PlayJazzGuitar.com Forum

[n8leon]

I bought a used Epi Joe Pass a few weeks.
It is probably at least 10 years old, but is in great shape.

The only issue I could find was the crackle on all of the pots.
I have read where you usually can fix 'em up (at least temporarily) with electronics contact cleaner or DeoxIT type sprays.
But I have also read that the stock pots are not very high quality.
So it seems to me, if I'm going to go thru the hassle and expense of cleaning them, maybe I should just replace them (and the 3-way switch?) and not have to do it again for a long time.

However, I can't find the specs on what Epiphone used for the stock pots so I'm not sure which ones to get as a replacement. I'd like to have 'em on hand when I start the project.

What do folks recommend?
(e.g. 250 vs. 500K, CTS vs. Bourns, linear vs. log, dimensions, etc...)

TIA,
n8

[trotsky]

I am ashamed to admit that even after all these years with the guitar being a big part of my life all that stuff is still a mystery to me.
I dont whats in my guitars or what makes them play well either.
Our local amp/guitar guru was talking about giving a course on it.... I hope he follows through with that.

As for your post... I would say replacing them is the way to go for sure ...but I have no idea what to replace them with.

Good luck...hopefully somebody with a little more knowledge will chime in here.

Gene

[Gorecki]

They are 500K potentiometers in there. I want to say, a pot is a pot, but that's not *absolutely* true, but you could get four from the same vendor and the resistance sweep, wide open, fully closed could minorly differ for each.

Cleaning them is an option but in truth you have to basically disassemble the pot to truly clean it and if you're that far in frankly it's easier to just replace them. Unless you're going for some 'all original vintage' thing.

If you want to avoid altering your sound and sweeps, attempt to replace with a 'stand' setup and wiring. And don't be shocked if it actually sounds better once you've swapped out the pots.

I get most of my stuff from stewmac.com, they'll have pretty much anything you could need as well as diagrams and instructions if you're not shy with a soldering pencil.
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Forums Admin for PlayJazzGuitar.com.

Do you know where all of your F'n B flats are?

[n8leon]

Cool, I'll look for 500K.
I see StewMac carries Alpha and CTS, and it looks like CTS get a slightly higher rating.
One has fine and the other has coarse knurling.
Huh - not sure which I need. Is there a well-known definition for those? (e.g. # of knurls on the nob) I'd hate to have to buy new nobs too.
Also, I'm assuming I don't need the 3/4" long shaft?

I'm comfortable with a soldering iron, as it is a necessary tool for my other hobby. (R/C helis)

I'm not clear on what you mean here:
"replace with a 'stand' setup and wiring"

What is a "stand" setup?
Should I plan to replace all of the wiring since I'm dragging everything out?

Thanks!
n8

[Gorecki]

[n8leon]

Thanks for the clarifications.

Fortunately, I have digital calipers, so was able to verify a few dimensions without removing the pots entirely.

Looks like the standard 3/8" shaft will do perfectly.

A few curious things still...
I get about 5.8 mm on the shaft diameter, whereas StewMac lists
5.95 mm on CTS and 6.0 mm on Alpha pots.

Also, I count 16 splines on the shaft, , whereas StewMac lists
24 on CTS and 18 on Alpha pots.

Maybe the two extra on the Alpha counts for the split shaft?

I'll clarify these with StewMac also.

Thanks,
n8

[Gorecki]