Vintage pots? Are they worth it?

[Mr. Peabody]

Is there any advantage to buying vintage pots, besides the concept of keeping a guitar "period correct?"

I'm starting to collect parts for a JM build. I saw a '62 roller pots and rhythm circuit switch for $85 including shipping.

According to my calculations, I can get all those parts from Angela for $54 plus shipping.

Were pots any better/different back then? I'm getting a new neck and body from Musikraft,, so vintage not an issue in that regard. However, if they are better, I'll shell out the difference.

Thanks!

[echobaseone]

I think that newer electronics would be the way to go. Pots get scratchy, switch contacts get gummy. The only vintage piece I ever had was a 72 Tele bass, and I ended up replacing the pickup and all the electronics. If it's for playing, I'd say get new. If you're planning on putting together a collector Vintage JM at some stage, maybe get the old stuff.

[ohm-men]

If you are a player rather then a collector, old pots are not the way to go. Newer CTS pots (smae construction and brand new will be of better use)
I understand the "period correct thing" but the prices are ridiculous. I got in my parts bin a original "66 CTS pot from a jag, but it's old, not working propperly, full of dirt, etc .(Although it looks great with all the codes on it, but that's it. I would call it the the oposite of an advantage.
I would not bother and get the new parts.  Vintage PU's on the other hand or a vintage trem would be much better ideas to put your money on imo. Or perhaps a nice vintage pickguard?
just my humble opnion, ofcourse .

[Mr. Peabody]

This guitar is going to be for playing, not looking, so I'm going to go ahead with all new components..
At this point, the only thing I think I may shell out for is a vintage tremolo. I think I'm going to try out a set of Novak Vintage, or maaaaaaaybe some Lollars, since I love his Strat and Tele pickups so much.
I couldn't care less about the guard. This guitar is going to be black/mint guard. I'm fine with the reissue guards.

Thanks for the input. Much appreciated!

[Down Underground]

Vintage pots have wider tolerances than newer pots. This gives the guitar a different but not better sound. I have found over the years that vintage pickups and pots sound better to my ears. The newer electronics are too sterile and loud while the older electronics have a special warmth and tone that's hard to duplicate today. I'd go with the older pots for the money. As long as they are not stuck a little contact cleaner will fix any scratches and plus you can always sell them for more than new pots. Just my humble opinion.

[Orang Goreng]

Vintage pots have wider tolerances than newer pots. This gives the guitar a different but not better sound.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't wider tolerance simply mean that it was found to be acceptable that the actual resistance value of the pot was quite a bit different from the official rating? So if there's a 5% tolerance for a 100 KOhm pot, one that's 105 or 95 kOhm would still pass, but one that's 106 kOhm wouldnt?

According to this, new CTS pots may have tolerances as high as 50%....

[Mr. Peabody]

Has anyone gotten this pre-wired pickguard? Looks like it's maybe $50 more than the separate components, but it is somewhat appealing from a lazy standpoint.

[jbuckner]

Has anyone gotten this pre-wired pickguard? Looks like it's maybe $50 more than the separate components, but it is somewhat appealing from a lazy standpoint.

Thanks for the link. I'm about to start a JM project and that pre-wired pickguard looks the way to go. Now if they would just offer a relic gold guard I'd be happy 

[-2N3904-]

According to this, new CTS pots may have tolerances as high as 50%....

of all the pots ive used in guitars and effects ive never had tolerances of 50%,thats just ridiculous.
the highest swing in tolerance ive had was a 500kA pot was actually 477kA.

btw,just buy new pots the old ones are scratchy and hardly practical for a players guitar.