Emerson CTS Pots

[sizzlingbadger]

I ordered some of these Emerson CTS pots for my 76 Les Paul and they arrived yesterday. They have a really smooth and light feel. They have a custom taper too and I'm hoping they will be a cheaper replacement than the RS Guitars Super Pots which I really like. I'll update when I have fitted them.

http://tonelounge.co.nz/emerson-pro-cts ... ntiometer/

[sizzlingbadger]

Fitted:

They have a very nice smooth feel to them but the taper is quite strong

The tone controls only really work between 0-6 and the volume controls between about 10-4 which is typical I suppose with low output humbuckers.

RS Guitar super pots are somewhere between an audio taper and linear which is better for volume controls in my opinion.

[Starfire]

I know what you mean about feeling light. I have an Emerson harness in my Tele. It's the second one I've had, in fact. I agree about the taper. Might try those RS ones next time.

[Polar Bear]

Maybe you need to try the seymour duncan pots Nik, they're really rather nice.

[Molly]

At least you didn't put so much solder on the back of the pot you managed to 'weld' the centre brass bit so the knob wouldn't turn.

[sizzlingbadger]

A lot of it depends on the pickups and how much gain you use. If you use a lot of gain then a stronger taper works well when you back off the volume. If you like to just play on edge of break up and clean then you need a flatter (weaker) taper. It probably doesn't help that I went from linear pots.

The RS Super Pots have quite a flat taper so work really well for me. They don't recommend them for tone pots as they require a strong taper, they provide matching pots with a standard audio taper for the tone position. The problem with Emersons is they use a flatter taper for volume and tone, but its not quite flat enough for volume and too flat for tone.

I've got some RS Superpots on the way now. I'll probably offer the Emerson for sale on here as they will be fine for higher gain players especially with higher output (impedance) pickups. They feel great on the guitar, really easy to roll back even with top hat knobs.

I haven't tried the Seymour Duncan pots, where do you get yours PB ?

[Polar Bear]

I get them at Music Planet Nik.

[sizzlingbadger]

Great, are they $1 each ?

[Polar Bear]

They retail at a measly $13.95. You'll be pleased to know they're made by Bourns as well, so you can feel the smooth cork as you roll the volume back on.