fender cts and normal cts pots

[bigjohn]

I'm doing some diy upgrades this weekend.

First on the list is changing the pickup and wiring in a MIM precision.

So... I bought some cts pots and switchcraft socket - took the bass apart and found that it's already got american fender cts pots in it. It's "precision upgrade" model - and looking at the parts list it did indeed have US electrics (not pickups) factory fitted.

I was going to change em as one of them felt odd - a bit wonky, and although works fine, one feels scratchy.

They do look slightly different than the standard cts pots though - they have dip in the bottom - they have a steel shaft (the cts ones are brass) and one of them has a red bit of plastic inside the pot.

Anyway - this is probably a bit anal - but does anyone know why they're so different?

I wondering if I should just get some contact cleaner on em and just change the pickup.

[BOD2]

CTS make the pots for Fender. Fender are a bulk buyer so they can specify exactly what they want and also the price point they want them at. They may even specify "exclusivity" so that CTS cannot sell identical pots to anyone else.

That will explain the differences.

Which are better ? Difficult to say. The Fender ones might be built to a lower price point to keep Fender costs down. Then when Fender sell them on they charge a premium because it says "Fender" on them (am I being too cynical ?).

I'd be inclined to say that if CTS sell pots with their own brand name on them, then they'll be the best pots they can make for the money. Therefore I'd go with CTS rather then Fender.

And if one of the pots doesn't feel right - replace it.

[bigjohn]

[quote name='BOD2' post='204312' date='May 22 2008, 02:20 PM']CTS make the pots for Fender. Fender are a bulk buyer so they can specify exactly what they want and also the price point they want them at. They may even specify "exclusivity" so that CTS cannot sell identical pots to anyone else.

That will explain the differences.

Which are better ? Difficult to say. The Fender ones might be built to a lower price point to keep Fender costs down. Then when Fender sell them on they charge a premium because it says "Fender" on them (am I being too cynical ?).

I'd be inclined to say that if CTS sell pots with their own brand name on them, then they'll be the best pots they can make for the money. Therefore I'd go with CTS rather then Fender.

And if one of the pots doesn't feel right - replace it.[/quote]

Was thinking the same - Fender would not doubt want the cheapest pots cts will do for em!

I'm putting a villex mid range booster in as well now - so one of the pots has to be a switch - I've got a push pull one. Only thing is the villex wiring diagram is for a toggle switch.

Hmmm.

[BOD2]

[quote name='bigjohn' post='204905' date='May 23 2008, 12:36 PM']Was thinking the same - Fender would not doubt want the cheapest pots cts will do for em!

I'm putting a villex mid range booster in as well now - so one of the pots has to be a switch - I've got a push pull one. Only thing is the villex wiring diagram is for a toggle switch.

Hmmm.

[/quote]

Provided the switch on the push-pull pot is the correct type it shouldn't be a problem. Push-pull pots usually have "DPDT" switches on them (with 6 contacts) as these are the most versatile.

The switch wiring is completely independent of the pot itself so just think of it as two separate things - a pot and a switch - and you should be ok.

Or just post all the info here and someone will be able to help.

[bigjohn]

[quote name='BOD2' post='204911' date='May 23 2008, 12:44 PM']Provided the switch on the push-pull pot is the correct type it shouldn't be a problem. Push-pull pots usually have "DPDT" switches on them (with 6 contacts) as these are the most versatile.

The switch wiring is completely independent of the pot itself so just think of it as two separate things - a pot and a switch - and you should be ok.

Or just post all the info here and someone will be able to help.[/quote]


Just had DPDT switches explained to me by my man in the know. He's an electrical engineer by trade. He says it's a bit odd that allparts don't provide a datasheet.

Are they just some kind of standard?

[BOD2]

DPDT is a standard.

Think of it as two independent rows of three contacts (each row is actually a SPDT throw switch).

The middle contact of each row is a "common". In one position the common is connected to the contact above it, in the other position it's connected to the contact below it.

Both rows switchover at the same time.