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UNPLANNED DOWNTIME: 12th Oct 23:45

Audio or linear Taper?

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LongjonlebonLongjonlebon Frets: 1
in Making & Modding
Hey! 

So I’m wondering what you all think about: where and when to use audio or linear taper pots?

From what I’ve read strats and teles seem to use audio taper on both volume and tone, but someone on a forum was saying Gibson used linear on both, then another forum said a jazzmaster used linear for volume and audio for tone…and now I’m just confused.

I do get the difference btw…it’s more of an implementation question, and I’m sure there are some different theories out there.

Thanks,

Jon
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Comments

  • Winny_PoohWinny_Pooh Frets: 7202
    edited August 2023
    Audio taper for everything. I can't think of a good reason to use linear taper unless its in certain sections of an amplifier circuit. 
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  • JonathangusJonathangus Frets: 4080
    https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/251901/
    Trading feedback | How to embed images using Imgur

    As for "when am I ready?"  You'll never be ready.  It works in reverse, you become ready by doing it.  - pmbomb


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  • CirrusCirrus Frets: 8281
    Winny_Pooh said:
    Audio taper for everything. I can't think of a good reason to use linear taper unless its in certain sections of an amplifier circuit. 
    I prefer linear volume pots on guitar - you can get finer control of the high end roll off from the extra loading of the pot 7-10, and then when playing clean or low gain I find the volume drop off below that better matches my expectations. Audio taper vol pots drop too much too fast - especially on a strat with vintage output pickups, by 7 I'm getting lost in the mix.

    Obviously it's very rig and music dependent
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  • SteveRobinsonSteveRobinson Frets: 6565
    tFB Trader
    Cirrus said:

    Obviously it's very rig and music dependent
    Log where you use a lot of gain and need your sound to clean up when you back off a bit; linear when you're playing mostly clean for the fine control.
    Lacquer demos here: https://www.manchesterguitartech.co.uk/category/finish/
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  • FunkfingersFunkfingers Frets: 13312
    Longjonlebon said:
    another forum said a jazzmaster used linear for volume and audio for tone…and now I’m just confused.
    Jazzmaster and Jaguar are unusual in using some of each. The Lead Circuit pots (near the output jack socket) are 1Meg audio taper. The Rhythm Circuit roller pots are Linear with weird resistance values. 

    To be honest, the abrupt manner in which 1Meg pots roll off towards zero means that arguments over linear versus logarithmic resistance taper are moot. Unfortunately, changing to another resistance value detracts from the sound. I live with the Fender offset models as George and Leo intended them.
    Be seeing you.
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  • LongjonlebonLongjonlebon Frets: 1
    Thanks all, a great range of answers and lots more to think about. Really appreciate you taking the time to help.
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