250k vs 500k

[Tung]

Is there really that much difference in tone? 500k supposed to bring out more highs, so it's ideal for EBMM guitars if I got this right?
Really appreciate any input, I'm doing some upgrades on my JP50 right now.

[Roubster]

Depends on the model. But yes, 250K will be darker sounding. 250K pots are used on the Silhouettes as well as on the Morse model. The JP uses 500K pots. Its a personal preferance of course. I like the 500K pots because it gives you a greater range, and I like to use the tone pot to turn down the highs if I need to. I dont know why people dont use the tone pot...but its a great tool to control your tone right from the guitar.

[Coffeemug]

The 250k are also used on the Albert Lee.

[Tung]

, and I like to use the tone pot to turn down the highs if I need to. I dont know why people dont use the tone pot...but its a great tool to control your tone right from the guitar.

I use the tone control ALL the time, especially when i'm doing jazz gigs, it's not only necessary, but a must to get a nice warm jazz tone. Even for high gain, when the treble gets too much, the tone pot can cut a bit right on the spot.
So, 250k really is for if you want a darker tone on a bright guitar?

[Four Eyes]

So, 250k really is for if you want a darker tone on a bright guitar?

In my opinion yes and no...

Yes in the sense that the 250k pot will not let as much of the high-end through. But I think that might hamper the overall tone of some humbuckers. Case-in-point; and this is just my opinion, a pickup like the Duncan JB which is my personal favorite didn't sound as full and open when I used it with 250k pots vs. 500k pots. I've always been of the opinion that it's better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it. That's why I love using 500k pots and just roll down the tone control when need be.

I hope that makes some kind of sense...lol

[Tung]

In my opinion yes and no...

Case-in-point; and this is just my opinion, a pickup like the Duncan JB which is my personal favorite didn't sound as full and open when I used it with 250k pots vs. 500k pots. I've always been of the opinion that it's better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it. That's why I love using 500k pots and just roll down the tone control when need be.

I hope that makes some kind of sense...lol

It does totally. my tech told me the same thing, that for humbuckers it's better to go with 500k, especially dual humbuckers guitars.

[B2D]

When I first went from 250k to 500k in my silhouette, I noticed more output and high-end response. The guitar also gained a tighter feel overall. I liked the change and kept it. I have subsequently learned that I prefer 500k pots with guitars that have darker or high-output humbuckers, and 250k pots with brighter humbuckers and all single coils.

[nobozos]

I dont know why people dont use the tone pot...but its a great tool to control your tone right from the guitar.

I believe the theory that some people subscribe to is that a tone pot cannot add anything to the tone of your pickup, only take it away. Technically, this statement is correct. A normal tone knob will take the natural frequency output of a pickup, and remove the highs from it. A TBX tone control will do the same thing from 5 to 0, and from and will remove the lows from 5 to 10.

Some believe that simply the addition of the tone pot in the circuit will choke the natural frequency output of the pickup, even with the pot on 10.

I guess the real test would be for someone with an Axis hardtail, and an ASS hardtail to A/B them on the same rig with the same settings on the bridge pickup, with the tone on the ASS set to 10. If there is a distinguishable difference in tone, I would say the arguement may hold water.

I've never found a tone knob to be particularly useful for me, unless it's a TBX tone control. On the one strat I had, I usually ran the TBX on about 7 or 8. This may explain why I typically don't use a standard tone knob, since I like to remove the lows, and not the highs.

[TNT]

The "tone" knob is the best kept secret!!

I've even contacted DiMarzio about doing a neck pickup the emulates a tone knob at @7-8 when using the bridge pickup. "That" is the tone that a neck pickup would die for!!

Until that new neck pickup arrives, (which has much difficulty in making), my guitars will be geared to so that when I switch the pickup selector from bridge to neck, it will stay on the bridge pickup and incorporate the tone knob setting modification.

[nobozos]

TNT, you should seriously consider a TBX tone control. You may be able to achieve the tone you are looking for by rolling off some lows in the neck pickup. You may need to start with a really bright neck pickup, but it should be do-able with a TBX. Much cheaper than having a custom pickup made.

[Tung]

You may be able to achieve the tone you are looking for by rolling off some lows in the neck pickup. You may need to start with a really bright neck pickup, but it should be do-able with a TBX. .

What exactly does the TBX do? It rolls off the lows rahter than the highs? that's the only difference?

[nobozos]

From 5 to 0, a TBX tone control acts like a normal tone control, shunting the high frequencies to ground while passing the low frequencies through the circuit.

From 5 to 10, a TBX tone control passes the high frequencies through the circuit, while shunting the low frequencies to ground. This creates the illusion that it's adding highs. There is some good room between 5 and 8 before you start losing the bottom end chunk.

Here's an article.

http://www.stewmac.com/freeinfo/Elec...necontrol.html

[jamminjim]

Don't forget different values of the capacitor and also a bypass capacitor. Also, some caps are better than others in physical materials and construction.

[beej]

I'm doing some upgrades on my JP50 right now.

Does the JP50 not have 500k pots? Most dual humbucker guitars do.

Adding resistance is going to brighten your p'ups (raising the resonant frequency). Since humbuckers are generally less bright than single coils, they have larger pots. Single coils (and bright humbuckers) generally don't need the added load, and are fine with 250k pots. However it all depends on how your pickups are voiced. There are some humbuckers that like less load on them.

For fun, one thing you can try is adding a push/pull pot to your tone control. Leave it as-is when pushed, but wire it so it's out of the circuit when pulled. Basically you end up with a bright switch of sorts that you can engage when necessary. (I've got my AL wired up like that.)

[patpark]

jp50 does have 500k pots, I think Tung is going to upgrade to USA made pots.