changing jaguar pots

mcboyle · Post by **mcboyle** » Sun Jan 22, 2012 7:49 pm

I'm looking to change the pots in my 1994 jaguar. Does anyone have any suggestions on which route to take with that?

Thom · Post by **Thom** » Sun Jan 22, 2012 7:55 pm

Why do you want to change them? Make or value?

mcboyle · Post by **mcboyle** » Sun Jan 22, 2012 8:17 pm

Well I figure its the cheapest way to improve the tone of the guitar and get some more clarity. I'm the second owner and pretty positive they've never been changed. I was reading that cts make some quality stuff. I guess I just am confused about which value to go for. And what the difference a 250k pot vs a 500k pot will make and so on.

Thom · Post by **Thom** » Sun Jan 22, 2012 8:24 pm

If they are still stock, then you will have 1 Meg pots in the Jag. If you swap to a lower value like 500k it will let less high end through, and 250k even more so. If you want to make your Jag darker then it's certainly one way of doing so. Personally I think just turning down your tone knob will have the same effect.

kypdurron · Post by **kypdurron** » Sun Jan 22, 2012 8:47 pm

I second that. Pots are important, but that's mostly about their electric value. I don't think there's a noticeable tonal difference with same value different manufacturer pots. But if you feel better, do so. It doesn't cost the world to find out if I'm right.

gypsyseven · Post by **gypsyseven** » Sun Jan 22, 2012 8:55 pm

kypdurron wrote:I second that. Pots are important, but that's mostly about their electric value. I don't think there's a noticeable tonal difference with same value different manufacturer pots. But if you feel better, do so. It doesn't cost the world to find out if I'm right.

+1

mordechaister · Post by **mordechaister** » Sun Jan 22, 2012 8:55 pm

Depends what you mean by clarity. Lacking in highs? If they're 1 meg, then changing to another brand of 1 meg wont do much. I've seen 2 meg pots. You may want to change all the wiring and caps too. Remember when wiring that finer wire gauge has a lower capacitance so that will in theory give you more highs in a way. There is definitely something to be said for a clean wiring job with nice materials and components, even if all it does is give you a sense of accomplishment and make you feel better about whats inside your guitar.

Ankhanu · Post by **Ankhanu** » Sun Jan 22, 2012 9:17 pm

Yeah, a Jaguar is a clear, bright guitar by design... If you're not getting clarity, something is wrong, and it's probably not the pots, unless they HAVE been swapped out for a lower value pot in the past. You might want to take a peek at the wiring, make sure everything looks clean. Is the rhythm circuit stuck on??
As a '94, if the pickups are stock, they're not the greatest, and might be a more effective place to start. Dungan SJAG-1 or Fender American Vintage '62 Reissue pickups are a good starting point, but there are other good options from Novak, among others.

paul_ · Post by **paul_** » Mon Jan 23, 2012 12:22 am

CTS pots won't fit a Japanese Jaguar without enlarging the control plates' holes and using a different bracket/roller knobs in the rhythm circuit section. I would only replace them if your existing ones sound scratchy or make static-type noises when you turn them, and even then I'd use Alphas to avoid the headache/cost/sourcing of parts associated with imperializing a metric instrument.

jim93 · Post by **jim93** » Mon Jan 23, 2012 12:30 am

kypdurron wrote:I second that. Pots are important, but that's mostly about their electric value. I don't think there's a noticeable tonal difference with same value different manufacturer pots. But if you feel better, do so. It doesn't cost the world to find out if I'm right.

CTS pots are tonez for days. Only second to some NOS pots