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Is an MN taper pot 2x linear or 2x audio taper?

O

OneNote

Sep 28, 2015
20
2
Holland
#1
See title. Is the varying track of each of the consisting pots linear or audio? I spent quite some time searching the internet, to no avail (except for AI stating that it was neither...). All I find is diagrams/pics that indicate linear tapers, but I don't see why it can't be audio.
 
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#2
A is log, C is inverse log. So A/C is audio or log and M/N are linear from the centre. The advantage of M/N is they have max (or 0) in the middle so you get 100% of both, whereas A/C don't hence the common complaint of a volume drop at the centre.
 
#3
MN is linear and reverse-linear from the halfway points of their respective tracks.
Screenshot 2026-02-23 at 7.36.42 AM.png

source
 
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#4
So, just to be sure, it's always this:

MN_linear_S.jpg



And never something like this:

MN_audio_S2.jpg


?

I need to know, because I plan to use a Bartolini buffer preamp AGDB/918-2 and EQ preamp NTMB+ F together in this configuration, which would require a 25K Ohm MN tapered potmeter. I am having a hard time finding one; Bartolini sells one, but ordering it in the EU would set me back some €55 (€40 shipping) and a considerable waiting time. So I want to use two 25K potmeters, one for each pickup, and leave out a master volume, but I need to be sure what taper they must have...
 
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#5
OneNote said:
So, just to be sure, it's always this:

Invalid Link Removed


And never something like this:

Invalid Link Removed

?

I need to know, because I plan to use a Bartolini buffer preamp AGDB/918-2 and EQ preamp NTMB+ F together in this configuration, which would require a 25K Ohm MN tapered potmeter. I am having a hard time finding one; Bartolini sells one, but ordering it in the EU would set me back some €55 (€40 shipping) and a considerable waiting time. So I want to use two 25K potmeters, one for each pickup, and leave out a master volume, but I need to be sure what taper they must have...
Click to expand...

Mouser has the PDB182-GTRB2-253MN in-stock.

If you are going to use two volume pots instead of a master volume and blend, you might need two audio taper rather than two linear taper. This is probably worth asking Bartolini about.
 
#6
ardgedee said:
Mouser has the PDB182-GTRB2-253MN in-stock.

If you are going to use two volume pots instead of a master volume and blend, you might need two audio taper rather than two linear taper. This is probably worth asking Bartolini about.
Click to expand...
Wow! I am sure I searched Mouser earlier but didn't find it... apparently I suck at searching.
This is great, thanks you so much for the help!!

BTW: any idea what the "M" and "N" stand for?
 
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#9
OneNote said:
BTW: any idea what the "M" and "N" stand for?
Click to expand...
They're just letters to represent a type of taper, like how A can represent a rising output log taper. Keep in mind there is no industry standard or international standard for the letters, and various companies use the same letters for different tapers, so be sure to double-check by reading specs.
 
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#10
PeaveyPlayer said:
Agreed I can never find a M/N taper

Been trying to find even a volume blend pot stack
Click to expand...
How I did it was use Bourns's site to get product numbers, punch those into Digikey to get exact model IDs, and then copy those into Mouser's search. Digikey's minimum order sizes are usually way bigger than Mouser's, otherwise I'd suggest ordering from them instead.

Another option is arrow.com because the MOQ and shipping tend to be fair, but in my experience their inventory for audio components is usually not as comprehensive as Mouser. They didn't have the 25k MN pots that OP wanted though they had other values.
 
#12
PeaveyPlayer said:
Agreed I can never find a M/N taper

Been trying to find even a volume blend pot stack
Click to expand...
The only readily available ones I know of are via Best Bass Gear or Warwick/MEC- the Blend is an AC taper though and the price is not cheap (they sell a version with a push-pull switch for the same price, though that is a very tall pot that might not fit in many cavities): MEC Mono + Stereo Stacked Potentiometers
or: Noll 500K/220K Volume/Blend Stacked Control - Best Bass Gear
I'd guess they order these custom in relatively small quantities, hence the high price.
 
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#14
OneNote said:
I want to use two 25K potmeters, one for each pickup, and leave out a master volume, but I need to be sure what taper they must have...
Click to expand...
oh, so you're splitting them out to go back to regular jazz bass wiring; 25k audio will work but linear will work better, you get a slower, more even dropoff from "10" making the blending and shading easier

you could even use 50k linears, they'd probably work fine too
 
#17
OneNote said:
As I understand it, the NMTB requires 250K pots, but 25K MN taper is recommended when installing the NTMB in combination with the AGDB buffer…
Click to expand...
The 250K pots typical for the NTMB are placed between the passive pickups and the preamp, while the 25K pots in your configuration are placed after each of the two preamps and so are operating on two active/buffered signals. If you were to use active pickups into an NTMB then it would be appropriate to use 25K pots into that preamp too- the value of pot used is all about the impedance of whatever is feeding it.
 
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