Alpha or CTS Audio Taper 500k Pots:

[Inspector #20]

Looking for a trio of pots that measure over 500k....fine spline, split shaft...I found several suppliers, but I have no idea what they actually measure.

I think I have one CTS somewhere that actually measured 600k, but that's probably a factory defect???

I'm sure no vendors actually measure them????

 

[ChasFred]

CtS are the best, unless you can find Buorns. You want a 10% pot not 20%. Buorns actually has 5%. Those are the CHITTE! they do cost more though.

 

[Chubbles]

How about 1 meg pots? (1000k)

 

[flatrockmobile]

there is a couple of ebay sellers I've used before: Guitar Guitar | eBay Stores they have bourns pots

and sigler music | eBay Stores they have CTS

"but I have no idea what they actually measure."
Pots are measured between the 2 outside legs. Middle is the wiper

 

[smitty_p]

Not a fan of Alpha.

I mean, they’ll get the job done, but their construction and feel seem cheaper to me than CTS or Bourns.

 

[kevinpaul]

HCTS has are in most all of my work guitars pluse.
I stay at 500 max, it should have some control.k

 

[Chubbles]

I like the dinosaur or Loc Ness Monster

 

[Inspector #20]

I don't like Bourn pots because of the oddball spline count. Some early Stratocaster Squire cavities are too small for the big CTS pots....

 

[JohnnyGoo]

I use CTS pots, fact is i just ordered a couple from the Art of Tone off ebay.

 

[CabanaBoy]

I use both both, but prefer CTS over Alpha if push comes to shove.

 

[syscokid]

I'm sure no vendors actually measure them???

RS Guitarworks is one of a few vendors that measures their CTS Pots that are built for them at RS specs. Very nice Kentuckians to deal with on the phone. You might be able to request specific values that they can sort thru.

RS Guitarworks 500k SuperPot™ - Long

 

[Inspector #20]

I use CTS pots, fact is i just ordered a couple from the Art of Tone off ebay.

That's who I order from. My 1megaohm CTS spec'd out at .998k.

My 500k CTS measures 310k....

Anybody with some verified good used ones, measuring over 500k, hit me up...

 

[smitty_p]

I don't like Bourn pots because of the oddball spline count. Some early Stratocaster Squire cavities are too small for the big CTS pots....

I’ve been able to find push-on knobs for Bourns.

Domed knobs with a set-screw are good because then spline count doesn’t matter.

 

[gball]

Best pots I have personally used, at any price, are the Gibson Historics (made by CTS). They have the best taper, best feel and lowest noise of anything out there in my opinion, but you pay for them,

 

[Thatbastarddon]

My 500k CTS measures 310k....

Wow!!! 38% off spec?! That sucks.
I have a local shop that stocks CTS pots in bulk...a bin of “500k audio”, a bin of “500k linear” etc.
He lets people meter out sets if you ask nicely.
It’s more of a luthier/repair shop.
Any chance GC hasn’t squashed them all out of existence near you?

 

[Inspector #20]

I’ve been able to find push-on knobs for Bourns.

Domed knobs with a set-screw are good because then spline count doesn’t matter.

I modified knobs for my S-G to work with Bourn 18 spline coarse shafts...

 

[Inspector #20]

Wow!!! 38% off spec?! That sucks.
I have a local shop that stocks CTS pots in bulk...a bin of “500k audio”, a bin of “500k linear” etc.
He lets people meter out sets if you ask nicely.
It’s more of a luthier/repair shop.
Any chance GC hasn’t squashed them all out of existence near you?

Nice!

 

[Inspector #20]

Ok...went through all of my used pots here. I don't keep any Bourn's, only Alpha and CTS.

Best (good used) pots thus far are the Alpha's (A500) in terms of readings - 640k / 510k & 520k respectively....

 

[Chubbles]

My favs are Dimarzio Custom Tapers. They are expensive. I am particular about pots.

Many companies sell their own, but they are just CTS with their name on it.

 

[Inspector #20]

I'm not at all hung up on 'feel' when it comes to pots - mine are always wide open.