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Photo of DiMarzio EP1201 500k Split-shaft Pot

DiMarzio EP1201 500k Split-shaft Pot

500k Pot
$6.99
Rated 4.3/5 Stars (19)
In Stock
Photo of Fender Pure Vintage 250k Split Shaft Potentiometer - Volume or Tone

Fender Pure Vintage 250k Split Shaft Potentiometer - Volume or Tone

250k Split-shaft Potentiometer for Single-coil Stratocasters
$7.99
Rated 4.8/5 Stars (3)
In Stock
Photo of Fender 500k Split Shaft Potentiometer - Volume or Tone

Fender 500k Split Shaft Potentiometer - Volume or Tone

Genuine Fender 500k Split-shaft Potentiometer for Volume or Tone
$7.49
Bundles Available!
In Stock
Photo of EVH Custom Potentiometer- 500k

EVH Custom Potentiometer- 500k

Low-friction Potentiometer - 500k
$16.99
Rated 5.0/5 Stars (1)
In Stock
Photo of Gibson Accessories 500k ohm Audio Taper Potentiometer - Short Shaft

Gibson Accessories 500k ohm Audio Taper Potentiometer - Short Shaft

500k ohm Potentiometer with Audio Taper and Short Shaft
$14.99
Rated 5.0/5 Stars (2)
In Stock
Only 2 Left
Photo of Mojotone CTS Solid Shaft Potentiometer - 500k

Mojotone CTS Solid Shaft Potentiometer - 500k

500k Potentiometer with Audio Taper and Beveled/Split Solid Brass Shaft
$6.95
Rated 4.3/5 Stars (4)
In Stock
Photo of DiMarzio EP1201PP Push-pull Potentiometer - 500k ohms

DiMarzio EP1201PP Push-pull Potentiometer - 500k ohms

500k Push-pull Potentiometer, with DPDT Switch, Grounding Solder Point, and Machined Brass Split Shaft
$10.99
Rated 3.8/5 Stars (4)
In Stock
Photo of Mojotone CTS Push-pull Potentiometer - Short Shaft - 500k

Mojotone CTS Push-pull Potentiometer - Short Shaft - 500k

500k Push-pull Potentiometer with Solid Brass Split Short Shaft
$10.99
Rated 3.8/5 Stars (12)
In Stock
Photo of Emerson Custom Premier Pro Potentiometer - 500K, Short Split Shaft

Emerson Custom Premier Pro Potentiometer - 500K, Short Split Shaft

500K Short Split Shaft Potentiometer with Custom Audio Taper
$16.99
Rated 5.0/5 Stars (1)
In Stock
Photo of Fender 500k Solid Shaft Potentiometer - Volume or Tone

Fender 500k Solid Shaft Potentiometer - Volume or Tone

500k Potentiometer with 3/8" Solid-shaft Design, .022mf 250V Tone Capacitor, and Mounting Hardware
$6.99
Rated 4.7/5 Stars (3)
In Stock
Photo of Fender Pure Vintage 250k Solid Shaft Potentiometer - Volume or Tone

Fender Pure Vintage 250k Solid Shaft Potentiometer - Volume or Tone

Genuine Fender Pure Vintage 250k, Solid-shaft Potentiometer for Volume or Tone
$7.89
In Stock
Photo of Gibson Accessories 500k ohm Audio Taper Potentiometer - Long Shaft

Gibson Accessories 500k ohm Audio Taper Potentiometer - Long Shaft

500k ohm Potentiometer with Audio Taper and Long Shaft
$14.99
Rated 4.6/5 Stars (4)
Photo of DiMarzio EP1200 250k Pot with Mounting Hardware

DiMarzio EP1200 250k Pot with Mounting Hardware

250k Split-shaft Guitar/Bass Potentiometer with Mounting Hardware
$6.99
Rated 5.0/5 Stars (2)
In Stock
Photo of Mojotone CTS Solid Shaft Potentiometer - Vintage Taper - 250k

