Kenny is amazing and has a vast knowledge and understanding of guitars; how they are built, what makes them tick and how to make them play and how I want them to sound. He's been my tech for a long time.
Seriously. It’s like “hey here’s some info but we’re not going to actually tell you” LOL. I’m pretty sure he means Audio pots are the “good ones”. They tend to have a more gradual taper effect when turning up or down. Linear pots are almost like an on/off switch with the volume coming in quick around 1.5
@@cb24203 Check out David Collin's video on this. I thought the same, and that's what the spectrum analyzer shows, but it's not how it plays out in reality. Linear pots create a more usable range of volume, surprisingly. See for yourself: ua-cam.com/video/g8SHJvmpNZE/v-deo.html
@@asimpletune the video you linked explains exactly what I’m saying. the first pot in that Les Paul is a linear pot. He barley touches it and there’s volume with the slightest turn. The strat has audio pots where you can turn it up to about 3 and still not hear anything. With a 10% taper audio pot that means at half way you’re getting 10%. In a linear pot halfway would be 50%. I know human ears hear things differently which is why audio pots tend to sound more natural to the average person. Linear pots are great for volume swells though.
@@duroxkilo I think it’s actually the other way around. Linear pots are what’s in the Les Paul. The strat has audio pots. Hear how the Les Paul volume comes on immediately at 1? That’s a linear pot.
@@cb24203 Hey, thanks for the reply. So yes, that's what happens for the first test, but if you watch later, when the pickup is under load, I.e. plugged into an amp, it does what I was referring to. It's later in the video. I'd love to hear your thoughts. I'm doing a build of my own right now, and I literally just ordered linear/audio versions of the same pots to test this myself. It seems that an extra few $ isn't that big of a deal, if it gives you the flexibility to try multiple combinations. I wish though that I had the same magic box that he has. That thing is amazing.
Geez! Thanks for demonstrating that so simply. I spent forever trying to get info on the way volume pots should work. I got a new bass and the volume pot worked liked your strat demo. I thought there was something wrong with it. I assume what you said about guitars is gonna be the same for basses? There's nothing wrong with it so I can stop worrying.
to each their own, there's no right or wrong. I personally prefer linear taper for my volume pot, because I want the full volume range across 1-10. The taper on most audio pots I find is too sharp, YMMV.
@@duroxkilo in theory, yes...but in reality, not so much. I've used many Audio taper volume pots with a terrible sweep from 10-1. Different brands can have slightly different sweeps, even if they're both Audio taper. It can take some experimenting to find the taper that works for you. I hear the DiMarzio Audio taper Volume pots work well.
@@David.S. ok, thanks.. i've rescued a few guitars but i'm no specialist. to me a linear pot volume feels awkward. i understand it's purpose i just don't accept it as ideal as presented in the video.. the truth is ppl used them in the past because there were no alternatives not because they offered advantages. :}
Sweet. I literally just bought a 61 sg and wondered why I wouldn’t get any good volume till like 4-5. And then I can tell big difference from just between like 8-10…. I guess my pots are good then! Lol
Thats Why I dont have any bleeds, I like the good fashioned audio pot where the overdrive doesnt bite as much when you back the volume down thereby acting as a gain control when on driven. Audio is the best ... Linear is so instant.
I think Linear Volume are for Mostly for Clean, Overdrive Gigs and Bedroom Players, While Audio Volume Pots are for Louder Gigging Players that want Faster Clean up with minimal Pot movements
I'm a bedroom player I think Linear pots for me , plus does not lose volume as fast , kinda like a treble bleed almost tho most online guitar forums prefer the audio taper pots.
