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Where to buy lower valued 500k volume pots (425K, 450k,...)

FregGarvinMP

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Joined
Aug 16, 2021
Messages
44
My bright Les Paul really sounds much better after replacing its bridge volume pot measuring around 570K with another one around 450K.

I need to do this with another Les Paul. Where can I buy the lower value 500k pots, those that varied on the low side, in the 450 range. I've heard of people on Ebay selling pots, showing their values, but i can't find any such posts.

Anyone know a good source?
 

Señor Verde

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Jan 13, 2005
Messages
621
I've done the same thing with a couple guitars. I ended up buying Allparts 500K CTS pots and some of them were down in the 450K range.
 

Holgar

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Joined
May 11, 2003
Messages
222
You can solder a resistor between the outer lugs to bring down the value. Calculate the parallel resistor, or use your ears. I use a parallel pot to find the right value and than solder in a matching resistor.
 

FregGarvinMP

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Joined
Aug 16, 2021
Messages
44
You can solder a resistor between the outer lugs to bring down the value. Calculate the parallel resistor, or use your ears. I use a parallel pot to find the right value and than solder in a matching resistor.
I've been reading about using resistors. I guess I should buy some resistors of various amounts and figure out the math on how to make a 560k pot into say 425k. I hear they are cheap. Just any resistors?

Can you describe how you use a parallel pot to find the right value? Thanks!
 

FregGarvinMP

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Aug 16, 2021
Messages
44
I got some resistors and was able to alligator clip them to the pot and experiment. It helped warm the pot, but the smooth linear taper was altered. I don't guess there's any way around that, right?
 

PaulD

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Jun 25, 2007
Messages
673
Isn't a 500k pot 450k when you turn it down a little?

No, the value of a pot is the resistance of the full length of the track (measured between the two outer lugs). If you measure the resistance between each outer lug and the wiper (centre lug) the the two values will always add up to the same as the pot value.
 

charliechitlins

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Nov 16, 2021
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1,021
But if a wide open pot measures 500k between the in and the out...the business end...you can turn it down to 450k.
 

garywright

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Aug 17, 2002
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15,584
by that logic if you have a 500hp engine and only push the gas pedal halfway ..that makes it a 250hp
 

PaulD

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Jun 25, 2007
Messages
673
But if a wide open pot measures 500k between the in and the out...the business end...you can turn it down to 450k.

That is irrelevant, the load that the pot puts onto the circuit (which is what causes the difference in tone between different pot values) is the resistance between the input and ground which will always be whatever the full resistance of the pot is. The position of the pot wiper simply controls how much of the signal is allowed to pass out of the guitar and how much is dumped to ground, it has no effect on the overall loading.
 

charliechitlins

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Nov 16, 2021
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1,021
That is irrelevant, the load that the pot puts onto the circuit (which is what causes the difference in tone between different pot values) is the resistance between the input and ground which will always be whatever the full resistance of the pot is. The position of the pot wiper simply controls how much of the signal is allowed to pass out of the guitar and how much is dumped to ground, it has no effect on the overall loading.
I was just funnin'.
 

El Gringo

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Joined
Apr 8, 2015
Messages
5,657
Try a 300k pot, worked out great for me and they were used on Les Pauls for years. Don’t believe all the “ muffled tone “ nonsense from the cork sniffers, just use your ears.
Same here . I have a 94 weight relieved Gibson Les Paul Classic that I changed over to 500k pots and found the tone really harsh and very nasally .When I switched out to the 300k pots it was a thousand times better along with swapping out the pickups with ThroBak SLE-101 Plus pickups .
 

Amp360

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 16, 2012
Messages
852
Did you try turning the tone knob down when it was too bright sounding? Was it still too bright on like 5?
 
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