By Ed Malaker
Posted 06/08/2025
Question
Message
I read your article about 500K and 250K. Great read! I have a question that I hope you can help me with. I currently have a Jackson USA HT6FM (Misha model) with bare knuckle juggernaut humbuckers. It is my understanding it has 500K pots. I find them a little bit harsh and I was considering putting a 300K pot for volume. However, by dialing back the volume pot a little bit (let’s say about 2-3 approximately) I do get the sweet spot. No harsh, clearer, etc. My question is, would a 300K pot set at 0 (or completely open) give me the same effect? I honestly don’t play with the volume or the tone pots at all. For me it is all about plugging the guitar and playing it loud. I did have the same issue with another guitar with a Seymour Duncan JB, too harsh… is the 500K pot the problem?
Answer
Hello Carlos, thank you for the great question. Theoretically, the answer to your question is yes, but it’s a little more complicated in reality. The biggest problem is that potentiometers tend to have a high tolerance, usually at least 10% even on good brands, so a 500K pot can actually be a 450K, or 550K pot. Unfortunately, the reality is many pots are even more inaccurate than that. The 300K pot can be as low as 270K, and if you are replacing a 550K pot, you might not get the result you want.
Since you are talking about a sweet spot, the resistance needs to be very tight. I recommend using a digital voltmeter to test the resistance applied to the signal when the pot is in the sweet spot. Check the resistance by putting the hot lead on the volume lug that the pickup is attached to and the other lead on the middle lug.
If the resistance measured is 300K, then a 300K pot at full volume should get you in the sweet spot. However, you will likely need to test several at full volume to find one that ACTUALLY APPLIES 300K to the signal because of the tolerance issue, so be prepared to purchase several. If you have access to a large supply of pots to try out, it’s very likely you can find one that puts you in the sweet spot when fully open.
It may be easier to mark the volume so you can always immediately put it in the correct position, especially since you don’t ever touch it. You can also purchase mechanical devices that prevent you from turning the volume beyond the sweet spot, but they might require other modifications.
I hope this helps. Let us know what you decide and how it turns out. Don’t hesitate to write if you have any more questions, and thanks for reading Humbucker Soup!