CTS - Guitar Pot, 500k (550k) Long Shaft Premium 450 Series with 9% Tolerance For Humbucking Pickups

CTS long shaft pot, 450 series premium 500k (550k) and split shaft for push-fit knobs with 24 splines. Comes complete with two nuts and washers.

Audio (log) pot for a smooth and gradual taper when turning the pot through the entire sweep. Not all CTS pots are alike - our CTS pots have been developed using 9% +/- tolerances and a value at 10% over the standard 500K rating (550K). This ensures you not only optimum performance but guarantees that your potentiometers will always be at least the value stated unlike many others using 20% tolerances where you can be over spec but in most cases way under the specifications you need to ensure good tone from your pickups. Further to this, our CTS pots feature a brass bushing and shaft and a graphite wiper.

This guitar pot is ideal as a volume and tone control upgrade for instruments with Humbucking pickups. The long shaft is specifically intended for mounting through guitar bodies that have thick tops - such as all USA Gibson Les Paul production models (not Historic) made from late 70’s through to today. Historic / Custom Shop models use regular shaft length CTS500 pots.

Here's what one happy customer had to say about our CTS pots - "I have to say that the CTS pots that I have received have been a revelation to the guitars tone. It is now clearer than ever as well as being less susceptible to background noise. On top of this the smoothness of the tapers exudes quality and they are well worth the asking price."

Important measurements

Total pot depth - 39.5mm

Length of threaded shaft - 18mm

Shaft diameter - 9.5mm (please ensure that the pickguard / control plate that the pot is mounting onto has a 9.6mm diameter hole)

Base of pot diameter - 23.5mm

Delivery

Any order placed before 2.30pm on a working day will generally be sent the same day. If the order is placed after 2.30pm on a weekday or anytime during the weekend or a public holiday, we will send the order the next working day.

UK Orders:

• Royal Mail First Class – £1.95 per order (free for orders £30.00 or higher). Delivery is usually next working day, but can sometimes take up to 5 days. No signature required.
• APC Courier – £6.50 per order (free for orders £90.00 or higher). Usually next-working day service with a 2-hour delivery window notified by email or text. Only available for UK mainland addresses. Signature required. Deliveries can be made up until 6.00pm. For urgent deliveries, please use Royal Mail Special Delivery.
• Royal Mail Special Delivery – £9.95 per order. Guaranteed delivery next working day before 1.00pm. Signature required. Delivery updates sent via email or text.

International Orders:

EU Orders:

We are pleased to offer a simplified shipping scheme (IOSS) for our EU customers:

• Orders up to €150.00 – All prices include VAT and any applicable fees. The price you see at checkout is final, with no extra charges.
• Orders over €150.00 – Prices do not include VAT or import fees. Additional fees must be paid to your local postal service upon arrival.

Please note: the all-fee-inclusive scheme applies only to business-to-consumer (B2C) transactions, not B2B.

Shipping Options within Europe:

• European Registered Post – £12.95 per order via Royal Mail Tracked service. Parcels are handed over to local postal services. Signature generally not required. Delivery: 3–7 working days.
• European Registered Courier – £30.00 per order. Courier selected for delivery. Signature required. Delivery: 2–5 working days.

USA Orders:

• USA Tracked Postal Delivery – Duties & Taxes Included – Sent via Royal Mail and handed over to USPS. Price includes all import duties and taxes, making checkout final. Hassle-free delivery with no customs paperwork or unexpected charges.
• Express Courier – Import Duties & Taxes Not Included – Faster delivery (3–7 working days). Import duties and taxes must be paid by the customer upon delivery.

International Orders (Rest of World):

• International Registered Post – £15.00 per order via Royal Mail Tracked service. Parcels handed over to local postal service. Signature generally not required. Delivery: 4–10 working days.
• International Registered Courier – £40.00 per order. Courier selected for delivery. Signature required. Delivery: 3–7 working days.

Please note: duties and import taxes may apply for international orders outside the EU and USA, depending on local regulations. Fees are usually collected upon delivery.

General Delivery Information:

If you have not received your order within the estimated delivery times, please contact us to request a tracking number. Checking with us sooner rather than later is recommended, as parcels returned due to failed delivery attempts can delay your order further.

GPSR – EU Responsible Person

Company name: Easy Access System Europe Oü
Address: Mustamäe tee 50, Tallinn, Tallinn, 10621, EE
Email: gpsr.requests@easproject.com
Phone: 358405003575

Returns

At Armstrong Music, we proudly offer a 30-day, no quibble returns policy. If a product does not meet your expectations, return it within 30 days for a refund (minus original postage) or exchange. Returned goods must be in original condition, including packaging and accessories.

If the return is due to missing or faulty parts, we will provide a full refund or replacement within 30 days. Refunds due to our fault include delivery charges.

Installation of Guitar Parts:

We do not accept responsibility for damage caused by fitting parts purchased from us. Inspect and test fit parts before installation. Attempts to modify or force parts may void returns or refunds.

Standard Template Pickguards:

Perform a "dry run" to ensure correct fit before removing protective film or installing components. Once removed, pickguards cannot be returned or refunded.

Custom-Made Pickguards:

Custom pickguards are non-returnable and non-refundable. This includes any requested modifications or pickguards made from customer-provided outlines.

Please use a registered postal or courier service for returns. Send returns to:

Armstrong Music
Woodreeve Farm
Capel Road
Ruckinge
Ashford
Kent
TN26 2EJ

This returns policy does not affect your legal rights.

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