me out it. I think you just saved me a bunch of money. Subscribed.

[@chriscampbell9191]

"If you like the sound of your guitar, don't change it..." I.e., if it ain't broke, don't fix it.... I like that attitude. Common sense. Informative vid.

[@steelman774]

Why do channels say “please subscribe” right off the bat before they’ve given you any information to make said judgement on? Gotta earn it before becoming a regular on our feed. 🤷‍♂️ By the end of the video, I agree that this actually is a really good & detailed content. Another 2 videos like this and I’m hitting that (Subscribe) button myself for this channel. ✌️

[@jorgecasadob]

Hi Dylan! I got a SD Dimebucker bridge and a SD Invader neck for my Ibanez Gio budget guitar. I’ll be installing a Mallory .022 uF. Which log pots would you recommend? Thanks men 🙂

[@jereltoliver6668]

Hi Dylan, How are you? I really trust your opinion on all things guitar. I have just purchased a D'Angelico Bedford Premier guitar with the modified F hole and noticed that the pickups lack attack and clarity. So, should I put new pickups in or check the tolerance of the pots and just change them? Also, what mod or upgrades would you suggest? Thanks in advance, Jerel.

[@usynthesis4749]

Love the video, extremely insightful. I had no idea there was such thing as "no load pots". I think that could be useful for people who rarely use the tone pot at all, except on occasion for something very particular. I have to admit, I also thought the little pots were just cheap. 😝

[@primtones]

I'm thinking about changing the pots in my Tele Deluxe reissue from 250k to 500k. It sounds muddy. For some reason they put 250k pots in a humbucker guitar.

[@ben-yu3mh]

same exact situation

[@ben-yu3mh]

did it make a difference ?

[@primtones]

@@ben-yu3mh Oh I didn't bother and sold it instead. But now, listening to recordings I did, I kind of like the tone. At least better than the cheap Les Paul copy I got instead.

[@land.1368]

@@ben-yu3mh i think 500k makes a huge difference if you play metal and want that super crisp and harmonic heavy tone. But if you are stuck with 250k you can always try to make up for it with the equalizer.

[@wsplatinum]

Eminem? More like the Malcom McLaren Estate...

[@Ratria1]

Hey Dylan can you speak about the Fender TBX tone pot . l am new in case you already have .

[@GunsNRoosendael]

If there's number on my knobs, i want 5 to be 50%. period!

[@stevevaughn2040]

I gotta tip my hat to the Bourns pot. I worked for Bourns (my division made ICs and we were sold decades ago). They had/have high standards in quality. I trust 'em.

[@wasichu66]

Great stuff. With your channel even I understand electronics ;D and I just so much enjoy seeing guitar industry/mojo/hocus pocus myths, that some cling to like religious fanatics, kicked in the nuts with some real knowledge, physics, and common sense.

[@interpolagent9]

I recently bought a '98 Epiphone Korina Flying V. The seller said it had upgraded pickups, new pots, totally rewired by his "guitar tech" and "professionally" set up. I tried it briefly at his place of business, so I didn't feel I could give it a proper workout. Got it home, plugged it in, and realized that I had NO volume until 5 on the dial, and from 5 - 10 had a marginal increase in volume. The tone didn't work at all. He had a phase/out of phase switch installed, which I think is what is causing the problems. I'm no tech guy by any stretch but I watch a shit ton of videos because I enjoy learning about guitars, amps, etc. Anyway....the guitar is now at a reputable guitar shop, hopefully being restored back to stock. The guy I use worked on my JCM900, so I trust him. Thankfully, the pickups are worth more than what I paid for the guitar, so I think I am still ahead, even after the repair bill comes in. I enjoy your videos a lot. Cheers

[@StringThing68]

Thanks for this vid, Dylan. I've learned so much from you. I recently bought a PRS SE and changed the pots because one of the Alpha pots had a frustrating flat spot. CTS and Switchcraft are my go-tos, but now I want to try Bourns.

[@jamiemorgan4146]

Should I change the pots in my 59 Burst ? LOL or in my 60 DC Special ???

[@flintdavis2]

So much common sense. I’m glad I stayed up all night watching guitar repair videos. This ones a keeper! Will subscribe!

[@MarkJSmith-zh9ve]

This was the best education I’ve had in years! Watch the capacitor comparison video.