Mojotone CTS Solid Shaft Potentiometer - Vintage Taper - 250k

250k Potentiometer with Vintage-style 30% Taper and Beveled Solid Brass Shaft
$7.95
Rated 5.0/5 Stars (2)
In Stock
Only 7 Left
Photo of Allparts CTS 500K Split Shaft Audio Potentiometer

Allparts CTS 500K Split Shaft Audio Potentiometer

500K Short Split Shaft Potentiometer for Tone or Volume Control
$9.44
Photo of PRS Designed Volume Pot

PRS Designed Volume Pot

500k Potentiometer with Split Shaft, Custom Taper, and 180pf Capacitor
$23.00
In Stock
Photo of Mojotone CTS Push-pull Potentiometer - Short Shaft - 250k

Mojotone CTS Push-pull Potentiometer - Short Shaft - 250k

250k Push-pull Potentiometer with Solid Brass Split Shaft
$10.99
Rated 5.0/5 Stars (2)
In Stock
Photo of Emerson Custom Premier Pro Potentiometer - 500K, Long Split Shaft

Emerson Custom Premier Pro Potentiometer - 500K, Long Split Shaft

500K Long Split Shaft Potentiometer with Custom Audio Taper
$17.49
In Stock
Photo of Fender Dual 500k/250k Split Shaft Potentiometer

Fender Dual 500k/250k Split Shaft Potentiometer

Stacked 500k/250k Split-shaft Potentiometer for Volume and Tone
$11.99
In Stock
Photo of Emerson Custom Premier Pro Potentiometer - 250K, Short Split Shaft

Emerson Custom Premier Pro Potentiometer - 250K, Short Split Shaft

250K Short Split Shaft Potentiometer with Custom Audio Taper
$17.49
In Stock
Photo of Mojotone CTS Push-pull Potentiometer - Long Shaft - 500k

Mojotone CTS Push-pull Potentiometer - Long Shaft - 500k

500k Push-pull Potentiometer with Solid Brass Split/Beveled Shaft
$11.99
In Stock
Photo of 920D Custom Bourns 500k Push-pull Potentiometer - 3/8-inch Short Split Shaft

920D Custom Bourns 500k Push-pull Potentiometer - 3/8-inch Short Split Shaft

500k Short Split-shaft Potentiometer with 3/8" Diameter and Push-pull Functionality
$15.99
Rated 4.0/5 Stars (1)
In Stock
Photo of PRS Designed Push/Pull Tone Pot

PRS Designed Push/Pull Tone Pot

500k Potentiometer with Push-pull Coil Split, Split Shaft, and Custom Taper
$18.70
In Stock
Photo of Mojotone CTS Blender Potentiometer - 250k

Mojotone CTS Blender Potentiometer - 250k

250k Blender Potentiometer for Stratocaster-style Guitars
$8.99
Rated 4.0/5 Stars (1)
In Stock
Photo of Emerson Custom Premier Pro Potentiometer - 250K, Short Solid Shaft

Emerson Custom Premier Pro Potentiometer - 250K, Short Solid Shaft

250K Short Solid Shaft Potentiometer with Custom Audio Taper
$17.49
In Stock
Photo of Emerson Custom Premier Pro Potentiometer - 500K, Short Solid Shaft

Emerson Custom Premier Pro Potentiometer - 500K, Short Solid Shaft

500K Short Solid Shaft Potentiometer with Custom Audio Taper
$16.99
In Stock
Photo of Mojotone 5-Way Strat HSS Wiring Harness

Mojotone 5-Way Strat HSS Wiring Harness

Wiring Harness for HSS Stratocasters
$109.95
6 Month Special Financing Available‡
Learn More
Photo of Mojotone Premium Historic Les Paul Wiring Harness - Long Shaft Pots

Mojotone Premium Historic Les Paul Wiring Harness - Long Shaft Pots

Wiring Harness for Vintage-style Gibson Les Pauls - Long Shaft Pots
$199.95
Or $34.00 suggested monthly payment§ with 6 month‡ special financing
Photo of EMG SPC Active Strat Presence Control

