R
Great concept, less-than-stellar execution
The concept of combining a kill switch with the volume pot is genius, but unfortunately the execution leaves a lot to be desired. The quality of the pot itself is fairly low - feeling relatively cheap and the volume roll-off seems to be somewhat lacking.
There's a distinct lack of viable instructions with the pot itself. All that is provided is a simple labelled diagram for using this as a volume or a tone pot, but there's no detailed instructions on optimal wiring set-ups or example diagrams - which would have went a long way in terms of ease-of-accessibility for first-time guitar modders. Furthermore, there's shockingly little online regarding installation of this pot - no videos from the company themselves or amateur/pro media coverage.
The killswitch function works relatively well. The feedback from clicking it in is a little lacking, but enough to work with. Thankfully mine has not died yet as this seems to be a somewhat common issue among other users. The volume roll-off, as explained before, isn't as smooth as one would expect - however, there is a nice touch to the pot wherein when it is fully turned up, there is a slight magnetic latch that locks it in place so you don't accidentally roll down the volume when using the killswitch. This is especially useful to anyone who is intending to use this as a faux-tremolo effect or the likes.
All in all; a fun addition to the guitar, but in the future I would instead install a dedicated killswitch instead of this. Would recommend it if you're toying around with DIY Guitar Kits for the first time, but not to anyone who frequently does guitar mods as the payoff is not worth it.
There's a distinct lack of viable instructions with the pot itself. All that is provided is a simple labelled diagram for using this as a volume or a tone pot, but there's no detailed instructions on optimal wiring set-ups or example diagrams - which would have went a long way in terms of ease-of-accessibility for first-time guitar modders. Furthermore, there's shockingly little online regarding installation of this pot - no videos from the company themselves or amateur/pro media coverage.
The killswitch function works relatively well. The feedback from clicking it in is a little lacking, but enough to work with. Thankfully mine has not died yet as this seems to be a somewhat common issue among other users. The volume roll-off, as explained before, isn't as smooth as one would expect - however, there is a nice touch to the pot wherein when it is fully turned up, there is a slight magnetic latch that locks it in place so you don't accidentally roll down the volume when using the killswitch. This is especially useful to anyone who is intending to use this as a faux-tremolo effect or the likes.
All in all; a fun addition to the guitar, but in the future I would instead install a dedicated killswitch instead of this. Would recommend it if you're toying around with DIY Guitar Kits for the first time, but not to anyone who frequently does guitar mods as the payoff is not worth it.
1
0
Report
V
Acceptable, could be better.
Recently replaced with the same one, because no other alternatives. The quality is around 3 - 4 from 5, because it is not durable for that type of manipulations also there is some "springy" effect at the pot ends, i mean after rotation to the end, there is a little turn to back.
0
0
Report
MG
Pretty bad pot
The pot itself is pretty bad quality, it is closer to the cheap eastern pots on entry level guitars than a good quality OEM replacement. The kill function is very cool, so that earns it 3 stars.
If you like smooth silent pots and use the volume to reduce the gain on your amp you will be disappointed with this pot. If you keep it maxed out and do not mind using contact cleaner quite often you are ok.
If you like smooth silent pots and use the volume to reduce the gain on your amp you will be disappointed with this pot. If you keep it maxed out and do not mind using contact cleaner quite often you are ok.
0
1
Report
A
A fun extra to have on any guitar
I bought the Shadow Kill Pot for a custom guitar I built, wanting to spec it out with lots of cool features.
I actually didn't expect to use the pot much, but it turned out to be a good investment.
It works very very well, just the right amount of sensitivity to touch and also has a notch at full volume which you can feel when the control is maxxed. this provides resistance to accidental twists when tapping the pot, but not so much as to make it hard to use for volume sweeps.
This was a godsend for me, as I tend to knock the volume of a standard pot down sometimes when playing. With this pot that no longer happens.
I'd have given it 5 stars, but for the build quality. I have had no problems, but the pot looks like one of those cheap far eastern dull metal things.
