Difference between "A" and "B" pots

I thought I knew a lot about pots. I had pretty good electronics training in the Air Force but the Air Force doesn't use pots for volume or tone. In order to learn I have been checking out websites (Seymour Duncan, StewMac, CTS, etc.) and they seem to be an excellent source of information. My problem is that they may be too good. I think I am suffering from information overload. I'm not as confused as I was when I started but I still have not answered the questions I had when I began.

I'm trying to discern the difference between volume and tone pots. Yes, I have found that they are mechanically the same but wired differently. That only brings up new questions:
1. Does wired differently mean that they are somehow wired differently internally or by the connections that they use externally? I realize that volume pots use three connections and tone pots use two but that makes me think that they are different on the inside.
2. I have learned that tone pots are designated "A" and volume pots are designated "B". This different designation would, again, make me think there is an internal difference between the two. When I look at product descriptions on these websites all they show is "control" pots. I have yet to see any designated either "A" or"B".

 

Sooooo...

"A" pots for tone and "B" pots for volume if, and only if, they are interchangeable.

Also, audio taper for tone control and linear taper for volume. However,

To make matters much much worse websites that try to explain the differences in the two types of taper or try to explain what taper is give examples of the effects of the different types of taper without any explanation of what taper actually is or where it comes from.

One cannot purchase an "A" pot or a "B" pot simply because they are not offered for sale. They are not included in any product list. I am given the impression that they do not exist.

I am not trying to make a fool of anyone. I know you are trying to help but I am back to the point where I started: If the pots cost the same then I want to purchase the pot that is best for the application. I am beginning to believe that it is not possible to do so.

 

By definition this means that they are exactly the same, mechanically or otherwise. After all, that is what "the same" means.

That is not possible if they are the same. However, do not be concerned about the contradiction. You are doing the the same as everybody else. This cannot be explained without contradictions. No, that is not quite accurate. I should have said, "This cannot be explained."

 

ctmullins Thank you so much. It is kind of hard to argue with something when you have had your nose shoved in it. Now that I know the designations exist I guess it is only a matter of patience and paying attention when trying to place an order. I feel shamed but at the same time happy that what I want does exist. Again, thank you.

 

I find it necessary to thank all of you who have tried to break through my thick skull and help me understand. Some very smart instructors in the Air Force tried to do the same to no avail. To be honest, the problem I have is not with understanding what is happening but in the nomenclature used to describe it. I understand perfectly what is going on (little microscopic green men running back and forth) but have always been concerned that I may someday describe something wrong and create a huge mess. This particularly concerned me when I was working on bombers going to war. I guess I shouldn't be so worried about it when wiring a bass guitar.

In any event I have had a breakthrough or an epiphany. Rays of sunshine are beaming down where they did not before. Today I happened upon an add for a 500K pot that described it as having a linear taper and was to be used for volume control. My jaw hit the floor. I am quite sure that the add did not say that yesterday. I started being a little concerned that someone went online and, when I wasn't looking, changed the add. Then I noticed that all of the adds for pots included an audio or a linear designation. I am still finding it hard to believe that I overlooked all of these designations. I am wondering if I am going a little insane. (I'm sure that many people would say I am already there.)

Could it be that the time I have spent discussing this very issue with TB members has raised my awareness to the point that I am now noticing something that was there all along? Maybe so, but I still have a problem with something being the same but not the same. The add that I saw described the pot as used for volume or for tone but I still will always wonder which is best. No one will ever get me to admit that electronics are anything other than FM. (If you know anything about electronics you will understand.)

Again, thank you!

 

Like I said, It's all FM.