Can "On/Off" switch replace Volume pot?

[Buzz Fluhart]

Do pickups on a bass need a Volume Control pot? I have an unusual-shaped bass that has only a Volume Control (No Tone), and it is positioned on the underside of the body. When I play it, the shaft rubs against my upper leg and the Control gets turned down and eventually Off. I have to keep turning up the Vol. every 30 seconds, so I am wondering...since I Never use the Vol. Control anyway... if I can replace the pot with an "On/Off" switch? This would solve my problem, but can it be done?
My Thanks and Gratitude to anyone who can shed some light on my inquiry.

[phillipmorephil]

I'm certain it can, a la Jaguar basses. I'd keep a passive tone in there, at least. dunno where schematics would be, if they're even necessary.

[line6man]

Yes, you can just replace the volume pot with a DPDT or SPDT switch.
I would put in a fixed resistor to give you the loading effect of the pot on full rather than the direct to jack sound.

[bongomania]

Or both--I happen to really like the direct to jack sound, so it would be easy enough to put in a three-way switch: on "direct", on "loaded", and off.

[line6man]

Originally Posted by bongomania

Or both--I happen to really like the direct to jack sound, so it would be easy enough to put in a three-way switch: on "direct", on "loaded", and off.

Yep, you could do that as well.

Except the order would have to be:
Loaded-Direct-Off

[utterhack]

depends on the switch you use -- you can get all kinds of weird switching patterns different industrial applications if you look around enough. I'd go with something easily available though [like line 6 man's description which would come from on-off-on....which is really really common]
it's just not a switch you are going to use constantly during performance so switching 'under fire' is not a huge concern - so i think you'll get used to whatever pattern and to be honest you'll probably wind up using just one of the modes after you dial it in

some guitar players call that a "blower" switch

pedal steel guys do the mode so that a passive volume pedal (which they pretty much ride as part of the PS sound) will 'take the place of' the onboard volume in terms of the loading/voicing -- so if you wind up using a volume pedal, or anticipating using one, the dual mode could be a good idea so that you have decently consistent voicing between no vol pedal (loaded mode on the bass) and vol pedal (direct on the bass with the passive volume pedal doing the loading)

[Buzz Fluhart]

Phillipmorephil, Line6man, Bongomania, & Utterhack: Thanks a Million, Guys. You all answered my inquiry with excellent information and I really appreciate your professionalism. I should have known to come to TalkBass first, anyway....this is where the Experts hang-out. Thanks again, Fellows....you're the Best !!