Guitar Volume Pot Recommendation

[PDC]

I am always swapping pickups in and out of my guitars and have found that volume pots are only good for so many heat cycles with the iron. I know if I had better skills - brief application of heat, small, pretty shiny connections - that wouldn't be a problem, but I am still learning.

Anyway - The last couple of Bourns 500k pots that I have installed are providing sort of a 'light switch' effect where 90% of the signal comes in at about the first 10% of the shaft rotation. Volume swells are impossible because it sounds more like a 'kill switch' than a volume pot. I have read posts from both sides swearing that audio vs linear taper is the ONLY way to go. I am 99% sure the last batch I ordered were at least advertised as Audio taper. Hell - they probably are all mass produced in the same Beijing factory and stamped with whatever manufacturer's brand name ...

Any recommendations for a good quality volume pot with a nice, gradual taper for smooth volume swells?

THANK YOU!

 

[Music&Chaos]

I am always swapping pickups in and out of my guitars and have found that volume pots are only good for so many heat cycles with the iron. I know if I had better skills - brief application of heat, small, pretty shiny connections - that wouldn't be a problem, but I am still learning.

Anyway - The last couple of Bourns 500k pots that I have installed are providing sort of a 'light switch' effect where 90% of the signal comes in at about the first 10% of the shaft rotation. Volume swells are impossible because it sounds more like a 'kill switch' than a volume pot. I have read posts from both sides swearing that audio vs linear taper is the ONLY way to go. I am 99% sure the last batch I ordered were at least advertised as Audio taper. Hell - they probably are all mass produced in the same Beijing factory and stamped with whatever manufacturer's brand name ...

Any recommendations for a good quality volume pot with a nice, gradual taper for smooth volume swells?

THANK YOU!

Hey! I have been through a number of pots and I have finally found that the DiMarzios have the best feel overall for me.

I have gotten all of the nicest CTS builds from various makers. I have some CTS I like the taper of, but they are a little bit slow/long to turn., making swells feel a bit tedious.

I need to check out how well the DiMarzio tapers again but they are some of the nicest feeling 100%. Will check the taper out later today when I get a chance.

 

[PDC]

That's great info. I have also read some solid online reviews of DiMarzio pots. Its not like they are prohibitively expensive - I will probably order a couple and give them a try.

Thank You!