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VIP? The Art of Tone? Emerson? Pots.... Or Other????

zacknorton

Active member
Joined
Aug 26, 2011
Messages
731
I know... it's kinda been beat to death a million times. I'm looking for some advice on 500+k pots for a series of guitars I'm building.

I do like the late 50's centralab taper thing for sure. I've been doing some digging and thought the choice might be between VIP and TAOT.

Am I missing something?

Thanks!
 

JLee

Member
Joined
Nov 27, 2010
Messages
89
On the flip side, I really like VIPots quite a bit. Haven’t tried Emerson or TAOT. VIP and TAOT are the only 10% vintage taper pots I am aware of. Can’t find info on the taper of Emerson. Most “vintage taper” pots are 30%.
 
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zacknorton

Active member
Joined
Aug 26, 2011
Messages
731
I got an Emerson harness in a repair project husk. They are excellent. But it doesn't seem like they sell short split shaft pots as stand alone items. I'll get in touch with them and check.
 
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dju

Member
Joined
May 7, 2004
Messages
148
unfortunately when I was shopping for vintage taper pots TAOT didn't any short 500k pots available. only long shaft ones. :(
in the past I have really liked the RS super pots and their custom taper for volume pots. but I guess they are out of stock as they weren't listed a few days ago when I looked at their website.
I did some looking and I purchased some JonesyBlues pots https://www.jonesyblues.com/store/p_1184297/cts-500k-pots and am waiting for them to be delivered. it doesn't say on the website but I emailed and verified they are supposed to be vintage taper pots.
I had never heard of Vipots but just googled them and booked marked the website for next time I am looking for pots to maybe give them a try.
I also had found Mojotone has some vintage taper pots but never tried them. just sharing for informational purposes. https://www.mojotone.com/Mojotone-Vintage-Taper-CTS-500K-Short-Split-Shaft-Guitar-Potentiometer
 

mthrunn

Member
Joined
Dec 4, 2019
Messages
52
Be careful with the marketing term “vintage taper.” It often refers to a taper of 25% or 30%. CentraLab pots in Bursts were 10%. You may prefer the more gradual sweep, but it ain’t what the Burst “vintage taper” was.
 
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dju

Member
Joined
May 7, 2004
Messages
148
Be careful with the marketing term “vintage taper.” It often refers to a taper of 25% or 30%. CentraLab pots in Bursts were 10%. You may prefer the more gradual sweep, but it ain’t want the Burst “vintage taper” was.
Any idea where the RS super pots fall in these ranges? I know I like them.

thanks,
dj
 

Brian H

Member
Joined
Dec 19, 2002
Messages
726
I recently installed the 500k/250k combo in my 2021 Original Collection Junior and 500Ks in my '82 Greco LP. The torque is very nice, not as loose as say the Mojotone, but not as stiff as standard CTS (whatever came in my 2021 Junior), but still easy to turn. Pot readings come in generally 515k-570k on the 500k, I think my 250k was around 270k. Pot casings take solder extremely easily on the tops and sides. I've not experienced overtightening issues or frying of the pots where I've actually experienced sticky Mojotone pots. I suspect frying the pots happens from the unexperienced applying prolonged heat. Taper is very smooth for tone positions, and very nice for volumes where most of the action happens around 7/8-10. Pricing isn't too crazy, reasonable enough for me to use them in any Gibson style guitar. Overall very pleased.
grecovipots2.jpg

juniorvipots2.jpg
 

AA00475Bassman

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 26, 2016
Messages
3,769
VIP Les Paul JR 2018 , PEC Firebird V can't say any better than stock .

Could it be Forum Kool - Aid ?
 

scovell001

Active member
Joined
Apr 15, 2016
Messages
115
Just wanted to add to this thread - I was a long time MSSC (Martin six string customs) harness user & honestly couldn’t think I could do any better- the only thing that annoyed me about the cts 550k pots was the abrupt change between 10-9, nothing between 0-2 & that I found them a little bit stiff & I just used to spend a lot of time dialling in my tone, y’know like ‘exactly’ 8.5 etc etc - I just rebuilt the harness today with vip pots - oh my giddy aunt ! - the torque, the taper, even the tone, so, sooo musical ! - I’ve posted on the other cup pots thread as I didn’t think there was much difference (just pot values) there is a ‘huge’ difference in the vip pots - I thoroughly recommend anyone considering changing to them to do it ! - absolutely brilliant 👍
 

zacknorton

Active member
Joined
Aug 26, 2011
Messages
731
Apparently word is out on the VIP pots. they are currently completely out of stock on all 500k pots. :devilish: . phooey.
 
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