Logarithmic Potis

[MaVo]

As far as I know Ibanez still uses linear linear volume and tone potis, so said the german distributor. Are there plans for the future changing to logarithmic ones ?
I've replaced my linear volume poti on my JEM77BRMR with a logarithmic one and i think it's much better than a linear one, volume swells and stuff like that works much better on those, it also allows you to get some decent clean tones.
Most guitar companies already use them. Are there any plans for a change ?

heres a diagramm as an example. In the coordinate systems on the left you can see the difference. The upper one is the linear one and the lower is the logarithmic one.
The X-coordinate is the (turning) way of the poti and the Y-coordinate is the increase of the volume. Simple Math.

[timi_h]

you forget the fact that we "hear" logarythmically too hence the Decibel scale! so logarythmic pots make sense on 2 levels

[Jem#5150]

dang, i didn't know i'd find algebra in guitar...

by the looks of the charts, would the logarithmic pots have more of a volume swell towards the top of the range? cause if you look at the graph, the linear remains constant the higher the variable, but the the logarithmic would be quieter in the middle of it's range, is this a good thing?

[jb4674]

By looking at the graphs, you can certainly determine what type of pot suits you best. Personally, I think that the linear pots will give you a gradual increase and more defined as opposed to the logarithmic ones, which give you full blast from the getgo. At least that's how I'm interpreting the graphs.

Jimmy

[Drew]

Nah, I think graph A is linear, and corresponds to graph C, which I'm guessin is percieved volume...?

If so, Graph B would be logarhythmic, and chart D would be the percieved volume, which would in fact be a smoother taper.

However, it's also worth noting that it's not a true apples-to-apples comparison, since if you'll notice the X axis scale on the two graphs, C and D, is not the same - one is charted linearly, and the other is logarhythmically. Unless that's the point he's trying to make, which frankly is a bit tough to follow in his post.

Either way, I can assure you there's zero chance of a logarythmic pot appearing on the BRMR unless Vai decides he wants one. The rest of the line maybe, but the sig models are spec'd by the artist, not Ibanez.

[MaVo]

Well, I just googled the graphic. But graph "a" (linear) and "b" (logarithmic) are the ones you should concentrate on to see the difference ( see my first post for details ). You can achieve more sounds from nearly clean to more distorted by using an logarithmic poti and the volume swells are fantastic. Check out Vader - Warslords to get an impression about an logarithmic volume swell. It's sound pretty awesome.

Well since really a lot of guitar companies move to logarithmic potis, why doesn't Ibanez change ?

Of course it's not problem to exchange the potis, but why not move forward and improve the the electronic and the hardware, than colors and design.
Ibanez already managed to offer perfect instruments to everyone's wishes, why not anymore ?