I'll ask this here too.

[misterwhizzy]

So I'm just slightly unhappy with my SD 59N with A4. It's just lacking slightly in high end, even with the tone knob wide open. I have gone through A5 and A2 already, and neither one of them was right either.

Is this a magnet problem or do I have to swap the pots? For the record, it's a Les Paul.

[kinnikuman]

I would think by adding a 1 meg pot or something higher than what you have should open up the highs?

[CTN]

I find the 59A4 in the neck to be very smooth. Nice attack on the notes but a very smooth high end. Have you tried an A3 or better yet roughcast A3 so you retain some warmth in the low end? Also, what guitar is this in?

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I would think by adding a 1 meg pot or something higher than what you have should open up the highs?

That would also kill the warmth.

[misterwhizzy]

Yes, but this is supposed to be cheap, as in $5 cheap. I think I'll give the RCA3 a try, Ryan. Thanks.

By the way, I posted this in the Pickup Room over at SD and got zero responses so far.

[CTN]

again, what guitar?

Cuz I currently have a '59N with an A2 in the neck position of my 24 fret showmaster and I'll be damned, it's one of the nicest neck humbuckers I've ever heard. Sweet and soulful because of the A2, but bright and articulate enough to cut through any amount of gain, because it's closer to the bridge than in a 22fret guitar.

Had a '59N w/A4 in my ol' SG, and it was ok. Smooth and sweet for sure, but its cutting power was decent at best. and A4's supposed to be more articulate than an A2.

[kinnikuman]

That would also kill the warmth.

It's a balance. I guess it would have 500k pots wouldn't it?

[misterwhizzy]

Les Paul. Read closely, and you'll find it at the end of the OP.

To be honest, I'm not sure what values the pots are. I think they're 300k. I had an A2 in there for a good long while before I decided the overall lack of bite in the attack was too big of a factor for me to ignore. A4 is REALLY close to being right.

I went ahead and ordered the RCA3 last night, so we'll see if that fixes the problem.

[CTN]

Apologies I can't read.

Hmmm. If it's that close to being right and you're using 300k pots then definitely you should switch to 500k before swapping mags.

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Still though the rcA3 should be real nice too but maybe a slight bit different than the A4

[misterwhizzy]

The existing pots are 300k stock Gibson. Assuming I do end up swapping them, is 500k audio taper your preferred choice? Also give me brand and website recommendations.

[CTN]

The existing pots are 300k stock Gibson. Assuming I do end up swapping them, is 500k audio taper your preferred choice? Also give me brand and website recommendations.

For the volume, a!ways audio taper. I like linear taper for the tone but I think Gibson uses audio taper or that also.

Measure the mounting hole for the pot. If it's 3/8", get CTS. If it's 5/16", Get Bourns (or Alpha if you don't mind offshore production pots...CTS and Bourns are made in USA)

Stewmac.com has CTS and alpha.
Guitarelectronics.com has Bourns and alpha, maybe CTS as well, can't remember.