So far, my builds haven't had volume controls. I have been using rod piezo and am thinking about adding a volume pot. First, is there any advantage to adding the volume pot with a rod piezo? Next, if it's worth adding the pot, which ones are good enough for a beginner like me? I see them as cheap as $.79 on ebay
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All great points to consider...quality, size, reliability, and cost. As Wayfinder mentioned, some builders use alpha (logarithmic) pots, others use linear (B) pots. It is noted in audio research that humans hear and respond to sound in a logarithmic manner. Thus, many builders will control volume with an alpha pot. But as mentioned below by Paul Craig, it's all a matter of preference.
Bottom line is that one should consider the reason for adding a volume control. Is it to make the guitar look like an electric guitar? Or is it for altering/controlling the amount of signal sent from the pickup to the amplifier while playing? Because a volume pot itself will only limit the amount of signal that is allowed to pass on to the amplifier. Alternately, if a tone pot is added to the circuit, the two pots can interact with each other and the settings on the amplifier to create many variations of sound.
Make them strings sing...
Cheers
darryl kernaghan > Scott aka Farmer TedFebruary 29, 2016 at 12:58pm
Most of my guitars/CBG's have the large Alpha pots in them that are good, but my vintage semi-hollow has large Emerson pots that are fantastic, work with precision and they are 20 years old. Emerson are made by CTS or vice versa and cost close to 10 dollars a piece, but worth every penny.
Agreed. electronics isn't something you want to go really cheap on. The better stuff will last the life of the guitar. And give you far less problems.
I dont think the size of the pot will have anything to do with the performance. I've used both. Smaller pots are easier to get into tighter spaces. Again I use the better stuff when replacing or modifying guitar electronics.
I prefer the large pots over the mini pots because most of the mini pots I've bought or come into contact with have been worthless.
I've always used A pots for volume and B pots for tone because that's what I've been used to in guitars due to industry standards. You can use either though, it's just a matter of personal preference.
Replies
All great points to consider...quality, size, reliability, and cost. As Wayfinder mentioned, some builders use alpha (logarithmic) pots, others use linear (B) pots. It is noted in audio research that humans hear and respond to sound in a logarithmic manner. Thus, many builders will control volume with an alpha pot. But as mentioned below by Paul Craig, it's all a matter of preference.
Bottom line is that one should consider the reason for adding a volume control. Is it to make the guitar look like an electric guitar? Or is it for altering/controlling the amount of signal sent from the pickup to the amplifier while playing? Because a volume pot itself will only limit the amount of signal that is allowed to pass on to the amplifier. Alternately, if a tone pot is added to the circuit, the two pots can interact with each other and the settings on the amplifier to create many variations of sound.
Make them strings sing...
Cheers
where's the like button?
Most of my guitars/CBG's have the large Alpha pots in them that are good, but my vintage semi-hollow has large Emerson pots that are fantastic, work with precision and they are 20 years old. Emerson are made by CTS or vice versa and cost close to 10 dollars a piece, but worth every penny.
I'm partial to switchcraft. Alpha and CTS. Mighty Mite puts out some good products too.
Agreed. electronics isn't something you want to go really cheap on. The better stuff will last the life of the guitar. And give you far less problems.
I dont think the size of the pot will have anything to do with the performance. I've used both. Smaller pots are easier to get into tighter spaces. Again I use the better stuff when replacing or modifying guitar electronics.
I agree with Paul Craig, that you get what you pay for. Cheap pots will often be "crackly" though some mini-pots have worked well for me...
I prefer the large pots over the mini pots because most of the mini pots I've bought or come into contact with have been worthless.
I've always used A pots for volume and B pots for tone because that's what I've been used to in guitars due to industry standards. You can use either though, it's just a matter of personal preference.