Hoffman Amplifiers Tube Amplifier Forum
Amp Stuff => Tube Amp Building - Tweaks - Repairs => Topic started by: 12AX7 on December 27, 2016, 06:35:25 pm
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....different pots can change tone in any way BESIDES taper? I know this is theoretically a stupid question because in theory far as i can see there should be no difference aside from where in the pots rotation it gets to a particular level. But given the exact same setting as to the resultant divider value, does anyone think it's possible for pots to sound different from each other?
I ask because i've experienced what i perceive as a difference several times even tho the pot values were very close after checking with a meter. I'm leaning towards placebo effect but it's been more than subtle at times so i gotta question that. Anyone else feel they've experienced this?
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I've never heard such an effect among two pots of the same value.
On a certain guitar forum, folks will swear that a certain brand pot sounds better in their guitar than other brands. If there is a difference in their application, it's almost certainly due to taper differences and/or change in actual measured resistance of the pot.
Good luck convincing them of that... They're the same crowd that gets bent out of shape that their reissue guitar doesn't have "period correct plastic parts".
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I like to hear that because it reinforces in me the idea that i gotta be experiencing placebo effect. Then again, maybe the resistive material could be a factor? After all, there are plenty who are different resistors sound different. Carbon comp comes to mind.
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I think that most pots you're putting in your amp are all using a carbon track for resistance. I also believe that your "hearing memory" only lasts for about a minute or so. Far less than it takes to swap pots in and out. In my opinion the biggest "tone thing" in the amp, is the circuit itself; the sum of all the parts and how they work together.
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In my opinion the biggest "tone thing" in the amp, is the circuit itself; the sum of all the parts and how they work together.
Of course, that goes without saying. But at times when you change something and you swear it doesn't sound as good to you even if it was something like a pot where you have no pre install thoughts about any change of tone, it's hard not to question why you're hearing that. But truth is, without even touching your gear, playing it an hour later you often hear it differently so there goes any of this theory about pots or anything else that's fairly subtle !
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....different pots can change tone in any way BESIDES taper?
Values of the Pot resistance and Taper (How the value changes in the rotation) affect the circuit were they are implemented, so they will have an influence in the outcome.
But given the exact same setting as to the resultant divider value, does anyone think it's possible for pots to sound different from each other?
I don't think so.
I'm leaning towards placebo effect but it's been more than subtle at times so i gotta question that. Anyone else feel they've experienced this?
How and when did you experienced that? How did you compare?
Well if you have doubts that's an easy project to do.
Get 4 or 5 different pots to taste (different brands, carbon track, conductive plastic, whatever) install the pots in a box. Get a simple switching system were you can switch from one pot to the other, like a 2x6 non-shorting (break before make) rotary switch. Make and input connection and output connection.
Now choose a middle point resistance value, adjust each one of the Pots to the same exact resistance value, have all pots measuring the same value. Don't touch them any more.
Insert them in a circuit and use the rotary switch to switch between the pots.
Do you ear a difference in tone?