2002 H150 w/HRWs and Gibson volume pots

[Gillnetter]

I have a H150 that I picked up last year that has HRW pickups and Gibson audio taper pots. The taper is very different from what I am used to on my H555 and 96 H150. The volume is very thin up to about 6 and then has a very steep gain from 7 to 10. It really drives the amp in that last bump to 10. I am looking for advice on operation of the amp settings and matching it to using the volume knobs on the guitar. Anyone have similar volume pots that they are using?

[PunkKitty]

You can change the taper of the pots by adding a treble bleed circuit to each pot. It's easy and I can send you the parts. I add treble bleeds to all of my guitar harnesses.

PM your address to me. I'll drop them in the mail.

[TalismanRich]

Adding a treble bleed will affect the high frequency rolloff, but it won't really change the taper. Gill, you might check the back of the pots. CTS pots typically have a coding system that tells you the specs on the pot.

 

There are multiple tapers available from CTS, CTS Guitar pots I put 30% taper pots from Mojotone in my 157 (500KJ). They worked great for volume, but you really have to roll down the tone to get a drop. The stock tone pots were 250K.

 

Once you find what pots you have, you can adjust.

[Gillnetter]

Adding a treble bleed will affect the high frequency rolloff, but it won't really change the taper. Gill, you might check the back of the pots. CTS pots typically have a coding system that tells you the specs on the pot.

 

There are multiple tapers available from CTS, CTS Guitar pots I put 30% taper pots from Mojotone in my 157 (500KJ). They worked great for volume, but you really have to roll down the tone to get a drop. The stock tone pots were 250K.

 

Once you find what pots you have, you can adjust.

I haven't pulled the pots out but on the back of the pot the only marking is Gibson. I may get out the Ohm meter and see if I can see what K they are.

[TalismanRich]

You can also tell what the taper is by turning the pot to 50% and reading the resistance. A linear pot will measure 50% of the full value, a 20% taper will measure 20% of the full value.

 

Its not unusual for an OEM to have their own logo and information put on items to give it some "exclusive" status and disguise its specifications.

[davesultra]

Also might want to check and see if the circuit is wired "modern" or "'50s style", as the taper will differ.

[Blunote]

Also might want to check and see if the circuit is wired "modern" or "'50s style", as the taper will differ.

That was my thought as well.

 

Someone replacing the original pots with Gibson may have been looking for a more vintage tone. 50's wiring would be an obvious installation for someone changing out pots for that reason. And, yes, it does change the gain ramp up.

[Gillnetter]

FYI, It looks like they are 500k audio taper pots. It is modern wiring with 250k tone pots. I guess i need to start learning how to match the volume, and tone controls to the amp.