Results 1 to 8 of 8

Thread: Shopping for CTS pots:

  1. #1
    TFF Stage Crew
    Moderator
    Cogs's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2002
    Location
    Burpleson AFB
    Posts
    7,017

    Shopping for CTS pots:

    In gathering up parts for my latest build(s), I ran across these CTS pots that are "close tolerance", & the seller claims that they are made to within 10% of 250K (& within 1% of each in a set of three). I would guess they are just culled through from a large batch but I could be wrong.
    Does anyone have experience with these? I want to stay with CTS potentiometers, & if anybody says these are preferred, then I am willing to consider shelling out a few extra bucks. Snake oil, perhaps? What say you?
    https://www.ebay.com/itm/272537927412

  2. #2
    Forum Member phantomman's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Ten miles from the Mexican Frontier, in Arizona
    Posts
    7,321

    Re: Shopping for CTS pots:

    Those should work fine for any single-coil application, Robert. I'm pretty sure that Leo specified similar tolerances for all of his original guitars and the price seems reasonable.
    "When injustice becomes law then rebellion becomes duty."

  3. #3
    TFF Stage Crew
    Moderator
    Cogs's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2002
    Location
    Burpleson AFB
    Posts
    7,017

    Re: Shopping for CTS pots:

    Thanks, Roger. I'm going to get a set of three to start with. That would be terrible if they make a difference & I have to outfit all my guitars with them!

  4. #4
    Forum Member phantomman's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Ten miles from the Mexican Frontier, in Arizona
    Posts
    7,321

    Re: Shopping for CTS pots:

    Perhaps merely stockpile a few sets and upgrade your remaining instruments when they require other routine maintenance......? It's not a major financial outlay.
    "When injustice becomes law then rebellion becomes duty."

  5. #5
    Forum Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    SW New Mexico, USA
    Posts
    1,672

    Re: Shopping for CTS pots:

    Cogs, doesn't your guitar have set screw knobs?

    Edit: I'm thinking about Leo's "other" guitar!
    Last edited by Bill Moore; 06-02-2021 at 07:27 AM.

  6. #6
    TFF Stage Crew
    Moderator
    Cogs's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2002
    Location
    Burpleson AFB
    Posts
    7,017

    Re: Shopping for CTS pots:

    Quote Originally Posted by Bill Moore View Post
    Cogs, doesn't your guitar have set screw knobs?

    Edit: I'm thinking about Leo's "other" guitar!
    Yes, of course! I actually have a handful of the solid shaft pots, but they are just garden-variety CTS. I do, however, have a set of knobs on that guitar that came off an old Musicmaster. So I've got that going for me
    lol

  7. #7
    Forum Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    SW New Mexico, USA
    Posts
    1,672

    Re: Shopping for CTS pots:

    I haven't paid much attention what the tolerance is on the CTS pots I buy, (I thought they all were about 10%). For old Fender amps, I do try to use the "J" taper, but I notice most kits use regular audio.
    For the pick guard mounted pots, I thought you should use the shorter, (1/4"), length to keep the knobs from sticking up too high.
    Here are some from AES for a little better price, but again, I don't know the tolerance!

    https://www.tubesandmore.com/product...aft-14-bushing

    I found a code breakdown on the pot in their picture, and the 12th digit is B meaning a 20% tolerance, the ones you linked should have an A for 10%!

  8. #8
    Forum Member Offshore Angler's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2003
    Location
    New York Finger Lakes Area
    Posts
    8,514

    Re: Shopping for CTS pots:

    Unless you run everything at "10" the tolerance on the pots is insignificant. After all, they are adjustable.

    Oye, the things guitar players obsess over!
    "No harmonic knowledge, no sense of time, a ghastly tone, unskilled vibrato, and so on. Chuck is one of the worst guitar players I know" -Gravity Jim

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •