500k Pots for Guitar: CTS & Bourns

10 products

Welcome to our 500k Pots Collection

If you want better guitar tone, you’re in the right place. These components are the unsung heroes of your guitar's electronics. They shape your sound with precision. 500k potentiometers, or "pots" for short, are the go-to choice for some electric guitars, especially for those with humbucker pickups.

Our selection features high-quality 500k pots from the brands CTS and Bourns. They offer a range of options to suit every guitarist's needs. You may be a beginner looking to upgrade your first guitar or a seasoned pro fine-tuning your tone. Either way, we've got you covered.

These versatile pots come in various styles, including both short and long split shaft options to fit different guitar models. Also, push-pull pots are available for added capabilities.

When Choosing a 500k Pot for Your Guitar

Consider these potentiometer selection tips:

  • Resistance Value: Pair pot resistance to your pickups. 250k are common for single-coils, 500k for humbuckers. Keep in mind that higher values retain more highs than lower values.
  • Tolerance: Opt for a tight tolerance, such as 10%, to ensure the potentiometer's resistance is close to its rated value.
  • Knob Compatibility: Ensure knobs and pots fit each other to avoid damage when installed.
  • Shaft Length: Long shaft for thicker/curved bodies (e.g., Les Paul), short shaft for slimmer bodies (e.g., Tele, Strat).
  • Pot Shaft Diameter: Check fit with guitar body holes. Metric guitars have smaller holes than American-made guitars.
  • Taper: Audio taper is preferred for volume and tone controls. Its output closely matches how the human ear perceives sound.
  • Special Features: Consider push-pull pots if you want added tonal capabilities like coil splitting or phase switching.
  • Brand Reputation: Buying from respected brand names like CTS and Bourns ensures you get top quality.

Our 500k pots offer numerous benefits. They have improved treble response, better overall tonal clarity, and the ability to fine-tune your instrument's voice. They're perfect for solving common issues like muddy tone or lack of high-end sound, especially in humbucker-equipped guitars.

Ready to elevate your tone? Browse our selection of 500k pots and find the perfect match for your guitar. With options from CTS and Bourns, you're sure to find a potentiometer that will take your sound to the next level. Don't settle for subpar components. Upgrade your guitar's electronics today and unleash its full potential!

Frequently Asked Questions

What does "500k pots" mean?

A 500k pot has a resistance value of 500,000 ohms - think of it as a gatekeeper for your guitar's high frequencies. When you turn your volume or tone knob, this resistance determines how much treble makes it through your signal chain. The "500k" in the name refers to this resistance level, and it's higher than other common values like 250k. The higher resistance of 500k pots allows more bright, crisp tones to shine through, which is why they're favored for certain pickup types and playing styles.

What is the difference between 250k and 500k potentiometers?

The main difference between 250k and 500k pots is in their resistance values and tonal impact. 250k pots remove more high end frequencies resulting in a warmer tone, while 500k pots preserve more high frequencies, producing a brighter, more open sound.

Do you need 500k pots for humbuckers?

No, but they're the standard for a reason. Humbuckers naturally serve up a thicker, meatier tone than single coils (that's why we love 'em!), and 500k pots help balance that by preserving those crucial high-end frequencies that keep your sound articulate and lively. Think of it as letting your pickups show their full personality instead of holding them back.