Guitar Potentiometers part 2, Comparing Linear/Audio Taper and Selecting Pots

[RubbahSlippahs]

John,

Thanks for your efforts in producing a very helpful and insightful video on pots. I'm curious about your opinion on something: I've got a '62 AVRI Telecaster with a 250k (stock) volume pot, and I would have thought it would be CTS-brand, but apparently not. In addition, it doesn't even function until its ~65-70% of the way engaged, and then it finally goes to full volume (i.e., its the opposite of 'linear taper'). What would you suggest? Should I get a CTS 250k solid shaft or CTS 500k?

[pleximars]

excellent video, well thought out and very imfomative.

[alvin10388]

Thank you for very helpful video and could you please explain what is logarithmic audio taper and are there any linear taper to match this?your help much apriciated.

[johnplanetz]

@alvin10388 - the words "audio taper" and "log taper" are used interchangeably. Please see my video "Potentiometers - How They Work, Disassembly"

[IndridKoldt]

very interesting, to my ear the CTS audio taper sounds better than the Bourns.

[ZipZipZippyZ]

Great videos! Just discovered them. I am building my first guitar and am trying to learn as much as I can on wiring and how different pots and wiring setups affect the sound you get. Your videos are really going to help me. THANK YOU!!

[ZipZipZippyZ]

Great videos!! Just discovered them. I am building my first guitar and tryinhn

[ChronoGXay]

Could you not have a multimeter rigged into your computer via USB so that you could sample each potentiometer at a high rate and see exactly what is going on with the taper of each potentiometer and select the best one?...

[johnplanetz]

@ChronoGXay - that's a good idea, but I don't have a usb multimeter. I just did measurements by hand (wrote down measurements at 10 positions around the pot), and showed the graphs comparing them at 2:15.

[MegaCrappyusername]

5:16 oh immaturity....

[oneawakenedsoul]

Hi, thanks for the useful demo. I am now well informed on the difference in sound between the two types and I can make a decision on the pot I need. Bravo! Peace.

[waycool98]

very informative video, thank you!!!!

[threedanman]

Thanks! Only for me it's more interesting to see what a pot does turning it down from full open to a max quarter turn back.

When playing I turn it about a quarter back to clean the amp up and then turn it open for a solo. On an audio pot that last part sometimes can be a bit too sudden so there is a too small turn needed to get what I want. Then a linear pot works better because that last part is more smooth and you don't need to be so exact. It would be great to see a video of you doing that.

[johnplanetz]

@threedanman - you're right, I should've showed more examples like that. Yes, it works exactly as you describe. Figure a linear volume pot at 80% will have about 100k of resistance for your signal, while an audio pot (depending on the taper) may have more like 150k resistance. So with the linear taper, you have a bit finer control in that top 20% of the turn.

[jonathan9510]

In your experience with pots, what brand: Bourns, CTS : stay true and correct to their labelled value the most?

[johnplanetz]

@jonathan9510 - I haven't really seen any that do better than their stated tolerance. Most of these pots are +/- 20%. There are some more premium pots available which have tighter tolerances, like the Bourns model 82 which has a *total* resistance tolerance of 10%. Of course, they're more expensive.

[peteq1972]

I've just bought new pots, there CTS and they've got a lump that sticks out on the base and wont sit level in the guitar, do i file that off? or dig a bit out of the guitar to get it to sit flush?

[johnplanetz]

@peteq1972 - that's a positioning tab for use with pre-drilled panels. you don't need it, and can easily cut it off with some sharp cutters.

[peteq1972]

@johnplanetz Thanks, your vids are so informative, you obviously do a lot of work and spend a lot of time messing about to give us this info. Thankyou.

[jawide626]

got the exact same settings on your VT30 as i have on my VT50. the ONLY difference is i have reverb at 11 o'clock xD

[johnplanetz]

@jawide626 - if I recall correctly, I positioned the knobs in that picture to show the stored values for the Green preset on the Boutique Clean model. (Reverb isn't stored with the preset). That was one of my favorite sounds on that amp.

