250k vs 500k pot for TONE control. Is there a difference?

[big kurka]

As a rule of thumb it was taught to me that if you use a 500k vol pot you should use a 500k tone pot also. Which brings me to my questions.
1)How would using a 250k pot for tone with a 500k vol pot work/interact?
2)Is there a difference between the two for tone control. I know there is a difference between the two for vol.
3)Would a 250k pot have a fast response curve over a 500k pot (both audio taper) or slower response curve?
I thought I read somewhere that a 250k pot has a more useful response through more of its rotation than a 500k pot, but I can't seem to find that post anywhere. What are your thought on this?

 

[AlexR]

Re: 250k vs 500k pot for TONE control. Is there a difference?

This is deja vu from a MLP thread.

In short the higher value pot will make 10 brighter. In a 500K pot if you turned the pot down to where it read 250k to ground, it would sound the same as a 250k pot on 10.

Now you get into taper. While the 500k has a whole range unavailable to the 250K, it will depend on the taper of the pots in the range of where they are similar as to how they react. And yes, it will depend on the type.

As to 'more useful' well that is totally personal. I remember being amused by two threads dissing pot taper stock in their guitars. Each person happened to think the other's ideal taper was a horrible idea......

 

[Artie]

Re: 250k vs 500k pot for TONE control. Is there a difference?

A volume pot is wired as a voltage divider. It's always 500k or 250k no matter where you turn it. A tone pot is wired as a rheostat. (Variable resistor.) A 250k tone pot is exactly the same as a 500k tone pot, turned down halfway. If you want to hear the affect of having a 250k tone pot, simply install a 500k tone pot and turn it down to "7" if its a log pot, or "5" if its linear.

 

[Jacew]

Re: 250k vs 500k pot for TONE control. Is there a difference?

In short the higher value pot will make 10 brighter. In a 500K pot if you turned the pot down to where it read 250k to ground, it would sound the same as a 250k pot on 10.

This applies to tone control only.

Using 500k for volume and 250k for tone would emphasise the "treble-rolloff" effect of volume pot. Other way around, the tone controls usefulness may suffer. How much either have effect depends on your general setup (cap(s), pickups).

I'd say 250k has smoother curve for volume control, depending on your setup, 500k may have bit too quick effect, resulting in less usable range. It's still often better to go for 500k, to prevent tone getting muddy and dull.

For tone control: What AlexR said. 500k gives you more range.

 

[Clint 55]

Re: 250k vs 500k pot for TONE control. Is there a difference?

Yes, I think that was me who said that 250k for tone has a more even response through more of its rotation than 500k. (1 meg tone doesn't work.)

That's my personal preference to use 250k tones with either 250k, 500k, or 1 meg volumes. Because I find that it's easier to predict the effect of whatever value cap I use. Also because I notice treble cut as soon as I begin to turn down the tone.

If I need more treble, i can always turn it into a 250k no load tone pot. Which is theoretically brighter on 10 than a 500k tone. Although I never notice a drastic jump in treble between 9 and 10 on the 250k no load tone.

 

[Jacew]

Re: 250k vs 500k pot for TONE control. Is there a difference?

Yes, I think that was me who said that 250k for tone has a more even response through more of its rotation than 500k. (1 meg tone doesn't work.)

If you're using audio taper pot. For linear taper, there shouldn't be much difference, 500k would just "kick in" smoother and on lower setting. (1m would still be too high I think -> no noticeable difference until about halfway or lower.)

...Also because I notice treble cut as soon as I begin to turn down the tone.

If I need more treble, i can always turn it into a 250k no load tone pot. Which is theoretically brighter on 10 than a 500k tone. Although I never notice a drastic jump in treble between 9 and 10 on the 250k no load tone.

Ehh? You say there's no noticeable jump in treble with no-load pot, but you notice treble cut with regular 250k pot as soon as you turn down tone?

It's pretty straightforward. If you want max. treble, use no-load pot. If you want maximum range, go for 500k, and if you want easy to use, more balanced tone control, (and you have 250k volume or treble bleed) go for 250k.

Personally, I try to minimize the need for pot fiddling while playing, and use switch/resistor/cap tone circuit.

 

[Clint 55]

Re: 250k vs 500k pot for TONE control. Is there a difference?

Yes that's what I was trying to explain while using all linear. That 500k tone takes longer to kick in. And that I prefer 250k because I don't feel like turning the tone down to 4 before I start to notice something. I get my volume and tone to taper about the same. And yes, my 250k no load tone pots with the right choice of cap taper evenly from 10 down to 2 same as my volume including between the load and no load sections. Not no effect at all until 4. What, do you think I'm making something up?

 

[Jacew]

Re: 250k vs 500k pot for TONE control. Is there a difference?

Yes that's what I was trying to explain with all linear. That 500k tone takes longer to kick in. And that I prefer 250k because I don't feel like turning the tone down to 4 before I start to notice something. I get my volume and tone to taper about the same. And yes, my 250k no load tone pots with the right choice of cap taper evenly from 10 down to 2 same as my volume including between the load and no load sections. Not no effect at all until 4. What, do you think I'm making something up?

No. Those paragraphs just seemed a bit contradictory to me. Got your point now.

 

[IMENATOR]

Re: 250k vs 500k pot for TONE control. Is there a difference?

Frank Falbo already discussed and made lots of interesting recordings

http://www.premierguitar.com/articles/23145-cap-and-pot-trade

 

[big kurka]

Re: 250k vs 500k pot for TONE control. Is there a difference?

thanks for all the replies everyone. I'm pretty sure I understand the difference now.
Also thanks IMENATOR for the link the article really helped a lot.