Question about blend pot mod.

[SquierJazz72]

I just wanted to ask a question about the mod I am planning, just so I know what to expect afterwards.

A have a low end Squier Jazz bass, still the stock wiring configuration, although I did upgrade the pots and tone cap to better quality.

I am planning soon to change the wiring configuration from volume/volume/tone to master volume/blend/ tone.

Jazz basses seem to be well known for losing a little something when both pickups are on full. I know mine does.

I am just wondering if this is a result of the way the separate volume pots interact, or if it is a result of the pickups both being on full at once.

Does anyone know if it will still do this when it only has one volume and a blend pot vs the standard two volumes.

It's fine if it does, I'm just curious.

[line6man]

A blend pot is two volume pots on the same shaft. No difference in the circuit, except that you are adding a third volume pot that drops the output impedance further.

The volume drop when pickups are in parallel is caused by having the lowest impedance load on each pickup when the volumes are both up. Rolling either volume down increases one pickup's output impedance, and thus, there is less load on the other.

[SquierJazz72]

Thanks. So overall, the behavior of the circuit, in that regard, will remain the same.

[burta]

Originally Posted by line6man

A blend pot is two volume pots on the same shaft. No difference in the circuit, except that you are adding a third volume pot that drops the output impedance further.

The volume drop when pickups are in parallel is caused by having the lowest impedance load on each pickup when the volumes are both up. Rolling either volume down increases one pickup's output impedance, and thus, there is less load on the other.

+1 - yep a slight drop. My local luthier explained in a similar fashion.

I preference on stage on 1 single volume pot and blend, set the volume once, and then play with the blend, rather than playing with 2 knobs to blend.

[SquierJazz72]

I preference on stage on 1 single volume pot and blend, set the volume once, and then play with the blend, rather than playing with 2 knobs to blend.

That's what attracted me to this mod as well. Being able to just set one volume control and then work with the blend pot and tone to adjust the actual sound. Just makes more sense to me, and I enjoy doing the mods.