Why do my pickups not turn off when pot is turned down?

[Jody Robinson]

I just bought a new bass that has just 2 volumes for the p and the j pickups. when I turn the volume down, they sound like a duller version of the full up tone but dont turn off?! what gives?

[Jools4001]

Sounds like they're tone controls not volume

[line6man]

Is the third terminal of the pot properly grounded?

When a volume control is turned all the way down, the signal is directly connected to ground at 0 ohms. This means that no signal can get through unless the pot isn't properly grounded.

[Jody Robinson]

That could be it! the 3rd terminals were not soldered to anything!
Its a Squier Frank Bello by the way...
Also, the pots say 500k on them! maybe the previous owner was monkeying around?

[line6man]

Originally Posted by Jody Robinson

That could be it! the 3rd terminals were not soldered to anything!
Its a Squier Frank Bello by the way...
Also, the pots say 500k on them! maybe the previous owner was monkeying around?

That's your problem...
I'm nearly certain of it.

I thought 500K pots were stock on Squiers? or did they switch back to using 250Ks?

If they are too hot/bright for you, you can put in 250Ks.

[Jody Robinson]

Thank you for the quick response! I'll get out the ole soldering iron and let you know what happens!

[Jody Robinson]

Wow! wired it up exactly like the diagram on the seymore duncan site, and VIOLA!

Perfect! no more buzz, and the controls work the way they should!
Whoever wired it up before was completely blacked out drunk, because it a sooo backwards! lol

Thanx to all who gave advise!

[dudeonthebass]

What diagram did you use ? i recently re wired my cheapy j bass, and the bridge pickup when turned all the way down still makes a noise. I heard that it can be a cold solder, but i have tried and tried soldering the ground lugs and wires again, and still the same problem !