RS Super pots vs CTS 500k Audio....

[cyguitar]

For the volumes of my two Les Pauls? What are the pro's and con's, and is the RS Super worth twice the price? Thoughts, comments, suggestions, what sayeth ye?

[guitartech01085]

RS would likely be the last one you would have to buy for that instrument. That said, a CTS will last, too. The difference is durability and suscepatbility to dirt and corrosion. If you spend the extra, you won't regret it as long as you can spend the extra money. Might be overkill, but that's okay. Have at it!

[walterw]

the RS is indeed nice, but the superpot has an unusual taper, which may not be to everyone's liking (i didn't dig it). regular audio pots have a fast dropoff from "10", flattening out towards the low numbers and slowly fading to "0". the superpot seems to drop off fast, then flatten out quickly in the middle, finally dropping off fast again at the bottom.

if you're doing high-gain stuff and working the volume, the regular CTS will work fine, cleaning up evenly as you turn it down.

for more medium-gain and bluesy playing, the superpot will still drop off fast from "10" but "stay louder" in the middle of the pot's range.

if these are stock factory pauls, then either one would be an improvement over the 300k linear volumes gibson still insists on putting in there.

(gibson tone pots are already 500k audio taper and don't need to be changed.)

[cyguitar]

I am going to change out the tone pots too, as I am going to wire them up '50's style. Rather than trying to de-solder the lug on the pot, and bend it back in to place without breaking it. I got four Gibson 500k Audio pots for one of the LP's, and the other will get CTS 500k Audio pots. I just was curious about whether the difference is worth spending $70.00 for four pots. I play medium gain, to hairy clean.

[Jef Bardsley]

You only need two Superpots - RS specifies normal taper CTS pots for the tone controls.

The '50s wiring mucks with the taper of the pots, so I think you'd be happier with the Superpots. That's pretty much why they have a special taper.

[cyguitar]

No, I would need four RS Super pots, as I have two LP's I'm re-wiring. Also after some research, and how I wired my Agile LP copy using Modern wiring, I will just wire my Gibson's modern style. It took a bit to get used to the taper of the Audio volume pot, rather than linear. I love them now, but don't want even more drastic taper, and darker tone. I like a little bit of honk. I got some nice Sprague Vitamin Q's to throw in them also.

[walterw]

you really don't need to change the tone pots; all you have to do for '50s wiring is run the cap to the middle lug of the volume instead of the clockwise lug.

there's no reason to reconfigure the tone pot itself, that makes no difference. (and if you did want it to "look like the picture" for whatever reason, it's really no big deal to unsolder a lug from the pot casing; just use the iron itself to pry it off the side.)

[cyguitar]

I may do that Walter. I think I know how you feel about '50's wiring. Am I correct in my assumption, of how the sound and taper will differ from modern wiring, with 500k Audio volume pots?

[DavidLM]

I am going to change out the tone pots too, as I am going to wire them up '50's style. Rather than trying to de-solder the lug on the pot, and bend it back in to place without breaking it. I got four Gibson 500k Audio pots for one of the LP's, and the other will get CTS 500k Audio pots. I just was curious about whether the difference is worth spending $70.00 for four pots. I play medium gain, to hairy clean.

I bought some Gibson labeled 500K pots the other day - they look exactly like CTS to me except for the branding. Work great and were very close to actual 500K. Usually, they are way off.

[zombiwoof]

I bought some Gibson labeled 500K pots the other day - they look exactly like CTS to me except for the branding. Work great and were very close to actual 500K. Usually, they are way off.

The newer Gibson Historic pots are CTS, reportedly have a nice taper and also seem to have close tolerances. They're around $12 each. Music Zoo had them for a while but sold out, don't know if they have any more in stock now.

Al

[jlagrassa]

I just ordered 4 CTS standard 500k audio taper pots from RS Guitarworks, 2 are replacing the the super pots I was using. I find I prefer the standard audio taper, the super pots are good but even there taper still reminds me of a linear taper pot!

[Eagle1]

CTS 500 KA works best for me, the RS taper is not good with high gain and the tweaked value brightens up the tone (which I don't want.)
Both good pots .