ESP bass w/ blend pot error

armywalaby · #1 09-22-2011, 12:14 PM

I've had this bass for a while, and I'm to the point where I have to fix this or get rid of it. There are no competent repair centers around here; nobody does their own electronic work.

The bass is an ESP C-305. Here's the spec sheet.
c-305

Here's the wiring guide for the pickups from EMG.
http://www.emgpickups.com/content/wi...Z-35-40-45.pdf

I don't see anything on the diagram that talks about blend or eq pots, which I have both of. I need some light shed on this one. Thanks, TB.

**line6man** · #2 09-22-2011, 12:21 PM

You've listed the spec sheet for the pickups, not the preamp.

armywalaby · #3 09-22-2011, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by line6man

You've listed the spec sheet for the pickups, not the preamp.

Aha.....

armywalaby · #4 09-22-2011, 12:25 PM

Here it is. It's a download link.

DaZombieWoof · #5 09-22-2011, 12:32 PM

You won't see it on the HZ sheets. http://www.emgpickups.com/content/wi...0230-0204b.pdf might help you some. Try emailing EMG customer service regarding the B-64 circuit in there which is an OEM product EMG produces to install in basses. Their commercially available BTC or BTS systems have volume, balance, bass, and treble setups which should give you a clue as they are at least kin to what you have.

walterw · #6 09-22-2011, 07:23 PM

so what's wrong with it?

armywalaby · #7 09-23-2011, 09:16 PM

My neck pickup is louder than my bridge pickup. I figured it was a bad connection somewhere so I was going to check them all, but I wanted to study a diagram of the configuration first.

walterw · #8 09-23-2011, 09:45 PM

Oh, that's normal, unless you raise the bridge pickup closer to the strings and drop the neck pickup.

**line6man** · #9 09-23-2011, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by armywalaby

My neck pickup is louder than my bridge pickup. I figured it was a bad connection somewhere so I was going to check them all, but I wanted to study a diagram of the configuration first.

First off, that is not a wiring issue.

Second, that sounds normal. The bridge pickup should have a lower output than the neck, unless it's overwound by comparison, since there is less string movement toward the bridge for the pickup to pick up.

armywalaby · #10 09-23-2011, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by line6man

First off, that is not a wiring issue.

Second, that sounds normal. The bridge pickup should have a lower output than the neck, unless it's overwound by comparison, since there is less string movement toward the bridge for the pickup to pick up.

That makes sense. The difference is noticeable, though. I have to roll it forward to get it to match the same level of another bass that I have with the same pickups and configuration.

walterw · #11 09-23-2011, 10:36 PM

Compare the actual height of each pickup relative to the strings.

KurtInTheDirt · #12 09-23-2011, 11:23 PM

If you are looking for a more complete diagram, the one for the EMG BQS System is fairly clear. http://www.emgpickups.com/content/wi...0230-0216J.pdf

SGD Lutherie · #13 09-24-2011, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by armywalaby

That makes sense. The difference is noticeable, though. I have to roll it forward to get it to match the same level of another bass that I have with the same pickups and configuration.

It all depends on how they make the pickups. A lot of pickup makers make the bridge pickup hotter to compensate, some don't. I wind my bridge pickups hotter the the necks just for this reason.

You can try lowering the neck pickup away from the strings a bit, and keep the bridge closer.

It's common to not have the center detent on a blend to be a 50/50 mix. Sometimes you have to move it slightly towards the bridge pickup.