CSL Stratocaster~1977 Tone Pots

[roadrocket1098]

Hi Guys
I wonder if anyone can help
I have an old CSL Stratocaster ~1977, and after seeing some old posts, gather it may have been a re-badged Ibanez
When I got this as a present, I was a bit disappointed, as the two tone pots were either all on, or all off, and the volume was the same.(i.e. 0 = all off, 1=all on), with no variation in between
Many years later I took it to a Guitar shop in Brighton where the assistant felt it had the wrong OHM pots.
As there was no stamp on the pots, he felt it was pot luck, whether to go up or down.
He gave me 3 pots stamped with the following information,
M500K OA
76 K
I fitted the pots, with a new 5- Way switch – instead of the fitted 3-way) and the volume then worked, but the tone pots were the same (all on or all off)
After reading some posts that the Stratocaster should have 250K pot, I started to wonder if it was really the pots or had it been wired incorrectly
Question:
Does anyone know what the OHM rating these pots should be?
Should I try 250K pots or would the pot OHM rating not cause the all on/ all off syndrome, as some posts felt the difference between the 250K & 500K would be a change in treble note
Kindest Regards
Roadrocket1098

[Jazz P Bass]

Just a thought: has the tone capacitor been changed out.
It's not just the pot in the circuit.
The pot & the cap make the circuit.
Guitar & Bass Wiring Techniques

[eschertron]

"Traditionally" 500K Ohm pots are used with humbucking pickups, and 250K are used with single coils. The idea - as I understand - is that the choice of pot resistance affects the resonant peak of the pickup's coil as part of the whole wiring system (including stray capacitance in the guitar lead cord, for example). 250K is considered by many to result in a more pleasing sound (than 500K) when installed in a strat. 500K pots would work in any guitar and not affect the sound to the extent that you describe.

So, what Jazz P said, it's not just the pot in the circuit - i.e. there are other components - and you need to look at the whole wiring of the guitar to see what else it may be. I suggest that you draw out a schematic of what you have in the guitar (for posterity, or to post it here) and then use the link provided above to choose a relevant design and wire your guitar up to that.

[roadrocket1098]

Hi Guys
Thanks for your support, it is very much appreciated

The identification on the capacitor fitted was,
50V.047
Whether this should have changed with 500K pots, I do not know
The closest diagram to the current wiring is in the following link,

http://www.fralinpickups.com/images/...tratLFVER1.jpg

The deviations to the drawing are,
a. No capacitor between terminals 1 & 2 on the volume pot
b. No connection between terminals 2 & 3 on the RHS of the selector switch

I see a number of very similar drawings with a wire between the volume pot, tone 1 pot, and tone 2 pot, which I would assume would be an earth wire as it is connected to the volume pot, which is earthed to the bridge.
I cannot see why this could make a difference, but I am not a electrical engineer .

I would appreciate your views

Once again, many thanks

Roadrocket1098

[Jazz P Bass]

Have you tried another cap?
.047 is a muddy cap.
Maybe try .022.
The tone control circuit is fairly simple.
Just keep in mind that it is a high frequency cut.
It boosts nothing.