Pots and Caps for a '62 P-Bass project

bass_steak · #1 05-13-2011, 02:29 PM

Hey y'all,

I'm currently assembling a project bass made to be a replica of a '62 Precision bass and I was wondering if both pots were CTS 250K or if the volume was 500K?

Also, was the stock capacitor a .1uf? What voltage and where can I find a vintage one?

Thanks

Mark

dune2k · #2 05-13-2011, 02:33 PM

Hi,
I think the '62 Precision used a 50nF cap. Use a 47nF one instead. Voltage rating doesn't matter since a passive bass produces less than 1V.
In theorey you shouldn't hear a difference between a "vintage" cap and a newer one, if you matched their value (caps have a tolerance of 5-20%).

**line6man** · #3 05-13-2011, 02:42 PM

Voltage rating is irrelevant in this application.

Why do you want a vintage cap?

bass_steak · #4 05-13-2011, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dune2k

Hi,
I think the '62 Precision used a 50nF cap. Use a 47nF one instead. Voltage rating doesn't matter since a passive bass produces less than 1V.
In theorey you shouldn't hear a difference between a "vintage" cap and a newer one, if you matched their value (caps have a tolerance of 5-20%).

Thanks dune2k.

And based on this schematic I just found, you're correct in that it seems to say that they installed any pot between 50 and .1 if I read it correctly.

Why are you suggesting the 47 exactly? Is there a significant difference on the sound between the values?

bass_steak · #5 05-13-2011, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by line6man

Voltage rating is irrelevant in this application.

Why do you want a vintage cap?

Cause I thought it would make a difference. I guess you're telling me it doesn't matter?

**line6man** · #6 05-13-2011, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bass_steak

Cause I thought it would make a difference. I guess you're telling me it doesn't matter?

It would depend on how badly the cap has degraded.

**line6man** · #7 05-13-2011, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bass_steak

Thanks dune2k.

And based on this schematic I just found, you're correct in that it seems to say that they installed any pot between 50 and .1 if I read it correctly.

Why are you suggesting the 47 exactly? Is there a significant difference on the sound between the values?

There should be no difference between 0.047uF and 0.05uF. Remember that manufacturing tolerances allow capacitors to stray by 1% to 80%, depending on the composition and quality.