Comparing LARGE vs SMALL 500K volume and tone pots in a Les Paul. Cheap vs high end potentiometers.

My beloved Epiphone Les Paul Made in Korea continues to shine and deserves the best parts. Does an upgrade to CTS PRO Series 550K make a noticeable difference from a set of no brand smaller type 500K potentiometers in an electric guitar? I've used Seymour Duncan's schematics for 50s wiring each time, for keeping the treble when rolling down the volume. I did also use the same value capacitors (0.022uF), but it's not the same kind.
I asked ChatGPT Artificial Intelligence (AI) this question and the answer seems to tick the boxes that I discovered along the way:
Here's the reply from the AI:
The difference between CTS PRO Series 550K potentiometers and smaller, no-brand 500K potentiometers in an electric guitar can be noticeable, but it depends on various factors such as the quality of the components, the player's sensitivity to sound, and the specific guitar setup.
Here are some potential differences you might notice:
Durability and Longevity: CTS PRO Series potentiometers are known for their durability and longevity compared to some smaller, no-brand potentiometers, which may be of lower quality and wear out more quickly over time.
Tonal Quality: CTS potentiometers are often praised for their consistent and smooth taper, which can result in a more even and controlled tone compared to lower-quality potentiometers. This can be especially noticeable during volume and tone adjustments, where the sweep is more predictable and precise.
Electrical Performance: CTS potentiometers typically have tighter tolerances and better electrical properties, such as lower noise and more accurate resistance values. This can lead to improved signal clarity and fidelity in your guitar's output.
Playability: The feel of the potentiometers can also make a difference in the overall playability of the guitar. Higher-quality potentiometers like the CTS PRO Series may offer a smoother turning action, which can enhance the playing experience.
Overall, while the difference may not always be dramatic, upgrading to CTS PRO Series potentiometers can potentially enhance the sound, feel, and longevity of your electric guitar, providing a more reliable and consistent performance over time.
00:00 Presentation of the task ahead
00:50 Tones from the unknown brand 500k pots
02:57 What kind of wiring is used in the guitar?
03:08 Tones from the CTS PRO Series 550K potmeters
07:03 "Daydream", cover of the Wallace Collection song
11:29 Conclusion
Gear used:
1997 Epiphone Les Paul made in Korea
Classic 57 pickups (unknown brand)
Eminence Canabis Rex 12" speaker
Dumble style ODS 50 amp (Fuchs ODS clone)
Shure SM57 microphone
Shure SM7B microphone
#CTSpotmeters
#CTSpotetiometers
#CTSelectronics
#500kpotmeters
#LesPaultone
#epiphonelespaul
#EpiphoneKorea
#lespaul
#comparison
#comparingpotentiometers
#comparisonvideo
#Easter
#NRKpåske
#fjellvettreglene
#daydream
#Wallacecollection
#TchaikovskySwanLake
#tchaikovsky
#thoroliversen
#bluesguitar
#guitartone
#guitaristsofyoutube
#classic57

[@patricelecanu6150]

you won a new subcriber , because of the quality of your contents and extra feature your playing !!!!! im glad ! thanks alot for your good work !!!

[@GUITARSGIZMOS]

Thank you 😊

[@walkinginharmony]

Your playing and your interpretation of classics is top notch! That guitar sounds and looks amazing on camera. I love the way your fingers smear in to notes and really make it come alive in a three dimensional way. I agree with your summation in that I only hear a better taper and not a tone difference. Another great vid Thor!!

[@GUITARSGIZMOS]

Hi Brian, this classic is one that I always will associate with Easter because of the yearly campaign around keeping safe when going to the mountains that NRK (the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation) has had since the 70s and where this was the soundtrack. Thanks for your encouraging words on my playing! I totally agree on how this guitar sounds and look. I love it 😊I hope you are doing fine my friend. All the best.

[@walkinginharmony]

@@GUITARSGIZMOS Always good to hear your influences and I do genuinely love your playing. it's very much alive and in the room. More people need to know about your channel my friend.

[@dwstoeckel4740]

It’s kinda funny, .... I mean, I have nooo intention of ever working on my guitar like you do. Yet I always watch your videos on this stuff all the way through... every minute. Maybe because I know at some point you’re gonna lay down some absolutely wonderful guitar playing....and you never disappoint. Love your channel Thor...

[@GUITARSGIZMOS]

What a great compliment. Thank you, I'm grateful for your visits and your always nice comments on my playing. Very much appreciated my friend 😊

[@dwstoeckel4740]

@@GUITARSGIZMOS well it’s easy to offer compliments when you admire someone’s playing the way I admire yours .. hell , I’ve even started to incorporate some hybrid picking into my playing, in an effort to get a little bit of that flesh on the string tone that you get so masterfully with your right hand.. !

[@GUITARSGIZMOS]

@@dwstoeckel4740 I find hybrid picking quite challenging. Concentrating too hard on not loosing the pick and can't use my fingers as freely as I'd like to. It's probably just down to putting in the hours and wanting to master it strong enough. Knowing myself, I'll probably stick to one technique at the time.

[@DrDooDah]

That's a gorgeous guitar. Sounds great too!

[@RiotBike]

The Made in Korea small Alpha audio taper pots are really good in terms of smoothness and pot taper. I’ve compared them to CTS and I like the Alpha better.

[@GUITARSGIZMOS]

Hi, the small ones in this guitar are not the stock pots. I still have those in one of my drawers. I replaced them when i first got the guitar because I wanted to change the wiring, and already had a complete harness to put in here. But you made me curious to try out the stock pots that came with the guitar. Thanks for the heads up. Cheers!

[@mbosch1970]

was the old wiring also 50's wiring? Would be great if you would have a picture of the situation before you made the modification. If the previous installation was not 50s wiring, than the nice effect of keeping a lot of treble, when you dial down the volume, actually comes from the different wiring. And how about the capacitors, did you use the old ones (and which value did they have: 0,022 mf?) or did you upgrade them as well? In my opinion the guitar sounded better with the new installation, congratulations!! Really nice tones and great playing!

[@GUITARSGIZMOS]

Hi, thanks for your kind word on my playing 😊 Yes, I will update the description about the wiring, but it is also mentioned at 02:58 in the video that I've used Seymour Duncan's schematics for 50s wiring each time, for the reason you describe about keeping the treble when rolling down the volume. I did also use the same value capacitors (0.022uF), but it's not the same kind.

[@50Something]

What do you mean when you say ''No Brand Classic 57 pickups'' Thor? Having asked that, I must say that this is just a fantastic early Eric Clapton Cream tone that you getting in the jam at the end. The guitar sound fantastic !

[@GUITARSGIZMOS]

Hi, good to see you my friend. I meant to say unknown brand, and will update the description. It's a pair of pickups I got off ebay probably 10 years ago. They were sold as Classic 57s and I suspect they might be of eastern origin. Thanks for your kind words on the tone. I have to agree that it sounds quite good this guitar 😊 All the best!

[@vikingbeard]

Muligens det vakreste jeg har hørt spilt på gitar noensinne. Her er det dag 1 som går på repeat. Hører vanligvis liten forskjell når du eksperimenterer med div. greier, men i dag synes jeg det var merkbart klarere/skarpere lyd etter du skiftet potene. Og at det inspirerte til litt forskjellig musikk.

[@GUITARSGIZMOS]

Takk for fine ord. Du inspirerer meg til å holde meg i mer melodisk område med spillingen. Setter stor pris på tilbakemeldingene.

[@gregdolecki8530]

If they are both quality and the same taper style, there will be no difference in performance.