Hey guys,

I recently purchased an S420 with the stock INF's. I play in a progressive melodic metal band (The Discovery, check out our FB ) so I decided to go with white w/ black pole Evolution bridge and Liquifire neck. I figured that while I'm getting that done, I may as well upgrade some of the lesser-thought-of components. This is where I go off the rails. My questions are:

Pots: 500k? What brand? Do they fit? Do I need new knobs?

Cap(s): I ordered a 0.022uF @ 200V 5% Orange Drop for the tone pot. Is that right/good? Do I need more than one? Volume pot?

Pickup Selector: I'd like to put in a new white-tipped 3-way PUP-selector rather than the five-way. Brand? Fit? Can I switch from 5 to 3?

Output: I ordered the Prestige (3JK1J23) jack for $20... Maybe a waste of money but oh well. Any justification for me?!

If you took the time to read through all of that, thank you. I really do appreciate any help, as there are 10,001 different pages explaining things in terms that are way over my head. Also, if you have any comments on the pickups I've chosen or disagree with the set, please let me know. Welcoming any and all feedback. Thanks!!!

Pots: Dimarzio, CTS, and Bourns are kosher. There's probably others people will chime in with.
Cap: Personal preference rules here
Pickup Selector: you can switch from a 5-way to 3-way.
Output: If it makes you sleep better at night, why not?

Thanks for the reply!

I've read that DiMarzio pots are too large for the stock mounting holes in the S body, otherwise I'd already have purchased some. If you or someone else could confirm or dispel that myth, that would be great.

They're too big for the holes for starters, so go with something else if you don't want to make the holes bigger.

Are CTS also too large? Or just DiMarzio?

CTS makes mini pots that will fit the holes

http://www.allparts.com/EP-5486-000-...ot_p_1497.html

Awesome! Thanks for the help with those. Still unsure of differences between cap strength, etc.

Do you adjust the tone knob much when you're playing? If not don't worry about it because it won't make a difference, if you do that orange drop 022 will be fine, and if you don't like it you can always change it later... No need for a cap on the volume

Okay great, is a cap needed for the tone pot? Or is that really just a matter of preference? What are the pros/cons of having/not having?

Is there a reason for changing the pots and caps, etc? Changing pickups will make the main difference. Pots not so much. Cap value will change tone, but only if you use the tone pot. Don't worry about expensive caps, they won't really have much impact.

If your pots work ok I wouldn't worry about wasting the money.

I already ordered them, I figured that if I'm getting a tech to go in there and do the pickups, I may as well do all the little things that are so often overlooked. I also feel better about a tech being paid to do it rather than the workers in the Indonesian factories.. Seems like I could pay to have a better quality job done.

But my main question is do I need a cap on the tone pot? I know volume isn't necessary, just unsure about tone.

Yes, the capacitor is what creates a tone pot. Without it it's just a volume. The capacitor acts as a filter for the high frequencies, as you roll the pot back the capacitor starts to "capacitate" (sic) the high frequencies.

Hahaha okay that's good to know, thank you!