so i have the classic 60's jazz bass...

http://www.fender.com/products//search.php?partno=0131800300

and my tone pot is broken. it needs to replaced. i found the parts list online and it says that all the pots are 250k. i just need to know if its audio taper or linear taper? or does this even matter???? please help.

99% chance it's audio, and it does matter.

It definitely should be audio taper. A linear taper pot will technically work, produce the exact same tonal sound(s), and not hurt anything, but you will have greater difficulty with its resolution when trying to dial in a sweet spot. The linear pot's apparent tonal range may seem squeezed into a narrower travel range of the control rather than spread out more uniformly along it, making "fine tuning" more difficult.

It definitely should be audio taper. A linear taper pot will technically work, produce the exact same tonal sound(s), and not hurt anything, but you will have greater difficulty with its resolution when trying to dial in a sweet spot. The linear pot's apparent tonal range may seem squeezed into a narrower travel range of the control rather than spread out more uniformly along it, making "fine tuning" more difficult.


Back wards on that sweetheart.
The linier taper is spread evenly along the pot. The audio (analog) has typically 70-30% tapers meaning that on a 250 k pot 0-125 k are in the first 70% (0-7 on an amp control) and 126-250 k are in the last 30% (7-10) that’s why you get that distinct drop in the volumes of an old jazz bass.
Where the audio comes into its own is between 0 and 4 producing a much smoother transition than a linier will.

I prefer to have more control on the high side of the tone control so use linier pots, or audios wired in reverse to work backwards.

If you like more control on the lower side stick with a plain old audio taper.

MM

Actually it's more critical with volume than tone pots.
a linear taper pots rolls off the volume evenly, however, we don't hear changes in volume evenly, and so linear taper pots will seem to roll off the volume faster as it goes. audio taper pots were designed to roll off the volume closer to the way we hear it, so that it sounds even. audio taper parts are the standard for guitars, and they work great for most people, most of the time. unless you're having specific problems related to the taper of your pots (the volume rolling off too fast, too slow, etcetera), audio taper pots are likely your best option.

thanks a lot for all your help guys!!!!

Back wards on that sweetheart.
The linier taper is spread evenly along the pot. The audio (analog) has typically 70-30% tapers meaning that on a 250 k pot 0-125 k are in the first 70% (0-7 on an amp control) and 126-250 k are in the last 30% (7-10) that’s why you get that distinct drop in the volumes of an old jazz bass.
Where the audio comes into its own is between 0 and 4 producing a much smoother transition than a linier will.

I prefer to have more control on the high side of the tone control so use linier pots, or audios wired in reverse to work backwards.

If you like more control on the lower side stick with a plain old audio taper.

MM

You are RIGHT about the actual electrical resistance distribution of an audio taper, but not correct about the apparent effect of its tonal range and its desirability, IMHO. We use tapered pots specifically BECAUSE the even distribution of the resistive element in a linear pot sometimes does NOT produce even sonic gradation. It is precisely because there IS less resistance within the "lower" part of an audio taper pot in this type of tone control that allows for finer resolution where most people prefer to have it, which is in the LOW part of the pot's travel. While you yourself may instead prefer to have more control on the HIGH side of the pot, IMO most people do not. If they did, the taper of tone controls would typically be linear instead of audio, for a popularity reasons as well as an economic ones since linear taped pots are less expensive to manufacture, IMHO.

You are RIGHT about the actual electrical resistance distribution of an audio taper, but not correct about the apparent effect of its tonal range and its desirability, IMHO. We use tapered pots specifically BECAUSE the even distribution of the resistive element in a linear pot sometimes does NOT produce even sonic gradation. It is precisely because there IS less resistance within the "lower" part of an audio taper pot in this type of tone control that allows for finer resolution where most people prefer to have it, which is in the LOW part of the pot's travel. While you yourself may instead prefer to have more control on the HIGH side of the pot, IMO most people do not. If they did, the taper of tone controls would typically be linear instead of audio, for a popularity reasons as well as an economic ones since linear taped pots are less expensive to manufacture, IMHO.

I do have to agree with what you posted.
I usually start with every thing on my bass turned all the way up and back off to where I want it, while others adjust up.
More a personal preference than what is actually better.
On amps and effects I do turn up to the desired levels though.
I defiantly prefer audio taper in distortions and fuzzes.

If it wasn’t such a hassle I probably be using 10 turn pots in an anal attempt at imagined perfection.
MM

If it wasn’t such a hassle I probably be using 10 turn pots in an anal attempt at imagined perfection.
MM

+1 I hear you regarding that "imagined perfection" thing! :D

does anybody know any good online stores to buy pots??? how about stores in the los angeles area?

does anybody know any good online stores to buy pots??? how about stores in the los angeles area?

For an online store, try Small Bear Electronics: http://www.smallbearelec.com

http://www.shop.wymoreguitars.com/category.sc?categoryId=15

That's the link to John Wymore's Allparts page. John is a great guy to work with. Super fast shipping and he's a bassist to boot.

I highly recommend him.