Potentiometer choices for a HS/Cobain Style Mustang

[gerardguey]

I am currently working on finishing two HS cobain style mustangs, and since I don't use humbuckers much, and have little experience mixing them, I wanted to see what peoples thoughts were. Im using a high output HB and a lower output single coil in the neck. Ive only ever used 500k for HBs and 250k for singles, but also read that the KC signature had 250k pots and wanted to see what other HS users prefer.

What potientiometers do you guys recommend to make both the single coil and humbucker sound good? Or is it a one-or-the-other situation when deciding which pickup to prioritize?

Also, does anyone have any diagrams for a 2 volume mustang with traditional 3 way slide switches? I've looked online all over but have not found any. I figured it would be worth considering having individual 500k and 250k volumes for each pickup to make each one sound their best. While I like having the option of tone controls I think I could lose it.

[ldp54002]

I have two HB-equipped Mustangs (one full size, one single coil rail style), both with 250k. I also had a KC sig back in the day, also with 250k. I like 250s with HBs in short scale guitars, I like the subtle high end roll off they provide. The Cobain sig had a JB in it, and I think those really benefit from 250k...I like JBs way better with 250k vs 500k.

I would say give it a shot with 250 and see if you like it. I don't think you're losing too much foregoing 500k in this case.

[sal paradise]

I’ve had two mustangs with cool rails & they sound perfect with standard pots.

[JVG]

I would use 500k but would keep a tone pot.

It can be difficult to balance a high output humbucker with a low output single coil, and this is a problem with the KC Mustang (personal experience). I would recommend considering a low or “vintage output” humbucker - the volume/tone balance with the neck pickup will be easier to manage, and you can still get big fat sounds out of them.

Your idea of separate volume controls has merit although you may miss the tone control, depending on your playing style and how much you switch between pickups.

[gerardguey]

Thanks for all of your help and suggestions ya'll. Im using a Guitar Madness Hot Alnico 5 from ebay which from what I understand is a JB clone. They're both bullet mustang to skystang conversions, so I didnt want to sink in the money for a pickup worth as much as I paid for the guitars, lol.

Has anyone tried mixing them? Specifically thinking a 500k volume with a 250k tone pot. Would that help balance the two sounds? Im not worried about balancing them, as much as I am having each sound good on their own. I don't change pickups mid song much so volume differences aren't a concern.

[Shadoweclipse13]

I would use 500k but would keep a tone pot.

It can be difficult to balance a high output humbucker with a low output single coil, and this is a problem with the KC Mustang (personal experience). I would recommend considering a low or “vintage output” humbucker - the volume/tone balance with the neck pickup will be easier to manage, and you can still get big fat sounds out of them.

Your idea of separate volume controls has merit although you may miss the tone control, depending on your playing style and how much you switch between pickups.

It could be a bit of a compromise, I agree. In theory, if you only use a specific spot or two on a tone pot (not the full range of the pot), you could figure out the resistance of that, and put it as a fixed position on a switch...

I've also always wondered about adding a resistor between the humbucker and the 3-way switch to simulate the 500K pot for the humbucker, while using 250K master volume and tone, but I've never tested the theory...

[AcrylicSuperman]

Use a 500k volume and a 250k tone pot. That way, your pickups see something like 375k, which is a little more than needed for single coils and a little under what is usual for humbuckers