Pot question about an HSS Strat

[HMstratocaster]

I have an HSS strat with an alder body and a maple/rosewood neck. For some reason whenever I play it out of fender amps when I turn the volume pot up right at 0-3 I get a scratchy noise, but it never does this on any other type of amps, only fender, I have a new pot to put in (500k) but I don't know if I should or not, it's one of those guitars that sound so freakin' amazing that you are afraid to mess with things. I mean would it really comprimise the tone?

Thanks

-HM

 

[jackthehack]

Which Fender amps?

 

[HMstratocaster]

Just about every one I've played, my discontiued Fender Frontman, 15W reverb, a 100W 212 Fender Fontman. (Both Solid State) But when I play it out of my solid state 30W Marshall or any other amp it does fine. No crackle at all.

 

[line6man]

I find myself linking this thread more and more lately...
Take a look here and see if this helps you understand the difference between a 500K and a regular 250K:

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=494664

 

[HMstratocaster]

I understand the difference between 250k and 500k I'm just not sure if i should replace the existing 500k pot for fear of losing tone.

 

[line6man]

A 500K does everything a 250K pot does, it just does it from a smaller section of the rotation.

For example:  8/10 on a 500K (audio taper) is the same as a 250K at 10.

Pots are cheap, i would just try both to see which works better for your needs.

 

[bpmorton777]

just my 2 cents

Line6Man is correct about pot values and the more pots in the circuit the darker the tone. Id also like to point out from my experience that the more pots you use the more likely that turning the vol down on one will make the tone darker. This is why I REALLY like master vol/tone setups on the controls. My strat and Hamer have this problem because of multiple vol knobs but my Warmoth and tele do not. Ive also noticed this problem with Les Pauls.  Some folks use a workaround with extra caps or something on the vol circuit but usualy with mixed results.

Brian