1 on linear pots = 10% = A gradual increase in volume. 1 on Auidio pots = 0% = As you go higher it increases the volume exponentially which will shape the characteristics of your pickups. Audio pots: 7 = Clean 8,9,10 = Dirtier and dirtier. Linear pots: 1 = Clean 10 = Louder clean The reason people desire AUDIO volume knobs is because they affect the character of your pickups as it gets exponentially louder. So linear only changes the volume and not the character of your pickup. So logic says you put linear on your tone for a wider range and Audio on your volume to shape the character of your pickups. From hoaglandscustom.com An AUDIO taper pot increases the signal from your guitar to your amp in a logarithmic (exponential) fashion. Simply explained, “1”, “2”, or “3” on the volume knob will produce little, if any, signal but once you get past “3” or so, the volume will ramp up a LOT. Past “8” or so there will be very little volume increase. An audio taper volume control is used on you car radio. You will notice that when you turn on the radio you have to rotate the knob to the right quite a bit before you get any volume. And past “7” or “8” on the radio volume knob, it doesn’t really increase your volume anymore. It causes your signal to clip. A LINEAR taper pot increases the signal in a linear fashion. (“1” on your control is equal to 10%, “4” is equal to 40% and so forth) This works very different from an audio taper volume pot. For those looking for a smooth, predictable transition to volume, a linear taper pot will probably work best for you
Are they not just different curves in between... so "off & full on" are the same on each... amp set the same? Just different resolution on "Audio taper"? Why do you say 10 is clean on one type but dirty on the other? That would mean one's output is hotter than the other??? Just trying to learn about all this. I just checked an Audio Bourns I had installed on my Tele.. and the taper feels perfect. Just a pure increase in volume throughout. this is so strange because the curve looks on paper to be not straight.
Kenny at Taylor Sound I agree with you it is a matter of preference. I noticed you have a particular “box” on your bench that Pink Floyd and David Gilmore always have on their set. They have a mic on the top of theirs. No idea what it is. Could you please tell me and my wife what it is? It’s the one with a circle in the silver plate on the upper part and four knobs on the black plate on the lower part. Thanks so very kindly. Keep playing and helping others to play.
What about when front of house says, man, you're too loud, turn down - if you don't have a linear volume pot and you turn down, then you could end up changing your pickup sound and response. At the end of the day, it depends on your situation, not that audio pots are better than linear pots for your volume control - and I use a volume pedal for volume swells.
Logarithmic/Audio taper pots for swells. Linear would be the ones you heard on the first guitar (Les Paul). Pots use an "A" or a "B" to indicate if they're logarithmic/audio or linear on the pots sometimes. A = logarithmic/audio, and B = Linear.
Ok. I agree with having the ones you prefer. So which is which? What specs do I look for? My PRS pots clean up the pickup very nicely around 3-4 on one and 5 in another. The ones on my '05 les paul have to go to 1 or 2 to get any cleanup.
Sherkhan find cts pots as close to 500k. Measure them. (We buy in lots of 50). The caps should be paper and oil. Caps are for tone. These pots have a good taper like old 50s pots.
Lol , you could have mentioned the two types of pots to which you are referring.. If someone didn't already know about audio taper and linear taper pots and the character of each one your video is utterly useless and the reason commenters are feeling the need to clarify in the comment section
You didn't tell us what was what like linear or audio taper.
Kenny is a solid tech. He has helped me a number of times back at the old shop (solid body) in picking the right combo of parts for the right sound.
Kenny is amazing and has a vast knowledge and understanding of guitars; how they are built, what makes them tick and how to make them play and how I want them to sound. He's been my tech for a long time.
There's no good or bad, it really depends on the player
ok, so we want good pots with proper taper...and they are called...? Linear? Audio? Manufacturer? model number?
