Audio log or linear taper tone pots?

[Sage]

I'm building a Strat, and I've got to buy the potentiometers, and I'm wondering what kind to get. It's my understanding that audio log taper pots are the traditional choice, and I will definitely use one for the volume control. But for the tone pots I'm considering linear taper. A couple of questions:

1. I normally just keep the tone knobs rolled all the way up -- is there any difference between a linear taper pot and an audio log taper pot when they're turned all the way up?

2. If they're the same when turned up all the way, what's the general consensus on linear taper vs audio log taper when you turn them down?

 

[octavedoctor]

Re: Audio log or linear taper tone pots?

There's no difference when they are all the way up.

Generally speaking, you use log taper for volume, linear for tone. Th differnce is subtle. Log taper pots produce a more uniform reduction in perceived volume while linears may show a more pronounced drop in one half of the pots sweep.

 

[italic zero]

Re: Audio log or linear taper tone pots?

They're the same if they're all the way up or all the way down. The difference is what's in between. I prefer linear tone pots because I feel like with audio taper tone pots there is very little change for the first 2/3 or so of the range and then it changes very rapidly, making adjustments more difficult.

 

[John Wymore]

Re: Audio log or linear taper tone pots?

Definetely audio taper for volume and it's really personal choice which you use for the tone. Just keep in mind that 90% of the guitars made use audio taper for both pots. It may take a bit of getting used to if you go to linear. It's a cheap thing to try out to see if you like it though ...

 

[Curly]

Re: Audio log or linear taper tone pots?

yeah, audio pots

the fact that the taper is fast at the end is actually pretty handy, IMO

I have the stock linear pots in my LP, and I don't care for that slow taper

 

[Sage]

Re: Audio log or linear taper tone pots?

Log taper pots produce a more uniform reduction in perceived volume while linears may show a more pronounced drop in one half of the pots sweep.

Yes, and that's why audio log taper makes sense for volume. Do they have the same perceived effect on a tone control, though? Which one offers a more uniform percieved change when rolling the tone knob down?

 

[Artie]

Re: Audio log or linear taper tone pots?

Hmmm . . . you guys must have gotten hold of a batch of reverse-taper pots. All of mine have the steep roll-off at the top end. If I start with the control on "10", then turn it down to "5", I've dropped the resistance by approx. 90%. I just metered several pots in my bin just to make sure.

Artie