HSS pot values

[_tom_]

I've decided that SSS isnt for me - far too noisy, and as my middle pickup isnt rwrp, I cant have humbucking sounds in my strat.

I want to change my strat to at least HSS, but I dont know which pot values to use. In my Charvel (also HSS), I have 500k pots, which make the singlecoils quite harsh/thin unless you turn down the tone a lot, which I dont like the sound of as much (starts to sound kinda nasally/weird?).

So, I dont really know what to do! If I were to use 500k for the master volume and bridge pickup tone control, and 250k for the singlecoil tone control, would this even make much difference, or would the 2 500ks still let through too much treble for singlecoils?

My other idea was just using all 250k, but using a bright bridge humbucker (Rebel Yell or VHII), so that the treble rolloff you get with 250k pots doesnt make it sound quite so muddy or dull as perhaps a warmer/rounder pickup would?



edit - would it be best to just use 300k perhaps? Best of both worlds?

[Peter Antal]

I'd use 500K pots but get two 500K resistors and solder one between each single coil and ground. I think you'll have 500K volume in position 1, 250K in position 2, 3 and 5, and ~166K in position 4 that way, which should still sound very good.

[pagan7]

Or you could try a Fender TBX tone control on the single coils and a A500K on the humbucker with a .047 cap to keep it bright..the TBX is 250K up to the centre detent and up to 1Meg after that.....works great with single coils. and humbuckers too for that matter.
AxesRus have them up on their site for £11.50
Cheers

[_tom_]

I'd use 500K pots but get two 500K resistors and solder one between each single coil and ground. I think you'll have 500K volume in position 1, 250K in position 2, 3 and 5, and ~166K in position 4 that way, which should still sound very good.

I see, I might try that :) So, basically, I should solder one leg of each 500k resistor the end of the ground (black) wire of each single, then the other leg to the back of the pot?

[Peter Antal]

I see, I might try that :) So, basically, I should solder one leg of each 500k resistor the end of the ground (black) wire of each single, then the other leg to the back of the pot?

I think - one leg to the hot wire (where it's soldered to the switch, for example), the other leg to ground (back of pot). :)

[_tom_]

Ah.. I think I understand, I did this diagram so you can tell me if its wrong or not :lol: The blue bits are meant to be resistors..

[Peter Antal]

Not sure about your picture ;) so here's my version:



(Thanks to Guitarelectronics for the diagram.)

[_tom_]

Yep, thats what mine was, just badly drawn :lol:

Thanks, I think I'll try that!