I know that pots are variable resistors but at what position is the pot "off", where the signal is in it's natural state? If you have the neck pickup tone knob at 10 is that the actual signal coming from the pickups and you take away from the signal by lowering the knob? Or is it the other way where 0 is the original signal and you "add" to it by increasing the tone knob.

Also, when it comes to amps there are some that do not have a Mid knob. Does that equate to the Midrange of the amp to being at 0 or 10 or is the midrange set in the circuitry and then vary from amp to amp?

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Tune Low, Play Hard & Floor it!

The only pots that do not color the tone or alter the volume in even a small way are the "No Load" pots marketed by Fender and others. Think of the 10 setting as a true bypass to borrow a tired analogy. Some will say that adding the circuit will still alter the sound, but it's most likely so negligible the human ear won't detect the difference between a no load pot and direct wiring.

On amps, you are correct; the circuitry alters the frequency response and the EQ knobs compensate the tone to listener's taste. The mid-point of the knob is typically equivalent to a flat EQ setting. Tone is in the mind of the listener; the part that makes it the most subjective component of all the parts (fingers, wood, tubes, etc...) This is what necessitates equalizers - they give us the ability to shape the tone to our liking.

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60th Anniversary AD Strat, Deluxe Nashville Tele, Player's P Bass. Mesa/Boogie Mk IV combo, Marshall JCM800, 1960A cab, Genz Benz El Diablo 60, Genz 2x12" cab, too many neat little practice amps and kit projects!

The simple answer is that with a normal pot, there is no setting that is equivalent to no tone control at all. You will get closest to this condition with the tone knob on 10, but it won't be quite the same.

I know the component will alter the tone even if it is off. I just wanted to know which is the closest to it being shorted out... so 10 is the answer. Thanks guys.

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Tune Low, Play Hard & Floor it!