Identifying 10% vs 30% audio taper

[Returned]

I have some 500k CTS audio pots installed as tone pots in a guitar and I really don't like the way the taper behaves. I have only recently discovered there are differences between audio tapers of 10% and 30% curves. These pots are installed so I can't accurately measure their sweep with my meter unless there is a trick I don't know.

The behavior I dislike is that from 10 to 4 there is very little change, then it seems like a switch is flipped and everything goes dark from 4 to 2 and after that it just gets quieter.

Does this sound like 10% or 30%? I suspect are 10% based on what that curve of resistance would look like? But I'm not an electrical or audio engineer.

Would a 30% audio taper give me less of an extreme curve? A little more change from 10 to 5 and then no abrupt change?

 

[Hank-]

Re: Identifying 10% vs 30% audio taper

I have some 500k CTS audio pots installed as tone pots in a guitar and I really don't like the way the taper behaves. I have only recently discovered there are differences between audio tapers of 10% and 30% curves. These pots are installed so I can't accurately measure their sweep with my meter unless there is a trick I don't know.

The behavior I dislike is that from 10 to 4 there is very little change, then it seems like a switch is flipped and everything goes dark from 4 to 2 and after that it just gets quieter.

That's more of Linear taper behaviour than Audio taper.

Unscrew the nut holding the pot, don't desolder anything. Check what its says everywhere on the pot, the pot value is usually printed on the underside with a prefix letter, B is linear, A is Audio, C is often reverse, I forgot what D is.


The higher the percentage, the more influence on the taper.

 

[Artie]

Re: Identifying 10% vs 30% audio taper

Here's a great article on all things pot: http://sound.whsites.net/pots.htm

Note especially, that many cheaper "log" pots, simply join two different linear carbon tracks.

 

[Returned]

Re: Identifying 10% vs 30% audio taper

They are AllParts CTS and I understand they are marked differently than usual. Mine do not say anything about taper, just 500k and the part number and date stamp, no other codes. They are the part listed by AllParts as 500k Audio but no taper percentage is provided in their literature.

It seems like.most folks think these are 10% log, which would be furthest from linear, but I'm my guitar they behave more linear as you say.

 

[frankfalbo]

Re: Identifying 10% vs 30% audio taper

The higher the percentage, the more influence on the taper.

Well sort of. I'm not sure if I'd describe it like that since the guitarists would be comparing it to Linear. So the % basically refers to where you're at in the center of the pot's travel. A Linear pot could be described as a 50%. So from that perspective, the lower the number, the more different it is from a Linear pot; the more effect it has on the taper electronically speaking.

 

[Hank-]

Re: Identifying 10% vs 30% audio taper

Frank or Artie, you must have come across the newer design CTS push pull pots, are they improved over the older design. I mean these https://www.allparts.com/EP-5586-000-CTS-500K-Push-Pull-Audio-Pot_p_5331.html

They are AllParts CTS and I understand they are marked differently than usual. Mine do not say anything about taper, just 500k and the part number and date stamp, no other codes. They are the part listed by AllParts as 500k Audio but no taper percentage is provided in their literature.

It seems like.most folks think these are 10% log, which would be furthest from linear, but I'm my guitar they behave more linear as you say.

I got mine from Warmoth long time ago, I dont remember them mentioning the taper %tage but they behaved correctly. Seeing the pics on the Allparts site I guess there is only the part no. mentioned with no other markings anywhere. I wonder if the ones you were sent were by accident the wrong ones.

You may want to consider tbe Bourns PDB241 series next time since its easier to not mess up when stocking/ordering them, somewhat cheaper (for me to import atleast). The technical PDF file explains the code chart & they are rated for 200,000 turns I think, so probably would last long. Order them from a place that tests their ohm value though, I ordered mine from Farnell & they read at 437k-446k for 500k pot, not very happy with that I should have tried another site thats guitar parts related or ebay shops.

 

[Darg1911]

Re: Identifying 10% vs 30% audio taper

You may want to try these (if you are in the states).

http://www.mojotone.com/guitar-parts/Potentiometers_x/Mojotone-Vintage-Taper-CTS-500K-Short-Split-Shaft-Guitar-Potentiometer

They also come in a long shaft as well as 250K.

Also the CTS "vintage taper" pots on ebay. I believe they are sold by the Art Of Tone.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Identifying 10% vs 30% audio taper

those are nice pots!

 

[Darg1911]

Re: Identifying 10% vs 30% audio taper

those are nice pots!

The dish back Mojo / CTS pots? Yeah, they are cool looking and good pots too.

 

[The Ballzz]

Re: Identifying 10% vs 30% audio taper

The problem with those Mojo pots that were linked is that stupid little "C"-clip on the shaft! They prevent a standard knob from pushing on all the way, no matter how shallow you mount them, especially on a Strat!

Just My $.02 & Likely Worth Even Less!
Gene

 

[Darg1911]

Re: Identifying 10% vs 30% audio taper

The problem with those Mojo pots that were linked is that stupid little "C"-clip on the shaft! They prevent a standard knob from pushing on all the way, no matter how shallow you mount them, especially on a Strat!

Just My $.02 & Likely Worth Even Less!
Gene

Interesting. I haven't had any knob issues with them. I'm using them as volumes in at least 2 guitars, for sure a LP and a LP Junior and possible another one or two. I'm going to guess that it depends on the style of knob and how close to the body you want it to sit.

 

[devastone]

Re: Identifying 10% vs 30% audio taper

I don't know what the % is, but I've been very happy with the CTS Emerson pots - http://www.stewmac.com/Pickups_and_...arts/Potentiometers/Emerson_Pro_CTS_Pots.html