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1978 Precision Pots? Don´t think so.

#5
30yobass said:
Well... the thing is that last month he was selling them for 100 bucks :thumbsup:
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Beat up old pots are pretty much only valued by cork sniffers in the musical instrument industry, that insist upon vintage correctness. If they came from anything other than a bass, they would probably be tossed in the trash. Unless you are trying to restore a vintage instrument to fetch top dollar on the used market, you would be better served by new pots, a quality capacitor, and a clean wiring job.
 
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#7
line6man said:
Beat up old pots are pretty much only valued by cork sniffers in the musical instrument industry, that insist upon vintage correctness. If they came from anything other than a bass, they would probably be tossed in the trash. Unless you are trying to restore a vintage instrument to fetch top dollar on the used market, you would be better served by new pots, a quality capacitor, and a clean wiring job.
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Exactly this. Perfectly stated.

To take it to the next pevel.....

What is so special about pots from 1978?

Does anyone here think that if they were to put them in a 2005 P bass it would sound better?

I wouldn't give to 9 dollars for them if they were legit.

Pots are nothing more than variable resistors. They were meant to wear out and be changed. Sure, some are "better" in quality than others. But if you buy into "vintage pots are better" I have a jug of vintage water you may be interested in. It is from way before CBS bought out out local water company and ruined them.
 
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#8
two fingers said:
What is so special about pots from 1978?
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That's what I have always wondered. The big factor for me, in any case, is that most people are oblivious to the fact that pots have a tolerance rating. 20% on a 250k pot means that it could actually be anywhere in between 200k and 300k. What is the "1978 vintage value?" Is it 237k? 263k? 219k? The seller did not even bother to post measurements, so how do I know if it is 1978-enough for my bass? Every bass manufactured back then would sound different!
 
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#13
People buy period correct parts all the time to restore vintage guitars, cars, guns, and almost any antiques or collectibles out there.. nothing new here. These pots sell not because they're "better" than new pots, it's because people value originality. Same reason people keep the original P/Us, bridges, etc.. when they change them out - for the resale value. I have a drawer full of old pots.. some test just as good as brand new pots (which often aren't all that consistent either), and some don't.

I can make out a "7802" in the pot on the left in the 2nd pic. The other code is covered by solder. So at least one of the pots is from '78.

line6man said:
Unless you are trying to restore a vintage instrument to fetch top dollar on the used market, you would be better served by new pots, a quality capacitor, and a clean wiring job.
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Yes, the only reason people would buy these pots is if they're interested in restoring a vintage instrument. I've sold lots of old pots and other parts, but never to someone not restoring something.
 
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#15
There is only one reason to replace pots with original vintage pots: to verify the date of the instrument from the pot code. Of course, many people believe that non-vintage pots on a vintage instrument decreases value. Who cares? A $1500 instrument is now worth $1400-$1450. Not a huge difference.
 
#16
The seller put the date code in the listing. It is 137-7802. Which means they are CTS pots from the second week of 1978. So if that is the case then they are legit. Whether or not you want to pay $50 is up to you. I would only consider it if I were replacing pots in a '78 bass and wanted to keep it period correct.
 
#19
SlimNeck said:
My original 78' pots doesn't look like that. Mine has plastic shafts among some other things. However, I've installed new good quality replacements. I'm saving the old ones in case a future buyer would care. I don't, they're just old worn pots after all.
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Ditto. I have two 78 P basses, both have the solid nylon shaft pots with set screw knobs. My 78 jazz on the other hand has pots like these IIRC.

I had to replace the volume pot on one of my P basses, kept the original in case I ever decide to sell it and the buyer wants the original parts. Might even consider a period correct replacement at some point for reasons others have stated.
 

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