Potentiometers

[Nuts]

Hello,

I got 4 CTS to replace the old ones, in my Les Paul studio.

after I install it, when they on 70%-50%, they almost off, and from 20% - 0% they like off, the previous potentiometers wasn't like that, and I wired it the same way.

Why is that happend ?

Thanks,

Nuts.

 

[dr.barlo]

Re: Potentiometers

I think the old ones were linears and the new ones that you installed are audios.

Do a search for these terms and you'll see.

I love audios (the ones you have) because on a tube amp audios make the tone clean up much better. You'l ge accustomed to them in time, don't worry.

B

 

[Nuts]

Re: Potentiometers

Yes, it says "audio" on the pacage, so you're right.
Thanks.

 

[dr.barlo]

Re: Potentiometers

Glad I could help.

B

 

[BigAlTheBird]

Re: Potentiometers

What's the difference?

 

[MikeS]

Re: Potentiometers

The difference is in how the pot's resistance increases from end to center. A linear taper pot changes linearly while an audio taper changes logarithmically. The human ear responds to sound logarithmically (hence the decibel scale being based on powers of 10), therefore audio taper is often preferred for volume pots. Linear taper typically has a smoother roll-off, and you find a lot of guys prefer them for tone controls.

 

[BigAlTheBird]

Re: Potentiometers

Makes perfect sense. I know my pots on my green guitar are audio volume, linear tone, and I always wondered. I guess instinctually I knew, but I just never made sure.

 

[Nuts]

Re: Potentiometers

I just read that the volume needs to be linear, and the tone needs to be audio taper
From gibson Email "linear for volume and 500K audio taper for tone "

 

[MikeS]

Re: Potentiometers

Gibson does sometimes use linear taper on volume controls. I'm not sure what their reason is. They are neither right nor wrong.

Neither taper is absolutely better than the other. Pots are cheap... play with linear tapers for a while then switch to audio. You'll find that you like one better than the other. My ears prefer audio taper for both tone and volume controls.

 

[MartinSixStringCustoms]

Re: Potentiometers

Gibson does sometimes use linear taper on volume controls. I'm not sure what their reason is. They are neither right nor wrong.

Neither taper is absolutely better than the other.

Exactly. Most people prefer audio taper because it sounds more natural to the human ear, but MikeS is right, it's all a matter of preference.

 

[MartinSixStringCustoms]

Re: Potentiometers

BTW...Good to see you here, Nuts

 

[Nuts]

Re: Potentiometers

Ha ha ha, good to see you too Matt,
thank for the answers everybody, I think I'm getting used to it now.