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Choosing the Correct Potentiometers for Your Guitar
Selecting the right potentiometers (pots) for your guitar is crucial for achieving the best tone and ensuring compatibility with your instrument. Here's an in-depth guide to help you navigate the options.
1. Potentiometer Brands and Mounting Requirements
For USA-made guitars, particularly Fender models, CTS pots are the standard due to their durability and performance. They require a 10mm diameter mounting hole.
- Mexican Fender or Japanese Models: These may use either CTS pots or smaller Alpha pots with an 8mm diameter mounting hole. Before replacing your pots, check your guitar's existing hardware to ensure proper fit.
- Other Stratocaster/Telecaster-Style Guitars: Most other brands and models use Alpha pots. For these, we recommend 250k audio taper pots for both volume and tone controls.
2. Choosing the Right Shaft Type
- Fender Stratocasters: Use split shaft CTS pots, ideal for push-on knobs.
- Fender Telecasters: Use solid shaft CTS pots, designed for screw-on knobs.
- Gibson Guitars: Require split shaft CTS pots, but you’ll need to determine whether you need a short shaft or long shaft pot. To find out, you’ll need to remove an existing pot and measure its shaft length.
- Epiphone and Les Paul/SG Style Guitars: Use split shaft Alpha pots.
3. Potentiometer Values Based on Pickup Configuration
- Single-Coil Pickups: Use 250k audio taper pots for volume and tone to maintain warmth and reduce excessive brightness.
- Single-Coil and Humbucker Combination: Still use 250k pots to balance tonal output.
- Dual Humbuckers: Use 500k pots for better clarity and brightness.
- Gibson Models: Most require 500k split shaft pots, with audio taper pots for volume and tone. Some models may use linear taper pots for tone.
4. Taper Types: Audio vs Linear
- Audio Taper: Provides a natural, gradual change in volume or tone and is the standard for most guitars.
- Linear Taper: Typically used in some tone controls, providing an even change throughout the knob’s rotation.
For Stratocaster and Telecaster models, we recommend using audio taper pots for both volume and tone.
Summary Table
| Guitar Type | Pickups | Pot Type | Pot Value | Shaft Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fender USA Stratocaster | Single-Coil Only | CTS Split Shaft | 250k | Split |
| Fender USA Telecaster | Single-Coil Only | CTS Solid Shaft | 250k | Solid |
| Mexican/Japanese Fender | Single-Coil Only | Alpha Split/Solid | 250k | Short Split |
| Gibson Les Paul/SG | Humbuckers | CTS Split Shaft | 500k | Short/Long |
| Epiphone Les Paul/SG | Humbuckers | Alpha Split Shaft | 500k | Short Split |
| Strat/Tele w/ Humbucker Combo | Single-Coil + Humbucker | CTS Split/Solid | 250k | Depends |
Recommended Products and Links
- Fender USA Stratocasters (250k audio taper CTS pots)
- Fender USA Telecasters (250k solid shaft CTS pots)
- Non-USA Fender Stratocasters (250k short shaft Alpha pots)
- Non-USA Fender Telecasters (250k short shaft Alpha pots)
- Gibson Guitars (500k CTS pots)
By understanding these requirements, you can ensure you select the right pots to optimise your guitar’s tone and functionality. If you need further guidance, feel free to reach out to us at Northwest Guitars!
THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
Upon placing your order, you'll get a confirmation email. After your order is dispatched from our warehouse, you'll receive another email with your tracking details.
Should your order not arrive within the specified delivery window or arrive damaged, please reach out to us promptly, and no later than 7 days from the delivery date indicated on your tracking information and we'll aim to rectify any issues quickly.
DELIVERY INFORMATION
We offer a range of shipping options based upon the order value and size of the package. All available shipping options will be displayed at checkout.
ECONOMY DELIVERY from £1.79
- Estimated delivery 2-4 DAYS
- Tracking number provided
- Confirmation of delivery
EXPRESS DELIVERY from £4.99
- Estimated delivery NEXT WORKING DAY
- Tracking number provided
- Confirmation of delivery
- Free for orders over £199
EXPRESS PRE-12 DELIVERY - £10.99
- Delivery Pre-12 NEXT WORKING DAY
- Tracking number provided
- Confirmation of delivery
SATURDAY DELIVERY from £8.99
- Saturday Delivery only
- Tracking number provided
- Confirmation of delivery
THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
Orders placed before 3pm Monday-Friday will usually be despatched the same day
Orders over £199 qualify for free Express Delivery (Mainland UK only)
If you have any queries regarding delivery times and prices, please contact Customer Services on +44 (0)1925 407 056.
Please note, your order total excludes VAT or duty charges. EU customers are responsible for any taxes and fees upon item arrival.
UK VAT will be removed from your order total.
We have various services that cater to customers with the EU. Available options will be determined based on the size of the package, the total value of the order, and its destination.
ROYAL MAIL TRACKED - FROM £11.99
- Estimated delivery 5-10 DAYS
- Tracking number provided
- Confirmation of delivery
FEDEX STANDARD DELIVERY - FROM £14.99
- Estimated delivery 3-5 DAYS
- Tracking number provided
- Confirmation of delivery
FEDEX EXPRESS DELIVERY - FROM £24.99
- Estimated delivery 1-2 DAYS
- Tracking number provided
- Confirmation of delivery
THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
Orders placed before 3pm Monday-Friday will usually be despatched the same day
If you have any queries regarding delivery times and prices, please contact Customer Services on +44 (0)1925 407 056.
