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Author Topic: Pots for BKP  (Read 7774 times)

KevinMarchesini

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Pots for BKP
« on: May 16, 2012, 09:11:12 AM »
I'm wondering which pots would be right for the BKP's. 250k or 500k? Or depends on the pickup? I'm looking for a Warpig.

itamar101

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Re: Pots for BKP
« Reply #1 on: May 16, 2012, 09:13:42 AM »
Definately 500k. Maybe even the BKP 550k pots.

Philly Q

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Re: Pots for BKP
« Reply #2 on: May 16, 2012, 09:29:05 AM »
Basic rule of thumb is 500k (or 550k, since BKP has them available) for humbuckers, 250k (or 280k) for single-coils.

Then there are lots of variations depending on whether or not you're mixing humbuckers and single-coils, how bright or dark the guitar and/or pickups are.... and personal preference.

Gibson very often use 300k for volume controls, I think most people would say those guitars usually benefit from moving up to 500k.  Some people even like to use 1Meg to really brighten humbuckers.
BKPs I've Got:  RR, BKP-91, ITs, VHII, CS set, Emeralds
BKPs I Had:  RY+Abraxas, Crawlers, BD+SM

KevinMarchesini

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Re: Pots for BKP
« Reply #3 on: May 16, 2012, 09:52:52 PM »
Thanks :D

FELINEGUITARS

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Re: Pots for BKP
« Reply #4 on: May 17, 2012, 12:05:01 AM »
I would definitely use the 550k ohm  pots that BKP had CTS make for them (we keep them in stock at all times)

They are usually like a 500k ohm pot on the better side of it's tolerance (most electrical components vary in value by plus or minus 10%) and buying a 550k ohm is like buying a 500k pot that is on the plus side, which is what you'll want - especially with a beefy warpig pickup.
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DoomBuggi

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Re: Pots for BKP
« Reply #5 on: May 17, 2012, 04:25:42 AM »
+1

For the Warpig, I would use the 550k.

richard cranium

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Re: Pots for BKP
« Reply #6 on: May 20, 2012, 03:20:19 AM »
I'm installing a BK Warpig into the bridge position of a Schecter Omen 6 and from what I'm reading here I need to go with the 500k pot or the 550k pot since it is available here.

Is this just for the volume pot or does it include both the volume and tone pots?

I'm installing a DiMarzio LiquiFire DP227 into the neck position, will the 500k/550k pot(s) have any type of adverse effects on the DiMarzio? Meaning, I can use the BK 500k/550k pot(s) for both the BK Warpig and the DiMarzio LiquiFire DP227 and all will be well...Correct?

What exactly does a higher "K" pot do, as far as performance is concerned? Obviously, the higher "K" pot(s) create and/or handle more power...Yes/No?

As a side note, I will not be using the BK Warpig and the DiMarzio LiquiFire DP227 at the same time...ever. The Warpig will be used for rhythms/leads and the DiMarzio for my clean sound...I I look forward to reading a response soon.  \m/ :?:

Bundydude

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Re: Pots for BKP
« Reply #7 on: May 20, 2012, 03:37:57 AM »
I'm installing a BK Warpig into the bridge position of a Schecter Omen 6 and from what I'm reading here I need to go with the 500k pot or the 550k pot since it is available here.

Is this just for the volume pot or does it include both the volume and tone pots?

I'm installing a DiMarzio LiquiFire DP227 into the neck position, will the 500k/550k pot(s) have any type of adverse effects on the DiMarzio? Meaning, I can use the BK 500k/550k pot(s) for both the BK Warpig and the DiMarzio LiquiFire DP227 and all will be well...Correct?

What exactly does a higher "K" pot do, as far as performance is concerned? Obviously, the higher "K" pot(s) create and/or handle more power...Yes/No?