[ObsequioGalanteo]

I would like to replace the Pots in my MIJ Fender Jazzmaster. The Pickgaurd is anodized metal. Will the step drill drill through this?

[johnplanetz]

@ObsequioGalanteo - should be ok, start with a well defined punch mark (using an automatic punch, or equivalent). then to avoid excessive dulling of your step bit, you might want to drill first with a regular smaller drill bit, and only finish with the step bit.

[EmilFinnas94]

A question! Should you use logarithmic pots for your tone control?

[johnplanetz]

@EmilFinnas94 - typically yes, log taper (aka audio taper) is used for tone controls.

[EmilFinnas94]

@johnplanetz Thanks dude!

[Timotheedle]

thank you for your video!!

[ozboomer]

You've just answered an on-going major drama I've been having with using what are -supposed- to be log taper pots... Those crazy Alphas sound linear to me :) So, I'll have to try the CTS and Bourns brands. There are a number of on-line places that sell CTS pots, so that's Ok... but where can I buy these Bourns!? Thanks again for saving my sanity :)

[johnplanetz]

@ozboomer - i got those Bourns pots at mouser. As for the Alpha tapers, I doubt they're ALL like this.  I expect that, as with all components, there are variances between different Alpha pots, even those labelled with the same part number.

[wbesack]

@ozboomer - I found Bourns pots at guitarelectronics. They also sell CTS and Alpha. No wonder there is such a debate about whether to use Audio or Linear taper pots on the tone position. It totally depends on the brand. You'd think they'd at least be sort of close.

[wbesack]

@ozboomer - I just ordered a Bourns pot from guitarelectronics. They also sell CTS and Alpha. Best selection I've seen. I totally agree with you on your frustration. No wonder there's a debate over what to use in the tone position if an alpha audio taper is basically linear.

[SearcySW]

Nice work. Very good explanation.

[angelsg1000]

thanks. what if i were to put it on a paf pro(8.4k)? what do you think would happen?? its cuz i only have one volume pot. but what would happen??

[angelsg1000]

I WILL SUBSCRIBE TO YOUR CHANNEL BUT CAN YOU PLEEEEAAASE MAKE A VIDEO FOR Torres Engineering - The SUPER - HOT 2 Meg Pot??

[johnplanetz]

@angelsg1000 - i don't have one of those. a 2meg volume pot will be brighter than lower resistance pots (since it'll put less load on the pickups). Torres website says it's only appropriate for high-output pickups (10k+ ohms).

[carlosfrogs]

hey John I have a expression pedal (zoom fp02) and let me now what type of potentiometer used Linear or Audio ?

[johnplanetz]

@carlosfrogs - i don't know what's in the zoom fp02, but you can find out by opening it up and examining the pot. see my "potentiometers- disassembly and exploration" for tips on how to identify a pot and its taper.

[johnplanetz]

@carlosfrogs - i don't have a zoom fp02, so I can't tell you. just open it up and take a look. i explain how to identify a pot by its part number, or using a multimeter in my video "potentiometers- disassembly and exploration"

[bakerzermatt]

Thank you very much for all your videos! But it can't have been easy rewiring that semi all the time (I've been there). Keep it up!!

[CyValkarion]

Hey man I have the same amp! Nice choice. And thanks for the vid, this is really gonna help me later on when building my own guitar.

[DaShortyJ]

So I bought a CTS audio taper pot to replace my linear tone pot, but my original pot was of the smaller import type so I had to drill the hole bigger to get it to fit. I also noticed the original knob wouldn't fit (it's the type with a screw not a Gibson speed knob type) so I ordered a new pair of knobs. Problem is, I like the linear taper volume pot and don't intend on replacing it...will a USA type knob fit on an import type pot?

