The potentiometers initially used on the Stratocasters were, most of the time, the Centralab (only in 1954) and the Stackpole, while, since about 1963, Fender has started to use, gradually, the CTS ones (Chicago Telephone Supply). The shafts which entered the knob were almost always equipped with a slot, reason why they are called "split shafts"; however, some collectors ensure that some 1954 Stratocasters had full shaft potentiometers, hence called "solid shafts".
The pots were dated according to a code, present on the upper surface or on the side, which provided the prefix "013" for the Centralab, “137” for the CTS or “304” for the “Stackpole”, followed by “YWW” (in the '40s and '50s) or “YYWW” (from the '60s), where “Y” indicated the last digits of the year of production and “W” referred to the week; it is important to keep in mind that these dates referred to the production of the pots and not of the Stratocaster, although they can give an idea of when the guitar was built. For example in 1966 Fender bought a huge amount of CTS, hence it is common to find Stratocasters equipped with pots dated in this way over the next five years.
The pots used for the volume control and those used in the tone knobs were 250kΩ, though the very first Stratocasters prototypes were equipped with 100kΩ. pots. The shape of the pots was not always the same: some had a flat upper surface, others exhibited a circular engraving or a countersink.
Since 1972 it has been possible, on order, to ground potentiometers and the switch by means of black plastic coated wires.
The pots were dated according to a code, present on the upper surface or on the side, which provided the prefix "013" for the Centralab, “137” for the CTS or “304” for the “Stackpole”, followed by “YWW” (in the '40s and '50s) or “YYWW” (from the '60s), where “Y” indicated the last digits of the year of production and “W” referred to the week; it is important to keep in mind that these dates referred to the production of the pots and not of the Stratocaster, although they can give an idea of when the guitar was built. For example in 1966 Fender bought a huge amount of CTS, hence it is common to find Stratocasters equipped with pots dated in this way over the next five years.
The pots used for the volume control and those used in the tone knobs were 250kΩ, though the very first Stratocasters prototypes were equipped with 100kΩ. pots. The shape of the pots was not always the same: some had a flat upper surface, others exhibited a circular engraving or a countersink.
Since 1972 it has been possible, on order, to ground potentiometers and the switch by means of black plastic coated wires.
Stackpole Pot, first week of 1959, used on a 1960 Stratocaster
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CTS pot, 49th week of 1965
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1969 CTS pot
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TBX
The TBX consists of two stacked pots and a resistor
The tone control system called TBX was used on the Elite Stratocaster, and, later, on the 1987 American Standard and on the Plus Series Strats.
Many believe that is an active system, but actually it does not require batteries and does not enhance the frequencies, but cuts them, so it was passive; from this also derive the different interpretations of the abbreviation TBX, Treble Bass eXpander or Treble Bass Cuts (X).
Although it has been changed many times during the years, TBX always consists of two potentiometers placed one above the other (stacked): a 250kΩ one that behaves in a normal way, cutting the treble, but with a range from 0 to 5; the other, 1000 kΩ, is connected to a 0.82 kΩ resistor and a 0.022 µF capacitor. This pot cuts the bass, exalting the treble, from 5 to 10. Obviously at the middle position "5" the TBX acts like a no-load tone pot.
Many believe that is an active system, but actually it does not require batteries and does not enhance the frequencies, but cuts them, so it was passive; from this also derive the different interpretations of the abbreviation TBX, Treble Bass eXpander or Treble Bass Cuts (X).
Although it has been changed many times during the years, TBX always consists of two potentiometers placed one above the other (stacked): a 250kΩ one that behaves in a normal way, cutting the treble, but with a range from 0 to 5; the other, 1000 kΩ, is connected to a 0.82 kΩ resistor and a 0.022 µF capacitor. This pot cuts the bass, exalting the treble, from 5 to 10. Obviously at the middle position "5" the TBX acts like a no-load tone pot.
