Posted by Jason on 4/28/2008, 12:01 pm, in reply to "OK Cork Sniffers...................."

Yup...definitely want the audio taper. Makes a huge difference. As you have experienced, the linear taper is sort of like....well...I'll let you decide.... good for the first few moments and then pretty useless the rest of the way. As for amp controls (really anything I guess) I want each potentiometer to work smoothly across the entire range. Of course, a lot of other things go into how something sounds but how you access those parameters with the controls is important. Whether we're talking EQ or something like reverb...I want a smooth sweep. In the latter case, I've seen a few amps and outboard gear where a reverb effect would go from completely off to way-too-wet after only about 2 clicks. The volume issue you noticed isn't a pleasant thing either. Potentiometers have such a dramatic effect on the operating feel of so many types of products we might take for granted. Guitars, amps, effects, girlfriends.... Slim- I'm glad to hear that you are now picky about the pot. Perhaps you can now concentrate on the value before you buy. Remember: resistance is fertile. --Previous Message-- : So I ordered this Fender Hot Rod Deluxe in : lacquered tweed with a Jensen alnico P12N in : it........ all for $549 shipped to my door : NIB........ I can't lie..... I'm stoked. So : Tuesday FedEx rolls up and I opened her up : and.... it's just as advertised...... : perfect shape and looks to die for. : So I hook her up and....... the first thing : I notice is the volume control is numbered 1 : to 12 but it sort works more like 1, 2, 10, : 11, 12........ pretty much all or nothing. : Other than that the clean channel is decent : but not great. The drive channel is another : story...... I turned it on and buzzards : started flying overhead...... that bad and : the more drive...... even the buzzards were : about to puke.......... : Now.... this is the best selling tube amp in : the world...... so how can this be....... to : the internet for some research. To solve the : volume control problem which is caused by a : linear pot when an audio taper pot should : have been used..... folks buy a volume : control box off E-bay and place it between : the preamp out and the power amp in. That : seems to solve the problem. So being fresh : out of volume control boxes I search the : closet and find a volume pedal....... and I : hook it up between the preamp and the power : amp and presto the volume issue is : history...... not only that but the tone : seems to be much better in the clean : channel........ so I take the plunge..... I : switch to the drive channel........ and it's : like a different amp. All the fizzy, raspy : distortion is gone and the buzzards start to : disperse........ it sounds pretty : decent....... I'm starting to see a plan : develop here. I think boy if that volume : pedal did all that.... I wonder what using a : compressor instead would do........ so I try : my Keeley 4 button job and suddenly...... : I've got tone for days........ I mean really : good tone like one would expect from a $2500 : amp. Perfect for blues tone......... once : again bringing that perfect sound to all the : people.......... and everybody lived happily : ever after. The End : : Slim : : : : : : : : :