Where do you guys buy electronic and guitar parts?

sunvalleylaw

sunvalleylaw

Yep.
Pots, switches, etc.? And any brand you prefer? Have mod projects on the brain as I continue mine, and then think about plans for parts flowing downstream to other guitars for my kids. But will need some miscellaneous parts such as pots, switches, etc.

Particularly, I will need a 5 way switch, 500k tone and volume pots, a couple capacitors, and the related jumper wire.

The Fender branded humbuckers that were in my Blacktop strat are going into a squire, and if I am able to find a hotrails one for a decent price, the hot rails pups and related electronics will go into an Aria built strat knockoff my oldest has, to improve that guitar for him. So, it will be the middle guitar that needs the parts.

the middle guitar will end up with some aesthetic mods inspired by the "What if EVH didn't paint it red" thread. Probably not full EVH treatment, but something.
 
I've used CTS, bourns, and Dimarzio over the years. They all work fine. I pretty much just go with CTS pots as they seem easy to find and are pretty cheap. I think I went with StewMac for most of my purchases.
 
Any reason not to get WD music pots? I have Amazon Prime and it might be easiest to order there. $5.92 each for the WD500, or $9 for the Seymour Duncan. Free 2 Day shipping. More for Dimarzio. Did not see CTS as an option.
 
I've never used WD pots. If they were what was available, I would use them. I think the difference between a good pot and a cheap pot is how long it takes for them to get scratchy and wear out. Heck, I have some guitars with the cheap-o Alpha type pots that still work great after years of use. I'm sure the WD pots will be just fine.
 
sunvalleylaw said:
Any reason not to get WD music pots? I have Amazon Prime and it might be easiest to order there. $5.92 each for the WD500, or $9 for the Seymour Duncan. Free 2 Day shipping. More for Dimarzio. Did not see CTS as an option.
Click to expand...

I've never used WD pots, so I'm no help.
 
Ok, thanks. Another dumb modding newb question, what is the difference as between regular and split shaft pots?

EDIT: never mind figured it out.
 
It really only matters as to the type of knobs you want on them. Things like telecaster knobs have a set screw attachment and need a solid shaft. Strat knobs, and most others, are 'press on' with no screw, and usually use split shafts.
 
sunvalleylaw said:
Ok, thanks. Another dumb modding newb question, what is the difference as between regular and split shaft pots?

EDIT: never mind figured it out.
Click to expand...

They also have different lengths on the threaded part of the pot, one to go through the width of a pickguard and one to go through a wood top. I believe it is 3/8" for a pickguard and 3/4" for a wood top (like an LP)
 
These are the solid with knobs showing the set screw,

Solid-shaft.jpg


And here is a split shaft with a strat knob....

Universal-fit-knob.jpg
 
Any reason I can't just screw the set screw on a blacktop amp style knob on a split shaft? It's not like you have to reef on the screws.
 
sunvalleylaw said:
Any reason I can't just screw the set screw on a blacktop amp style knob on a split shaft? It's not like you have to reef on the screws.
Click to expand...

I've honestly never tried. I'm not sure if the split shaft posts are the same diameter to fit in the solid shaft pot 'hole'. Sorry. I just have never tried that so I can't really say if it works. If the split shaft is smaller than the solid post, then sure, as you can just turn the set screw further in....maybe
 
Last edited:
sunvalleylaw said:
Any reason I can't just screw the set screw on a blacktop amp style knob on a split shaft? It's not like you have to reef on the screws.
Click to expand...

I have done that in the past. Just make sure you don't over tighten it. I did that once and the shaft broke. I'll admit that I was pretty drunk when I did it and the damn thing kept falling off so there may have been a little "I'm going to tighten you so hard, Id like to see you slip off" going on there.
 
If the screw bends the shaft the knob can come loose and can't be replaced with a proper knob without replacing the pot.
 
Ok, what kind of wire do you guys get for making little jumper wires for the switches and such?
mikesr1963 said:
Pots and 5-way switches I get from Musician's friend. caps, resisters, and mini switches I get from Amazon.
Click to expand...
this is what I did for the pots, and I got the particular 5 way superswitch I wanted from Amazon.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top