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jack
Platinum Member
USA
1418 Posts |
 Posted - 01/11/2009 : 23:07:42
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I have a pot question, but only if Dave is here and you're cool...
Seriously though, I am confused because some people and places on the net say that Volume pots on a guitar should be Audios (A) and that tone pots on a guitar should be Linear (B). Some others (mainly sellers) say Volumes are Linears, tone pots are Audios...Some say they could both be Audios...So just wondering what the your thoughts are about this. One the one guitar that I have used that had Linear pots for Volume, I seemed to hit max volume at 3-8, then maybe from 9-10 I got just a little bit more of a kick, and that just seems messed up to me... |
Edited by - jack on 01/11/2009 23:11:52 |
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FRANZONI
Double Platinum Member
Ireland
3543 Posts |
Posted - 01/11/2009 : 23:44:06
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I would think audio (log)... thats what i put in the marshall amp as well to replace the broken ones and the amp is a lot better now..no volume spikes when you barely touch the pot a lot more gradual control on the volume....  |
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Laurie
Double Platinum Member
Canada
4854 Posts |
Posted - 01/12/2009 : 00:12:35
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| Audio for volume, linear for tone is the "standard" in regular audio applications. I can't see how it should be different for guitar. |
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DeFrag
Moderator
USA
3409 Posts |
Posted - 01/12/2009 : 00:18:08
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One problem with the volume on my son's Fender Hot Rod Deluxe 2x12 is that it uses a linear pot. There's not much discernible difference between 13:00 & 17:00 as the volume ramps up rather quickly.
We actually hear in a logarithmic fashion & our ears actually act as natural compressors to boot.
Straight from Wikipedia:
"A linear taper potentiometer has a resistive element of constant cross-section, resulting in a device where the resistance between the contact (wiper) and one end terminal is proportional to the distance between them. Linear taper describes the electrical characteristic of the device, not the geometry of the resistive element. Linear taper potentiometers are used when an approximately proportional relation is desired between shaft rotation and the division ratio of the potentiometer; for example, controls used for adjusting the centering of (an analog) cathode-ray oscilloscope.
A logarithmic taper potentiometer has a resistive element that either 'tapers' in from one end to the other, or is made from a material whose resistivity varies from one end to the other. This results in a device where output voltage is a logarithmic (or inverse logarithmic depending on type) function of the mechanical angle of the pot.
Most (cheaper) "log" pots are actually not logarithmic, but use two regions of different, but constant, resistivity to approximate a logarithmic law. A log pot can also be simulated with a linear pot and an external resistor. True log pots are significantly more expensive.
Logarithmic taper potentiometers are often used in connection with audio amplifiers." |
Edited by - DeFrag on 01/12/2009 00:19:24 |
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Laurie
Double Platinum Member
Canada
4854 Posts |
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zerksies
Double Platinum Member
USA
3406 Posts |
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DarrinPA
Silver Member
USA
221 Posts |
Posted - 01/12/2009 : 02:18:57
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I bought some replacement pots from a guitar store because I need to replace the master volume and master tone pots. All that they say on the bottom is...
EP086 500K 0749 CTS
All I really care about is that it can reach ZERO and TEN for both the volume and tone. If I don't care about the "taper" then it doesn't matter if they're A or B right? |
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Laurie
Double Platinum Member
Canada
4854 Posts |
Posted - 01/12/2009 : 04:18:21
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quote:
Originally posted by DarrinPA
If I don't care about the "taper" then it doesn't matter if they're A or B right?
That is correct.
But... if you put in a linear pot where a logarithmic one would normally go (or vica versa), you will find all the change in sound is "bunched up" one end of the pot. Everything will happen in the first 10% of the movement, and very little for the last 90%, for example.
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jack
Platinum Member
USA
1418 Posts |
Posted - 01/12/2009 : 04:28:25
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quote:
Originally posted by Laurie
quote:
Originally posted by DarrinPA
If I don't care about the "taper" then it doesn't matter if they're A or B right?
That is correct.
But... if you put in a linear pot where a logarithmic one would normally go (or vica versa), you will find all the change in sound is "bunched up" one end of the pot. Everything will happen in the first 10% of the movement, and very little for the last 90%, for example.
Or perhaps like I mentioned in my original post, a guitar I have that has a linear pot for the volume knob seems to max out in volume between 3-8, but then there is a very slight boost at 9-10  |
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pedals 4 pv
Platinum Member
Canada
1351 Posts |
Posted - 01/12/2009 : 04:57:26
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I thought that this thread would finally allow me to draw upon the vast experience of my misspent youth, But alas I forgot that pot also referred to those electrical things that the knobs fit on. Oh don't tell me... it's on the tip of my tounge..... Oh yeah Potentiometers... now I remember
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DeFrag
Moderator
USA
3409 Posts |
Posted - 01/12/2009 : 05:35:32
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| Acapulco Gold man! |
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pedals 4 pv
Platinum Member
Canada
1351 Posts |
Posted - 01/12/2009 : 06:41:06
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If I could live the 80's again I would take notes the second time around. |
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silvertone6120
Gold Member
USA
609 Posts |
Posted - 01/12/2009 : 22:51:42
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| Yeah but then you'd forget where you put 'em... |
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pedals 4 pv
Platinum Member
Canada
1351 Posts |
Posted - 01/13/2009 : 02:02:28
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pawnshop_trash
Gold Member
USA
603 Posts |
Posted - 01/14/2009 : 01:03:01
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I've got a "no load" tone pot in my Fender frankenstrat:
http://guitarstop.com/acc/parts/pots.htm
dunno if it's audio or linear taper, but I like the idea that it's completely bypassed at "10". |
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Pot Question...
