Electronics Information

Installation requires soldering. Due to the vast and varied nature of installation options, no specific instructions or diagrams are included for installation or use of items. Be sure to review measurement information and requirements available on each product page.

Consider checking out our prewired harness or guard builds so we’ll do the work for you to incorporate your new electronics with the performance wiring and components of your choice.

We offer a wide variety of switch styles to meet standard and enhanced wiring requirements, imaginative wiring mods, custom switching options and varied pickup control.

Blade switches are also known as lever switches, knife-style, and wafer switches. These are available in 3-way, 4-way and 5-way switching styles. 

Toggle switches come in box, open, sealed, LP, right-angle and mini styles. These are available in 2-way and 3-way switching styles.

SPST is a single-pull, single-throw style, typically featuring three poles. DPDT is a double-pull, double-throw style, typically featuring six poles. These styles differ in wiring options and performance capability.

Blade switches are typically all “open” meaning that each position will produce results as wired. Toggle switches come in fully open or mixed on/off styles. Different switch styles can be wired in different ways. Here are some example uses:

On-On (Signal-Signal): Split/Full Humbucker Coil Split

On-Off (Signal-No Signal): Master Kill Switch On/Off

On-On-On (Signal-Signal-Signal): Series/Split/Parallel

On-Off-On (Signal-No Signal-Signal): Split/Off/Full Humbucker

Momentary buttons temporarily cut/shunt signal when you press the button. These buttons are commonly used for stutter effect. Mini button switches are on-on style selectors for signal-signal switching such as in split/full humbucker performance.

Be sure to check your cavity depth if you have anything non-standard to ensure switch fit. Most switches will fit in minimum 1-1/4” cavity depths. Be sure to check each switch style for mounting requirements. Switch mounting hardware is included. If applicable, mounting screws are available in your choice of screw styles and colors.

When applicable, each switch comes with a selection of tip styles and colors. You can check out different tip styles here.

A control pot is a variable resistor controlling signal strength for volume and/or tone control. “K” is the reference to the resistance rating of the pot (kOhms). Higher pot 500K values typically lend a brightness to your sound while the 250K lower value pots typically result in a bit more playing warmth. 25K pots are only recommended for use with active pickups.

Types include Audio (aka “A” pot or “Aud” pot) or Linear Taper (aka “B” pot or “Lin” pot). In general, we recommend B (Linear) Pots for Volume and A (Audio) Pots for Tone. It’s a personal playing preference as performance will vary based on many factors, including style, equipment and skill. Both types of pots will be at ~0% in the min position and ~100% in the max position. 

In general, A pots will give you an almost imperceptible level change from 1-5 increasing only about 10% over the first 5 positions before giving a much steeper level change from 5-10 when you'll go from about 10% at position 5 to about 100% at 10. Some people like the more dramatic response change in positions 5-10 instead of spreading it out from 1-10.

The B style will generally provide a smoother and more consistent change between levels from 1-10. So, for instance, position 3 is about 30%, position 5 is about 50%, and in position 7 you'll be at about 70%. Some people like this transitioning style better because you can more intuitively know where you are and can typically dial in a bit more easily than you can with the A style. 

In general, control pots come in mini (small/dime-sized, ~16mm diameter) or standard (large/quarter-sized ~24mm diameter) styles with short (~15mm), long (~18mm) and extra-long (~24 – ~30mm) shaft lengths. Pots require a 3/8” (10mm) hole diameter. Different pot styles require varying cavity depth allowance so be sure to review the pot information on each product page before making your selection.

In general, short shaft pots (~15mm) are used for guard or plate mounting. Long shaft pots (~18mm) are usually for body mounting but can be height-adjusted for guard mounting with extra nuts/washers. Extra-long shaft (~24-30mm) pots are for Les Paul mounting through the body and ground plate. 

We typically recommend using 500K pots with humbuckers, 250K pots with single coils and 25K pots with active pickups. Depending on style and what you are looking for in terms of performance, you might vary from these standards at your own discretion.

We only use B style pots with left-handed builds. The pots themselves are not differentiated for left-handed use, but we wire them to work in left-handed applications.

Pots require a 3/8” (10mm) hole diameter. Different pot styles require varying cavity depth allowance so be sure to review the pot information on each product page before making your selection. Most pots will fit in minimum 1.25” cavity depths. Control pot mounting hardware is included. If applicable, additional nuts are available for height adjustment.

Not all pots work with all knob styles. Information is included on product pages to let you know what type of knob will work with each pot type. Most pots will come with the option to add a compatible knob style to your purchase. You can check out different knob styles here.