P-90's and pots 250k 0r 500k ?

ASC67 · November 24th, 2009, 02:19 PM

I have a yamaha guitar with 2 P-90's one volume one tone control. I recently replaced the tone pot which was scratchy with a 250k pot because that's what was in it. I keep reading that 500k should be used with P-90's. I think the volume pot is also a 250k as well. My question is what difference would going to 500k pots make with this guitar sound wise ?

Tele Fan · November 24th, 2009, 02:27 PM

500K would give a brighter sound. Most P90 guitars do use 500k pots.

ASC67 · November 25th, 2009, 10:06 AM

Well they are pretty bright already is that the only difference ?

indiobravo · November 25th, 2009, 10:10 AM

yes. if you like the brightness you are getting now, leave it as it is. if it's a little too dark for you, follow tele fan's guide. most have 500k

ASC67 · November 25th, 2009, 02:47 PM

The bridge pickup is nice and bright and the neck pickup is slightly dark but not too much.

garymaddox · November 25th, 2009, 02:55 PM

I don't remember the exact values but it depends on the ohm resistance with a P90 as to whether you should go with a 500K or 250K pot. Yamaha may have chosen the better sounding pots for your pickups. I have always found Yamaha to have high standards in the past.

Troy T. Blues · November 25th, 2009, 02:57 PM

500K is correct for P90's.

callaway · November 25th, 2009, 03:05 PM

I have 500k's in my P-90 guitar (ash body, padouk neck), but it is rather bright. I keep meaning to change them to 250k.

emisilly · November 25th, 2009, 04:12 PM

I used to have that EXACT model Yamaha. GREAT guitar!!

I put 500k pots in mine. It got a wee bit brighter, but not much. You can always roll the tone knob back if you find it too bright.

jkingma · November 25th, 2009, 04:45 PM

I have always used 250K pots with P90's and like the sound.

ne4tt · November 26th, 2009, 02:42 PM

What is the model number of the Yamaha?

Dog-gone, I want one.

Jamie

Chrismo · November 26th, 2009, 03:14 PM

In a Gibson or something darker I'd use 500K pots - but I've only used P-90 in Fender-type applications, so 250K pots have been great.

ASC67 · November 26th, 2009, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ne4tt

What is the model number of the Yamaha?

Dog-gone, I want one.

Jamie

AEX-502

AEX-502, here's one on the Bay
http://cgi.ebay.com/Yamaha-AEX-502-s...item4a9c7e5f87

They come up every so often, they only made them for a couple of years in the late 90's. I used to have a tobacco burst that I foolishly sold a few years ago. Unlike most semi hollow bodies the body is solid Alder that is routed out with a Maple top cap.

Here is my old one.

emisilly · November 28th, 2009, 12:12 PM

They also had a version of that guitar with mini-buckers. I had both models at one time. REALLY wish I never sold them!!

ASC67 · November 28th, 2009, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emisilly

They also had a version of that guitar with mini-buckers. I had both models at one time. REALLY wish I never sold them!!

Yes, I believe that was an AEX-503

JD0x0 · November 28th, 2009, 09:32 PM

use 500K theres not a big difference, but worst case scenario you compensate by reducing the treble on the amp.

Generally you want to go as high as possible because pots are passive so unless theyre no-load youre losing output and treble. I have a 500k volume and a no-load tone in my tele and it's so much more touch sensative and responsive than my other guitars because of it.

SixShooter · December 1st, 2009, 01:47 PM

Would you need to use 500k for both tone and volume or the volume only, in order to make it brighter?

November 24th, 2009, 02:19 PM	#1 (permalink)
ASC67 Tele-Meister Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Minnesota Age: 42 Posts: 277	P-90's and pots 250k 0r 500k ? I have a yamaha guitar with 2 P-90's one volume one tone control. I recently replaced the tone pot which was scratchy with a 250k pot because that's what was in it. I keep reading that 500k should be used with P-90's. I think the volume pot is also a 250k as well. My question is what difference would going to 500k pots make with this guitar sound wise ? __________________ Steve

November 24th, 2009, 02:27 PM	#2 (permalink)
Tele Fan Friend of Leo's Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Louisville, Ky Age: 31 Posts: 3,019	500K would give a brighter sound. Most P90 guitars do use 500k pots. __________________ Life is better when you just make it up as you go along.

