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amfibes · October 22nd, 2009, 06:45 AM

For some time I've been looking for a really smooth pot (actually for a lapsteel build and not a tele). I mean one that is real easy to turn with your little finger for swell effects.
I generally use alpha pots but they are way to hard to turn for this. CTS and Bourns pots are fine but I have tried pots on other peoples guitars that are way better.
Some advice on this would be greatly appreciated.

mellecaster · October 22nd, 2009, 12:33 PM

Try to locate a Genuine Fender CTS with the dimpled bottom and the Alum. shaft...with a Heavy Knob it should fit your needs. The Flat-bottomed CTS EP series that allparts sell, are a little too stiff feeling for what you desire IMO

PhatTele · October 22nd, 2009, 01:31 PM

Mojo Musical Supply sells some specially made CTS pots that have that smooth, easy to turn feel to them. I've been using them for a couple of years now and have turned some friends onto them as well.

http://www.mojotone.com/Guitar-Potentiometers

RockStarNick · October 22nd, 2009, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mellecaster

Try to locate a Genuine Fender CTS with the dimpled bottom and the Alum. shaft...with a Heavy Knob it should fit your needs. The Flat-bottomed CTS EP series that allparts sell, are a little too stiff feeling for what you desire IMO

The official fender ones turn nice and smooth. the regular CTS's are stiff.

For me, I get Fenders for the volumes, and CTS for the tones. Since I keep the tones on 10 for the most part, but use the volume a LOT.

yegbert · October 22nd, 2009, 04:43 PM

My experience is consistent with what mellecaster said, the EP series CTS that Allparts brands are the stiff ones. Because they are the flat bottom CTS type.

Dimpled bottom CTS = easy turning.

Flat bottom CTS = stiffer turning. Although I have disassembled a couple, got rid of the sticky goop in the inside of the bottom of one and gave it just a little lube; and it got a lot freer turning immediately. I've also generously sprayed lube in them through the holes in the pot shell and was able to get them to be freer turning eventually, after a bit of working them.

I haven't disassembled an Alpha pot to see how they are made, but the ones I have are flat bottomed and they are stiff turning. I need to put it on my list of things to do to disassemble one of them and see if I can make it freer turning doing the same thing I did to the flat bottom CTS pots.

Fender doesn't have a monopoly on dimpled bottom CTS pots, and just because it has a Fender part number associated with it doesn't guarantee it's dimpled bottom. I once thought I was safe ordering Fender pots in order to get the dimpled bottom ones, but then I got a couple from Fender that were flat bottomed.

As PhatTele noted, Mojo has some dimpled bottom CTS pots. Acme has some too. I have some from both of those sources that are easy turning.

mellecaster · October 22nd, 2009, 05:07 PM

Just to add to what Yegbert said.

cotecj · October 22nd, 2009, 10:32 PM

Hmm, I just bought some new pots today. Came in a little Fender package - CTS flat bottoms

amfibes · October 25th, 2009, 10:51 AM

Thanks a lot.
Had no idea that dimpled and flat bottomed CTSs were different.
Might even have some dimpled ones laying around somewhere.

October 22nd, 2009, 06:45 AM	#1 (permalink)
amfibes TDPRI Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Sweden Age: 23 Posts: 19 1 Photos	Smooth pot For some time I've been looking for a really smooth pot (actually for a lapsteel build and not a tele). I mean one that is real easy to turn with your little finger for swell effects. I generally use alpha pots but they are way to hard to turn for this. CTS and Bourns pots are fine but I have tried pots on other peoples guitars that are way better. Some advice on this would be greatly appreciated.

October 22nd, 2009, 12:33 PM	#2 (permalink)
mellecaster VENDOR Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Maryland Posts: 7,655 17 Photos	Try to locate a Genuine Fender CTS with the dimpled bottom and the Alum. shaft...with a Heavy Knob it should fit your needs. The Flat-bottomed CTS EP series that allparts sell, are a little too stiff feeling for what you desire IMO __________________ Expert Repair....ReCrafting...and Set-ups Making your World a Better Place...One Guitar at a time

October 22nd, 2009, 05:07 PM	#6 (permalink)
mellecaster VENDOR Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Maryland Posts: 7,655 17 Photos	Just to add to what Yegbert said. __________________ Expert Repair....ReCrafting...and Set-ups Making your World a Better Place...One Guitar at a time

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October 22nd, 2009, 01:31 PM	#3 (permalink)
PhatTele Tele-Holic Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 819	Mojo Musical Supply sells some specially made CTS pots that have that smooth, easy to turn feel to them. I've been using them for a couple of years now and have turned some friends onto them as well. http://www.mojotone.com/Guitar-Potentiometers

October 22nd, 2009, 04:43 PM	#5 (permalink)
yegbert Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Clinton, Maryland (US) Age: 55 Posts: 5,677 95 Photos	My experience is consistent with what mellecaster said, the EP series CTS that Allparts brands are the stiff ones. Because they are the flat bottom CTS type. Dimpled bottom CTS = easy turning. Flat bottom CTS = stiffer turning. Although I have disassembled a couple, got rid of the sticky goop in the inside of the bottom of one and gave it just a little lube; and it got a lot freer turning immediately. I've also generously sprayed lube in them through the holes in the pot shell and was able to get them to be freer turning eventually, after a bit of working them. I haven't disassembled an Alpha pot to see how they are made, but the ones I have are flat bottomed and they are stiff turning. I need to put it on my list of things to do to disassemble one of them and see if I can make it freer turning doing the same thing I did to the flat bottom CTS pots. Fender doesn't have a monopoly on dimpled bottom CTS pots, and just because it has a Fender part number associated with it doesn't guarantee it's dimpled bottom. I once thought I was safe ordering Fender pots in order to get the dimpled bottom ones, but then I got a couple from Fender that were flat bottomed. As PhatTele noted, Mojo has some dimpled bottom CTS pots. Acme has some too. I have some from both of those sources that are easy turning.

October 22nd, 2009, 10:32 PM	#7 (permalink)
cotecj Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Maine Age: 32 Posts: 589	Hmm, I just bought some new pots today. Came in a little Fender package - CTS flat bottoms

October 25th, 2009, 10:51 AM	#8 (permalink)
amfibes TDPRI Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Sweden Age: 23 Posts: 19 1 Photos	Thanks a lot. Had no idea that dimpled and flat bottomed CTSs were different. Might even have some dimpled ones laying around somewhere.

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