[@mybluesable]

Way over my head, since I'm just beginning

[@klausanton5051]

Hey Dylan, my 1988 American Tele has a stock TBX tone control, which I understand stands for Treble and Bass Cut. Would you please explain how these work and what the pros/cons are? Thanks!

[@jeremygibbens7392]

Thanks for the informative videos. I especially like that you try to discourage unnecessary mods. Also, you explain things clearly and thoroughly. I always learn something new. Keep it up!

[@7IceCommando7]

Hi Dylan. Great video. Loved your explanation. I recently bought a guitar from Hagstrom. It came with tiny CF pots. The guitar sounds phenomenal, but people have been telling me to change these pots and get larger, more well-known ones just because. They seem to work very well, and after your video, I think I'll keep them.

[@GJ-yr5jo]

*Edit* : Apologies, Dylan has done a few different videos in this, one on shielding and one on shielding vs tone loss Hi Dylan, have you noticed any difference between foil shielding versus paint for strats? I've noticed some strats come with aluminium/copper foil lining the entire inside of the body, whereas some come with nothing or some come with that gooey gross black paint. Been wondering if theres any noticeable difference between copper/aluminium/paint/none, and what's your choice in your custom guitars?

[@kenwolf6293]

Did you mean 5 reasons NOT to change your pots..cos that makes more sense..great information vid ty

[@ceelee5850]

There is only one reason you replace it. If it doesn't work as you expected it, then replace it, otherwise do not touch anything.

[@DylanTalksTone]

Or if you feel like it...

[@lazvt8469]

small pot "gear ratio" analogy is not geometrically accurate if the knob is the same size. A knob turned 180 degrees will turn a pot 180 degrees regardless of it's size, dime or nickel sized. So glad i just discovered this channel....so much fun and educational! Thanks.

[@BRZDR]

Hmm now this has me thinking. The size of the components inside have a shorter throw, like a smaller gear on a bicycle, so there is definitely a different feel, and I presume that's what he's referring to? Would that change how smooth a knob is or its apparent accuracy?

[@lazvt8469]

@@BRZDR yeah, I believe so.

[@mikecorey8370]

Good video. Learned some things. You should get that facia painted before bad weather gets here.

[@nextplanet7100]

You are so awesome and informative thank you so much!!

[@davecarpenter7266]

"Dont just do something because someone told you, you should" He told me to hit the subscribe button..... Guess what?..... I did 😂

[@DylanTalksTone]

Except that... do that.

[@GuitarOverdrive]

I love how your channel makes me feel smarter. You’re great at explaining technical things. Insert joke about pot here. 😆

[@journeyofawesome8473]

Cheers from Colorado 🙉🙊🙈

[@GuitarOverdrive]

Journey of Awesome 👍🏻 from Seattle

[@taokichavez9319]

I think the generality of people discussing why to change smaller pots its because it are usually really bad, whether it does not accurately provide the expected readings or it introduce noise to the signal. You can have of course really good-quality small pots like Bournes but that is maybe a discussion for another video. There are like a gazillion realistic reasons on why to swap pots, whether You want to add additional functions/tones or to remove issues with it. People trust in well known brands because they are reliable, just saying!

[@DocArthurTX]

I have found that push-pull pots have crappy taper. Even Bourns. Why is that?

[@truebadix_rosenflo]

I have a problem with my strat (or myself 😅) and I’m wondering if you can do a long-distance-diagnosis: High-E string and B-String always sound significantly more silent (to my ears and others) than the others although action is quite low and they’re height above the single coils is even closer than it should be according to setup guides I read and watched… I‘ve done loads of adjusting and setup but nothing seems to really solve it. Also I did a „screwdriver test“ on the magnets and they seem to be fine. My question: could it be due to wiring or potis not working properly or are my pickups just fucked (although it’s in any switch position) or is it a thing of setting it up properly (like nut-depth, bridge and so forth)? I’d like to know before I start soldering and swapping things out 😅 Cheers, love your channel ❤️

[@bobbyroberts5964]

New subscriber just wanted to say I've been binge watching your content and love the channel love learning about all this stuff very informative and very intelligent can't believe you only have 20k subs

[@DylanTalksTone]

thanks man. feel free to share.

[@brianbarrett5987]

I just changed out the pots in a mid 80's Americans strat. The previous owner had put a push-pull tone pot in there and had a little different wiring from standard. I don't think the values I put in or any different then what was in there before all 250k. I did the wiring perf Ender American Standard spec. The only difference was the capacitor which instead of a 22 which it had before I replaced it with a 44 orange drop. For whatever reason the signal seems to have a lot more gain coming through than it did before and I have no idea why. Any thoughts? I wouldn't think the capacitor would have cause to add more gain.