We have various services that cater to our international customers. Available options will be determined based on the size of the package, the total value of the order, and it's destination.
ROYAL MAIL TRACKED - FROM £11.99
- Estimated delivery 5-10 DAYS
- Tracking number provided
- Confirmation of delivery
FEDEX STANDARD DELIVERY - FROM £14.99
- Estimated delivery 3-5 DAYS
- Tracking number provided
- Confirmation of delivery
FEDEX EXPRESS DELIVERY - FROM £24.99
- Estimated delivery 1-2 DAYS
- Tracking number provided
- Confirmation of delivery
THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
Orders placed before 3pm Monday-Friday will usually be despatched the same day
VAT and Duties are NOT included.
If you have any queries regarding delivery times and prices, please contact Customer Services on +44 (0)1925 407 056.
WILL I NEED TO PAY CUSTOMS FEES WHEN MY ORDER ARRIVES
When shopping from outside the UK, any taxes and fees will be calculated and charged once the goods arrive into the country of receipt. Typically you will receive an email from the shipping company detailing and taxes any charges due.
In the event that your territory requires Customs Duty, it is your responsibility to pay the charges to the authorities. The amount and whether or not Customs Duty is applicable is subject to the specific regulations of each country.
The Customs Duty is usually calculated based on the value and type of the imported goods.
Note: Your order total does not include VAT/duties. Customers must pay any applicable taxes/fees upon arrival. UK VAT is excluded from your order total.
WHAT IS CUSTOMS DUTY?
When goods & products are transported across different countries or customs territories, a charge called "Customs Duty" is levied by the customs authority of the destination country.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I DON'T PAY THE CUSTOMS DUTY?
If you refuse to pay the customs fee, we will need to verify with the courier that your parcel will be returned to us before processing a refund for your order. Please note, the original shipping costs and a return shipping fee of £45 may be deducted from your refund.
If you are unsure about whether or not you will be charged customs fees, we recommend that you contact your local customs office for more information before placing your order.
Some of our products are classed as hazardous/dangerous goods, and the shipment of these items is strictly controlled.
These products can only be transported by road and delivery is restricted to addresses within the UK, EU, & Norway.
We regret we are unable to ship these items to other destinations.
Products affected by these restrictions include :
- All nitrocellulose products (aerosols, tins)
- Water based stains
- Finishing oils
You can check the status of your order at any time using the My Account section of our website. Just sign into your account and click the 'My Orders' tab.
All orders placed will be shown with the newest order first. Select the order from which you wish to view the status.
Orders can be modified or cancelled if they havent already been processed by our fulfillment team. It's best to give us a call on 01925 406056 as this is the quickest way to make changes to your order.
Outside of our normal opening times please email us as sales@northwestguitars.co.uk, and we'll do our best to deal with your request before the order is processed. However, we can't always guarnatee that we'll be able to retrieve the order in time.
It is not possible to cancel an order after an item is packed and dispatched. After shipping you will need to follow the Returns process to send your item back to us for a refund.
Yes you can.
Our Warrington store is open Monday to Friday between 9am and 4pm.
Click here for directions.
Yes, you can. We supply electronic gift gards, which can be emailed directly to the recipient of your choice.
You can make a gift card purchase here.
You have 5 years to use your gift card. After this time, the card will expire, and any remaining value will be lost.
A gift card can be purchased in the following denominations £10, £25, £50, £100. You can purchase multiple gift-cards of different values if required.
No, the gift card cannot be refunded or exchanged for cash.
Refunds are always issued back our customers through whichever payment methods were used when purchasing. The amount paid with a gift card will be returned to the same gift card for you to use for future purchases. Any amount paid using a card or other payment method will be returned via those methods. The date of expiry will remain unchanged.
We have a 30-day return policy, which means you have 30 days after receiving your item to request a return. To be eligible for a return, your item must be in the same condition that you received it, unworn or unused, with tags, and in its original packaging. You’ll also need the receipt or proof of purchase.
Alternatively you can contact us at enquiries@northwestguitars.co.uk. Please note that returns will need to be sent to the following address: [Returns Department, Northwest Guitars, Unit A Hoyle Street, Warrington, WA5 0LW]
Incorrect/damaged items
If you receive a damaged/defective item, or if you any part of your order is incorrect, you must notify us wthin 5 working datys. We’ll send you a free return shipping label and, in most cases, arrange collection, as well as instructions on how and where to send your package.
Unwanted items
We regret that we are unable to provide free return labels for unwanted items or items purchased in error.
Exceptions/Non-returnable items
Certain types of items cannot be returned, like custom products (such as special orders or pre-built wiring circuits).
Unfortunately, we cannot accept returns on sale items (unless they are damaged) or gift cards.
Exchanges
The fastest way to ensure you get what you want is to return the item you have, and once the return is accepted, make a separate purchase for the new item.
EU 14 Day cooling-off period
Notwithstanding the above, if the merchandise is being shipped into the European Union, you have the right to cancel or return your order within 14 days, for any reason and without a justification. As above, your item must be in the same condition that you received it, unworn or unused, with tags, and in its original packaging. You’ll also need the receipt or proof of purchase.
Refunds
We will notify you once we’ve received and inspected your return, and let you know if the refund was approved or not. If approved, you’ll be automatically refunded on your original payment method within 10 business days. Please remember it can take some time for your bank or credit card company to process and post the refund too.
If more than 15 business days have passed since we’ve approved your return, please contact us at sales@northwestguitars.co.uk.
