What pots for quarter pounders?

pattyløve · #1 07-27-2011, 06:32 PM

Hi all,
I've just ordered myself a PJ set of duncan quarter pounders and I'm looking to get better quality pots for when i install them. Im just not too sure which value i should go for.
I currently run V/V/T in the bass however i will change it to master volume, tone and 3 way switch. At the moment all three pots are 500k but the sound can be a little jangly and grindy for my liking; i usually run the tone pot about half way down (but occasionally all the way up if i want to record some overdrive or something).

So i'm leaning towards two 250k pots but im afraid that once i put them in, there will be too much of a loss in highs. Will i miss that upper end? Or will it be perfect seeing as i usually turn down the tone with my 500k's? (especially considering that QP's tend to be treble-y)

**line6man** · #2 07-27-2011, 08:39 PM

Two 500k volumes is the same as one 250k volume. You're only changing the tone pot's value.

Assuming you have an audio taper, roll your tone pot down about a fifth. This is what a 250k tone will sound like, turned all the way up.

pattyløve · #3 07-29-2011, 12:00 AM

Thanks line6man. Although, not to sound ungrateful, but i was moreso curious as to which pots would better suit the quarter pounders. For those who run qp's, would you recommend 250k or 500k? Also, what are the 2 pots usually in a typical precision bass?

**line6man** · #4 07-29-2011, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pattyløve

Thanks line6man. Although, not to sound ungrateful, but i was moreso curious as to which pots would better suit the quarter pounders. For those who run qp's, would you recommend 250k or 500k? Also, what are the 2 pots usually in a typical precision bass?

P basses traditionally have two 250k pots.

madmatt · #5 07-29-2011, 01:16 AM

I would go 250K also.

Collider · #6 07-29-2011, 03:41 PM

I changed to 500k pots for both volume and tone in my P-bass and gained a lot of clarity. Works for me but obviously everyone wants different things out of their tone.

Another case of you won't know for sure until you try it.

mmbongo · #7 07-29-2011, 06:58 PM

I use quarter pounders and with 250k it sounded like a wet blanket was in front of the speakers. 500k delivered much more clarity and punch. 250k was way too muddy for these pickups.

walterw · #8 07-29-2011, 08:01 PM

500ks for me, too (there's a lot of wire wound onto those QPs).

that you can roll back the tone a pinch to get a "normal" sound is a plus, you then have the choice of down for mellow/vintage, up for grindy/aggressive. who needs active EQ?

pbass888 · #9 07-30-2011, 08:36 AM

I just got a bass from a fellow tb'er and it had qp's ( jazz ). This thread is helpful ! If the bass sounds really good already any reason to change to 500k pots ?
Thanks and great thread!

pattyløve · #10 08-02-2011, 08:36 AM

Man, i was set on getting 250k's seeing as its typical on a pbass and quarter pounders have a really strong treble.. but these comments have me thinking otherwise. Is there still a lot of top end for those who have tried qp's + 250k? Do you guys highly recommend the 500's?

What about one 500k and one 250k? Does this setup fare well? Would i make the tone knob or volume knob the 500k?

walterw · #11 08-02-2011, 08:55 PM

try the 500ks in both spots first, and just work the tone knob.

the QP's big magnets may give it more treble, but the whole bunch of wire wrapped on there makes it sensitive to loading, losing treble with lower impedance pots.