Fender CS relic HSS pots and pickups

[dd6094]

Hi, I have a HSS custom shop heavy relic and want to BKP it.
Problem....
It's a custom build that I picked up second hand and it has an S1 switch (which I like as it allows me too switch the humbucker in and out). 
I always use nailbomb bridges with 550k pots, however as the knobs are aged and rare as hens teeth and the S1 knob won't fit a standard pot would a Rebel Yell compensate for the top that I would lose with a nailbomb running through a 250k pot?
As I may have to retain the fender 250 pots just wondering if a brighter pickup like the RY might prove a suitable compromise.
It has a Duncan 59 in there at the moment, bright despite the pot but not enough clarity or umph for how I play.
Rock / alternative, Splawn Quickrod or CAA OD 50 se+ Through vintage 30 loaded 2x12's
Cheers
James

[darkbluemurder]

Hi, I have a HSS custom shop heavy relic and want to BKP it.
I always use nailbomb bridges with 550k pots, however as the knobs are aged and rare as hens teeth and the S1 knob won't fit a standard pot would a Rebel Yell compensate for the top that I would lose with a nailbomb running through a 250k pot?

You have a dilemma. Pickups with 14k DC resistance of 43ga wire like the RY bridge usually sound best with 500k pots. If your guitar is bright, a 250k pot may work. Unfortunately there is no way to know for sure until you have it in your guitar.

As I may have to retain the fender 250 pots just wondering if a brighter pickup like the RY might prove a suitable compromise.
It has a Duncan 59 in there at the moment, bright despite the pot but not enough clarity or umph for how I play.
Rock / alternative, Splawn Quickrod or CAA OD 50 se+ Through vintage 30 loaded 2x12's

The amp does not really call for a super high output pickup. You may consider the VHII bridge (even if this is not one of my favorite BKPs) or the Black Dog bridge.

Cheers Stephan

[dd6094]

Thanks for the reply, I do use high gain amps and have tried black dogs and other lower output pickups before but I like the umph that higher gain pickups give.
I preferred the nailbomb to a RY in both a Les Paul and a Luxxtone, too much top end, which is why I thought it might just work with a 250 pot.

Anyone out there using 250k?

[Telerocker]

Look at the Holy Diver, it suits strats well and fits your wishes I think. A tad more vintage but with serious balls and with a great split, is the Crawler. It sounds stellar in my strat and does hardrock and oldschool metal very well.

[dd6094]

Hi, thanks for the suggestions, I've tried both a Holydiver and a crawler with 250 pots, the HD was way too dark though I imagine it would be excellent with 550 pots, and the crawler was also a little too dark. I'm thinking the Rebell Yell will be the only pickup with enough push and trebble to work.
James

[Telerocker]

Hi, thanks for the suggestions, I've tried both a Holydiver and a crawler with 250 pots, the HD was way too dark though I imagine it would be excellent with 550 pots, and the crawler was also a little too dark. I'm thinking the Rebell Yell will be the only pickup with enough push and trebble to work.
James

250K is for single coils. Humbuckers sound best with 500 or 550k. I have 500k pots in my HSS-strat and the singlecoils (Irish Tours) sound fine. No icepick or whatsoever.