Bourns Set of Four (4X) 500K SHORT Split Shaft Audio Taper Low Friction Potentiometers

I've tried many pots but these are the best by far. For those of you who like to adjust your volume while you play they turn easily using just your pinky. They turn smoothly with just the slightest amount of dampening so they don't feel cheap - they feel just right. I ordered the pack of four knobs and they all feel exactly the same which shows Bourns consistancy with quality. I've tried two different CTS pots and didn't like either one of them. They weren't easy to turn and felt very rough and scratchy. One of the pots had even more resistance at one particular place in the pots travel - and it only got worse with subsequent turning. This was because the shaft was loose and would press against one side of the pots housing as I turned the knob - I was surprised at how badly these CTS pots were made. If you like pots that turn smoothly and easily you will not be disappointed with these.

"Bourns 500K SHORT Split Shaft Audio Taper Low Friction" potentiometers lived up to their name and my expectations. Yes, they're smooth to turn, have decent tolerances for my purposes (two 470 kOhm, two 460 kOhm; as measured on a digital multimeter), and they fit well in my Squier Bullet Mustang as volume and tone pots. Audio taper is smooth and just as it should be. My one complaint is regarding the wide tolerance. TheGlobalGenie seller is good. I was surprised as the package arrived well before the estimated delivery date.

I love these pots. They are high quality and I've never had one fail. They are also really easy to move just with a little finger so adjustments while playing are fantastic. But even with the low friction they stay where they are set and never shift. It makes me laugh that some people complain there is something wrong because they move so easily - that is the exact point of these pots, it's like complaining that a cow is made of beef! The are not cheap but I still think they are great value for money because of how well they last. I do wish they would offer a few more resistance options though. Like a 330k and a 600k. I like my guitar signal to be bright. I can always EQ that away, but I can't add it if it wasn't there. I'm slowly replacing the pots in all my guitars to Bourns Low Friction pots. They are just excellent.

Bourns are high quality pots. As a guitar tech, I've installed plenty and they haven't let me down yet.

If you use your guitar's controls a lot and like a super smooth, easy touch, then this is a great potentiometer for you. This is a high quality pot, suitable for installation in any guitar from bargain to boutique. I installed four of these in a old Les Paul to replace the custom CTS Super-Pots that were in it, which were fine except they were so hard to turn it felt like molasses got on the shafts. I like when I can feather the volume with no effort and these Bourne pots are made to be low torque, smooth, and quiet and they deliver. The taper is excellent and very usable across the entire range. Don't confuse its smoothness or low force needed with cheapness. Bournes also makes a guitar potentiometer with high torgue if you prefer that that's provides longer life but this one will last for years. This is the model that EVH and Seymour Duncan sell with their name on them for double the price. The "looseness" (not really loose--it's low torque) is by design and signifies a high quality component. Regarding the resistance values the ones I've received have been well within the specified tolerance of ±20% and actually averaged out overall to within ±2% with the furthest out (457K) being about 9% under. The others in the most recent set measure 505K, 505K, and 492K. I've got bags of CTS and Alpha pots that are not this consistent or as near to nominal value so as far as these being "all over the place" that is no more so than with any make or model and well within specifications. Even a ±10% pot can range from 450K-550K and be within specs. It's not that important as long as they're in the ballpark. Use whatever slight variance to your advantage. There's no such thing as a "matched set" unless somebody picks through them and doubles the price. The wipers are quiet. If you're hearing noise it's being caused by something else. I'm very glad I changed to these pots and only wish I'd done so sooner. Highly recommended unless you want more drag in the rotation and then you can go with the other Bournes model available. These are as pleasure to use.