Allparts EP-6386-000 CTS 500K Balance/Blend Pot, Linear Taper with Centre Detent

The Allparts EP-6386-000 is a CTS 500K balance/blend potentiometer with a linear taper and centre detent — designed for use as a pickup blend control in electric guitar and bass wiring configurations. The centre detent provides a tactile click at the 50/50 balance position, allowing you to return to equal blend between two pickups quickly and reliably without looking at the control. Made by CTS in the USA.

What a Balance/Blend Pot Does

A balance/blend pot is wired between two pickup outputs — rotating it from centre blends progressively more of one pickup into the signal while reducing the other. At centre detent (12 o'clock), both pickups contribute equally. Rotating toward one end favours that pickup, with the opposite pickup fading out. This is a different function from a standard volume or tone pot — it is specifically used in wiring schemes that require continuous blending between two pickups rather than simple on/off switching, common in certain Telecaster, Jazzmaster, and custom wiring configurations.

Centre Detent — Tactile 50/50 Reference Point

The centre detent is a mechanical click built into the pot at the midpoint of its rotation — providing a clear, tactile reference for the equal-blend position. This makes it easy to return to a balanced pickup blend quickly during performance without having to look at the control or use a multimeter to find centre. Essential for any blend control application where the 50/50 position is a frequently used setting.

Linear Taper — Correct for Blend Applications

The linear taper ensures the blend transitions evenly and predictably across the full rotation — the correct taper for a balance/blend control. An audio (logarithmic) taper pot would produce an uneven, non-linear blend response and is not suitable for this application.

500K — Suited to Humbuckers & High-Output Pickups

The 500K resistance value is the standard for humbucker-equipped guitars, preserving high-frequency content and brightness. For single-coil applications, a 250K blend pot is typically more appropriate.

Specifications

• Model: EP-6386-000
• Manufacturer: CTS (USA)
• Resistance: 500K
• Taper: Linear
• Detent: Centre (50/50 position)
• Application: Pickup balance/blend control
• Shaft: Split shaft (24-spline)

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