[johnplanetz]

@DaShortyJ - depends.  I recommend you get/borrow a set of calipers and measure your pot's shaft diameter. Domestic is typically 1/4" while import split shaft is 6mm (which is just under 1/4"). So if your new knob is 1/4" and your old pot shaft is 6mm, you should be able to get a reasonably tight fit using the set screw - or if not, you can get an adapter bushing from the guitarelectronics website or order a different knob.

[PhuckHue2]

I prefer linear for volume and audio for tone. I prefer the "instant on" effect with the volume. if the pots are for a preamp then I make them all linear, even the EQ ones

[sonicart77]

CTS for the win

[sikaudio]

Mate....your a Legend! I have been wondering about the CTS pots & if they are worth it. Well, now I know...they win for me ;-) i was going to do this test myself...

but you have saved me many hrs. Keep it up man, top work!

[5Spekter]

Love your work man,you have to seem to post everything im looking to research.  keep up the good work!

[Siolazi]

thanks for making this video

[Siolazi]

thankyou for making this video

[w2iecmkkghht]

I must say that time diference between rotating ALFA(lin.) pot and Bourns/CTS

is aprox. 1/2 sec.This add a mater of subjectivity, or in other words its not 100%

accurate.

[cezudas]

I seen at 5:05 you determine the diameter of the case of the pot. Does it matter? for example my stock minipots are 8 mm thread ,10 mm long and I found on Thomann(I live in Europe) standard size pots, but with 8 mm thread and 10 mm long. They will fit,right?

[johnplanetz]

@cezudas - As long as you can get the part through your f-hole, then yes matching shaft-length and threads will work! I was only measuring the pot case to make sure it will fit through the f-hole when trying to get the parts in/out of the guitar. The f-hole has a wider part in the middle, and you can angle the part if necessary. But if it doesn't fit, the mini pots are easier to get in/out.

[drydog1000]

which pot should I order for my floyd rose strat--i want to do the Vanhalen volume swells--i was thinking a 500k bourns--i've burnt out the last 2

thanx

[johnplanetz]

@drydog1000 - not sure what pots are best for VH-style. recommend you just get a few and try them with alligator clips before soldering. bourns 500k pots are very inexpensive at mouser.

[KX36]

Epiphone uses metric measurements. The shaft diameter is 9mm. USA doesn't use metric as standard, but Europe and Asia do. 3/8" = 9.525mm, so 0.5mm bigger.

Also, the part the knob attaches to is 6mm as far as i know on the metric ones Epi uses, but 1/4" (6.35mm) on Gibson knobs and CTS for example, so 0.15mm bigger, but I haven't verified this last part.

[KX36]

Your alpha's not an audio taper, it's mislabelled; regardless of this though, not all log pots have matching curves. My Epiphone came with 2x "A500K" audio taper volume and 2x "B500K" linear taper tone. This is the way it SHOULD have been in yours. For aftermarket pots, if it's sold as audio but obviously linear, you should send it back not just think its because "they're not all created equal"; it's a mistake in the shop or manufacturer.

[johnplanetz]

@KX36 - it didn't occur to me that they might just be mislabelled - that's certainly a possibility, but I doubt *all* the pots were mislabelled in my Epi, especially as there were several a couple brands (Alpha and JS) represented in the factory pots.

[carlocanlas]

hello there. i just want to ask.. are CTS guitar potentiometers can be used either as a tone or volume control?? i recently bought 3 Allparts CTS guitar potentiometers for my strat al of them are 250k. i also asked the guy in the music shop about this and he said that the pots can be used for both volume and tone controls. i just want to confirm if this is true. the pots i bought are all EPO85 CTS pots. thanks. : )

[johnplanetz]

@carlocanlas - yes the EP085 is a 250k audio taper pot - it can be used for both tone and volume.

