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I’m wondering if anyone knows of a source for high quality mini potentiometers. It appears that I need to replace an audio taper mini pot for a pickguard mounted volume control for a Heritage Johnny Smith guitar. This will be the second time so it would be nice to find something that will last.
The one that came with the guitar (not sure if it was the original) was scratchy and acted like an on/off switch (linear taper?). The current pot appears to have caused a loss of volume. I have checked continuity from the pickup (Bartolini 5J) to the output jack and all is well. And, the resistance across the pickup appears to be in spec. So, I’m suspecting the pot.
I assume it’s a 500k ohm pot, but I’m being lazy so I haven’t unsoldered one of the leads yet to take a valid resistance measurement.
From what I can tell, the pots with higher build quality and tighter tolerances are all full sized and not able to fit under a pickguard. So, any leads on higher quality mini pots would be appreciated. It seems strange that we spend a lot of money on really nice pickups but then route the signal through cheap, poor quality pots.
Thanks!
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03-31-2020 03:05 PM
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check out amplified parts in az...great outfit...they have bourns mini's..great quality
Search | Amplified Parts
other suggestion might be to get rid of that kind of pot altogether and get a schatten thumbwheel pot..stew mac sells them...lots of guys use'm here
luck
cheersLast edited by neatomic; 03-31-2020 at 03:36 PM. Reason: sp-
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Try mouser.com. If they don't have it, you don't need it.
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Originally Posted by neatomic
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Originally Posted by sgosnell
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For fewer choices, check Guitar Parts Resources:
Guitar Parts Factory - Mini Potentiometers
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Digi-key call the support number.
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Originally Posted by sgosnell
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Thanks for all your help! Ordered some Bourns mini pots from Amplified Parts. Now onto soldering whenever the order shows up. Everything else in the circuit checked out, so I am hoping the new pot will solve the reduced volume problem.
I do like the idea of a new, more aesthetically pleasing pickguard with a Schatten thumbwheel but will try the new mini pot first.
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Originally Posted by Bill Eisele
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You could just leave the pot in the pickguard, unconnected, to fill the hole, and use Schatten thumbwheels in the f hole. I don't like pickguards much in general, and tend to remove them. That's why I don't like pickguard mounted pickups. I prefer to either mount them on the neck, or just use Blu-Tack to attach them to the top up against the neck. That's easily reversible, and I think it sounds better having the pickup coupled to the top to some extent. But certainly not everyone will want to go that route. As long as it works for you, it's a good solution, whatever it may be.
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Originally Posted by Woody Sound
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Originally Posted by sgosnell
If for some strange reason, these new Bourns mini pots fail, I will follow your suggestion about leaving the old pot in place and installing a Schatten thumbwheel. I think that is an excellent approach and the thumbwheel will be well hidden. Will leave the pickup where it’s at for now though.
I have a friend who makes flat top guitars and he does really nice binding work, so he is a resource I could reach out to if I decide to have a new pickguard made at some point down the road.
Thanks for the great suggestions!
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Hi All,
I just wanted to let you know that the Bourns mini pot from Amplified Parts arrived this past Saturday and I got the soldering iron out yesterday and installed the new pot along with a new Pure Tone Multi-Contact output jack. Everything checked out continuity wise and when I plugged the guitar into my amp, the volume was restored and the volume ramped up smoothly without any problems. And, the pot mechanical action is very smooth. The new output jack also feels very secure when inserting the cable plug. So, at least at this point, I can recommend both the Bourns mini pots and the Pure Tone output jack. And, Amplified Parts was very quick with filling the order and shipping.
Thanks for all your help and stay well!
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Originally Posted by sgosnell
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Originally Posted by Cunamara
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Originally Posted by Bill Eisele
Thanks, Christian
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Originally Posted by gitman
Here is the pot I installed: Potentiometer - Bourns, Audio, Solid Shaft, Mini | Amplified Parts. I used a 500k ohm value. The Bourns part number is PDB181-GTR Series. There is a similar pot with a knurled shaft: Potentiometer - Bourns, Audio, Knurled Shaft, Mini | Amplified Parts. I chose the 500k ohm value because that was the value of the pot that was already installed and I wanted to retain the darker tone.
Hope this helps!
Bill
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I changed the potentiometers on my Elferink tonemaster a while back. I emailed Frans Elferink and he suggested 500k ones, sending me this link.
500K THUMBWHEEL POT | Guitar Parts Worldwide
There is no need to have a new pickguard made, as it is very easy for a luthier to fill the holes with ebony. I did that with mine, and it is virtually invisible, unless you specifically look for it very close up. -- sorry for the uploader twisting the photos.
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Originally Posted by Alter
Odd reverb L5
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