As a side note, I will not be using the BK Warpig and the DiMarzio LiquiFire DP227 at the same time...ever. The Warpig will be used for rhythms/leads and the DiMarzio for my clean sound...I I look forward to reading a response soon.  \m/   :?:

Bundydude

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Re: Pots for BKP
« Reply #8 on: May 20, 2012, 03:42:51 AM »
Sorry for the double post of the same questions. My bandmate created the account for me and posted my questions. He thought he was being funny with the richard cranium business. The Bundydude post and account is mine and the real one. Again, sorry about that. Peace...

itamar101

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Re: Pots for BKP
« Reply #9 on: May 20, 2012, 06:59:42 AM »
I'm installing a BK Warpig into the bridge position of a Schecter Omen 6 and from what I'm reading here I need to go with the 500k pot or the 550k pot since it is available here.

Is this just for the volume pot or does it include both the volume and tone pots?

I'm installing a DiMarzio LiquiFire DP227 into the neck position, will the 500k/550k pot(s) have any type of adverse effects on the DiMarzio? Meaning, I can use the BK 500k/550k pot(s) for both the BK Warpig and the DiMarzio LiquiFire DP227 and all will be well...Correct?

What exactly does a higher "K" pot do, as far as performance is concerned? Obviously, the higher "K" pot(s) create and/or handle more power...Yes/No?

As a side note, I will not be using the BK Warpig and the DiMarzio LiquiFire DP227 at the same time...ever. The Warpig will be used for rhythms/leads and the DiMarzio for my clean sound...I I look forward to reading a response soon.  \m/   :?:

I am not very familiar with the Liquifire but what i can tell you is that it 550k pots work great with about 99% of the humbuckers in the world.
What 550k pots do is they make the sound brighter by filtering less of the treble frequencies and they give LOADS of clarity.

metale

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Re: Pots for BKP
« Reply #10 on: May 20, 2012, 07:30:21 AM »
Related question, which pot value would you guys put on a basswood seven string with just a riff-raff on a bridge and a volume pot? 500K or 280K?
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itamar101

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Re: Pots for BKP
« Reply #11 on: May 20, 2012, 07:35:05 AM »
Related question, which pot value would you guys put on a basswood seven string with just a riff-raff on a bridge and a volume pot? 500K or 280K?

Definately 500k. Don't get anything under that for humbuckers...  Especially in a 7 string basswood guitar.

Philly Q

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Re: Pots for BKP
« Reply #12 on: May 20, 2012, 10:51:42 AM »
As already mentioned, the usual starting point is 500k for humbuckers, 250k for single-coils (that's regardless of the manufacturer, BKP, DiMarzio or whoever).

The higher the pot's value, the brighter the sound - so 250k works with single-coils, which are naturally brighter sounding, but can make humbuckers sound dull.  Conversely, 500k with single-coils will probably sound too bright.  If you have a particularly dark sounding humbucker guitar, you might even try going up to 1Meg - which will brighten things up still further but can also make the sound a bit harsh and "ice-picky" (IMO).

Usually, the same value pot is used for both volume and tone, but again you can experiment - DiMarzio at one time recommended 500k volume and 250k tone, then they switched to 250k volume and 1Meg tone, I don't know what they say now.....  But anyway, the value of the volume control has more effect on this "brightening up" effect than the tone does, let's not get too complicated.

Don't get too hung up on the "500k vs 550k" thing - there's not a massive difference.  As Feline said above, the 550K is "usually like a 500k ohm pot on the better side of it's tolerance (most electrical components vary in value by plus or minus 10%) and buying a 550k ohm is like buying a 500k pot that is on the plus side".  In other words, if you buy a normal 500k pot, it might actually be 500k, it might be 550k, it might be 450k.... or anywhere in between.  By buying the 550k, you're just guaranteeing you're getting a good-quality pot which will actually be 500k+.

So, start with 500k (or 550k, if you like), see how you get on.  You can always experiment again later - and bear in mind changing the pot values will not damage your pickups, guitar or amp in any way (unless you slip with the soldering iron, that is!  :wink: )
BKPs I've Got:  RR, BKP-91, ITs, VHII, CS set, Emeralds
BKPs I Had:  RY+Abraxas, Crawlers, BD+SM

KevinMarchesini

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Re: Pots for BKP
« Reply #13 on: May 20, 2012, 11:24:31 PM »
Thanks that was very useful!