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Thread: Shopping for CTS pots:

  1. #1
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    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
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    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."

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    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!

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    Forum Member phantomman's Avatar
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    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."

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    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.

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    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

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    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
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    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

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