Bassballs surgery

[syciprider]

Hi everyone, after writing it off a long time ago, I gave the Bassballs another shot (risk free with Gee Cee). There seems to be a substantial difference in sound and response between the Russian ones and the Nano ones because the Nano actually works with my Stingray. It sounds like a phaser swept Bass Synth Wah and is real funky!

Anyhoo, this thread is about those two little pots inside the BB (yes the Nano has them also) marked 200Hz and 800 Hz. I like the sound I am getting so I probably don't have to mess with the pots but it's like an itch that I have to scratch you know?

Is there a method to this tweaking or do I just turn until I like what I hear? Are the pots interactive where the setting of one has an effect on how the other will react?

Thanks.

[niftydog]

Mark the pots with a permanent marker so you can restore the factory setting, then tweak until your fingers fall off. You can't go wrong. If the circuit in the nano is exactly like the old schematic available on the net, there will possibly be some interaction.

[syciprider]

What exactly do they do BTW? Do they boost and cut the marked freqs?

[andvari7]

It is inaccurate for me to state that my Russian Bassballs is giving me problems, because I have yet to actually get the damn thing to make any sort of different sound. I'm irritated with myself more than anything else - I plunked down $70 that I didn't have on a pedal I don't use.

I'm about ready to shell out $15, send it to New York, and get it fixed by EHX. Of course, I'll try the trim pot thing, since I just found them.

[syciprider]

Originally Posted by andvari7

It is inaccurate for me to state that my Russian Bassballs is giving me problems, because I have yet to actually get the damn thing to make any sort of different sound.

This was my Russian BB experience also

[andvari7]

What was your solution? I can't take advantage of GC's return policy, for two reasons:
1. I did not purchase it at GC.
2. I bought it back in April or May of '07. Right after my Smallstone, IIRC.

I am SO hoping that this pot thing will work.

[syciprider]

Nothing. I sold the durned thing.

[niftydog]

Originally Posted by syciprider

What exactly do they do BTW? Do they boost and cut the marked freqs?

Looking at the scheme I'd say they alter the sensitivity of each filter to the envelope signal.

[The Lurker]

Originally Posted by niftydog

Looking at the scheme I'd say they alter the sensitivity of each filter to the envelope signal.

nope, it's the central frequency of the filter. The one big knob governs the sensitivity, as well acting as gain for the disto.

[Flaggus]

I posted a little while back on this.

It's totally worth it to experiment with those trim pots. I marked their original location with a pencil on the inside of the casing. Then started tweaking the pots a 1/8 a turn. Making sure to unplug the power between tweaks. I found a much better sound that what they were set up from the factory (for me and my warwick at least).

I'm not sure they alter the central frequency, because why would they be marked 200/800hz then? Perhaps the Q of the sweep or the range. Either way, it's worth it.

[bassman1185]

I think that there is some guy in France that sells modded BassBalls with extended pots and knobs that allow you to adjust them without opening up the case.

[andvari7]

I envy you, and your ability to get a sound out of the effect without the distortion on. I've tried the pot thing, and it didn't work. There are now two solutions: 1. Send it to EHX, and hope they can make it right, or 2. Sell it, get a Nano Bassballs instead, and go through this crap again.

Either way, I know not to buy future pedals without submitting them to a battery of (jack)acid tests, like I did with my BMS. And, I know not to buy any more Russian-made EHX stuff (partially because I already have the other two pedals).

[niftydog]

Originally Posted by The Lurker

nope, it's the central frequency of the filter. The one big knob governs the sensitivity, as well acting as gain for the disto.

That's the common belief, but I'm not so sure. Have you analysed the circuit yourself or are you just going by something you've read on the internet?

If you look at the scheme, all the trimpots do is alter the amount of the rectified signal (envelope) that feeds the base of the transistors in the filter section.

[XXL]

I did my surgery and it was successful. Id love to mod it and add chicken head knobs to the outside like Jesus Tequilas.

My initial thought was to just drill some holes on the faceplate, add some knobs to the trimpots, but are things ever that easy?

[niftydog]

Adding knobs to trimpots sounds like a disaster waiting to happen. Just replace the trimmers with regular pots of the same type and value. Or, just make holes and adjust them with a screwdriver!

[The Lurker]

Originally Posted by niftydog

That's the common belief, but I'm not so sure. Have you analysed the circuit yourself or are you just going by something you've read on the internet?

If you look at the scheme, all the trimpots do is alter the amount of the rectified signal (envelope) that feeds the base of the transistors in the filter section.

as a matter of fact, I heard it from Basstyra, who has done this mod himself.....

I'm useless at analyzing circuits.... all I do is plug them in and complain when I don't like the sound.

[niftydog]

hmmm. Yeah, like me he probably reads it everywhere, but I'm not convinced it's true. Anywho... all that matters is

[syciprider]

Originally Posted by niftydog

just make holes and adjust them with a screwdriver!

Makes sense. And the new light alloy Nano case probably makes drilling holes a breeze (and a danger )

[wazzel]

I am looking to tweat my nano bassballs. What do the trip pots do? Will it be a noticable change.

[niftydog]

Didn't you read this thread? There was a little debate going on about what the trimpots do. It will definitely be noticeable.