250K or 500K pots for my HSS Strat make-over?

[Anyo]

Hey All,

I've got an American Deluxe Fat Strat and after hating the stock pickups for 10 years, I'm finally going to replace them. I've settled on a PAF 36th Anniversary for the Bridge, and a pair of Cruisers for Neck and Middle.

The Dimarzio tech recommended 250K pots across the board for volume and both tone controls. It is a relatively bright guitar and I do prefer my tone slightly warm. Does this sound right? I always fingured the conventional wisdom was 500K for humbuckers, and the Cruisers (while single coil replacements) are essentially hum-cancelling also.

Do you guys have experience with any of these pickups? Which pots worked for you? Thanks.

[skins345669]

I would go with 500K if you like the warm sound, especially if your single coil replacements aren't true single coils. Higher resistance tends to take a little bit off the highs, which lends to that warm character.

[toneboy]

Originally Posted by skins345669

I would go with 500K if you like the warm sound, especially if your single coil replacements aren't true single coils. Higher resistance tends to take a little bit off the highs, which lends to that warm character.

I'm afraid you have it backwards. The higher the resistance of a potentiometer (when it's used a volume control), the more highs get through when it is wide open (on 10).

250k pots are typically used with single coils to tame some of the high end. 500K pots are typically used on humbuckers to let more highs through.

The gent at Dimarzio is correct, based upon your tonal preferences.

I've used 300K and 500K pots on the 36th Anniversary PAF in 3 different guitars (2 Les Pauls and 1 PGM301). I like them both but the 300K pot is a little warmer which isn't bad, just different.

[skins345669]

Originally Posted by toneboy

I'm afraid you have it backwards. The higher the resistance of a potentiometer (when it's used a volume control), the more highs get through when it is wide open (on 10).

250k pots are typically used with single coils to tame some of the high end. 500K pots are typically used on humbuckers to let more highs through.

The gent at Dimarzio is correct, based upon your tonal preferences.

I've used 300K and 500K pots on the 36th Anniversary PAF in 3 different guitars (2 Les Pauls and 1 PGM301). I like them both but the 300K pot is a little warmer which isn't bad, just different.

You are correct sir. I always get those two mixed up.

[Anyo]

Thanks, guys. I'm going to start with 250K and see where that gets me. I ordered the pickups/hardware yesterday. I'm psyched!