Frequently asked questions

This is a custom 30% logarithmic taper used especially in guitars and audio circuits. It allows a much better control over the whole rotation of the volume or tone control than with normal taper of regular industry standard logarithmic potentiometers. Since this is so special it needs to be custom made and was to often ignored by lower cost guitar and amplifier designs. We recommend to improve your equipment by switching to CTS Vitnage Audio Taper potentiometers in the TAD custom design for best control, dependability and natural performance.

Super-Pot: aged real vintage pots often show a slightly increased resistance supporting a more vivid and crisp tone. TAD Custom Guitar-Potentiometer have a built-in slightly higher value to provide exactly this characteristic of a dignifiedly aged true vintage pot.

• 1/4" KNURLED fine 24 teeth brass shaft
• brass bushing as used with vintage Gibson Les Paul® guitars as Volume+Tone control
• 24mm "dimple" dished back cover
• including nut + washer + lock washer
• solder lug terminals for tradidional wiring
• Robust "dimple" Construction
• special low torque for smooth control (except HTQ series)
• Proprietary Anti-Static Lube
• Brass Shaft & Bushing
• Reduced Shaft Wobble
• pre-soldered rear cover for easy soldering
• Low Noise Output

• 1/4" solid brass shaft
• 3/8" brass bushing
• 24mm "dimple" dished back cover
• including nut + washer + lock washer
• solder lug terminals for tradidional wiring
• Robust "dimple" Construction
• special low torque for smooth control
• Proprietary Anti-Static Lube
• Brass Shaft & Bushing
• Reduced Shaft Wobble
• pre-soldered rear cover for easy soldering
• Low Noise Output

The HTQ series has a higher torque than our regular CTS guitar potentiometers, they are therefore somewhat less easy-running and offer added grip when rolling the pot.

TAD Premium Matching, Power tubes:

All power tubes labeled Premium Selected have passed the following tests:
- Plate Current (PC) and Amplification (TC)
- Low Noise Test
- Microphonic Test
- Sonic Tests
- Shock Tests
- Listening Tests
- Shorts & Leakage Tests
- Deep-Drive & Soak Test

Premium RT-Matching of Power Tubes:
Our Premium Matching is an exact matching of power tubes with identical Plate Current (PC) and Transconductance (TC).
Both data as well as the batch and sorting number are applied to both the box and the tube.

TAD Premium Selected tubes are guaranteed for a period of 12 months (according to terms of warranties) for the quality criteria mentioned above.

TAD Premium Matching, preamp tubes:

All preamp tubes labeled Premium Selected have passed the following tests:
- Low Noise Test
- Microphonic Test
- Gain Test
- Sonic Tests
- Shock Tests
- Listening Tests
- Balance Output Test

Premium Selected
We call the tubes SELECTED which have passed above tests and thus qualify as reliable all-round tubes of their type.Typically this is around 30-60% from a batch that receives the SELECTED label from TAD.
For applications in particularly sensitive functions such as V1 or input stage with combo amps, V1 in high-gain amps, tube microphones and phono preamps, we recommend using the respective HIGHGRADE selection

HIGHGRADE SELECTION
But only those tubes which pass these tests best are labeled Highgrades.Typically this is approx. 3-10% from a production batch that qualifies for the HIGHGRADE rating from TAD.
Due to the very high selection requirements, this article is temporarily only available to a limited extent! Please note our shop-information on availability.

Matching and Selecting Options for Preamp Tubes
Matching in Pairs for preamp tubes means that two tubes show identical gain, hence, four characteristically identical systems.
This matching method includes our Balance-Selection. We highly recommend this matching method for hi-fi systems.

TAD Premium Selected/Highgrade tubes are guaranteed for a period of 12 months (according to terms of warranties) for the quality criteria mentioned above.

TAD Standard Matching, Power Tubes:

TAD Standard Matching includes similar quality tests to TAD Premium Matching.
However, the tubes are only selected according to plate current, the maximum difference must not exceed 2.9mA, and the transconductance is not measured here.
During the plate current test, the tube is also monitored for noise with a knock test.
If the tube is stable and runs smoothly, the TAD grade number is determined according to the measured values and labeled directly during the test.
This grade number is also printed on the packaging so that the grading can be traced both on the tube box and on the tube itself. 

 TAD Standard Matching, preamp tubes:

Matching and symmetry options for preamp tubes
The pair matching for preamp tubes means that two tested tubes in a real audio circuit (cathode bias) have the same gain in each individual triode, i.e. four characteristically identical systems.
Matching in pairs includes our symmetry or balance selection (max. 10% tolerance). We recommend pair matching for hi-fi systems and for all stereo applications.

Standard testers and their test results refer to data sheets of NOS tubes. This allows for variations and often, the tubes are tested and measured on a fixed bias.
If a tube is specified with 2mA, but draw only 1mA, the tester shows an emission of only 50% and classifies the tube as “worn”.
As a matter of fact, any pre-amp tube in any application operates on an auto-bias mode which
a) balances any differences and
b) regulates the amplification to a generally high level. This amplification mode is often ignored in those tests, and if not, then it is again a fixed bias.

This discrepancy is even greater when it comes to power tubes:
Our 6L6GC-STR, for example, ranges from 20-60mA within the designated specifications.
If you took 50mA as reference, a 20mA tube would only be at 40% and consequently be classified as “worn”, although it is entirely new and fully working.

Our amp kits are designed for a mains voltage of 220/230 volts.
Both the plug type used and the technical design comply with the European standard.
Operation with other mains voltages is therefore not possible.

Without Cabinet(NC):

The “NC” stands for “No Cabinet”.
If this variant is selected, all individual parts are delivered without a wooden cabinet or speakers.

Small Part Package:

The small part kit without transformers, chassis, tubes and reverb can - ideal for your own projects or as a facelift for old amps.
Includes: eyelet boards, ceramic sockets, mounting material, potentiometers, knobs, orange drop capacitors, capacitors, carbon press resistors, resistors, pilot light, optocouplers, sockets, switches, mains cable, cloth-wire, layout + circuit diagram, parts list etc.

Incl. Cabinet:

Depending on the amp kit, different cabinets can be selected, Head or Combo.
If available, different speaker sizes can be selected for the combos, e.g. 1x12“ or 2x12”.