No Load Tone Pots Done Dirt Cheap.

[Metalman_666]

I was just browsing around for information on different pots when I came across this juicy page filled with comparisons between Gibson and CTS pots, as well as some other helpful information.

Potentiometers Page

We've all heard about No Load tone pots that remove themselves from the circuit when they're at 10, or fully on, and though I've never experienced them myself, I've heard around this forum that they are better because when they disconnect themselves, it can increase clarity and dynamics. Is this actually true?

Anyway, this page shows how to do what they call the "Nail Polish" mod, which is basically putting a bit of nail polish or other insulator at the end of the resistive element. And apparently this makes the pot act like a no load pot, assuming you could disassemble the pot to begin with.

Do you think this would actually work? Would it be easy to take apart the pots and do this simple mod?

[Fritz6]

http://www.projectguitar.com/tut/pots.htm

[Zerberus]

The link to the Project guitar site has been in the Vault since the beginning (Which I´m starting to suspect is a joke becasue nobody ever loooks at it it would seem)..

Nail polish and scratching off track are the 2 "standard" methods of doing this mod, all require the cover to be removed (making it easier to do with large pots such as CTS ones)

[ArtieToo]

. . . I've heard around this forum that they are better because when they disconnect themselves, it can increase clarity and dynamics. Is this actually true?

I would disagree with this just slightly. Technically, it just increases treble response. Whether or not its an improvement all depends on the individual and the setup. I run all my guitars with 250k volume pots and tone controls. To me, they'ld be too ice-picky and shrill otherwise. For others, its different. You just have to experiment to find what works for you.

[Metalman_666]

So do what exactly is the difference between 250k and 500k pots?