Testing a Guitar Pot (Potentiometer, if you prefer) with a Multi-Meter

[@giulioluzzardi7632]

I had to remove my Al pots cos they went bad and by chance put CTS whichh measured 225k instead if 260k on A for volume, now Guitar sounds fab!

[@ManotickGuitarTech]

Nice!

[@gibsonexplorer8777]

Thanks good video will always check the before installing thanks

[@ManotickGuitarTech]

Always a good idea- save you a world of hassle later

[@jordan3119]

I have had a lot of volume issues with my LP. I tried testing the caps and they’re supposed to be .022 but they’re measuring like .5? And only the tone pots measure near 500k. Both volumes measure like 3? I’m so confused.

[@kevint911]

The back of the pot says Alpha, but the "A" before the 500k means it's an audiotaper pot, not a linear taper pot which would have a "B" 500k.

[@ManotickGuitarTech]

you are right

[@Joe-rl8qc]

Whats the difference?

[@kevint911]

@Joe-rl8qc audiotaper has a steeper cutoff after 7-8 on the dial, linear is a straight taper down.

[@alastairmacdonald6794]

Thank you , just what I needed ....

[@ManotickGuitarTech]

@@alastairmacdonald6794 glad to be if help

[@giulioluzzardi7632]

Did you try giving it blast of contact cleaner or failing that bashing with a large hammer?

[@ManotickGuitarTech]

Both valid options - lol

[@jreagle58]

I'm about to pull what hair I have left. I'm trying to test pots and I can't get any reading of any value on 5 different pots ( one has never been used). What is the setting on the multimeter? Going counterclockwise from Off the meter reads: 200M 20M 200K OHM Symbol 20K 2000 200 What am I doing wrong? There's a HOLD/SEL button on the top right. I've fiddle with that without success. Btw I have two meters, same results with each.

[@ManotickGuitarTech]

I have mine on the OHM symbol (no function required); attach the red lead to the middle lug; the black to the right one; then spin the pot to see if any values appear. Just like I have done in the video... make sure your red and black leads are plugged into the right spots on your multi-meter, too.

[@jreagle58]

@@ManotickGuitarTech the OHM Symbol on mine is not a set position but rather a reference to the ranges listed. The only reading I get on all five pots is .45 when set to either the 20M or 200M. I am certain these pots are fine but between two different multimeter I cannot get them to perform (nor are either the same as yours).

[@ManotickGuitarTech]

@@jreagle58 set your reading lower - try the 2000 or 20K. 20M is in mega OHMS and the most a pot will be is 1meg

[@jreagle58]

@@ManotickGuitarTech I've tried every setting. Nothing, zero. It's weird. It does the same thing on a brand new pot.

[@ManotickGuitarTech]

@@jreagle58 try attaching to the two outer lugs of the pot instead of the middle one.

[@dxcman1]

This was very helpful .. TY

[@ManotickGuitarTech]

Glad you liked it! I hope you have subbed to my channel too?

[@samstinkeringaround8961]

will it give a false reading in the pots are soldered in already ??

[@ManotickGuitarTech]

I dont think that will work - use the output jack and selector switch to isolate the pot it if is already in the guitar, then take your reading.

[@davidhardman6291]

You're only testing half of the potentiometer. Across the two outside terminals is the maximum resistance. Then center to right and then left. One reading is all the way up and the other side should have the same reading all the way down

[@tbasshandyman7610]

this just happened to my bass two pots.neck pick up and bridge pickup passive can i do this test while it is still wired in? ty

[@ManotickGuitarTech]

@@tbasshandyman7610 yes you can

[@tbasshandyman7610]

@@ManotickGuitarTech ty so much your great help

[@tbasshandyman7610]

I get a reading on the right and nothing on the left. Now what? I'm lost

[@samstinkeringaround8961]

So it looks like the reading on the back of the pot that I’m looking at it looks like it says 500 K but it reads 220 that is with the hot on the center lug and the black on the right lug but they are attached to a control board. Is that gonna make a difference?

[@ManotickGuitarTech]

It shouldn't make a difference... active control board?

[@samstinkeringaround8961]

No passive

[@samstinkeringaround8961]

So if the reading Is 220 do you think they are 250k pots it looks like that they say 500but they are to tiny

[@ManotickGuitarTech]

sounds like they are 250k...size of the pot doesnt matter