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Heritage 80 Standard pot values?

dnabbet2

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May 31, 2017
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211
I apologise for asking if anyone knows off the top of his or her head the pot values of a Heritage Standard 80, but I can't see them stamped on the actual pots without taking them out ... and I did also try to check on the Internet. If they're already 500k, I won't disturb them. If they're 300k and 100k I would consider replacing them with the higher values. Can anybody help me out. Thanks very much in advance.
 

El Gringo

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Apr 8, 2015
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I apologise for asking if anyone knows off the top of his or her head the pot values of a Heritage Standard 80, but I can't see them stamped on the actual pots without taking them out ... and I did also try to check on the Internet. If they're already 500k, I won't disturb them. If they're 300k and 100k I would consider replacing them with the higher values. Can anybody help me out. Thanks very much in advance.
I can't say I know but I am willing to venture a guess and say they are 300K .
 

Triplet

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I think I'd forego replacing anything on a HS80. Worth a few quid, those.
 

El Gringo

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Now I just read something on The Gear Page that claims the bridge was 150k and the neck was 100k . I still stand by my guess .
 

Hamerfan

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791
Gringo is right. Both were lower than 200k. Just measure them on the outer lugs on the pots.
 

dnabbet2

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May 31, 2017
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It IS a nice guitar -- it's my avatar.

But it's been heavily gigged. And right now there're Seth Lovers and a Faber bridge and tailpiece on it. The original parts're in the case but it's never going to be a collector's guitar.

I appreciate the advice, though.

Anyway, since it seems to be unknown territory, I'll whip off the cover and the "tuna can", and check the values and get back to you all.
 

El Gringo

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They were 500k.
I remember these guitars in the Mom and Pop shop that we all went to when we were kids . They had hanging above the cash register one of the dealer heritage guitars , along with 2 vintage bursts . One with moderate flame the other one with strong flame along with a 57 Fender Mark kay white Blonde with gold hardware . We all could not help and stare and gaze at the out of reach beauties above us .
 

dnabbet2

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May 31, 2017
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Repo-o-o-o-orting!

Volumes are 300k and tone 100k ... on this guitar, anyway.

By the way, there are no values stamped on the side of the pots. I looked the CTS part numbers up here: https://www.vintageguitarandbass.com/gibson/potentiometer/. And the dates all precede the date stamped in the control cavity, which about matches the dates that were stamped on the pickups and in the headstock serial number.

Cool!
 

dnabbet2

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May 31, 2017
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You know, they have a nice smooth taper.

I was going to take the covers off the Seth Lovers and put in 500k pots, but maybe I'll just experiment with a bit more treble and a bit less Mid on the amp first.

Thanks for the input all.
 

dnabbet2

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May 31, 2017
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were talking a really dark tone ?
I got my Standard 80 mail order from Gruhn Guitars because -- I'm not ashamed to say it on this forum -- it had flame, and Gibson wasn't generally doing flame at the time.

From the get-go, I didn't like the shallow neck and the dull pickups: I was doing funky stuff at the time. So I took off the covers and that didn't help. Then I put in a pair of coverless DiMarzio PAFs and that did help. There wasn't much choice back then. Anyway, it replaced my '56 Custom, which I sold to pay for a new roof (collective forehead slap!)

Fast forward, one of the DiMarzio PAFs packs it in, and I replace them both with underwound and scatterwound unpotted Seth Lovers 'cause I have underwound and scatterwound unpotted MHS pickups in my ES-175 and they seem bright enough for me. But in the Standard 80 ... the Seth Lovers sound dull to me too.

So, really dark 'cause of the pots? Yeah, maybe. I'm playing with amp settings now, but if I put 500k pots in and brightened it up, I could reinstall the original Tim Shaw pickups.
 

El Gringo

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Apr 8, 2015
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I got my Standard 80 mail order from Gruhn Guitars because -- I'm not ashamed to say it on this forum -- it had flame, and Gibson wasn't generally doing flame at the time.

From the get-go, I didn't like the shallow neck and the dull pickups: I was doing funky stuff at the time. So I took off the covers and that didn't help. Then I put in a pair of coverless DiMarzio PAFs and that did help. There wasn't much choice back then. Anyway, it replaced my '56 Custom, which I sold to pay for a new roof (collective forehead slap!)

Fast forward, one of the DiMarzio PAFs packs it in, and I replace them both with underwound and scatterwound unpotted Seth Lovers 'cause I have underwound and scatterwound unpotted MHS pickups in my ES-175 and they seem bright enough for me. But in the Standard 80 ... the Seth Lovers sound dull to me too.

So, really dark 'cause of the pots? Yeah, maybe. I'm playing with amp settings now, but if I put 500k pots in and brightened it up, I could reinstall the original Tim Shaw pickups.
Oh yeah I bet with the switch to 500k pots and the original Tim Shaw pickups you would have your self one fine rocking and sounding instrument. Tim Shaw pickups are very well and highly thought of . Best Wishes and report back please .
 

dnabbet2

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May 31, 2017
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211
You know what? I also tried a pair of Seymour Duncan 59s in there too, and they weren't bright -- then I used them in an Ibanez FA-100 jazz box and they were too bright.

So, yes, it does look as if the culprit is the low-value pots. Funny I've never heard any other Heritage 80 players lamenting that.

I'll have the pots shipped in. Any tips on dependable international service?
 
Last edited:

El Gringo

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You know what? I also tried a pair of Seymour Duncan 59s in there too, and they weren't bright -- then I used them in an Ibanez FA-100 jazz box and they were too bright.

So, yes, it does look as if the culprit is the low-value pots. Funny I've never hear any other Heritage 80 players lamenting that.

I'll have the pots shipped in. Any tips on dependable international service?
I use UPS in the states and they are very reliable .
 

Big Al

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Apr 24, 2002
Messages
14,537
I got my Standard 80 mail order from Gruhn Guitars because -- I'm not ashamed to say it on this forum -- it had flame, and Gibson wasn't generally doing flame at the time.

From the get-go, I didn't like the shallow neck and the dull pickups: I was doing funky stuff at the time. So I took off the covers and that didn't help. Then I put in a pair of coverless DiMarzio PAFs and that did help. There wasn't much choice back then. Anyway, it replaced my '56 Custom, which I sold to pay for a new roof (collective forehead slap!)

Fast forward, one of the DiMarzio PAFs packs it in, and I replace them both with underwound and scatterwound unpotted Seth Lovers 'cause I have underwound and scatterwound unpotted MHS pickups in my ES-175 and they seem bright enough for me. But in the Standard 80 ... the Seth Lovers sound dull to me too.

So, really dark 'cause of the pots? Yeah, maybe. I'm playing with amp settings now, but if I put 500k pots in and brightened it up, I could reinstall the original Tim Shaw pickups.
I'm not sure I understand what you mean by "shallow neck"? The profile is full rounded but not baseball bat huge. I would not ever characterise these as shallow by any standard.
 
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