Guitar potentiometer questions? This article provides information on guitar potentiometers, including what they are, the purpose they serve, and the differences in performance and physical specifications. Find the information you need to know to find and buy guitar potentiometers online that serve your needs.

Whether it’s a new build or you’re need to do guitar circuit repair and upgrades Guitar potentiometers, also known as "pots," are essential components in electric guitars, basses, and other instruments with pickups. A potentiometer serves as the primary means for players to control volume and tone. Resistance value, construction, and taper significantly influence the instrument’s tonal characteristics, making the selection of potentiometers a critical aspect of guitar electronics design and customization.

Potentiometers in Guitars

Potentiometers in guitars function as variable resistors or voltage dividers. Potentiometers and capacitors, form the main part of a guitar circuit.

In a typical guitar wiring circuit there could be one or more potentiometers. While the numbers used may vary, these are the typical uses for potentiometers in a circuit:

Volume Pots

Volume pots regulate the output level by controlling how much of the pickup signal is sent to the output jack versus how much is sent to ground.

Tone Pots

Tone pots work in conjunction with capacitors to bleed high frequencies to ground, shaping the guitar’s treble response. By adding capacitors to tone pots you can further shape the tone. Capacitors can be used to darken the tone by reducing higher frequencies.

Blend Pots

Blend pots are used to provide a single knob to combine the input of pickups, and control the amount any given pickup contributes. For example, you could turn a blend knob to make the output 30% neck pickup and 70% bridge pickup, or any mix equaling 100%.



Audio vs. Linear Potentiometers

The response curve (taper) of a potentiometer is a key part of managing signal. Audio potentiometers (also called audio taper or logarithmic potentiometers) and linear potentiometers differ primarily in how their resistance changes as you adjust the control, which directly affects how they are perceived in applications like audio volume control.

What are Audio Potentiometers

Audio taper pots (Logarithmic taper), sometimes noted as an “A” pot, are standard for volume controls, as they provide a smooth, natural-sounding volume sweep that aligns with human hearing. The volume effects of an audio pot are less noticeable at 1,2,3 and the effect increases substantially beyond 4 on your control knob.

What are Linear Potentiometers

Linear taper pots, sometimes noted as a “B” pot, are sometimes used for tone controls, offering a predictable, even change across the rotation, though some players still prefer audio taper for tone as well.

In summary, linear potentiometers provide a direct, proportional change, while audio potentiometers are engineered to deliver a more natural-sounding adjustment for audio levels, compensating for the ear’s logarithmic sensitivity to changes in loudness



Potentiometer Values and Tone

The resistance value of a potentiometer—measured in kilohms. Relative to guitar circuit wiring, the value of potentiometers affects volume and tone:

  • 250k pots are commonly paired with single-coil pickups (e.g., Fender, PRS, etc.). They slightly moderate treble, resulting in a warmer sound.
  • 500k pots are standard with humbucker pickups (e.g., Gibson, Schecter, etc.). They retain more treble, producing a brighter tone to balance the naturally darker sound of humbuckers.
  • 1M (1 Meg or 1,000kΩ) pots are occasionally used for extremely bright, high-output pickups in certain guitars (Jazzmaster, Jaguar, etc.), providing a very bright tone.
  • 300k pots are sometimes used in some Gibson circuits. This is somewhat of a tonal compromise between 250k pots and 500k pots.

The value chosen also affects the resonance peak of the pickup circuit; lower values dampen the peak, making the guitar sound less trebly, while higher values preserve or accentuate it.



What Are No-Load Potentiometers?

Let’s begin this by stating that no-load pots are not recommended for volume pots. Why? A no-load pot for volume control will completely cut off the signal when turned to its maximum setting.

A no-load guitar potentiometer is a control pot that, when turned to its maximum setting, effectively removes itself from the circuit, allowing a purer, brighter signal to pass through. This can lead to a slight increase in output and treble frequencies, as the tone capacitor and potentiometer resistance are bypassed.

A standard potentiometer in a guitar circuit is influenced by a tone capacitor. As the pot is turned, the capacitor varies the resistance in the circuit to alter your tone. With a standard pot, turning the pot to its maximum value doesn’t completely remove it from the circuit. It simply sets it to its lowest resistance, allowing a certain amount of signal to pass through.



