Master Volume Question?

[The Ballzz]

Hey Folks,
An odd question about Master Volumes, or actually a different way to use a pot for any level/volume control. I understand the way a standard volume pot causes variable amounts of the signal to be routed to/bled to ground for the purpose of controlling volume. What would happen and how effective would it be to simply use two lugs of a pot for a variable resistance in series, leaving ground out of the picture? Is this doable, or am I missing something? For example, what would happen in the attached schematic (in case I've not described my question correctly) , if we rewired the pot indicated by the blue arrow to be simply a variable resistor, in series, instead of connecting one lug to ground?

8cm100_schem copy.jpg

Thank You,
Gene

[sluckey]

I think you'll find that it no longer works.

BTW, a standard volume pot does not bleed anything to ground. It simply sets up a variable voltage divider and that variable voltage is taken from the wiper as the variable output.

[xtian]

I think you'll find that it no longer works.

BTW, a standard volume pot does not bleed anything to ground. It simply sets up a variable voltage divider and that variable voltage is taken from the wiper as the variable output.

Um, I'm unclear on this. Ground reference is required in a voltage divider. That voltage has to go somewhere.

[martin manning]

It’s the current that goes somewhere ;^) A voltage at the top of the pot has to generate a current flowing across the pot’s element.

[The Ballzz]

Thanks folks for your endeavors to inform a grossly uninformed ME! Please remember that while I understand safety precautions, can follow a signal and a schematic, I'm just a "paint by numbers" kind of guy. There are certain aspects of how electricity and it's associated components actually function that are still beyond my grasp. I so wish I could "ride an electron" (so to speak) from the input of an amp to it's speaker output, so that I could more fully understand. Although I've read and studied a lot and can remember the phrases, formulas and theories, the light bulb of true understanding has never come on!

At this late stage of my life, I have not the time nor patience to study, in depth, but simply want to experiment on implementing concepts, with the assistance of folks who do have the light bulb brightly lit. I do sincerely appreciate you true wizards for being willing to even converse with such a lowly ignoramus as myself. In my defense though, I have been an actively performing guitarist and touring sound engineer for most of my 63 years and so have a fairly good grasp on some of the concepts I'd like to develop, but simply don't know how to do so.

For example, I have an amplifier layout and packaging concept that I believe to be the most innovative idea to come about since the introduction of reverb to guitar amplifiers! I just don't have the knowledge or expertise to bring it to realistic fruition. I'd love nothing more than a chance to collaborate and share my idea with someone more adept than me! Obviously though, I'd prefer to not give away the whole farm, if there may be some $$$ to be made from the concept!

Thanks For Reading,
Gene