A variable gain amplifier uses a geometric ladder circuit that produces a transfer function having substantially uniform steps measured in dB. Where the ladder has a plurality of substantially identical resistor rungs of a first resistance, one stile that is a conductor connecting the rungs, and another having a series of substantially identical resistors of a second resistance, then for identical inputs at different rungs, the output signal at an end of the ladder is attenuated by a number of substantially equal steps, one for each rung between input and output. For a ladder with a base rung R, an output at an end opposite the base rung, stile resistors of resistance .alpha.R, and other rungs all of resistance (1+(1/.alpha.))R, the step size is 20 log.sub.10(1+.alpha.). By using such ladders in op-amp feedback loops, chaining different stages with different values of .alpha., coarse and fine gain adjustment can be provided.