CTS Pots vs. Bourns Pots

CTS Potentiometers

CTS potentiometers are widely regarded as the benchmark for quality in American-made guitars. Their popularity stems from:

  • Tight resistance tolerances (often ±10%), ensuring consistency across units.
  • Longer life due to robust construction, including brass shafts and high-quality conductive tracks.
  • Smooth, precise tapers, especially in their audio taper models, offering musicians a predictable and musical response throughout the pot’s rotation.
  • Variety of shaft types (split and solid), shaft lengths, and spline counts to fit different guitars and knobs.

CTS pots are available in all standard values (250k, 500k, 1M, etc.) and are favored for both volume and tone controls. They are the default choice for many major American guitar manufacturers and are frequently recommended for upgrades due to their reliability and tonal consistency.



Bourns Potentiometers

While Bourns potentiometers receive less attention in traditional American guitar manufacturing, they are valued for:

  • Exceptionally smooth rotation and low torque, making them popular among players who prioritize effortless control adjustments. Bourns pots are available in similar values and tapers as CTS pots.
  • High reliability and long operational life, similar to CTS, though some players note a different tactile feel. For people accustomed to CTS pots, Bourns pots may feel too "loose or smooth".


USA vs Metric CTS Potentiometer Specifications & Dimensions

Table view of guitar potentiometer specifications.


Potentiometer Tolerances

Tolerances are an often overlooked part of buying guitar potentiometers. In this sense, "tolerances" refers to manufacturing quality. In mass-produced items, there are malformed or defective parts. Among the "acceptable parts", while usable, there are minor deviations that can make a difference to your tone.

Relative to guitar potentiometers, the best pots are 10% tolerance, most pots sold are around 20% tolerance, and some sold are beyond that range.

What does this mean? The tolerance rating refers to the deviation from the target standard. A 250k pot with 10% tolerance has an actual value range between 225k and 275k. A 500k pot with 10% tolerance has an actual value range between 450k and 550k.

In our experience, buying 250k 10% tolerance parts from a reputable source such as The Art of Tone, we receive pots that are consistently between 247k-253k. That is excellent.

Ordering Potentiometers Online

Finding the right potentiometers for your circuit can be a confusing, sometimes frustrating task. Ideally, you can find pots with the same physical specifications. This is your best assurance of the easiest installation relative to fit and performance.

Using the information that you know about your guitar and what is provided above, you should be able to define what you need. To make the ordering process easier, your Google search needs to include a reasonably specific description of the preferred component. An example, a Google search query for finding replacement pots for a Stratocaster could be something like:

CTS Potentiometer, 250k, Audio, Short Split Shaft, 10% tolerance

Practical Considerations

Control knobs, if the push-on type, are not a one-size-fits-all. Even with the set-screw knobs, you need to confirm fitment before ordering new knobs (or re-using what you have now). Knobs may not fit when changing between US and Metric potentiometers. Forcing push-on knobs from a metric pot onto a US pot can damage parts.

Resizing mounting holes? Use best practices when enlarging mounting holes to avoid damaging finishes. You should probably use a reamer when resizing holes. Simply running a drill bit through a hole almost always causes chipping and splintering (that’s bad news on a nice finish).

As with any guitar build, repair, or upgrade, take time to verify dimensions, compatibility, and fitment of any and all parts you may choose to buy. Manufacturer specifications may change. Regardless of guitar brand, parts used may not be the same among countries or manufacturing origin.

PRO TIP: When installing pots, using a nut below the body/pickguard allows an adjustment of knob mounting height. Adjust the position of the lower nut to set the pot height above the body/pickguard. Add the top nut and washer, and your knob should fit flush with the body.

Summary and Key Takeaways

In summary, potentiometers are crucial to guitar tone and control, with CTS setting the industry standard for quality and reliability. The choice of pot value—250k, 500k, 1M, or others—should be matched to the pickups and desired tonal outcome, with CTS and Bourns both offering excellent options for discerning players and builders.

Credits and Footnotes

Free stock image by Thomas as found on Pixabay.