Questions about volume pots

[GoDrex]

I have some questions about volume pots.

I like the sound I get when I turn the volume pot on my guitars to about 9 or so. Just a hair. Is that like using a slightly lower value pot?

Also when I'm playing loudly I notice more hum when I turn the volume down. The background noise is much quieter when the volume on the guitar is up all the way. Is that normal?

And anyone else notice some slight scratchiness just below fully turned up? Like between 10 and 9 there's a little area that that makes a slight noise when you turn it.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Questions about volume pots

Vol pot needs cleaning or replacing. I'd just replace it since the hum may also be related to the pot. Also check grounding.

 

[mudpuppy]

Re: Questions about volume pots

The answer to your question depends a lot on how your volume pots are wired: 'dependent' vs. 'independent' volume control. With the 'independent' method, reducing the volume level is equivalent to using a lower value pot, flattening the pickups resonant frequency peak (thank you, uOpt, for pointing this out to me). Another characteristic of the 'independent' method is that because the amp sees a fairly high resistance at low volume settings, that method of wiring will more likely pick up hum at low volume settings.

It sounds to me like what you are describing is typical of 'independent' method of volume control wiring. To check this out, you can hook up a multimeter to the guitar out jack. If the resistance goes to several hundred KOhms when turning the vol control all the way down, you have independent wiring. If it goes to zero KOhms, you have dependent.

From a poll I did, it seems that SDUGF members are split on which wiring method they prefer. If you find that you are currently wired 'independent', you may want to consider giving the 'dependent' method a try to see if you like it better.

Edit--
Scratchyness is a whole different issue, and as GuitarDoc said, means you need to clean or replace the pot.

 

[GoDrex]

Re: Questions about volume pots

I just figured out that the hum is coming from my pedals. One of these days when I have time I'll need to figure out why.