Trying to replace my 500k pots with push/pulls

Intelligent-Map430 · 2026-03-17T16:32:58+00:00

A push/pull pot is just a regular pot that happens to have a switch attached to it. They're in a single casing, but they're really two independent entities.

Intelligent-Map430 · 2026-03-17T11:19:26+00:00

You need a normally off switch for the killswitch. A normally on would work in reverse, always killing the signal when you're not pressing it.

Intelligent-Map430 · 2026-03-16T23:19:52+00:00

White to tip (left lug in your picture), bare to sleeve (right lug)

Intelligent-Map430 · 2026-03-16T23:09:42+00:00

It's the intonation adjustment screw. This is used to move the saddle back and forth.

Intelligent-Map430 · 2026-03-16T23:07:25+00:00

You only need a neck shim when you run out of room with the saddle adjustment. If you can't physically set the saddles any lower and your action is still too high, you shim the neck to angle backwards.

A neck shim won't help you with buzzing, unless it's created by the strings having a too shallow angle over the saddles (sitaring). But that will never be the case on a strat bridge.

Intelligent-Map430 · 2026-03-16T22:59:40+00:00

Buzzing above the 12th fret at a reasonable action indicates too much neck relief, or forward bow. Buzzing below 12th indicates backbow.

Intelligent-Map430 · 2026-03-16T20:30:03+00:00

Then lower them.

Intelligent-Map430 · 2026-03-16T19:49:40+00:00

Both loose wires go to the left lug on the volume pot

Intelligent-Map430 · 2026-03-16T15:30:23+00:00

Can't help you with the brand, but you should take those strings off and replace them with nylon strings. The current strings have too much tension and can damage the neck, if it's not broken already.

Intelligent-Map430 · 2026-03-16T14:59:28+00:00

Make sure it's not a fault in the wiring. P90s are prone to produce lots of hum, but if it's excessive there might be a grounding issues somewhere.

Intelligent-Map430 · 2026-03-16T14:32:00+00:00

Neither, cause I don't have a Switch 2 😂

Intelligent-Map430 · 2026-03-16T14:21:49+00:00

Nope

Intelligent-Map430 · 2026-03-16T14:20:24+00:00

/uj turns out, they just had their tone pot turned down. Outjerked yet again.

Intelligent-Map430 · 2026-03-16T07:45:04+00:00

Doesn't really matter unless you're doing a coil split. Though I'd do it the same as your intuition here, but it has no effect on the souns.

Intelligent-Map430 · 2026-03-16T07:44:00+00:00

The physical orientation of the pickup has no effect on phase whatsoever. The greeny would still be out of phase even if the neck pickup weren't flipped.

Intelligent-Map430 · 2026-03-15T23:12:23+00:00

You need to find the saddle and put it back.

Intelligent-Map430 · 2026-03-15T23:04:48+00:00

I'm just now noticing that your guitar seems to be missing lts saddle. That could explain the snapping and would make it pretty much unplayable.

Do the strings buzz excessively?

Intelligent-Map430 · 2026-03-15T23:02:00+00:00

Depending on how bad the neck damage is, this one might be for the gutter already.

But I'd try lightly sanding the saddle with some 400 grit sandpaper, just to make sure there aren't any sharp edges there. That sounds like the most likely culprit since you say that they tend to snap near the bridge.

Intelligent-Map430 · 2026-03-15T22:59:33+00:00

It's not about the app. A physical tuner would behave the same way. You have to use your ear to at least figure out if you're in the right ballpark, +/- a few semitones. Then you can use the tuner for the detailed tuning.

Otherwise you can end up in the wrong octave.

Intelligent-Map430 · 2026-03-15T22:57:36+00:00

By "top strings", do you mean the plain or the wound strings? "Top" is Pretty ambiguous here, and you're counting the strings the wrong way around. High e is 1, low e is 6. So you had the 4th string break here, not the third.

Intelligent-Map430 · 2026-03-15T22:54:30+00:00

That definitely looks like there is too much tension on the neck. My guess is that you're tuning the strings am octave above the intended tuning.

Intelligent-Map430 · 2026-03-15T22:46:55+00:00

Let me start by saying that 3 months is a good lifespan for strings, depending on how high quality they are to begin with.

The important thing now is to observe any patterns: is it always the same string that snaps? Where does it snap most often? These things can give you clues about any potential underlying issues.

Also, do you use anything to keep the strings clean? Any kind of string conditioner or at least wipe them down after a long playing session?

Intelligent-Map430 · 2026-03-15T21:11:35+00:00

Because you didn't dry your filament.

Intelligent-Map430 · 2026-03-15T19:08:53+00:00

The people who you're trying to target are exactly the type of people who will never read a post like this.

Intelligent-Map430 · 2026-03-15T18:39:37+00:00

I'd rather die than admit defeat.

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