500K Pots for MIJ Mustang

[lawzenge]

I was looking to replace the stock 250k pots in my MIJ MG-69 Mustang with some Alpha 500k pots but was disappointed when they did not fit the smaller control plate. I would like to keep the control plate stock as it sits close to the pickguard. Where can I find 500k pots that will fit the MIJ control plate? Having a hard time searching the web for a direct drop in replacement. Thanks for reading!

Here are the current pots. You can see they are much smaller: https://imgur.com/a/3JfJjRZ

[JSett]

I was looking to replace the stock 250k pots in my MIJ MG-69 Mustang with some Alpha 500k pots but was disappointed when they did not fit the smaller control plate. I would like to keep the control plate stock as it sits close to the pickguard. Where can I find 500k pots that will fit the MIJ control plate? Having a hard time searching the web for a direct drop in replacement. Thanks for reading!

Here are the current pots. You can see they are much smaller: https://imgur.com/a/3JfJjRZ

If it were me I'd drill out the holes so the better pots fit. It's a tiny difference (0.35mm) so if you ever want to return it to stock the old pots will still be fine once in, washered and tightened. You just need a 1/4" HSS bit, some masking tape and a drill and you'll be good to go all the better quality pots are 6.35mm / 1/4" shaft really and any future owner, if you're concerned with that, will be thankful for the upgrade.

*EDIT: as per below correction, those are the pot shaft sizes, I got muddled. You need to enlarge to 3/8"

[lawzenge]

I was looking to replace the stock 250k pots in my MIJ MG-69 Mustang with some Alpha 500k pots but was disappointed when they did not fit the smaller control plate. I would like to keep the control plate stock as it sits close to the pickguard. Where can I find 500k pots that will fit the MIJ control plate? Having a hard time searching the web for a direct drop in replacement. Thanks for reading!

Here are the current pots. You can see they are much smaller: https://imgur.com/a/3JfJjRZ

If it were me I'd drill out the holes so the better pots fit. It's a tiny difference (0.35mm) so if you ever want to return it to stock the old pots will still be fine once in, washered and tightened. You just need a 1/4" HSS bit, some masking tape and a drill and you'll be good to go all the better quality pots are 6.35mm / 1/4" shaft really and any future owner, if you're concerned with that, will be thankful for the upgrade.

It looks like that is my best option. I will look into drilling it out and get some CTS pots to install. Thanks!

[tammyw]

If it were me I'd drill out the holes so the better pots fit. It's a tiny difference (0.35mm) so if you ever want to return it to stock the old pots will still be fine once in, washered and tightened. You just need a 1/4" HSS bit, some masking tape and a drill and you'll be good to go all the better quality pots are 6.35mm / 1/4" shaft really and any future owner, if you're concerned with that, will be thankful for the upgrade.

You must be thinking of knobs or something. A regular full size pot has a 3/8" thread, while those Alpha mini pots are 7mm.

Also, drilling out the control plate is not fun. That steel is not that soft, and the bit will grab trying to enlarge a hole like that.

People may say that CTS are better, but I think the Alphas are still okay, and the drop-in 500k replacement would be Alpha R-VAM500KA, iirc. They shouldn't be too hard to find.

And as for the knobs, those MIJ/CIJ's are press-on for coarse spline shafts. You can force them onto a CTS fine-splined pot without too much trouble, if you're not worried about it being perfect. Otherwise if you go with CTS pots you might want to get smooth-shafts and full size knobs, which are slightly larger.

[lawzenge]

If it were me I'd drill out the holes so the better pots fit. It's a tiny difference (0.35mm) so if you ever want to return it to stock the old pots will still be fine once in, washered and tightened. You just need a 1/4" HSS bit, some masking tape and a drill and you'll be good to go all the better quality pots are 6.35mm / 1/4" shaft really and any future owner, if you're concerned with that, will be thankful for the upgrade.

You must be thinking of knobs or something. A regular full size pot has a 3/8" thread, while those Alpha mini pots are 7mm.

Also, drilling out the control plate is not fun. That steel is not that soft, and the bit will grab trying to enlarge a hole like that.

People may say that CTS are better, but I think the Alphas are still okay, and the drop-in 500k replacement would be Alpha R-VAM500KA, iirc. They shouldn't be too hard to find.

And as for the knobs, those MIJ/CIJ's are press-on for coarse spline shafts. You can force them onto a CTS fine-splined pot without too much trouble, if you're not worried about it being perfect. Otherwise if you go with CTS pots you might want to get smooth-shafts and full size knobs, which are slightly larger.

This was exactly what I was looking for. Thanks so much for the model number. I was hesitant to drill out the control plate and didn't even think about the knobs. Slightly off topic but any recommendation for what tone cap would be good for a Mustang?

[JSett]

You must be thinking of knobs or something. A regular full size pot has a 3/8" thread, while those Alpha mini pots are 7mm.

Also, drilling out the control plate is not fun. That steel is not that soft, and the bit will grab trying to enlarge a hole like that.

Ahhhhhhh, yes, had a total brain fart there. Yes, those are the knob shaft sizes sorry, it was early in the morning. Tammy is correct to correct me, knob shaft is 6.3 / 1/4", thread size is 9.5mm / 3/8" (I think, it's early again hahah)

I found the MIJ steel to be pretty soft compared to others I have drilled but definitely would advise clamping it down anyway and being careful.