Mule with 250k pots?

[darrenw5094]

I have a Suhr Strat with SSS pup set up. I want to put a Bare knuckle Mule in the bridge with the two Suhr single coils. My guitar guy told me to leave the 250k pots in and that the mule bucker will be fine.

Is it the right option?

[BigBassBob]

Yes and no.

250k will work and depending on how bright the guitar is it may sound fine but always remember the lower the pot value the darker and lower the output. 500k on singles may get a bit bright but you can always just ride the tone controls to tame that brightness. I've got a Jazzmaster with 500k pots and just roll back the tone by an 8th to take off the edge.

You can do a few different things such as wiring a resitor to the selector switch or bypassing the tone pot for the bucker will open it up.

If it were me I would try the stock pots and see the results first. You can always change it later. Then again it also depends on how much your tech charges for work.

[Dave Sloven]

I would have a go at doing it myself.  Given that Strats are all pickguard mounted it should be fairly easy

[darkbluemurder]

I would definitely try it. Most PAF pickups are bright and can use a bit of taming in the bridge. If it is not bright enough you can still change the pot to 500k and use a resistor to adjust for the single coils.

Cheers Stephan

[Telerocker]

I would definitely try it. Most PAF pickups are bright and can use a bit of taming in the bridge. If it is not bright enough you can still change the pot to 500k and use a resistor to adjust for the single coils.

Cheers Stephan

I second that. I have Mules and they're bright enough to keep the mojo with a 250 K pot. Like Stephan says: changing the pot to 500 K is still an option.

[darrenw5094]

Thanks dudes, I think I'll roll with 250k pots and see what happens. I suppose a TBX tone control connection to the bridge bucker only, would be another option.

What would happen if I used a 500k pot to the bridge tone control and 250k for the volume and neck tone?

[Dave Sloven]

Thanks dudes, I think I'll roll with 250k pots and see what happens. I suppose a TBX tone control connection to the bridge bucker only, would be another option.

What would happen if I used a 500k pot to the bridge tone control and 250k for the volume and neck tone?

I think it is mainly the volume pot that determines how bright the guitar is. The tone pot will determine how much you can roll off that brightness from there

[darrenw5094]

Thanks dudes, I think I'll roll with 250k pots and see what happens. I suppose a TBX tone control connection to the bridge bucker only, would be another option.

What would happen if I used a 500k pot to the bridge tone control and 250k for the volume and neck tone?

I think it is mainly the volume pot that determines how bright the guitar is. The tone pot will determine how much you can roll off that brightness from there

I see. What about a TBX tone control for the bridge position?

[darkbluemurder]

You can do that but I don't think it is necessary. Keep in mind that a tone pot is usually wired as a variable resistor, which determines how much resistance you have between the cap and ground. So basically a 250k audio pot is roughly the same as a 500k audio pot turned to 9 (on a 10 dial). A TBX turned up full is like a 1 meg resistance, and a no load pot would cut the connection when turned up full so it is no longer in the circuit. The difference between a regular 250k tone pot and a no load tone pot turned up full is noticeable.

Cheers Stephan