The first 3 digits on a pot are the manufacturer code. The last 3 or 4 digits are the date code. With 3 digits, the first digit is the last digit of the year, and the last digit is the week number. With 4 digits, the first 2 digits are the last 2 digits of the year.

How do I know if my guitar pot is bad?

Signs of a bad potentiometer include a scratchy, static type noise (from your amp) when turning a knob or anything less than a smooth feel when you turn the knob. You may not need to replace a pot that has signs of problems.

How do you date a vintage Gibson pot?

The first 3 digits on a pot are the manufacturer code. The last 3 or 4 digits are the date code. With 3 digits, the first digit is the last digit of the year, and the last digit is the week number. With 4 digits, the first 2 digits are the last 2 digits of the year.

Did Fender use centralab POTs?

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).