Not a direct drop in!

JoeVictim · #1 01-23-2010, 11:19 AM

Hey guys, Ii just received a new pickguard and control plate from guitar fetish. I have changed pickguards on my Strat before but never on my Jazz. The problem I am having is the posts on my pots don't fit through the space holes on the control plate. This is for my Squier Jazz by the way. Also, it has 500k pots right now. My jazz started life with a three ply WBW pickguard that served double duty as a control plate, it was not two seperate pieces as most jazz basses do. Now that I am trying to change it up a bit, I am having all kinds of problems. Is this just the old style pots? Would 250k pots come with smalle posts?

Thanks for the help.

JoeVictim · #2 01-23-2010, 12:28 PM

What size pots do I need to fit my control plate?

Bootzilla · #3 01-23-2010, 12:33 PM

The resistance size doesn't matter for physical size of the posts. You could try to make the holes bigger or maybe see if a different type of pot fits (maybe there is a difference between solid shaft and split shaft pot posts).

JoeVictim · #4 01-23-2010, 12:38 PM

OK, thanks. I thought there might have been a difference. I have been looking online but I can't find a site that says what diameter the post is.

Bootzilla · #5 01-23-2010, 12:51 PM

I would try to get my hands on a round file and file down the holes a bit.

JLS · #6 01-23-2010, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeVictim

Hey guys, Ii just received a new pickguard and control plate from guitar fetish. I have changed pickguards on my Strat before but never on my Jazz. The problem I am having is the posts on my pots don't fit through the space holes on the control plate. This is for my Squier Jazz by the way. Also, it has 500k pots right now. My jazz started life with a three ply WBW pickguard that served double duty as a control plate, it was not two seperate pieces as most jazz basses do. Now that I am trying to change it up a bit, I am having all kinds of problems. Is this just the old style pots? Would 250k pots come with smalle posts?

Thanks for the help.

Use a tapered reamer, to enlarge the holes.

Slax · #7 01-23-2010, 01:20 PM

Drimmel and a routing bit. It took me about two seconds of routing to enlarge the hole enough to fit the CTS pots I put in my bass.

JoeVictim · #8 01-23-2010, 01:49 PM

Could I just get a bit for my drill? Would I have to get a dremmel? Never heard of a tapered hammer, but I do have a drill, just need a special bit right? The size needed is the same size as my jack, so 1/4"?

JLS · #9 01-23-2010, 03:06 PM

Tapered reamer. Real good tool to have.

JoeVictim · #10 01-23-2010, 04:06 PM

Thanks for the clarification. I read what I want obviously.

Music Power · #11 01-23-2010, 04:22 PM

Tapered Reamer is definitely the way to go, I'd say. In regards to the pots, they do make mini-pots in the normal resistances. Ibanez has a tendency to use them on certain instruments, and especially their guitars with pickguards. If you're having trouble fitting the controls in, you may check out some of those.

Tusec · #12 01-23-2010, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeVictim

Could I just get a bit for my drill? Would I have to get a dremmel? Never heard of a tapered hammer, but I do have a drill, just need a special bit right? The size needed is the same size as my jack, so 1/4"?

Doublecheck me, but I think most pots use a 3/8" hole, and I do think it would be easiest to drill them out. The existing hole is big enough that the bit should stay centered. I would strongly suggest clamping the plate in a vice though, because the bit will want to grab the plate and spin it.