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250k vs 500k pot on passive pups

Discussion in 'Pickups & Electronics [BG]' started by chubrocker, Jul 21, 2009.

  1. Jul 21, 2009 #1
    chubrocker

    chubrocker

    May 6, 2006
    KCMO
    I've been working on my relic'd Squire jazz (I know, it's lame) and want to change the two volume pots and tone pot. I like the tone of the passive Duncan-Designed pups on it currently, but the pots could be upgraded.

    Are there any benefits to getting 500k pots vs 250 pots?

    Which brand of pots are best? Some have said CTS, but from doing a search CTS has some bad reviews.

    This is my first pot replacement, so needing some insight/guidance.
     
  2. Jul 21, 2009 #2
    fishsticks

    fishsticks

    Apr 13, 2009
    Centreville VA (DC Burb)
    500k will be "brighter" than 250k.
     
  3. Jul 21, 2009 #3
    line6man

    line6man

    Jun 20, 2008
    Close to Los Angeles, CA
  4. Jul 21, 2009 #4
    chubrocker

    chubrocker

    May 6, 2006
    KCMO
  5. Jul 21, 2009 #5
    Jefenator

    Jefenator Supporting Member

    Aug 22, 2008
    Oregon
    IME the difference is not super dramatic. If you're sticking with passive electronics, that kind of goes with the "vintage" mind set, in which case 250K is a tad warmer.

    I've never felt that any bass I've used with 250K was too dull. And I'm all about warmth. So 250K is the way I go UNLESS for some reason I want to keep maximum treble edge (if that were the case, it might be time to also add an onboard preamp) OR if there's a pickup (likely a humbucker) where they specifically recommend 500K or 1M.

    HTH
     
  6. Jul 21, 2009 #6
    SGD Lutherie

    SGD Lutherie Inactive Commercial User

    Aug 21, 2008
    Bloomfield, NJ
    Owner, SGD Music Products
    It also depends on the pickup. The higher the impedance, the more of an effect the value of the pots will have.

    An 6K pickup will sound bright with a 250K pot, but a 12K will sound darker.

    I can hear the difference, but it is subtle.
     
  7. Jul 21, 2009 #7
    walterw

    walterw Supportive Fender Commercial User

    Feb 20, 2009
    alpha-music.com
  8. Jul 21, 2009 #8
    line6man

    line6man

    Jun 20, 2008
    Close to Los Angeles, CA
    FWIW, Audio vs. Linear is something that several people on this board constantly argue about.

    Ultimately it's about the application they are used in.
     
  9. Jul 21, 2009 #9
    walterw

    walterw Supportive Fender Commercial User

    Feb 20, 2009
    alpha-music.com
    right, and i've become one of those people :D

    the thing is, i've yet to read a post from someone who tried linear volumes on a passive bass and didn't like it. they definitely behave in a much more even fashion on every one of the scores of basses i've installed them in.

    on the other hand, there's tons of complaints about basses where the volume "drops off suddenly from '10' to '7'", which is what audio taper volumes do.
     
  10. Jul 21, 2009 #10
    chubrocker

    chubrocker

    May 6, 2006
    KCMO
    OK, this whole "pot" thing is getting more complicated....;)
     
  11. Jul 21, 2009 #11
    walterw

    walterw Supportive Fender Commercial User

    Feb 20, 2009
    alpha-music.com
    naah...it's still simple.

    if you want to keep the same tone, put in two 250k linear pots for volumes and a 250k audio pot for tone. if you want a little louder and edgier (which i like for grindy rock pick-style playing), put 500ks in instead.

    the linears will be a lot easier to tweak the blend between the two pickups.

    CTS is just fine.