Alternative to 500k reverse log pot?

[demonstar]

Hi, I'm building the dist+ clone pedal from tonepad. It suggests using a 500k reverse log pot. I can't get one of these locally and don't really want to have to order it on-line. Are there any alternatives or easy ways to make one out of common pots and resistors?

Any help would be greatly appreciated; thanks!

[Mark Hammer]

Use any 50k-100k pot.  The reverse-log taper is intended to get you past the first 80-90% of the pot's resistance quickly.  You really only start to get some grit to the sound when the pot resistance value gets below 100k or so.  If you find some value in the settings where the gain is less than x3 (and some folks will), you can simply use a 500k log pot, wire it up in reverse, and label the 7:00 position as "more", and 5:00 position as "less".

Either way, it will "work" with pot values anywhere from 5k up to 1M and beyond.  All that will change with value and taper will be how easy or hard it is to dial in (and replicate time after time) the particular gain setting you want.

[rasco22862]

you only have to change the 1 and 3 legs of a 500k log pot right?

[Mark Hammer]

Yeah.

[demonstar]

Thanks you guys! You've been a great help again. I think I'll go with the linear 50k or 100k and give it ago and hopefully that should surfice. If i wanna' go cleaner I'll turn down the volume on the guitar.