CTS Mini Pots ??

[JimInMO]

Two of the pots on my SX Jazz bass are getting pretty scratchy and I want to replace them pretty soon. They are the mini (dime) size and I have read in a couple of SX threads that the control cavity had to be routed somewhat for full size pots. I see CTS has mini pots. I don't have a router or a working Dremel. Anybody care to comment on the quality of the CTS mini's compared to the full size?

 

[Batmensch]

I would aslo like to know this, for the same reasons.

 

[ThrashMaster]

not as nice feeling (not that the full size ones are consistent anyway)

Just use a chisel to enlarge the cavity

 

[keyboardguy]

One would think the CTS mini's are just as reliable as the regular sized ones. Don't know for sure though.......

http://www.allparts.com/CTS-250K-Mini-Audio-Pot-p/ep-5485-000.htm



Regards,

Mike

 

[Batmensch]

Well, I would think them more reliable than the stock SX mini pots.

 

[Muaguana]

I had one for a while and one of its outer lugs came loose. Still works fine, but I still replaced it just in case. To be fair, I did a lot of modifications to the wiring in a relatively short time period and am not always the gentlest with pots. So if you're not a neanderthal when soldering like I am, it shouldn't be an issue.

Edit: I didn't notice much of a difference in the smoothness of the turning mechanism between the full and mini. Unless you're going to do a treble bleed modification (in which case the full-sized offers more room to work with) there's really no reason not to use the mini, IMO. Saves space.

 

[dave120]

It's a toss up whether the full size CTS pots will fit in an SX without routing. The problem is that the side of the pots occasionally touch (the shielding on the sides that you should put in the cavity) depending on where the control plate sits. MOST times you can wrap some electrical tape around the pots and it will work fine . In other cases the cavity isn't drilled large enough but on the SX Jazz basses I've always seen them large enough to fit them. It usually just depends on how well they oriented the control plate.

 

[Batmensch]

Well, my SX is an Ursa 1 P-bass, so if I can get away with using the CTS mini-pots instead of doing any wood work, that's what I will do, as I would end up having to spend money on some kind of tool I don't really need otherwise. Probably what I will do is get a P-bass wiring kit and if the standard CTS pots will work, I'll use those, if not, then I'll get the mini pots from Allparts. Seems the most economically feasible way for me.

 

[lt762x39]

If you have access to a can of contact cleaner you can hose them and it will go away. spray it as you move the pot stop to stop. But new parts never hurt anybody right.

 

[Muaguana]

If you have access to a can of contact cleaner you can hose them and it will go away. spray it as you move the pot stop to stop. But new parts never hurt anybody right.

+1 - contact cleaner is always good to have around, and has fixed scratchy pots for me 95% of the time.

 

[JimInMO]

Thanks everybody. I have used DeOxit a couple of times and it helped temporarily. I think the tone pot is defective as it has been noisy from shortly after I got the bass. I haven't really tried to fit full sized pots but from just eyeballing the fit of the mini's when trying to clean them it certainly looks tight. Think I will go with the mini's.