[@mikesmith2]

Very thought provoking. But I don't think a smaller pot gives less control. The angle of rotation will be the same whatever. Also, a larger diameter pot may have more friction to overcome because the length of track will increase for the same rotation and sound effect. However, you will have better control with a larger diameter knob, because your fingers have greater purchase and crucially greater leverage. Maybe a larger pot such as a cts will be better made, last longer and have a more accurate log profile?

[@NYC_Geology]

Homie looks like Bobby Moynihan

[@radiohead102]

I have more issues with switches acting up than I do with pots. Maybe that's normal?

[@abhinavguitar]

6:08 best advice ever! Thank you for such great, content rich videos Dylan!

[@kenrussell1093]

About not changing anything if one likes their guitar, I have recently faced that issue myself. I have begun collecting First Act guitars, since they were cheap and becoming somewhat collectible. One in particular that I have is a black w/ white pickguard Strat copy three single coils, with a neck that is similar to a Gibson, in that the headstock slanted back. I paid $100 for it, brought it home and put it away. Then one day I was doing some fret polishing and re-stringing on my guitars. When I tuned this one up and started to play it, I was totally shocked by the playability, the beautiful clean sound, and how quiet it was when just sitting on the stand. I have a Strat, two Teles, and a 1975 Les Paul, and I swear I haven't picked any of them up since I started playing this First Act strat copy. So of course, I first thought that there must be something I could change on it, but after two months of playing it, I have decided that it is perfect, just like it is. Do you have a Patreon account? I would certainly like to send some cash your way to help you out.

[@bPcrazydave]

A pot is not just a pot. If all pots were exactly to their rating your statement would be true, but there are variances. You'll see in the pot's specs they are usually rated with a +/- 10% tolerance, and I have seen wild variance in actual numbers. Gibson pots are the worst. Testing all the ones on the store shelf, I found the 500k pots to be actually 380k-450k, none close to 500. Incidentally the Alpha mini pots everyone hates so much, I have found to be to most consistent, and usually pretty close to dead on to the rating. I actually prefer Alpha pots, but still stick with CTS in my Fenders. It's a mental glitch.

[@DylanTalksTone]

.... I am very clear in the video about tolerances.

[@bPcrazydave]

@@DylanTalksTone Sorry, I guess I got triggered by your initial statement.

[@420inportland]

Tone Vs Volume pot breakdown would be sweet. Thanks man...

[@FingalPersson]

i considering changing pots on my squier and on my fender. I guess i have to buy 3 tone/volume 500K pots for the Fender strat and 2 for the Squier Telecaster. I have a Dimarzio chopper for bridge pickup in the Squier tele, and the bridge on my strat is a Seymore Duncan Hot rails!

[@jimcamp2423]

I'm a linear taper fan myself, I figure 1 increment should be 1 increment of volume(s) & tone(s). It's not like they're indexed anyway where it's an all or nothing for volume & tone at each incremental number mark of the knob. Between any number & the next as unmarked should also be as linear. For example, halfway between 3 & 4 should be linear as 3.5, otherwise what reason would there be to have those numbers equally spaced & marked on the knob ? Nobody changes the pots on their amp, why the hell would anyone do it on the guitar electrics unless they were broken ?

[@EvilDragon666]

For volume control audio taper is much better because audio is not linear, it's logarithmic. A linear change from 1 to 2 doesn't give you twice the volume.

[@jimcamp2423]

@@EvilDragon666 Volume to me is relatively mislabeled. It's more like Power level. At 1 there is no volume/power that is applied. Each increment relative to a scale of 10 is 11.11...1 % more power applied. At a certain point the additional power is natural breakup as distortion rather than any doubling volume. The 3 decibel rule thing of increased level applies for the doubling of volume. Like anything audio & pushed to it's limitations, cleanest & loudest volume for that signal is 9-9.5 of the 10 settings, or where the sound actually distorts from cleaner sound, where the clean headroom is exceeded. I hope I explained it right & what I attempted to communicate as my understanding of it.

[@billnicholas1]

I have a 1980 Les Paul Custom and the original pots work at 0 or 10 but nothing in between. Is there anyway to fix that or is my only option is to just replace the pots?

