The point of using a more expensive part is to reign in the inherent variance in values any piece of electronics has. For instance, using a 47pfd cap that has a variance of 15% versus 5%.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
why replace your pots?
- Thread starter wideyes
- Start date
In the same way the placebo effect makes people feel better. It's well known that it works, and in many cases better than the prescription medication. But if push comes to shove, I'd rather go see a doctor than take a sugar pill.
There's no reason to get grouchy about it. It's basic psychology that if people believe something to be better (usually because it's more expensive), then they'll perceive it that way. Just because the idea is frustrating doesn't mean it isn't true. It's basic marketing.
This is why TalkBass is so great. People don't just trust the hype, they cone here to ask reasoned opinions of people who have experience. It can help make it easier to determine what's a better product based on something other than price.
There's no reason to get grouchy about it. It's basic psychology that if people believe something to be better (usually because it's more expensive), then they'll perceive it that way. Just because the idea is frustrating doesn't mean it isn't true. It's basic marketing.
This is why TalkBass is so great. People don't just trust the hype, they cone here to ask reasoned opinions of people who have experience. It can help make it easier to determine what's a better product based on something other than price.
I hear ya! I know that what people want to hear is often different from what they actually hear...but that doesn't mean it isn't silly!
That point?
Sorry, was being a lazy TB'er
All I meant was that there's a diifference between sounding better as a result of playing equipment you perceive to be better, versus just convincing yourself you're better, end of story. That approach is basically what pot smoking induces."Duuuuuude, did you hear that tasty s*** I was playing just then?"
"Actually, you've been playing my leg. Could you let go now?"
I could see that - wanting a higher degree of accuracy in the finished product. I just think it's funny how we (bassists especially) can overthink the value of something as basic as a pot. I'd love to see some blind tests run on this one.
Hello,This seems to be a fad around here, and I'm not sure I'm buying into it. Excluding pots that are not functioning properly, why replace your pots? For that matter, why replace your capacitor? I understand that different pots and caps have different values, but if I replace a functioning part with one of the same value, but of a higher build quality (or just more expensive), will I get an improved tone?
I'm not talking theory here - I'd like to hear whether this makes any qualitative difference.
You pay more to have 1/ a electronic component value closer to the value that the engeneer calculate to have a frequency response 2/ to have electronic components who have the best life of working..
If you put a component with the same value check the tolerance because it can give a better or less quality tone than the original component
DanyDAN
This seems to be a fad around here, and I'm not sure I'm buying into it. Excluding pots that are not functioning properly, why replace your pots? For that matter, why replace your capacitor? I understand that different pots and caps have different values, but if I replace a functioning part with one of the same value, but of a higher build quality (or just more expensive
I'm not talking theory here - I'd like to hear whether this makes any qualitative difference.
I only change pots when they are scratchy or causing a hum problem. I wouldn't change out my audio pots for linears. changing cap values can drastically change the tone of your bass. some values allow resonant frequencies to seep through. I tried different values and kept the favorites
I would change crackly pots.
Also would try pots of different values. Probably a cheap way to get a more zingy/warm bass, depending on which direction you changed the resistance.
Also would try pots of different values. Probably a cheap way to get a more zingy/warm bass, depending on which direction you changed the resistance.
No. That was the right thing to do because it rolls off evenly from start to finish. Install one and use your ears before you jump to conclusions next time.
- Aug 5, 2005
- 7,243
- 92
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: J.C. Basses
I've been considering changing my vol pots to lin taper, just to see if I could even hear a difference.
You'll get a more even volume taper, and retain more treble as you roll off volume as well. Do it, you'll love it.
I have seen some cheap no-name pots be unreliable and sometimes they just don't feel smooth while turning. I prefer the smoother feel and the thought of having a higher quality (i.e. less likely to fail) part in my bass. There is not really a sound difference. Also, the cost difference between a cheap pot and a quality name brand pot is on a few $. I can rewire a cheap import Jazz copy with CTS pots for under $20, so it's not a huge deal to upgrade IMO.
I think the relatively low cost is what pushes lots of folks to upgrade their pots. However, talking ratios, "better" pots will run you up to 4x the price of cheaper ones, and the critical thinker in me just doesn't see the need. There are plenty of crappy pots out there, but I'd be interested to know how many perfectly good pots get discarded simply because someone wanted more "shiny newness" under the hood.
And how many people will ever see them?
I agree. I can honestly say that I have never replaced pots that didn't have a problem of some sort. However, when I did have to replace them, I chose a good quality pot and paid more than I really had to.
- Aug 5, 2005
- 7,243
- 92
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: J.C. Basses
Which pots do you recommend? Every one I find is around the $1.50 - $2.00 range, and that doesn't seem expensive enough. I'm looking for the $10.00, 25k linear taper pot.
I won't argue linear v. audio for getting "a more even volume taper," but I'm not sure I buy the "retain more treble" bit.
Lets say you've got a 250K volume pot. When the linear pot is adjusted to 200k, it will sound exactly like an audio pot adjusted to 200k. The ONLY difference is how far I had to turn the pot to get it there.
This will have absolutely no bearing on retaining treble. Please explain the flaw in my thinking here.
I replaced both the volume and tone pots of my Epi with Gibson pots of the same value (500K). The stock pots were linear taper for the volume and audio taper for the tone. The Gibson replacements are both audio taper. I will be going back to the stock Epi volume linear taper pot when I get the chance. With the audio taper volume pot you can turn the pot from "0" to about "7" with very little change in volume, then between "7" and "8" you get a big jump, and then not much change after that. Maybe it's just this pot in particular, but I don't care for it as it is all or nothing. The only real way to change the volume is to use the amp setting, which is a PITA.
