Are you having trouble with your CTS push pull pot wiring? Whether you are a professional musician or just starting out, it is important to understand how your guitar works. In this article, we will be discussing the CTS push pull pot wiring diagram, including how to wire your pot, how to troubleshoot any issues you may encounter, and frequently asked questions about CTS push pull pots and the wiring process.
Understanding CTS Push Pull Pots
Before we dive into the wiring diagram, let’s first take a closer look at CTS push pull pots. These pots are commonly used in guitar wiring as they allow for more versatility and options in terms of tone and volume control. The push pull pot operates by pulling up or pushing down on the knob, which activates a switch inside the pot. This switch can be wired to perform a variety of functions, including coil tapping, phase switching, and bypassing certain pickups.
When choosing a CTS push pull pot, it is important to select the correct value for your guitar. Pots come in different sizes, including 250k and 500k, with the former recommended for single-coil pickups and the latter for humbuckers. It is also important to note that CTS pots are available in both short shaft and long shaft lengths, so be sure to measure your guitar to determine which size you need.
CTS Push Pull Pot Wiring Diagram
Now that you understand the basics of CTS push pull pots, let’s take a look at the wiring diagram. In this example, we will be wiring a push pull pot for coil tapping on a single-coil pickup.
| Pot Function | Wire Color | Solder Connection |
| Volume | Black | Jack Tip |
| Tone | Yellow | Capacitor |
| Ground | Green | Jack Sleeve |
| Hot Wire (to pickup) | White | Pickup |
| Tap Wire (to switch) | Red | Switch |
To wire your CTS push pull pot, follow these steps:
- Attach the potentiometer to the guitar body or pickguard.
- Solder the ground wire (green) to the potentiometer body.
- Solder the hot wire (white) from the pickup to the center tab of the potentiometer.
- Solder the volume wire (black) to the left tab of the potentiometer.
- Solder the tone wire (yellow) to the right tab of the potentiometer.
- Solder the tap wire (red) to the switch on the bottom of the potentiometer.
Troubleshooting CTS Push Pull Pots
After wiring your CTS push pull pot, you may encounter some issues with functionality. Here are some common troubleshooting tips for push pull pots:
Issue: Potentiometer knob is loose or falls off.
Solution: Make sure the set screw on the side of the knob is tightened securely to the potentiometer shaft.
Issue: Potentiometer does not function (no change in tone or volume).
Solution: Check to make sure all wires are properly connected to the potentiometer and other guitar components. Use a multimeter to check for continuity and confirm proper wiring connections.
Issue: Potentiometer functions, but switch does not activate.
Solution: Check the wiring of the switch to ensure it is properly connected to the tap wire (red) and other necessary components.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can a push pull pot be wired to bypass a pickup completely?
A: Yes! By wiring the switch to bypass the pickup, you can achieve a completely different tone and sound from your guitar.
Q: How many functions can a push pull pot perform?
A: It depends on the specific wiring and switch configuration, but typically a push pull pot can perform 2-3 different functions.
Q: Are CTS push pull pots compatible with any type of guitar?
A: CTS push pull pots are compatible with most types of guitars, but it is important to select the correct pot value and shaft length for your specific guitar and pickups.
Conclusion
Understanding and wiring a CTS push pull pot is an essential skill for any guitarist. By following the wiring diagram and troubleshooting tips outlined in this article, you can achieve a variety of tones and sounds from your guitar with ease. Don’t be afraid to experiment and try different wiring configurations with your push pull pot to find the perfect sound for your playing style.
