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GMC Forum _ PRACTICE ROOM _ Cheap Pushpull Pods.

Posted by: Patrock May 30 2016, 04:15 PM

Hello,

I primarely play guitar, but i also have a cheap bass, which i like for what it is.
I want to beef up with a series wiring mod, where i use a push pull pot, or a DPDT mini switch.
Does anyone happen to have experience with super cheap chinese push pull pots?
(like ones from aliexpress: http://nl.aliexpress.com/item/EA14-A500K-Push-Pull-Control-Pot-Potentiometer-for-Electric-Guitar-Bass/1890454774.html?spm=2114.010208.3.242.JbuJFC&ws_ab_test=searchweb201556_8,searchweb201602_4_10017_10021_507_10022_10020_10009_10008_10018_10019_101,searchweb201603_3&btsid=2bb93c62-c6dd-46f9-81bb-d64738f62c5f )

I'd never buy such cheap pickups or so (or put these on a $700,- guitar), but are these acceptable for my project/ mid class price guitars? (like for coil split)
(my current bass tone knob is garbage anyway)


Thanks a lot!



Patrick

Posted by: Mertay May 30 2016, 07:29 PM

Alpha pot's are the most common for the affordable-ish range, to me they're good and been using them for sometime now but even for them I wouldn't expect to last forever.

The main concern is even the best pot's has a %10 load difference from pot to pot. So if you buy 500k, it might be 450 when measured. I guess +-100 wouldn't make a world of difference but if more than that (even when pot turned full) the tone might be too muddy or bity than it should be.

Posted by: Chris S. May 30 2016, 08:17 PM

Personally I prefer to use CTS brand whenever possible - but I don't like to use anything below Alpha.

Cheaper pots, from my experience, tend to wear faster - especially when adding a push/pull function.

Posted by: Patrock May 30 2016, 08:39 PM

QUOTE (Mertay @ May 30 2016, 06:29 PM) *
Alpha pot's are the most common for the affordable-ish range, to me they're good and been using them for sometime now but even for them I wouldn't expect to last forever.

The main concern is even the best pot's has a %10 load difference from pot to pot. So if you buy 500k, it might be 450 when measured. I guess +-100 wouldn't make a world of difference but if more than that (even when pot turned full) the tone might be too muddy or bity than it should be.



Thanks wink.gif
That is a really detailed and usefull answer.
Maybe i'll just try it for the sake of it and throw it away if i don't like it.

p.s. I like your cartoon xD

QUOTE (Chris S. @ May 30 2016, 07:17 PM) *
Personally I prefer to use CTS brand whenever possible - but I don't like to use anything below Alpha.

Cheaper pots, from my experience, tend to wear faster - especially when adding a push/pull function.




Thank you.
CTS is far from expensive too. i'll put it in a better guitar if i ever want to coil split something or so.
I think i'll get one cheap one, just to see what it is and throw/ give it away if i don't like it. wink.gif

This site gives way faster and better tips than i expected.

have a nice day ^^

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