How to make a no-load pot 'click'

surfoverb · May 15th, 2008, 01:43 PM

I made a no-load CTS pot but I want it to click, how is it done?

Onyx Z · May 15th, 2008, 10:31 PM

I'm not exactly sure this is how the Fender no-loads are made, but from what I can tell from mine (just by the way it feels), it has a spring that is constantly pushing down on the wiper inside; then when it gets to the "click" part, it has some sort of indention that it kind of falls into. It doesn't really make a pronounced "click" per se.

mellecaster · May 15th, 2008, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by surfoverb

I made a no-load CTS pot but I want it to click, how is it done?

Seems like for about $7.95 it would be a lot easier just to buy one that has the detent at the 10 position ?

surfoverb · May 16th, 2008, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mellecaster

Seems like for about $7.95 it would be a lot easier just to buy one that has the detent at the 10 position ?

I'm just trying one on for size so to speak...Since modding an existing pot was really easy and free I figured maybe making it click would be something that also only takes a few minutes.

rocksteady Max · May 16th, 2008, 10:43 AM

The feel I get from the no-load pot is that there is some kind of magnet ... but impressions can be deceiving

w0odman · May 16th, 2008, 10:43 AM

The one that I bought didn't click. I don't think they're supposed to.

rocksteady Max · May 16th, 2008, 11:12 AM

no they don't click per se but you feel a resistance when you roll off the pot.

surfoverb · May 16th, 2008, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rocksteady Max

no they don't click per se but you feel a resistance when you roll off the pot.

I figured some actually do 'click' into position because I've read about some people not liking that click and preferring a smooth transition. Maybe 'click' isn't the right word, I just mean when you roll the knob to '9' there is a 'wall' so-to-speak and to get it to '10' it takes a little more pressure, that is, there is resistance.

I guess I'll just buy one and take it apart.

kylef · May 16th, 2008, 12:12 PM

all mines are the same, and ive had solid and split shafts.

as said, like a sring holidng it up, then falls into place on 10...just a smaller pressure needed to roll it in.

Jim.Collins · May 16th, 2008, 03:37 PM

Usually, a pot that is described as "no-load" has that detente (it "clicks"), but if it is described as a "blender", it doesn't click. That is the only difference. If you were to go to acmeguitarworks.com, you'd see both blender and no-load pots. The no-load pots have the detente.

surfoverb · May 16th, 2008, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim.Collins

Usually, a pot that is described as "no-load" has that detente (it "clicks"), but if it is described as a "blender", it doesn't click. That is the only difference. If you were to go to acmeguitarworks.com, you'd see both blender and no-load pots. The no-load pots have the detente.

I thought a blender was just a pot wired to blend in the bridge and neck PUP ala Nocaster?

Regardless what I'm trying to do is get my Esquire wired so that when I'm in the bridge only position I bypass the volume pot as well as the tone but the way the switch is wired the 2 common lugs are bridge and volume.

mellecaster · May 16th, 2008, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim.Collins

Usually, a pot that is described as "no-load" has that detente (it "clicks"), but if it is described as a "blender", it doesn't click. That is the only difference. If you were to go to acmeguitarworks.com, you'd see both blender and no-load pots. The no-load pots have the detente.

That Sir would be Correct...at least that is what I was told, by guys smarter than me......

idoru · May 24th, 2008, 07:32 AM

To make a detent (as extrapolated from a soldering error by myself): take off the pot casing and make an indent with a hole punch where you want the detent to be. This will require hooking up a multimeter to find where in the travel of the pot the required value is, and finding the equivalent place on the pot casing.

Now, a 40 watt soldering iron will melt the plastic mechanism inside the pot if you hold it in place too long (heh), so all you need to do is use the multimeter to find your place again and heat the indent for long enough. Voila, a detent - one of my old pots now has 3!

Needless to say, practicing on old Squier pots is highly recommended before you attack anything of quality.

c-

May 15th, 2008, 01:43 PM	#1 (permalink)
surfoverb Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,375	How to make a no-load pot 'click' I made a no-load CTS pot but I want it to click, how is it done?

May 16th, 2008, 10:43 AM	#6 (permalink)
w0odman Tele-Meister Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 418	The one that I bought didn't click. I don't think they're supposed to. __________________ "The only true currency in this bankrupt world, is what you share with someone else when you're uncool." -Lester Bangs

May 15th, 2008, 10:31 PM	#2 (permalink)
Onyx Z Tele-Meister Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Houston/College Station, TX Age: 23 Posts: 227	I'm not exactly sure this is how the Fender no-loads are made, but from what I can tell from mine (just by the way it feels), it has a spring that is constantly pushing down on the wiper inside; then when it gets to the "click" part, it has some sort of indention that it kind of falls into. It doesn't really make a pronounced "click" per se.

May 16th, 2008, 10:43 AM	#5 (permalink)
rocksteady Max Tele-Meister Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Montréal Age: 26 Posts: 238	The feel I get from the no-load pot is that there is some kind of magnet ... but impressions can be deceiving

May 16th, 2008, 11:12 AM	#7 (permalink)
rocksteady Max Tele-Meister Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Montréal Age: 26 Posts: 238	no they don't click per se but you feel a resistance when you roll off the pot.

May 16th, 2008, 12:12 PM	#9 (permalink)
kylef Tele-Meister Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: cowdenbeath, fife Posts: 143	all mines are the same, and ive had solid and split shafts. as said, like a sring holidng it up, then falls into place on 10...just a smaller pressure needed to roll it in.

May 16th, 2008, 03:37 PM	#10 (permalink)
Jim.Collins Tele-Meister Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Pleasanton, CA Age: 53 Posts: 429	Usually, a pot that is described as "no-load" has that detente (it "clicks"), but if it is described as a "blender", it doesn't click. That is the only difference. If you were to go to acmeguitarworks.com, you'd see both blender and no-load pots. The no-load pots have the detente.

May 24th, 2008, 07:32 AM	#13 (permalink)
idoru TDPRI Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Brisbane, Australia Age: 32 Posts: 47	To make a detent (as extrapolated from a soldering error by myself): take off the pot casing and make an indent with a hole punch where you want the detent to be. This will require hooking up a multimeter to find where in the travel of the pot the required value is, and finding the equivalent place on the pot casing. Now, a 40 watt soldering iron will melt the plastic mechanism inside the pot if you hold it in place too long (heh), so all you need to do is use the multimeter to find your place again and heat the indent for long enough. Voila, a detent - one of my old pots now has 3! Needless to say, practicing on old Squier pots is highly recommended before you attack anything of quality. c-