changing pot on a guitar

[bent]

Hello, i try google but no answer,

i need to change my volume pot (500KA)on my guitar cause there's static in the pot...and i dont want to just clean it, i prefer changing....

my question: can i use the 500KA from alpha that i use in the pedal or i need a special type of pot....

thank's 

bent

[chillhuman]

Hello, i try google but no answer,

i need to change my volume pot (500KA)on my guitar cause there's static in the pot...and i dont want to just clean it, i prefer changing....

my question: can i use the 500KA from alpha that i use in the pedal or i need a special type of pot....

thank's 

bent

As long as it fits, it should be fine. While you're in there, you may also want to add the "keep the guitar from getting muddy when I roll off the volume" mod.

[Kearns892]

Well, I'm sure it would work I have never tried it. Fender and Gibson sell their own pots if you want it to be an exact same kind, thing. biggest issues would be (as stated previously) size. When I put in bigger pots I neglected to notice the new pots were bigger, I had to take a knife and make some quick pick guard modifications to make them fit, but they look fine.

[liddokun]

Yes, they will work. Rule of thumb is, Fender tends to use solid shaft pots, Gibson likes the split shaft variety. Check what kind of knobs your guitar has, pushon or set screw type.
As long as the taper and value is the same, it's fine to use the kind you use in pedals.

[The Iron Chef]

shaft length is an other issue.  *most pots in guitars  are short shaft but many, like L P 's have long shaft pots.  replace with same.

-Keith

[smallbearelec]

The question was whether Alpha pots are suitable as guitar pots.

Not recommended! Alphas are good pots for the moderate duty cycle that is typical in pedals. For guitar use, I have often recommended the ones that CTS makes and sells through Allparts and many retail sources like Musician's Friend. Also try guitarelectronics.com.

Recently, I noticed that Mouser Electronics is carrying a line of guitar pots by Bourns, which is a respected maker. The prices look reasonable. I have no experience with these, but other people here may. Small Bear will not stock them, only because I prefer to keep our focus on pedal-related parts.

[davent]

Hello, i try google but no answer,

i need to change my volume pot (500KA)on my guitar cause there's static in the pot...and i dont want to just clean it, i prefer changing....

my question: can i use the 500KA from alpha that i use in the pedal or i need a special type of pot....

thank's 

bent

Hi Bent,

Are you sure it's the pot and not DC voltage on the pot?  If you've got DC leakage reaching the pot you'll end up with  crackling and static when you adjust it.
Just a comment on the Alpha pots and that is that GFS is selling large bodied, split shaft Alphas for use in guitars. http://store.guitarfetish.com/guelco.html

dave

[JHS]

CTS pots are very good for guitar applications. The 20% tolerance is a bit critical so messure some pots and swap the ones that are near 500k.

JHS

[Kearns892]

I used CTS pots as Smallbear suggested and they work great

Yes, they will work. Rule of thumb is, Fender tends to use solid shaft pots, Gibson likes the split shaft variety. Check what kind of knobs your guitar has, pushon or set screw type.
As long as the taper and value is the same, it's fine to use the kind you use in pedals.

Now I am not sure about Teles and some of Fenders other models, but Strats are split shaft.

[Mick Bailey]

I've got a cheap Strat copy with Alpha pots and they've held up fine so far despite a lot of use.

[Michael Weidenauer]

I use Alpha pots in all of my guitars (Strats and Tele) and like them better than the CTS pots, because they turn easier, are smaller and in my experience last longer (and I do lots of violin-fades). There are 2 different qualities of 16mm Alpha pots, the normal ones (I use them in my pedals) and a long life version for use in guitars. They also produce bigger pots that are about the CTS size.
I prefer Alpha 300kB (lin) for my volume pots since I never liked log pots for guitar volume, but that's just a matter of taste.

[DougH]

I would stay away from Alphas in guitars and I think I'm going to start staying away from them in amps from now on (I've had some problems with them wearing out prematurely.) Take Steve's advice and look at CTS or Bournes. You can find decent quality guitar pots at a guitar parts place like Stew-Mac for example.