So I got this beat up old guitar....Pot for my Sunburst.

[Hbom]

I'm thinking of making changes to my old guitar. The pots in my Sunburst are kinda sad. They sound OK but they look like shit & are REALLY hard to turn. And since they are not factory original I am thinking of changing pickups and replacing the switches & pots.

I know that there is little chance of getting correct Hamer parts so I'm wondering what's the next best alternative for new pots & switch?

I'm looking at the;

CTS 450G Series 500K Vintage Taper LONG Split Shaft Pots - 10% Tolerance

Or the BOURNS 500K LONG SPLIT SHAFT AUDIO TAPER POT

both from The Art of Tone on ebay.

Are there others I should consider?

Any and all advice would be appreciated.

[Victor (Fret Friend)]

Hmmm... Well, I run my own upgrade/repair shop and I love the CTS G's but since trying Bourns I have now converted over to them as my default upgrade. There's just something about the feel and smoothness of the Bourns that the CTS Vintages don't have...

[Hbom]

Hmmm... Well, I run my own upgrade/repair shop and I love the CTS G's but since trying Bourns I have now converted over to them as my default upgrade. There's just something about the feel and smoothness of the Bourns that the CTS Vintages don't have...

Thanks Vic.

[Jeff R]

Why the long-shaft pots? Is the top carved, or do you want the knobs to sit high in relation to the top?

Edited to add that in regard to CTS versus Bourns, you aren't going wrong either way. I'm fine with either, both are superb.

[veatch]

Agreed with Vic and Jeff. I think the Bournes are smoother/easier if you do fast volume swells (think "Lighter Shade of Plaid"), but i have CTS or a variant in most of my guitars.

Overall, since the Hamer pots are no longer available, i would recommend RS Super Pots (made by CTS) - they have a smooth taper. Expensive, but an option.

http://rs-guitarworks.myshopify.com/collections/loose-electronic-parts/products/rs-guitarworks-500k-superpot-short

[BubbaVO]

Here are some suggestions...

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/index.php?threads/30-taper-pots-rsguitarworks-hamer-who-else.1192557/

[veatch]

^^^

Thanks! Good to see a source with a reasonable price.

[Hbom]

Thanks to Veatch and BubbaVO for your input. I was hoping for just those kind of ideas.

Why the long-shaft pots? Is the top carved, or do you want the knobs to sit high in relation to the top?

Edited to add that in regard to CTS versus Bourns, you aren't going wrong either way. I'm fine with either, both are superb.

Jeff, Thanks.That's why I am asking. I haven't removed the old pots yet and was hoping to find out if long shaft or short was appropriate. The guitar is a '79 Sunburst and is flat so maybe short shaft is the correct size. I have just gotten into a habit of buying long shaft as they seem to fit most everywhere.

Thanks again

[PaGator]

Plug for the Bourns pots, they are really nice, can't go wrong, but a little expensive