Question: I need to replace the volume pot in my Strat.

[Mark Wein]

Should I just order a Fender replacement part or something else like a CTS pot?

 

[DinoMikeSr]

I have always used Fender pots when I put pickguards together. Looking at building one now . As long as test to spec either would be fine.

 

[DinoMikeSr]

I have used all 3, small pots, Fender, CTS , they all eventually get scratchy and need cleaning.

 

[PunkKitty]

Fender pots are made by CTS. If you have a HSS setup, get 500k. If it's SSS, get 250k. As long as you get Fender or CTS, it shouldn't be a big deal.

 

[Mark Wein]

I have used all 3, small pots, Fender, CTS , they all eventually get scratchy and need cleaning.

I tend to blow through volume pots pretty regularly (every few years) because I ride my volume on stage constantly. Look around the volume knob on my 454:

 

[PunkKitty]

Shouldn't matter. The pots are designed for that. You could try just spraying DeToxIt into the pot and turning it a few times to see if that clears up the problem.

 

[jelloman]

Either...

https://www.allparts.com/collection...cts/ep-4085-cts-250k-sealed-premium-audio-pot

...or...

https://www.allparts.com/collections/potentiometers/products/ep-5085-bourns-250k-split-audio-pot

 

[Chad]

I’ve used just about everything. My current favorite are Bourns. They are so smooth to turn, almost too smooth. Tone wise, I can’t tell the difference. I think I just put an alpha in my PRS, but most of my guitars are CTS.

 

[Mark Wein]

It turns out I have the stacked 500k/250k pot in this guitar so I'll just get the Fender if I need it. Just shot it with dioxin this morning.

https://amzn.to/40E8aAN

 

[Mark Wein]

After the Deoxit, I suddenly have WAY more signal into the front of my FM9. Is it possible there was so much corrosion in there that it affected my tone?

 

[DinoMikeSr]

Fender pots were $5.40 on Amazon yesterday.

 

[Mark Wein]

Fender pots were $5.40 on Amazon yesterday.

I saw t6he same stacked pot was either $6 or $12 but I didn't bother to look any further this morning.

 

[BuzzBaloo]

I saw t6he same stacked pot was either $6 or $12 but I didn't bother to look any further this morning.

Looks like the $12 is split shaft, and the $6 one is solid shaft.

 

[baimun]

After the Deoxit, I suddenly have WAY more signal into the front of my FM9. Is it possible there was so much corrosion in there that it affected my tone?

Most definitely. Imagine that corrosion being on the end of your guitar cable.

>skrrchh… skrrrttddttch…<

 

[Mark Wein]

Most definitely. Imagine that corrosion being on the end of your guitar cable.

>skrrchh… skrrrttddttch…<

Damn. I think everything will get a Deoxit bath this month.

 

[BuzzBaloo]

Damn. I think everything will get a Deoxit bath this month.

No baths. A little Deoxit goes a long way.