It did put me off when I got it, but it has been reliable despite my concerns.
I would have no qualms fitting another, or recommending it.
I actually didn't expect to use the pot much, but it turned out to be a good investment.
It works very very well, just the right amount of sensitivity to touch and also has a notch at full volume which you can feel when the control is maxxed. this provides resistance to accidental twists when tapping the pot, but not so much as to make it hard to use for volume sweeps.
This was a godsend for me, as I tend to knock the volume of a standard pot down sometimes when playing. With this pot that no longer happens.
I'd have given it 5 stars, but for the build quality. I have had no problems, but the pot looks like one of those cheap far eastern dull metal things.
It did put me off when I got it, but it has been reliable despite my concerns.
I would have no qualms fitting another, or recommending it.
0
0
Report
RL
Be SUPER careful when dealing this pot (not newbie-friendly)
1: No physical wiring diagrams given with the product. The official diagram in Shadow Electronic's website is super unclear.
2: Bad design. It's difficult to solder everything clean for this particular pot because of its tiny spacing between lugs, especially when you got a giant tone cap soldered on it.
3: Quite fragile. when i finally made the wiring right and tighten it up on my Les Paul, the pot just suddenly *pops* and the controlling pin just detached from the pot, but this ddin't happen to my other pots while i applied the same tension on them. Luckily it still holds together when i tried to put the pin back to the pot (with the use of a washer and nut).
Bottom Line: On function, it works great. On quality or design, not so. Would not be a big problem if you're a soldering expert; May ruin your day if it's your first time to solder (like me).
2: Bad design. It's difficult to solder everything clean for this particular pot because of its tiny spacing between lugs, especially when you got a giant tone cap soldered on it.
3: Quite fragile. when i finally made the wiring right and tighten it up on my Les Paul, the pot just suddenly *pops* and the controlling pin just detached from the pot, but this ddin't happen to my other pots while i applied the same tension on them. Luckily it still holds together when i tried to put the pin back to the pot (with the use of a washer and nut).
Bottom Line: On function, it works great. On quality or design, not so. Would not be a big problem if you're a soldering expert; May ruin your day if it's your first time to solder (like me).
0
0
Report
A
Kinda good
Does what it is supposed to do but....
This is not a high quality pot, there is no slow decrease in volume or tone, its fully on even if you turn it for 80%.
"Kill" feature works fine but it is very hard to solder it. Holes made for wires are too small making that part extremely difficult.
All in all, I would rather have kill switch installed in my guitar and one good volume or tone pot.
This is not a high quality pot, there is no slow decrease in volume or tone, its fully on even if you turn it for 80%.
"Kill" feature works fine but it is very hard to solder it. Holes made for wires are too small making that part extremely difficult.
All in all, I would rather have kill switch installed in my guitar and one good volume or tone pot.
0
0
Report
t
It's exponential, be aware!
Works as expected, pretty cool but! The volume control is exponential and not linear. So it's a different way to control the volume. If you like to back down the volume to clean up your sound this might not be the best choice.
0
0
Report
K
If only this was a nice big CTS pot
The switching on this is great. It just seems a little cheap and weak compared to a mighty CTS pot. If only this was a really overbuilt pot, like the American brands. When I bought this, it was the only kill switch pot I could find.
It is also not easy to wire an earth to the chassis, as the switch takes up the bottom portion of the pot.
Maybe the best pot/kill-switch, but not a great pot in itself. If it's a function you need/want a pot to do, it may be your only option. Not bad, but not great.
It is also not easy to wire an earth to the chassis, as the switch takes up the bottom portion of the pot.
Maybe the best pot/kill-switch, but not a great pot in itself. If it's a function you need/want a pot to do, it may be your only option. Not bad, but not great.
1
0
Report
KM
Too much fun
Been installing a few og these for my guitars and friends. I always seem to not get a perfect cut(more like a ground out), but does the effect totally fine for studio/live use.
0
0
Report
O
Cheap and good
It just works how its intended.
0
0
Report
