Pots and Caps Review

[Nez]

Damn. The wiring diagram I'm following has the capacitor on the tone pot, as to connected to both pots. Got another question though:

What's the difference tonally between DiMarzios and BKPs wiring for an HSH setup? I never realised you could wire up a guitar in different ways, so just a tad bit confused.

[BigB]

Damn. The wiring diagram I'm following has the capacitor on the tone pot, as to connected to both pots

Doesn't make any difference by itself, the circuit behaves exactly the same way whether the cap is before or after the tone pot.

What makes a difference is whether you have the cap+pot before the volume (cap+pot connected to the pup's hot and volume pot's input) or after (cap+pot connected to the volume pot's output, known as "gibson 50s wiring").

Got another question though:

What's the difference tonally between DiMarzios and BKPs wiring for an HSH setup?

Please post links to the DM diagram (I assume the BKP one you're talking about is the first one on this page https://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/main/schematics.php)

I never realised you could wire up a guitar in different ways, so just a tad bit confused.

Yups, when you don't understand how it works (hence what makes a difference or not) it can be really confusing indeed.

[WeAreNotGentlemen]

I understand that the pots allow for more clarity and treble. (I think.) What do the caps do? What effect does it have on the tone?

[Nez]

This is the Dimarzio one I've been following. Compared to the first one you mentioned that is. Obviously the colours will be different with BKP, but as you can see things are connected to different places such as the capacitor.

[Deafcat64]

I'm pretty sure that BKP pots are simply CTS pots. The difference being the value difference of 50k. The tolerance is generally +/- 10%, but CTS will select pots within 5% tolerance for manufacturers with specific needs. The 550k pots don't roll off as much treble, so the effect of"having a blanket lifted off the speaker" is the result. Added clarity is a great thing. When I buy pots in bulk for my amplifier builds, I sometimes test the values to  tailor the sound by using greater or lesser treble rolloff. It's surprising the effect you can achieve with such a simple thing.

[add4]

I'm pretty sure that BKP pots are simply CTS pots. The difference being the value difference of 50k. The tolerance is generally +/- 10%, but CTS will select pots within 5% tolerance for manufacturers with specific needs. The 550k pots don't roll off as much treble, so the effect of"having a blanket lifted off the speaker" is the result. Added clarity is a great thing. When I buy pots in bulk for my amplifier builds, I sometimes test the values to  tailor the sound by using greater or lesser treble rolloff. It's surprising the effect you can achieve with such a simple thing.

i am pretty certain i read that too.
and indeed, being at 550k instead of 450 will add clarity.

[Stranger]

i want to order some of these pots and capacitors with some pickups i will be ordering soon, but i am a bit worried about how they will fit with a telecaster... 4 way mod on one, humbucker with a splitting switch on the other.  not sure if there will be enough room for all that.  it's already a tight fit with my current wiring harnesses.

[BigB]

I'm pretty sure that BKP pots are simply CTS pots. The difference being the value difference of 50k.

AFAIK there's a bit more to it (have heard that these "BKP" CTS pots were a bit less stiff).

@Nez: not able to read any wiring diagram right now, sorry. I'll give it a look tomorrow ;)

[metale]

AFAIK there's a bit more to it (have heard that these "BKP" CTS pots were a bit less stiff).

Not sure about that, as the four 550K that are on my LP are pretty stiff compared to anything I've used. The tapper (spl?) is good and all, but turning them is not as effortless as my other guitars, being them emg pots, squier pots, ibanez pots, allparts pots, epiphone pots, etc.

Just a matter of getting used to them, I guess.

[itamar101]

AFAIK there's a bit more to it (have heard that these "BKP" CTS pots were a bit less stiff).

Not sure about that, as the four 550K that are on my LP are pretty stiff compared to anything I've used. The tapper (spl?) is good and all, but turning them is not as effortless as my other guitars, being them emg pots, squier pots, ibanez pots, allparts pots, epiphone pots, etc.

Just a matter of getting used to them, I guess.

Mine are far looser than the stock Gibson pots.

Edit: Scratch that, my volume pots are BKP 550k and they are rather stiff. My tone pots are CTS push pulls and they are very loose.

[Philly Q]

I haven't tried the BKP 550k pots, but I find with CTS pots generally, the type with a "scoop" in the back are looser than the more common flat-backed type.  I much prefer the first type!

[Lucifuge]

Pity there's no BKP pots with push/pull switches as well - but I don't think CTS make any push/pull pots.

[BigB]

AFAIK there's a bit more to it (have heard that these "BKP" CTS pots were a bit less stiff).

Not sure about that, as the four 550K that are on my LP are pretty stiff compared to anything I've used.

I meant "a bit less stiff than run of the mill CTS" - which are really really stiff :lol: