Thunderbird Club

[GBassNorth]

I think it needs to be a logarithmic pot, not a linear

I would assume the blend pot would be audio taper (like a volume pot) not linear (like a tone pot) but that’s just an assumption on my part. That said, I wouldn’t think audio vs linear would make any difference on a volume drop issue at the center detent.

 

[rumblesaust]

I would assume the blend pot would be audio taper (like a volume pot) not linear (like a tone pot) but that’s just an assumption on my part. That said, I wouldn’t think audio vs linear would make any difference on a volume drop issue at the center detent.

My understanding is that at the 50% of the sweep point (centre detent) , a linear pot will measure 50% of the value of the pot.
A log pot on the other hand would be more like 5/ 95% reference between the outer and centre lugs

 

[GBassNorth]

My understanding is that at the 50% of the sweep point (centre detent) , a linear pot will measure 50% of the value of the pot.
A log pot on the other hand would be more like 5/ 95% reference between the outer and centre lugs

I just assumed resistance at center detent of a blend pot would be effectively zero regardless of the pot taper type used and either 250K or 500K ohms at the outside lugs depending on the pot value selected. Obviously sweeping from off to center would be very different between the two types of pots, but once at center wouldn’t both pots have essentially the same resistance?

 

[rumblesaust]

I just assumed resistance at center detent of a blend pot would be effectively zero regardless of the pot taper type used and either 250K or 500K ohms at the outside lugs depending on the pot value selected. Obviously sweeping from off to center would be very different between the two types of pots, but once at center wouldn’t both pots have essentially the same resistance?

We probably need an engineer to step in here, but my guess is they are both log pots but in the reverse direction of each other if that makes sense. So, at the centre detent it isn't exactly zero, but is a negligible value so it (sounds like zero) . Remembering our hearing is logarithmic by nature if I recall correctly.

 

[GBassNorth]

We probably need an engineer to step in here, but my guess is they are both log pots but in the reverse direction of each other if that makes sense. So, at the centre detent it isn't exactly zero, but is a negligible value so it (sounds like zero) . Remembering our hearing is logarithmic by nature if I recall correctly.

I would make the same assumption. For me it’s all academic anyway since I don’t normally use blend pots in my builds.

Now that we’ve solved the meaning of life, I’m gonna hit the sack. I have a busy day tomorrow. Cheers!

 

[Larry V]

Looks like that NR from the Gibson Mod page is gone. Anyone here buy it?

I guess it may have been a one off then... pretty weird. Have to wonder why it even existed at all.

 

[BklynKen]

if you use a special pot (can’t recall the name, maybe a bournes pot) it eliminates the issue.

Maui Wowie?

 

[PillO]

Anyone tried these strings?
I bought them last year on ebay in Australia.
Less than $20 US.
One set stainless for my tbird, and a set of nickel for my p.
Packaging say made in USA.
never seen them since but I was rather impressed. Particularly the nickels which now sound brighter than the stainlessView attachment 4401825 View attachment 4401826

I've seen them for sale online (fretnation maybe?). But I have never tried them. I think they may made some claim to corrosion resistance or something like that...

 

[rumblesaust]

I've seen them for sale online (fretnation maybe?). But I have never tried them. I think they may made some claim to corrosion resistance or something like that...

I must say, they are hanging on my wall here in Thailand for the last nine months in crazy humidity and are holding up fairly well.
Curiously the nickels have held their sparkle better than the stainless.....

 

[dagrev]

Anyone tried these strings?
I bought them last year on ebay in Australia.
Less than $20 US.
One set stainless for my tbird, and a set of nickel for my p.
Packaging say made in USA.
never seen them since but I was rather impressed. Particularly the nickels which now sound brighter than the stainlessView attachment 4401825 View attachment 4401826

I've seen them online and have been interested, but never pulled the trigger and bought any. Could be one the best kept string secrets around.

 

[dagrev]

I would assume the blend pot would be audio taper (like a volume pot) not linear (like a tone pot) but that’s just an assumption on my part. That said, I wouldn’t think audio vs linear would make any difference on a volume drop issue at the center detent.

I had a G&L (M2k) that had a blend pot. There was some drop in volume, but about the same, maybe a tad more like when turning one volume up to full to match the other on a two PU two volume setup. My Regenerate has very little volume drop with the blend.

 

[dagrev]

Maui Wowie?

Yep, that would probably work to at lease change the perception.

 

[MCF]

I don't remember this video being mentioned. Cliff Williams with the NR. I know there's the other for It's A Long Way To The Top.

It has been up before; who knows how many thousand pages ago. It's always fun to see it. fun to see it. Thanks Ken.

 

[MCF]

Anyone tried these strings?
I bought them last year on ebay in Australia.
Less than $20 US.
One set stainless for my tbird, and a set of nickel for my p.
Packaging say made in USA.
never seen them since but I was rather impressed. Particularly the nickels which now sound brighter than the stainlessView attachment 4401825 View attachment 4401826

I recall checking them out awhile back, then forget to try them. Here's some info. MJC Ironworks Premium Bass Strings Review

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Yeah, I thought they were some kind of cheapo pots when I first looked inside. Never seen anything like that. Zero problems in at least 3 decades. But they do just look plum weird.

best pot construction ever...came from military requests for better IP (sealing) specifications....maintenance free...

 

[WillyW]

best pot construction ever...came from military requests for better IP (sealing) specifications....maintenance free...

And an actual ground lug instead of blobbing it on the back…

Witchcraft, witchcraft and sorcery I tell you!

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

We probably need an engineer to step in here, but my guess is they are both log pots but in the reverse direction of each other if that makes sense. So, at the centre detent it isn't exactly zero, but is a negligible value so it (sounds like zero) . Remembering our hearing is logarithmic by nature if I recall correctly.

was hoping Miles would field one lol....
the tapers are stacked on a single shaft....inputs on the center legs, outputs on the opposite legs....there is no reason with any pot for a drop in the center detent other than poor quality...iow, intentionally or not, not meant to happen..

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

And an actual ground lug instead of blobbing it on the back…

Witchcraft, witchcraft and sorcery I tell you!

ha! ironically, that's probably where a metal cased pot outperforms the plastic ones....thing is, at 20kHz and under it's of no consequence..

 

[PillO]

ha! ironically, that's probably where a metal cased pot outperforms the plastic ones....thing is, at 20kHz and under it's of no consequence..

I hear that...

 

[Miles_ONeal]

I think it needs to be a logarithmic pot, not a linear

was hoping Miles would field one lol....
the tapers are stacked on a single shaft....inputs on the center legs, outputs on the opposite legs....there is no reason with any pot for a drop in the center detent other than poor quality...iow, intentionally or not, not meant to happen..
View attachment 4402297

Just got here or I would have!

I've never messed with blend pots. But here's some info:

Blend pot tapers
https://www.bourns.com/docs/ProAudi...ce_guitar_pots_appnote.pdf?sfvrsn=f3258ef1_13

So what you want is the MN tapered blend pot, not the AC tapered blend pot.

And remember, with some VVT-based Thunderbirds, turning both pickups wide open results in some drop. So I'd expect the same with a VBT. Wide open is wide open.