EMG SPC Active Strat Presence Control

Active Guitar Tone Control Pot with Battery Clip and Output Jack
$79.00
6 Month Special Financing Available‡
Learn More
Rated 4.6/5 Stars (9)
In Stock
Only 3 Left
Photo of Fender TBX Tone Control Potentiometer Kit

Fender TBX Tone Control Potentiometer Kit

250K/1Meg Split Shaft Stacked Potentiometer with .022mf Capacitor, 1/4W Resistor, and Tone Knob
$14.99
Rated 5.0/5 Stars (1)
In Stock
Photo of EMG AB Afterburner Push/Pull Booster Knob

EMG AB Afterburner Push/Pull Booster Knob

Active Push/Pull Gain Boost Knob with 20dB of Adjustable Gain
$89.00
6 Month Special Financing Available‡
Learn More
Rated 4.1/5 Stars (8)
In Stock
Only 3 Left
Photo of PRS Designed Tone Pot

PRS Designed Tone Pot

500k Potentiometer with Split Shaft, Custom Taper, and .022mf Capacitor
$19.55
Rated 5.0/5 Stars (1)
In Stock
Only 9 Left
Photo of Seymour Duncan Liberator 500k Volume Pot

Seymour Duncan Liberator 500k Volume Pot

Solderless Pickup Connector with Integrated 500k Pot
$34.00
Rated 4.0/5 Stars (11)
In Stock
Only 3 Left
Photo of 920D Custom Bourns 250k Push-pull Potentiometer - 3/8-inch Short Split Shaft

920D Custom Bourns 250k Push-pull Potentiometer - 3/8-inch Short Split Shaft

250k Short Split-shaft Potentiometer with 3/8" Diameter and Push-pull Functionality
$15.99
In Stock
Photo of Fender Stratocaster Mid Boost Kit

Fender Stratocaster Mid Boost Kit

Genuine Fender Mid-boost Preamp Kit for Stratocaster Guitars
$94.10
6 Month Special Financing Available‡
Learn More
Rated 4.9/5 Stars (5)
In Stock
Photo of EVH Custom Potentiometer- 250k

EVH Custom Potentiometer- 250k

Low-friction Potentiometer - 250k
$13.99
Rated 5.0/5 Stars (1)
In Stock
Photo of Emerson Custom Premier Pro Potentiometer - 1Meg, Short Split Shaft

Emerson Custom Premier Pro Potentiometer - 1Meg, Short Split Shaft

1Meg Short Split Shaft Potentiometer with Custom Audio Taper
$17.49
Certified Open Box available for $14.37
In Stock
Only 5 Left
Photo of 920D Custom Bourns 500k Push-pull Potentiometer - 3/4-inch Long Split Shaft

920D Custom Bourns 500k Push-pull Potentiometer - 3/4-inch Long Split Shaft

500k Long Split-shaft Potentiometer with 3/4" Diameter and Push-pull Functionality
$23.99
In Stock
Only 3 Left
Photo of 920D Custom UNIV-1V One Volume Control Wiring Harness

920D Custom UNIV-1V One Volume Control Wiring Harness

Prewired Harness with 1 Volume Control and Treble Bleed
$23.99
In Stock
Only 3 Left
Photo of 920D Custom UNIV-1V-SPLIT One Volume Control with Coil Split Wiring Harness

920D Custom UNIV-1V-SPLIT One Volume Control with Coil Split Wiring Harness

Prewired Harness with 1 Volume Control, Treble Bleed, and Coil Split
$29.99
In Stock
Only 2 Left
Photo of 920D Custom CTS Concentric Jazz Bass 250k/500k Potentiometer

920D Custom CTS Concentric Jazz Bass 250k/500k Potentiometer

250k/500k Concentric Potentiometer for Jazz Bass
$17.99
Certified Open Box available for $16.19
In Stock
Photo of Emerson Custom Premier Pro Potentiometer - 250K Blend Pot, Short Split Shaft

Emerson Custom Premier Pro Potentiometer - 250K Blend Pot, Short Split Shaft

250K Short Split Shaft No-load Blend Potentiometer with Custom Audio Taper
$19.99
In Stock
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About Guitar and Bass Potentiometers


If you’ve ever picked up an electric guitar or bass, there’s a 99% chance you’ve used a guitar potentiometer. Guitar potentiometers are often hidden from view under the volume and tone knobs of an instrument. A potentiometer adjusts your guitar's volume or act as a tone control through variable resistance.