[@dre1kke]

I love this channel! Plenty of priceless information and advice! Thanks Dylan! Big regards from Kyiv, Ukraine! P.S. that Eminem thing was awesome 😂

[@MichaelBethke-ni6zb]

Thanks for the information. I am learning how to repair guitars. I am looking for suppliers of parts. Michael

[@jotalagarta]

HEEEEY HELP1 If I puto a Dimarzio DP 189 Rails on the bridge of my strat (wich is a humbucker) Do I need to setup the pots??? any idea of it THANKS!

[@spencerfreed6947]

Thanks for the info and great video!! Totally confirmed my issue with my PRS semi-hollowbody. The volume pots do nothing...not much... not much...cut out! And it sucks as I'm trying to get better about utilizing my guitar controls especially with my overdrive and fuzz pedals. Do you have a good recommendation for electronics I should switch too? Running 2 custom McCarty humbuckers with the typical 2 tone, 2 volume and 3-way toggle switch. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Love the pickups and the tone knows sweep pleasantly enough but the volume pots.....ugh!!

[@JustaMessOfficial]

Dylan (or anybody), I put a hot dual humbucker inside my jazzmaster (bridge). The tone is still not where I want it to be (want more heavy). Is there anything I can do (maybe change out pots)?

[@To.Si.Ma.]

Great episode. - I d like to put a dual pot in my 335 neck HB. 250k/500k). The seth lover is great and with the 500k bright for blues but for jazz I d like a warmer fatter overall tone not only rolling back the heights. Would that work or make sense? I play blues and jazz but the jazz boxes are a bit too big. Guitar comes with flat 11th.

[@martinhiggs7027]

I just re-potted my Tele ! changed the cheap mini's to 250-K standard size Fender "vintage" units also .047 oarnge drop capacitor ! the guitar sounds 100% better ! very noticeable !

[@Vicos]

I've seen so many videos where they automatically assume small pots are cheap and need to be replaced. Consider an iPhone. If you apply the component size assumption, pretty much everything in the iPhone is absolute junk. Same deal with the orange drop caps. I read that Gibson had a problem with the guitars not having a consistent tone from build to build. So they chose the orange drop because it was high quality and was pretty consistent from unit to unit and therefore gave the guitars a more consistent tone.

[@lexzbuddy]

Other reasons... 1. You like spending money and breaking stuff. 2. Mojo. 3. You are gullible.

[@morrisalanisette9067]

my guitar sounded so cool with my vintage 70s pot and guitar tech replaced it with a new one which i didn't ask for. i kinda miss what it used to sound like. it had such a unique tone now it just sounds like a normal guitar. when i turned it to 10 before, it would make crazy crunchy sound it was awesome

[@artistled]

Hey Dylan! Which resistance amount would you suggest for split coil volume and tone pots, 500k or 250k?

[@michaelmorris7746]

First up. You have taught me much. Thanks for that. Your thinking is in my builds What I do is take guitars that are beginners and use them as a kit. So I already have a finish in the guitar. What I do is basically blueprint the guitar. At the end it is virtually a hand built guitar. Most recently I paired a P90 at the bridge and jazzmaster at the neck. Thinking a position switch would never balance the 2 a blend pot was used as the pickup selector. I used a 500k audio taper blend pot. Bourns. First blend pot went bad on day one of testing. I ordered another with the same results. I have a CTS coming today. You probably have a relationship with Bourns....please give this constructive feedback to Bourns. All the best to you. Thanks for the lessons.

[@dw7704]

A friend of mine will always ask, “ What are going to mod on it?” Even if you like the way it sounds and he can’t say it sounds bad… But if I bought it, then I liked it. I did mod my first electric years after I got it, as I didn’t like the pickups, but I kept the pots it sounds great now

[@electroKrunch]

Just ran across this vid, subscribed an gonna check out your other videos. I'm a guitar geek and always enjoy this kind of stuff!

[@Danny-mn8nm]

Thanks for the info, but, I'm a little disappointed be cause I was hoping you would address situations regarding vintage guitars, I just bought an aria pro 2 off of eBay, great Matsumoku factory made guitar, but it's 40 years old and I'm getting crackling and in consistencies with the controls, as you stated. My instinct is to replace all pots, switches, pick ups, etc. because you never know with a guitar that is 40 years old, and of what quality of parts were used, even though its a great quality- made guitar.

