OCD volume pot question

[Redvers]

I built a kit with a 500k volume pot. I've heard people say that the older 100k models sounded worse and 500k fixed it. The other night I played a gig with the volume up higher than usual and it sounded great, so now I'm thinking a lower value volume pot would sound great to me. Any thoughts? Maybe a 250k audio pot to compromise?

[GGBB]

I don't understand your post. You are basically saying "it sounds great, so I think if I change it it will sound great." Can you explain what sound you are after?

Also, when asking questions about a specific circuit, it is helpful to others to post a link to a schematic of the circuit. Few of us (if any) have entire circuits memorized.

[Redvers]

I think what I'm asking is, if a passive volume pot arrangement sounds better to my ears the higher up its turned, does that mean a lower value for that pot would give me more of that sound because the pot isn't loading the circuit down as much?

[GGBB]

I think what I'm asking is, if a passive volume pot arrangement sounds better to my ears the higher up its turned, does that mean a lower value for that pot would give me more of that sound because the pot isn't loading the circuit down as much?

What is "that sound?" Both are "passive." Passive is passive - lower value isn't any more passive than higher value. According to Fulltone, the higher value pot has more mids. Is that what you want? Try it - find out first hand.

[Redvers]

Yes they're both passive but the higher value pot puts more load on the circuit doesn't it? Same reason they don't put 1meg pots on everything.

[PRR]

The simple and conclusive answer is to buy a pack of pots and try them.

Pots are ratiometric and also load both sides. There is no simple answer. We can talk-test until the beer gets warm. Or 15 minutes with a hot iron (even clip-leads) will lead you to bad choices and choices that deserve careful comparison.