"The Name's Potentiometer — But You Can Call Me Pots"


In recent months, Sweetwater customers have asked their Sales Engineers about the inner workings of guitar and bass potentiometers. To put it simply, a potentiometer — also known as a pot — is a variable resistor. True to its name, a resistor is a passive component that resists the flow of electrical current. Resistors are used to reduce the flow of electrical current, which is incredibly important when it comes to the interactions between the pickups and the amp.


How Do Guitar Pots Work?


But how do guitar potentiometers work? It’s simpler than you think. The potentiometer has three terminals. The outside pair is connected to the resistive component. Meanwhile, the middle terminal connects to an internal wiper that contacts the resistive element. As you turn the knob of the potentiometer, the wiper travels along the resistive element, sending some of the signal to the output and some to the ground.


Run wide open, a guitar potentiometer sends 100% of the signal to the output. As you roll off the volume or tone control, the pot sends more and more signal to the ground until it eventually sends no signal to the output and 100% of the signal to the ground.


Which Pots Are Best for Which Pickups?


Now that we've established what guitar potentiometers are, how do we choose the right ones for the task at hand? The answer comes down to personal preference, since pickup selection and personal taste impact the best pots for your guitar or bass.


That said, if you're looking for guidelines, Sweetwater can help you narrow down your search. Guitar potentiometers come in a variety of resistance values, but 250K and 500K are the most common. Generally speaking, 500K guitar potentiometers are best for passive humbuckers and P-90s, as the higher resistance value creates a brighter tone that brings the midrange to life. The 250K pots are great for passive single-coil guitars since they help to mellow out any extremely high frequencies.


For most applications, the rule mentioned above will work. However, you shouldn’t be afraid to play with different guitar potentiometers. Is it possible to pair a single-coil Strat pickup with a 500K potentiometer? Absolutely! The sound will be ultra-bright and most likely cut through any mix. Do you need a dark-sounding humbucker? Run it through 300K or 250K pots for a smooth, jazzy bark.


Upgrading Your Guitar or Bass Pots? Start at Sweetwater


Are you champing at the bit to swap your guitar’s potentiometers? Sweetwater stocks guitar parts, accessories, and guitar potentiometers from the industry's most trusted brands, including Fender, Gibson, Mojotone, Seymour Duncan, and DiMarzio. We carry coil-splitting pots, concentric pots, split-shaft potentiometers, solid-shaft potentiometers, short shafts, long shafts, and more, all in a variety of values and materials. No matter what your instrument needs, it can be found here at Sweetwater.


For more information on guitar pots and electronics, see the following related articles:


What are the most popular brands for Guitar Potentiometers on Sweetwater.com?


What are the most popular Guitar Potentiometers on Sweetwater.com?


  1. EVH Custom Potentiometer- 500k

    1 review

    $16.99

  2. Fender Pure Vintage 250k Split Shaft Potentiometer - Volume or Tone

    3 reviews

    $7.99

  3. Gibson Accessories 500k ohm Audio Taper Potentiometer - Short Shaft

    2 reviews

    $14.99

  4. Emerson Custom Premier Pro Potentiometer - 500K, Short Split Shaft

    1 review

    $16.99

  5. 920D Custom Bourns 500k Push-pull Potentiometer - 3/8-inch Short Split Shaft

    1 review

    $15.99

Why shop Guitar Potentiometers at Sweetwater.com?


With a massive selection of Guitar Potentiometers, free shipping, a free 2-year warranty, 24/7 access to award-winning support - and more - Sweetwater gives you more than any other retailer! If you have any questions about Guitar Potentiometers, make sure to give your personal Sales Engineer a call at (800) 222-4700.