Seriously. It’s like “hey here’s some info but we’re not going to actually tell you” LOL. I’m pretty sure he means Audio pots are the “good ones”. They tend to have a more gradual taper effect when turning up or down. Linear pots are almost like an on/off switch with the volume coming in quick around 1.5
@@cb24203 Check out David Collin's video on this. I thought the same, and that's what the spectrum analyzer shows, but it's not how it plays out in reality. Linear pots create a more usable range of volume, surprisingly. See for yourself: ua-cam.com/video/g8SHJvmpNZE/v-deo.html
@@asimpletune the video you linked explains exactly what I’m saying. the first pot in that Les Paul is a linear pot. He barley touches it and there’s volume with the slightest turn. The strat has audio pots where you can turn it up to about 3 and still not hear anything. With a 10% taper audio pot that means at half way you’re getting 10%. In a linear pot halfway would be 50%. I know human ears hear things differently which is why audio pots tend to sound more natural to the average person. Linear pots are great for volume swells though.
@@duroxkilo I think it’s actually the other way around. Linear pots are what’s in the Les Paul. The strat has audio pots. Hear how the Les Paul volume comes on immediately at 1? That’s a linear pot.
@@cb24203 Hey, thanks for the reply. So yes, that's what happens for the first test, but if you watch later, when the pickup is under load, I.e. plugged into an amp, it does what I was referring to. It's later in the video.
I'd love to hear your thoughts. I'm doing a build of my own right now, and I literally just ordered linear/audio versions of the same pots to test this myself. It seems that an extra few $ isn't that big of a deal, if it gives you the flexibility to try multiple combinations.
I wish though that I had the same magic box that he has. That thing is amazing.
I think he means Audio taper pots when he says "The Good Pots" . Correct me if I am wrong. He never meantioned which was which, he just described it.
Geez! Thanks for demonstrating that so simply. I spent forever trying to get info on the way volume pots should work. I got a new bass and the volume pot worked liked your strat demo. I thought there was something wrong with it. I assume what you said about guitars is gonna be the same for basses? There's nothing wrong with it so I can stop worrying.
to each their own, there's no right or wrong. I personally prefer linear taper for my volume pot, because I want the full volume range across 1-10. The taper on most audio pots I find is too sharp, YMMV.
you confused the two.. logarithmic pots (audio) give you volume range all across.
@@duroxkilo in theory, yes...but in reality, not so much. I've used many Audio taper volume pots with a terrible sweep from 10-1. Different brands can have slightly different sweeps, even if they're both Audio taper. It can take some experimenting to find the taper that works for you. I hear the DiMarzio Audio taper Volume pots work well.
@@David.S. ok, thanks..
i've rescued a few guitars but i'm no specialist. to me a linear pot volume feels awkward. i understand it's purpose i just don't accept it as ideal as presented in the video..
the truth is ppl used them in the past because there were no alternatives not because they offered advantages. :}
Les Paul = Linear tapered.
Stratocaster = Audio tapered (logarithmic).
Sweet. I literally just bought a 61 sg and wondered why I wouldn’t get any good volume till like 4-5. And then I can tell big difference from just between like 8-10…. I guess my pots are good then! Lol
Thats Why I dont have any bleeds, I like the good fashioned audio pot where the overdrive doesnt bite as much when you back the volume down thereby acting as a gain control when on driven.
Audio is the best ...
Linear is so instant.
I think Linear Volume are for Mostly for Clean, Overdrive Gigs and Bedroom Players, While Audio Volume Pots are for Louder Gigging Players that want Faster Clean up with minimal Pot movements
I'm a bedroom player I think Linear pots for me , plus does not lose volume as fast , kinda like a treble bleed almost tho most online guitar forums prefer the audio taper pots.
1 on linear pots = 10% = A gradual increase in volume.
1 on Auidio pots = 0% = As you go higher it increases the volume exponentially which will shape the characteristics of your pickups.
Audio pots:
7 = Clean
8,9,10 = Dirtier and dirtier.
Linear pots:
1 = Clean
10 = Louder clean
The reason people desire AUDIO volume knobs is because they affect the character of your pickups as it gets exponentially louder.
So linear only changes the volume and not the character of your pickup.
So logic says you put linear on your tone for a wider range and Audio on your volume to shape the character of your pickups.