[@oresteselvira]

I have a cheap strat that i am trying to modify to play metal, i replaced the stock pick up for a Seymour duncan JV, but still, when i do the chugging does not sound like mi friend ltd, any advices?

[@olenfersoi8887]

I guess the logarithmic pots I've experienced were wired backwards to yours...Volume reduction rapid at first, then much slower during the second have of the knob rotation.

I'm sure this has been discussed and addressed, but for weeks my guitar has been sounding different (like a slightly bad cable or connection somewhere) then I noticed my (not brand new) EMG volume pot was crackling when i turned it. So first chance I got I sprayed it through the openings with contact cleaner. Problem seemed to be solved. Soon after I started noticing bad intermittent tone again (like bad cable or connection) then on one gig my guitar just went quiet while playing, I realized it was the volume pot, luckily I had my spare guitar. I guess my point is, bad or cheap or whore out volume pots can definitely be a sound/signal sucker. I replaced the volume pot asap and all is well again. But, I have noticed on some brand new cheap guitars I've had the volume pots are sometimes crackly and dirty sounding even when brand new. So, would I consider upgrading the electronics on a cheap guitar? Yes, if I really like that guitar but just wanted better more reliable electronics.

[@lroy730]

#1 reason to change your Pot, You Can't Play !🤘

[@Les537]

#2 reason - you didnt' dry it well enough and it's mouldy.

[@nicholaswilson598]

My problem is I have a guitar that made in Korea in the late 80s early 90s. One day I was playing with the gain on my pedal and the bridge humbucker went out. How do you know if it is the pot or the pickup. I've been playing for over half my life now, but I'm just now getting serious about modding and setup. Please advise. And thank you for this video too helped tremendously on the understanding what the pots actually do.

[@T25de]

Just ordered new pots for my fender. It got wrecked in hurricane Harvey. Stored at a buddy’s house over the garage and well, you know how hurricanes work.

[@teknical100]

'Hurricane worn' is the latest trend in certain circles.

[@T25de]

It did not sit in water but s roof leaked occurred directly above it That hurricane tone sounds like a combination of Arrrrgh And doohhh ( Homer Simpson)

[@BrandonKJohnson]

There's really only one reason . . . WHEN THEY STOP FUNCTIONING PROPERLY! this goes along with your (and my) philosophy of "everything and nothing matters"

[@alexnuzzi4780]

I just got a USA Dean time capsule v. The bridge pickup sounded muffled. Sure enough I measured the CGE volume pot and it was 395k. Swapped in a pot that measured 525k and made a huge difference

[@TedSchoenling]

I've had to change pots because they were CHEAP and noisy. yes I de-oxed it and cleaned it but it was a cheap pot.. (shaft also had play in it) I also had to change the switch on the same guitar. why.. cheap switch. That is the only downside to the low-mid range (400-600 bucks) guitars.. but yeah the electrons don't care what the cap is made of and don't care what size the pot is.. besides all they are doing is bleeding signal to ground... sorry.. but that doesn't do much for tone.

[@gregoryz6545]

Btw. Your channel is the only channel I’ve set the notifications to on on my KZbin channel.

[@rsty138]

Yes video on Tone vs Volume pots. Both Fender and Gibson plus why add capacitors??

[@edwardhogston6339]

My DIY Flying V kit came with the mini pots, but one is broken...will bigger pots fit in this guitar? Sorry, im new to a lot of this stuff..Thanks

[@flurng]

Hey, Dylan! Yet another terrific video - I always love your work! It's funny you should mention audio taper, because being left-handed, all my guitars seem to have the wrong pots installed, so I have to invest in revers-taper pots, which can get pricey pretty quickly! (Maybe this would be a 6th reason to change 'em out?) Anyway, the odd part is, my cheapest guitar, a Squier Affinity series Strat, actually came with the proper pots straight from the factory! I guess investing in good pots is cheaper for them than better woods, pickups, etc... Anyway, thanks again for another fun, informative video! Keep up the good work!

[@jefmanroxx2414]

flurng: I hate the fact that left handed Gibsons are wired the same way as rightys. I feel like Leftys should be a mirror image, including the rotation of the vol. and tone pots. Like you said, some manufacturers just wire them backwards, which screws up the taper, but Gibson doesn’t even try.

[@ruxr]

"'round the outside, round the outside" has been used previously by Malcolm McLaren, so I wouldn't worry too much about copyright suits from eminem. 😂