November 25th, 2009, 10:06 AM	#3 (permalink)
ASC67 Tele-Meister Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Minnesota Age: 42 Posts: 277	Well they are pretty bright already is that the only difference ? __________________ Steve

November 25th, 2009, 02:47 PM	#5 (permalink)
ASC67 Tele-Meister Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Minnesota Age: 42 Posts: 277	The bridge pickup is nice and bright and the neck pickup is slightly dark but not too much. __________________ Steve

November 25th, 2009, 02:57 PM	#7 (permalink)
Troy T. Blues TDPRI Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Connecticut, USA Age: 42 Posts: 79	500K is correct for P90's. __________________ http://www.myspace.com/troytbluesband

November 25th, 2009, 10:10 AM	#4 (permalink)
indiobravo Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Raleigh NC Age: 44 Posts: 564	yes. if you like the brightness you are getting now, leave it as it is. if it's a little too dark for you, follow tele fan's guide. most have 500k

November 25th, 2009, 02:55 PM	#6 (permalink)
garymaddox Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Foat Wuth, Texus Posts: 631	I don't remember the exact values but it depends on the ohm resistance with a P90 as to whether you should go with a 500K or 250K pot. Yamaha may have chosen the better sounding pots for your pickups. I have always found Yamaha to have high standards in the past.

November 25th, 2009, 03:05 PM	#8 (permalink)
callaway Tele-Meister Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Blacksburg, VA Posts: 280	I have 500k's in my P-90 guitar (ash body, padouk neck), but it is rather bright. I keep meaning to change them to 250k.

November 25th, 2009, 04:12 PM	#9 (permalink)
emisilly Tele-Holic Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Virginia Beach Age: 41 Posts: 534	I used to have that EXACT model Yamaha. GREAT guitar!! I put 500k pots in mine. It got a wee bit brighter, but not much. You can always roll the tone knob back if you find it too bright.

November 25th, 2009, 04:45 PM	#10 (permalink)
jkingma Friend of Leo's Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: N43° 11.943 ~ W079° 35.285 Posts: 3,724 18 Photos	I have always used 250K pots with P90's and like the sound. __________________ Creator of Fine Sawdust and Expensive Kindling.

November 26th, 2009, 02:42 PM	#11 (permalink)
ne4tt Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: North Cackalacky Posts: 2,369 4 Photos	What is the model number of the Yamaha? Dog-gone, I want one. Jamie

November 26th, 2009, 03:14 PM	#12 (permalink)
Chrismo Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Virginia Beach, Virginia Age: 21 Posts: 1,792 7 Photos	In a Gibson or something darker I'd use 500K pots - but I've only used P-90 in Fender-type applications, so 250K pots have been great. __________________ Well let me just quote the late-great Colonel Sanders who said..."I'm too drunk to taste this chicken." http://thetonechasers.wordpress.com/

November 28th, 2009, 12:12 PM	#14 (permalink)
emisilly Tele-Holic Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Virginia Beach Age: 41 Posts: 534	They also had a version of that guitar with mini-buckers. I had both models at one time. REALLY wish I never sold them!!

November 28th, 2009, 09:32 PM	#16 (permalink)
JD0x0 Tele-Meister Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Massapequa, New York Age: 19 Posts: 258	use 500K theres not a big difference, but worst case scenario you compensate by reducing the treble on the amp. Generally you want to go as high as possible because pots are passive so unless theyre no-load youre losing output and treble. I have a 500k volume and a no-load tone in my tele and it's so much more touch sensative and responsive than my other guitars because of it. __________________ It's true i've lost my marbles and I can't remember where i've put them

December 1st, 2009, 01:47 PM	#17 (permalink)
SixShooter Tele-Meister Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Cincinnati Age: 43 Posts: 296 2 Photos	Would you need to use 500k for both tone and volume or the volume only, in order to make it brighter?

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