From hoaglandscustom.com
An AUDIO taper pot increases the signal from your guitar to your amp in a logarithmic (exponential) fashion. Simply explained, “1”, “2”, or “3” on the volume knob will produce little, if any, signal but once you get past “3” or so, the volume will ramp up a LOT. Past “8” or so there will be very little volume increase. An audio taper volume control is used on you car radio. You will notice that when you turn on the radio you have to rotate the knob to the right quite a bit before you get any volume. And past “7” or “8” on the radio volume knob, it doesn’t really increase your volume anymore. It causes your signal to clip.
A LINEAR taper pot increases the signal in a linear fashion. (“1” on your control is equal to 10%, “4” is equal to 40% and so forth) This works very different from an audio taper volume pot. For those looking for a smooth, predictable transition to volume, a linear taper pot will probably work best for you
Are they not just different curves in between... so "off & full on" are the same on each... amp set the same? Just different resolution on "Audio taper"? Why do you say 10 is clean on one type but dirty on the other? That would mean one's output is hotter than the other??? Just trying to learn about all this. I just checked an Audio Bourns I had installed on my Tele.. and the taper feels perfect. Just a pure increase in volume throughout. this is so strange because the curve looks on paper to be not straight.
Kenny at Taylor Sound I agree with you it is a matter of preference. I noticed you have a particular “box” on your bench that Pink Floyd and David Gilmore always have on their set. They have a mic on the top of theirs. No idea what it is. Could you please tell me and my wife what it is? It’s the one with a circle in the silver plate on the upper part and four knobs on the black plate on the lower part. Thanks so very kindly. Keep playing and helping others to play.
What about when front of house says, man, you're too loud, turn down - if you don't have a linear volume pot and you turn down, then you could end up changing your pickup sound and response. At the end of the day, it depends on your situation, not that audio pots are better than linear pots for your volume control - and I use a volume pedal for volume swells.
Is there a way to make lin pot to log??
www.jt30.com/jt30page/potfix/
Plz do reply
Thx
I like doing volume swells and a pseudo on off switch so which would be better?
Linear
Logarithmic/Audio taper pots for swells. Linear would be the ones you heard on the first guitar (Les Paul). Pots use an "A" or a "B" to indicate if they're logarithmic/audio or linear on the pots sometimes. A = logarithmic/audio, and B = Linear.
Great Video..Are the CTS 500 ok? I need to replace the volume in my Schecter.
yes
Ok. I agree with having the ones you prefer. So which is which? What specs do I look for? My PRS pots clean up the pickup very nicely around 3-4 on one and 5 in another. The ones on my '05 les paul have to go to 1 or 2 to get any cleanup.
Are you in the Minneapolis area?
Taylor Sound and Video I am in Southern California... is there a preferred electronics set for LPs?
Sherkhan find cts pots as close to 500k. Measure them. (We buy in lots of 50). The caps should be paper and oil. Caps are for tone. These pots have a good taper like old 50s pots.
I beleive the ones on the gibson are linear and the ones on the fender are audio taper (non linear)
@@PainterDans yeah that would be great if the author confirm it....
Next time I go to a tech, I’ll tell him to out in the good stuff…he’ll understand exactly what I mean. 🤓👍
So what is going on when the volume pot does not increase or decrease the volume, but is on full volume at all time ?
Poor wiring most likely although there could be a bit of solder on the wiper of the pot
great video man!....is the fender audio taper? or linear?
Do you sell this pots?
This would help if u told us what the better pots are!!!!!!
it's a matter of preference.
Ok, so if you want to buy "second" pot, choose Type B Potentiometer. Type A is linear and presented fist in this video.
you confused the two
My Strat have same problem. Very slow sounds at level 3, volume pot. Plz slove my problem.
Lol , you could have mentioned the two types of pots to which you are referring.. If someone didn't already know about audio taper and linear taper pots and the character of each one your video is utterly useless and the reason commenters are feeling the need to clarify in the comment section
Yo momma is utterly useless