Pots

[Doadman]

This is where I publicly display the fact that I'm clueless  :?

As some of you may know, I will be changing the pups in my guitar and I've been intrigued by some of the comments I've read about 300k and 500k pots. This has given me a number of questions, which can be summarised by 'What the hell are they going on about?' More specifically:

1) What is a 'pot'? Is this the volume and tone controls? I assume we're not talking illeagal substances here  

2) What difference does a 300k and 500k pot make?

3) As I have no idea what is fitted to my Ibanez RGT42, should I change the pots in my guitar and if so, what to? I'm fitting a CS neck and HD bridge and want a high gain sound that is modern but also warm.

Sorry I'm so thick but as nobody has ever told me this before I figure the best thing to do is ask. Thanks for your help.

[Twinfan]

1)  A pot is a "control pot".  The same basic electrical item can be wired up as either a volume or tone control.

2)  A higher value will let more sparkle through (roughly speaking).  traditionally, 250k pots are used with single coils to tame excessive harshness and 500k pots are used with humbuckers to retain brightness.  So in general, a 500k pot will have more zing than a 300k pot.

3)  I would fit the BKPs to your existing pots as they are 500k (see pic below) and see how you like the tone...

[Mavet]

"pot" is a shortcut for "potentiometer", which for guitar purposes serves as a variable resistor for the volume and tone controls.
when the volume is fully open the resistor blocks the signal from getting to the ground, and as you turn it off, more and more signal is being directed to ground, untill nothing remains of it and the world descends into a chaotic oblivion of silence  :twisted:  :twisted:  :twisted:

i hope I got it right anyway

[noodleplugerine]

Indeed, it's a potentiometer, the term 500k refers to 500 kilo-ohms, which is a rating of resistance.

[Twinfan]

Yeah, what they said  :D

[Doadman]

Thanks guys, I don't feel quite so stupid now  :D