Taper of pots not good

[mrut]

I replaced the pots in my SE DGT with cts pots of the same value. I don't care for the taper. The largest change happens between 8-10. 9-10 is really noticeable. I'm not sure if it is the treble bleed network causing this or the taper of the cts pots. Any suggestions? I didn't notice this with the original Alpha pots.

The cts pots are the normal pro guitar pots with brass shaft.

 

[mrut]

I also noticed that my treble bleed has both a cap and resisitor where the PRS USA pots just come with a cap.

 

[shimmilou]

Pots come in various tapers, audio "A", linear "B", etc. CTS is just the brand, you have to specify the taper too.

 

[mrut]

They are both 500k audio pots.

 

[shimmilou]

PRS uses a "custom taper". Sounds like you might like a linear taper better.

 

[mrut]

It appears for the DGT model that it uses a 475k pot. I just ordered them from the PRS store to see if they make a difference.

 

[Dirty_Boogie]

You'd be amazed at the variance in pot values. It's not unusual to measure 20% variance, even on higher end pots from CTS and Bourns. 475K is considered "acceptable" for a 500K pot. It's strange they'd spec 475K pots on the DGT, unless they were specifically measuring every one before installing.

Also, if you're seeing such a rapid change in the last 10% of turn, I'd switch to Linear (B) taper for the volume pot. While Audio (A) taper is more common for volume controls, I've had a few guitars over the years that just seem to behave better with linear volume pots. It might be something to do with the treble bleed.

 

[mrut]

It seems really weird to me that they would use 475k pots but I saw this on the description:

Designed for surface-mounting, this potentiometer offers 475k ohm resistance and features
a 180pF capacitor type for better frequency handling. The 180pF capacitor acts as a high
pass filter removing shelved low-end, allowing high frequencies through for more clarity and musical highs as you roll the volume off. *Values specified for model specifically (applies to resistance values)
Compatible with PRS DGT

I wonder if the SEs use a different value. The ones I took out were stamped 500k but actually measured closer to 550k with a meter. Wonder if the imported pickups require a different value.

 

[SinSir]

Core or RS guitarworks are the taper I like. I used to use RS, but have since moved to PRS core. I've used them in se, s2, core, and even a couple other makers.

 

[Tone-y]

The core prs 500k pots have a taper I like too. Even got one in my Strat.

I find the treble bleed affects the taper at the other end of the scale - where the volume comes on very quickly to start. Haven't noticed anything around the full up

 

[mrut]

I put in the 475k PRS pots. They sound good and have good taper. I tried disconnecting the 1meg resistor that came tied across the outside lugs and really couldn't hear any difference, so not sue I understand why they are on there.