STRATOCASTER POT SIZES
Last Update: 2024.12.30
I plan to expand this later but this is good info to start with.
Interesting topic. There are some strange animals but the GOOD news is the most all MIM and USA pots are very standard sizing. This makes is very easy to replace pots, or to change to push pull, etc.
The main manufacturers are CTS, BOURNS and ALPHA
Most stock pots in Fenders (like MIM) are NOT brass shaft, so they look like pewter and don’t have that gold look. CTS and BOURNS make very good brass shaft and brass bushing pots, those are my favorite.
BUSHING DIAMETERS (the part that fits through the hole)
- Normal sized (MIM, USA, etc): 3/8 inch bushing OD (9.5mm) – KNURLED
- Aerodyne: 11/32 inch bushing OD (8.7mm) – SOLID SHAFT
- Squier Alpha: 5/16 inch bushing OD (8mm) – KNURLED
Pots also have long bushing and shorter ones. Fender always use the shorter ones, gibsons tend to use the longer ones so they still have thread left after they fit through the top. Pickguards for Strats are relatively thin so Fender uses short shaft and the knobs are often almost flush with the surface.
When I use Push Pull I always make sure it is extended above the pickguard a bit so the knob is easier to grab to push pull it.
Other Measurement equivalence
- 9/32 = 7mm
- 1/4 = 6.4mm