Linear Pots
These pots are named linear because they increase and decrease values linearly. Therefore, the number 10 on your guitar volume knob is 100% of the possible volume, and the number 5 is 50%. What does this mean to players? Well, they’re predictable and easy to use.
Audio Taper Pots
Audio taper pots change their value in a non-linear fashion. Instead, they follow a certain logarithm. This means that the values on your guitar’s knob don’t necessarily have an exact correspondence to what you hear. This works great for players who like going from dirty to clean without having to completely twist the knob. For example, you can have a drastic drop in gain in the first three points and play a full show between 6, 8, and 10 of your volume knob. This is great for blues, rock and roll, neo-soul, and pop players who want to get more done with a single instrument.
Should Guitar Pots Be Linear or Audio Taper?
The answer to the question above depends on personal taste and performance. Now that you know the difference, you can't explore what sounds best to you and works with your playing style.
One extra tip: you can recognize them with the letter A or B next to the pot value. A for Audio Taper, B for Linear.
No-Load Pots
A no-load pot is a modified tone pot that removes itself from the circuit when turned to 10. This allows the player to hear the pickup's unfiltered sound. They function like a regular tone pot when they are turned between 1 and 9. But, when turned up to 10, the pot acts as a bypass, removing it from the circuit, producing a brighter, clearer tone, and a little more treble.
Blender Pots
Finally, let’s talk about blender pots. Let’s say you have a Stratocaster but want that great neck + bridge pickup combination that only Telecasters offer.
Well, by installing a blend pot instead of your second tone pot, you could blend in and out the neck pickup whenever you want. You won’t have the telecaster's pickups, pots and caps to mimic the exact tone, but it will give you another sonic option to play with.
But Blender Pots are not just limited to Strats. You could use them with any other pickup configuration or guitar, so let your imagination run wild.