[carlocanlas]

@johnplanetz - thanks a lot! i hope you make more videos about guitar electronics! good luck! : )

[MrSABowman]

Excellent Tutorial

[nekkio99]

hi there, wondering if you can help: I have an alpha DPDT push pull switch in the custom electrics of my telecaster. I am not sure if it is 250k or 500k. Any easy way to identify it? It is marked "5f2" in the bottom. Hope you don't mind me asking

andrea :-)

[johnplanetz]

@nekkio99 - I don't recognize the 5f2 marking.  You'll need to use a multimeter to test the total resistance and taper. See my video "Potentiometers - How They Work, Disassembly and Exploration" at 1:40 and 7:44 for how to do that.

[BuzzyFredrick]

Hi ... Excellent video .. I wanted to know how I can gain more control over my live playing. I need to boost my sound, and i would rather boost by turning up the on board pot. The problem I have is that I play both gain and clean sounds. I have a decent amp with boost. but in higher gain situations I do not get a good vol boost, but just an increase in distortion which is not desireable. I've considered switching out to a log pot in order bring a more dramatic vol increase and decrease.

[johnplanetz]

It is very uncommon for a linear pot to be used for volume. So I assume you already have a log/audio taper pot. Not all pot tapers are created equal tho, some audio taper pots have a pretty shallow curve to them. So you might try a different one.

Another possibility for more gain from the onboard controls is to go with active electronics, but then you have to deal with batteries, and a more complicated circuit, etc...

[InFuriatedShadows]

how do i know what a audio pot is and a linear is without listening?

[johnplanetz]

See my other video "potentiometers - how they work, disassembly and exploration". I explain it starting at 7:44 of that video

[DrTahanBlues]

tu eres un genio !!!!!

[stratthead]

It is informative. You should do the swells under high gain, as they can react differently.

[Alexanderjamesguitar]

Great video! Very informative!

Keep it up.

[lidesnowi]

Great Great demonstration!!!!!!!!!

Linear volume pots and logarithmic tone seem to work for me!

Thanks

[josequiles7]

all your videos are great and super helpful!!! great job man! really nice =]

[SilverSkyline92]

hey, i was wondering for my tone controls on my strat, should they be linear or audio? also, i was wondering if you knew whether the CTS no load pots are linear or audio taper?

thanks

[johnplanetz]

IMO, it's personal preference. Nothing magic here. The different tapers will simply cause the highs to roll off at a different rate as you turn the knob. I might do another short video to demonstrate the difference.

If you're referring to the fender CTS 250k no-load pots, I believe they're audio taper. Save yourself some money and modify your own tone pot to be no-load - I demonstrate how in part 4 of this video series...

[SilverSkyline92]

well, i needed 3 new pots for another strat I'm building, and i was just going to buy the no load pot for the tone control for the bridge pup, cause i usually do the little jumper to get tone control on the bridge, and its same price so no worries :P and i saw your part 4 vid, its pretty useful, i'll modify my other strat's pots to no load if i like how it turns out. and thanks for these vids, i watched the treble bleed one as well, very good comparisons

[johnplanetz]

I just posted part 5 of this series on guitar pots. It's a quick comparison of linear and log/audio taper pots for tone controls. I definitely like audio taper better. Take a look/listen and let me know what you think.

[TheStrangeGuitarist]

Hi,

What's the best potentiometer for cleans up a distorded channel ? Some says Log, other says Linear...

Thanks.

[johnplanetz]

I recommend log. As you can hear in this video, when you turn a linear taper volume pot from 0 to 10, it gets loud really fast, then stays loud through the majority of the knob range. If you want to clean up a distorted sound, you'd have to turn the knob down nearly to 0 to get quiet enough, and you'll have much less fine control of over the volume compared to a log pot. For some examples, see my video "Treble Bleed Part 1", where I compare my G&L (more log) and this Epi (more linear).

[TheStrangeGuitarist]

Thanks !!!

I have a G&L too, one of the best guitar I've ever played .

Great Video by the way, so helpful ;)

[gskh]

Great demonstration ! It"s clear. Thanks !