Kohms in Pots

ColinGWood · #1 03-24-2010, 10:23 AM

Hey guys, Im going to tackle a wiring project on my Ibanez that I've been thinking some time about.

anything active's gotta go, this means I'm taking out the pre amp, the "style sweep" knob, and also the blend knob, which has caused my the biggest keester pains of all.

My kvestion is...

I am losing the ability to boost los or his by taking out the 2 band EQ of the pre amp... I am not worried about the tone of the pickups without the pre amp, but I am sort of worried about the inability to boost the output level.

Am I better off getting a 250k volume pot than a 500k volume pot? It has less resistance and therefore my signal will be hotter, correct?

If the pickups seem too "tame" i could use something like an EHX line booster to get my volume up right?

Hopefully that made sense, I'm still in Music Electronics Pre School! Thanks guys (and gals)

**line6man** · #2 03-24-2010, 10:32 AM

It's the other way around. Less resistance means more signal is diverted to ground, and thus, less output/treble.

500K pots will be hotter/brighter than 250K pots.

ColinGWood · #3 03-24-2010, 10:34 AM

I have humbuckers, too... I just read that the rule of thumb is 500k for buckers, so I guess that's the way I'm goin

Bootzilla · #4 03-24-2010, 10:41 AM

I see no reason in higher output from your bass. By turning up the gain/volume of your amp you should be able to get the desired volume. If that doesn't work you should get a better amp or more speakers. If the amp doesn't have a gain control and only one volume you could indeed use an EHX line booster but I don't think you will need it.

Edit: The 500K for buckers is more a guitar thing. I would go with the rule that always works: Higher resistance = more treble (and a bit more volume).

**line6man** · #5 03-24-2010, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ColinGWood

I have humbuckers, too... I just read that the rule of thumb is 500k for buckers, so I guess that's the way I'm goin

Well, it's a general rule of thumb, but not by any means the rule. It's all a personal preference.

I like 500K pots on everything.

250K pots can be favorable on single coils to the tame high end a bit, but humbuckers are generally warmer, so it's desirable to preserve their tone without attenuating the treble, and a higher output is generally the goal of humbucker equipped instruments.

ColinGWood · #6 03-24-2010, 10:46 AM

my amp is suitable, I don't think the volume thing will be a big issue.

I think you answered my question though, I may go for the 250ks because I don't necesarily want a bright, trebly tone. I want a dark tone good for blues rock and hardcore

What I am worried about is not so muc the volume or lack of gain, but just thinness of tone. Should I plan to add a tone pot just in case? This would at least save me some versatility of tone. I just don't really think I understand the capacitator deal.

**line6man** · #7 03-24-2010, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ColinGWood

What I am worried about is not so muc the volume or lack of gain, but just thinness of tone. Should I plan to add a tone pot just in case? This would at least save me some versatility of tone. I just don't really think I understand the capacitator deal.

What don't you understand about capacitors?

You might like a 0.1uF capacitor if you want a darker tone.

ColinGWood · #8 03-24-2010, 10:02 PM

Which would be a good one from AllParts?

http://www.allparts.com/Capacitors-E...show=20&page=1

one of the local shops is an allparts dealer and they said they're making an order in a couple days. Which capacitor should I go with for two soapbars? I don't mean I want a TOTALLY dark tone, just not too thin.

I won't be playing any intricate fingerstyle solos, that's for damm sure, I just want a very present, classic sounding tone

**line6man** · #9 03-24-2010, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ColinGWood

Which would be a good one from AllParts?

http://www.allparts.com/Capacitors-E...show=20&page=1

one of the local shops is an allparts dealer and they said they're making an order in a couple days. Which capacitor should I go with for two soapbars? I don't mean I want a TOTALLY dark tone, just not too thin.

I won't be playing any intricate fingerstyle solos, that's for damm sure, I just want a very present, classic sounding tone

Well, 0.047uF is the standard for most basses.
0.1uF is darker.

Tonally, the type of capacitor makes no difference, but OTOH, the tolerances on those cheap ceramic capacitors can be all over the place.
I like Orange Drop capacitors personally.