250vs 500k pots for mules

[djl]

Hi everyone, I know this topic has been covered before, but I just wanted an opinion

Got PRS Custom 22 with mules, which a local guitar tech put 250k volume pot in. I wasn't too happy with tone, as it sounded too muffled to my ears. So printed off pdf off suggested wiring from this site (3 way toggle, push pull tone) and asked him to wire it as suggested.

He says that a 500k vol pot won't make it any brighter, as when vol is max resistance is basically zero and would be the same as a 250k pot on max vol. This seems contrary to my understanding, as I thought that when a vol pot was on full, the resistance was at a maximum, and is basically stopping all the signal going to ground. Higher resistance pot => more trebly, slightly louder signal.

Can anybody shine  a light on what the real answer is? I think I'm right, basically, and have asked him to wire it as per the BKP diagram, but if there's a reason why he might be correct I'd be interested to hear anyone's opinion.

Cheers

[Frank]

At maximum volume the resistance is zero ohms between the switch output and the jack but remember it's 250k between the output and ground and that's where the high frequencies bleed away. A higher resistance between the output and ground will help to preserve the high frequencies, hence the widespread use of 500k pots for most humbuckers and 250k pots on strats.

[scorchio65]

After fitting nailbombs to my PRS SE, I retained the original 500k pots.

Several months later I ordered and installed Bare Knuckle's own custom pots (550K) .

There is no doubt that the pot change was immediately noticeable in terms of brighter - something I wanted.

So regardless of theory, IMHO the claim that pots can alter the sound is entirely true - even with the relatively small change in resistance involved in my situation.

[BigB]

He says that a 500k vol pot won't make it any brighter, as when vol is max resistance is basically zero and would be the same as a 250k pot on max vol.

Bad tech, change tech.

[darkbluemurder]

So regardless of theory, IMHO the claim that pots can alter the sound is entirely true - even with the relatively small change in resistance involved in my situation.

They do alter the sound but whether it is clearly or only barely noticeable also depends on whether the amp, cable and speakers transmit enough highs. Take a curly cable and a Mesa Mark series amp and you probably won't notice any difference because these components kill so many highs so that the pot difference may be negligible.

But for humbuckers my recommendation would be 500k log pots - unless you need to tame an overly bright guitar.

Cheers Stephan

[HTH AMPS]

the idea that the pot value makes no difference in tone is not uncommon amongst guitar techs - I had this conversation a few years back with a tech of 30+ years (really).

in short, the higher the pot value, the brighter your tone.

get a 500k pot for your humbucker and be done with it, job done.

oh, and change your tech while you're at it.

[djl]

Thanks everyone!

Had the guitar rewired as per BKP schematics (against the techs advice) with 500k pots and it sounds awesome - way better than it did before. Enormous difference, cleans sound soooo much better now

[Keven]

there are so many ''guitar techs'' it's not even funny.

[ToneMonkey]

Thanks everyone!

Had the guitar rewired as per BKP schematics (against the techs advice) with 500k pots and it sounds awesome - way better than it did before. Enormous difference, cleans sound soooo much better now

Has the tech changed his opinion?  If not then burn him with his soldering iron.

[HTH AMPS]

Thanks everyone!

Had the guitar rewired as per BKP schematics (against the techs advice) with 500k pots and it sounds awesome - way better than it did before. Enormous difference, cleans sound soooo much better now

Has the tech changed his opinion?  If not then burn him with his soldering iron.

or give him a slap at the very least.

 :lol:

[St.James]

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