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Danno · June 12th, 2008, 03:49 PM

A couple of months back I acquired a Fatdawg telecaster in a trade. It since has become my favorite guitar and one of the reasons is the amazing quality pots. The knobs are nice and heavy and I'm sure that helps but the ease of turning, lack of scratching and the ability to actually dial in a wide range of tone and volume settings has sold me on the idea of replacing the pots in my other guitars.

I keep hearing of CTS pots and I'm curious what others are using out there. Have not cracked open this tele to see what's in there yet though.

What do you guys recommend and from what supplier? I'll probably be looking to do 3 or 4 guitars so I'll be ordering 10 or so I'm sure.

Thanks for any ideas.

For the record I cannot endorse Fatdawg or Subway guitars. Sounds like these guys are hit and miss on many fronts. They got this one right though. They had a good day.

KevinB · June 12th, 2008, 05:04 PM

CTS is considered the "standard" when it comes to high quality pots. They are a huge company though and build components to spec for many other companies, so not all CTS pots are the same. Look for ones made to military spec, and with brass shafts.

Guitar_Ninja · June 12th, 2008, 10:27 PM

Alpha pots are quite good, and can be had for less than half the price of CTS pots. As alluded to above CTS pots are made at several factories around the world. The pots they make for Fender come from Taiwan. Alpha's are made in mainland China I believe.

For solid-shaft pots you can get them for $1.25 apiece from Small Bear Electronics.

boneyguy · June 13th, 2008, 12:15 AM

I've always bought DiMarzio pots at my music store and have never, ever had a problem. They turn like buttah, each and every one of them, even the push pulls.
I don't know how accurate the DiMarzio electrical tolerances are compared to CTS but their mechanical quality is excellent in my opinion.

eryque · June 13th, 2008, 03:13 PM

I'll betcha a drink that Di Marzio doesn't make their own pots, and I'd bet another drink that they don't even have them manufactured to spec. They probably just found a supplier they liked and put their name on the packaging.

June 12th, 2008, 03:49 PM	#1 (permalink)
Danno Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: NC Age: 43 Posts: 345	Potentiometer suggestions A couple of months back I acquired a Fatdawg telecaster in a trade. It since has become my favorite guitar and one of the reasons is the amazing quality pots. The knobs are nice and heavy and I'm sure that helps but the ease of turning, lack of scratching and the ability to actually dial in a wide range of tone and volume settings has sold me on the idea of replacing the pots in my other guitars. I keep hearing of CTS pots and I'm curious what others are using out there. Have not cracked open this tele to see what's in there yet though. What do you guys recommend and from what supplier? I'll probably be looking to do 3 or 4 guitars so I'll be ordering 10 or so I'm sure. Thanks for any ideas. For the record I cannot endorse Fatdawg or Subway guitars. Sounds like these guys are hit and miss on many fronts. They got this one right though. They had a good day.

June 12th, 2008, 10:27 PM	#3 (permalink)
Guitar_Ninja Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Posts: 2,185 7 Photos	Alpha pots are quite good, and can be had for less than half the price of CTS pots. As alluded to above CTS pots are made at several factories around the world. The pots they make for Fender come from Taiwan. Alpha's are made in mainland China I believe. For solid-shaft pots you can get them for $1.25 apiece from Small Bear Electronics. __________________ "The wisdom of a fool won't set you free"

June 13th, 2008, 12:15 AM	#4 (permalink)
boneyguy Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: victoria b.c. Age: 51 Posts: 4,329	I've always bought DiMarzio pots at my music store and have never, ever had a problem. They turn like buttah, each and every one of them, even the push pulls. I don't know how accurate the DiMarzio electrical tolerances are compared to CTS but their mechanical quality is excellent in my opinion. __________________ "Science doesn't prove, it probes." Gregory Bateson

June 13th, 2008, 03:13 PM	#5 (permalink)
eryque Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: albany, ny [not chicago] Posts: 7,406 44 Photos	I'll betcha a drink that Di Marzio doesn't make their own pots, and I'd bet another drink that they don't even have them manufactured to spec. They probably just found a supplier they liked and put their name on the packaging. __________________ my blog: eryque.blogspot.com Updated 9.17.08! Subscribe_____________________

June 12th, 2008, 05:04 PM	#2 (permalink)
KevinB Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,850 4 Photos	CTS is considered the "standard" when it comes to high quality pots. They are a huge company though and build components to spec for many other companies, so not all CTS pots are the same. Look for ones made to military spec, and with brass shafts.

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