Stock pots are 500K, replacements are 250K - is this a problem?

**mikeddd** · #1 02-14-2010, 12:37 PM

I ordered a J Bass Wiring Kit from GPR. It came with 250K pots. The stock pots in my SX are 500K. Is this a problem? What difference will there be? Thank you.

Mike

javier69 · #2 02-14-2010, 12:48 PM

Basically you gonna notice a more powerfull output with 5ooK than 250k actually this is a good trick to make a cheap pick up sound a bit powerfull... if the ones tha you have are in good conditions leave them on and replace the other parts (only if the instruction don't opposite about this)

**mikeddd** · #3 02-14-2010, 01:13 PM

Well, they were all good until I messed with them. I had to resolder some connections today b/c I cut them off (was going to replace the pots but ran into a problem). Now the tone pot is scratchy. I guess I applied too much heat. The stock soldering job sucked. My half-ass repair isn't any better. Crap. Now what?

chunger · #4 02-14-2010, 04:04 PM

SX interchanges 500K and 250K pots in their basses depending on the orientation of the moon. I've taken apart about 5 of these lately, and they've had both 250K and 500K pots inside (jazz bass) randomly.

I don't think it's going to ruin anything to use the 250K as half of the factory ones are 250K.

Minuteman78 · #5 02-14-2010, 05:08 PM

Got embarrassed in church band as my volume pot was so scratchy when I tried to roll off the volume before leaving stage, got a quick look from the pastor...

Being impatient, and no music stores open nearby on Sunday, I pulled in to Radio Shack. Asked for a 250k pot to replace what I ASSUMED was the right value based on prior searches. Got a deer-in-the-headlights look. Walked out with a 100k Audio pot. Took off pickguard of P-Bass. To my surprise there was a 100k one there already (must have been a replacement. My P-Bass is a 1977. Can't be the original.)

Swapped the 100k back into the Volume - seems that the volume drops off QUICKLY to about the 50% level at ~1/6 of a turn, then to 10% at ~1/2 turn. Is this to be expected? And what if I ordered a 250k online? Would I get (a) overall more max volume? (b) same max volume, but a slower drop off based on knob position? (c) None of the above?

Thanks for any light that can be shed on Pot resistance vs. response/output/behavior...

NicJimBass · #6 02-14-2010, 05:18 PM

I believe you want you want an 'audio taper' pot, but you probably got 'linear taper' pot. As far as values are concerned, 500k seems to give a brighter sound, 250k blocks some of that high frequency, giving a darker/ warmer sound.

darkstorm · #7 02-14-2010, 07:35 PM

I prefer 250k pots myself. A little bit warmer sound to me whereas 500k pots to me are more trebly sounding.

javier69 · #8 02-14-2010, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darkstorm

I prefer 250k pots myself. A little bit warmer sound to me whereas 500k pots to me are more trebly sounding.

YEAP! You got more signal frequency going through the pot, but nothing than a good tone control can't fix...

100k pot is a good one if your bass have FULL ACTIVE PICK UPS, not goo for passive to eq bass pot or pre-amp...

BassLife77 · #9 02-14-2010, 09:54 PM

prefer 500K to get a wider tone variable. I rarely turn tone knob past halfway. if I'm using a fuzz I'll turn tone knob up to get a bright crunchy clanky sound

**mikeddd** · #10 02-15-2010, 04:40 AM

Thanks for all the input. So, if I'm reading correctly, replacing the 500k pots with 250k pots shouldn't cause any probs? I.E. huge change in output/tone? I really like the sound of the stock pups. Neck up full, bridge at about half, tone rolled down a tad...just nails a useful tone for lots of classic rock stuff for me.

Minuteman78 · #11 02-15-2010, 08:00 AM

Someone mentioned about "Active" vs Passive PUs. The Bass is a '77 Precision, and I only just replaced the Pickups last year, with what is supposed to be a 'stock' replacement. Made very very little difference in the volume or sound quality, so I'm assuming they are in the Passive category. I sometimes play through a Korg AX5B Processor, but can't at church as it just puts too much signal through their mixing board.
I do NOT like an overly bright trebly sound - I actually have Fender Medium Flatwounds on it to purposely give it a heavier sound and avoid string rasp noise. But...checked again last night and I found out the Tone Pot IS a 500k, so maybe that's why the darn thing was so bright-sounding to begin with. So I'm probably needing to go out and find the 250k Audio Tapers for both and get the soldering iron back out.
Thanks to all for comments and suggestions!