500k tone pot on a Jazz Bass? Getting a fuller tone?

I am curious about the difference 500k pots make as well.
However, I believe you need to replace all 3 with 500k, not just the tone pot.

 

My sense is it won’t give you what you want. Pot resistance impacts how pronounced the resonant frequency is (level). Higher value pots (or fewer pots) makes the peak more pronounced.

You could test the difference in pot resistance by bypassing one (or all) pots. Straight to output wiring is the brightest (as in, most pronounced resonant peak). If that does it, higher value pots (or no load pots) would do the trick.

Though what I’m hearing is a change in frequency (Not level). If you wanted to shift the peak to a lower frequency, you could do that with a small capacitor. But the shift I hear is towards higher frequency. Basically, fewer high mids (or even low treble), more treble. I think the only way to do that passively is with an inductor, like the Wilde/Bill Lawrence Q-filter setup.

Another, simpler solution would be to just try some different strings...

 

All you can do is try it. I would start by changing the vol/blend all to 500k (as this is the first place in the circuit where the treble gets bled to ground) and then change the tone pot to 500k as well if you need even more. 250k pots bleed alot of treble to ground, which some people prefer in brighter j/single coil pickups. 500k will definitely open up the top end of the pickups as much less treble will be bled to ground. Will it be better/what you want? Won't know till you try unfortunately.

 

Don't do it. I did, I switched back. I was trying to get more high end, but with singles, it's just screechy.

 

The simplest and cheapest way to open up a bass's tone is to switch to a 500K tone pot. Allows more of the frequency spectrum in the high end get to the amp. But as mentioned above, some don't care for it depending on the pickups.

 

If you bypassed the tone pot and didn't notice a change, that says something. Did you remove the tone pot fully from the circuit? A tone pot doesn't add frequencies, rather a higher value or no tone pot prevents highs from bleeding to ground.

Any tone pot with a .047 cap technically will add a resonant hump towards the lower end when almost turned down, but it's hard to detect. Some people use a .02 or .01 to move that resonant hump upwards in the frequency range. The Hamer Cruise bass used a .01 or a .02 if I recall. Very unique.

 

You definitely need to stop the treble bleed at the pickups first (change the vol/blend pots). Only changing the tone pot to 500k will just exaggerate the resonant peak you aren't liking from the 250k treble bleed at the pickups.

 

If using all 500k pots is too much, just switch the tone pot back to 250k and you should be good to go. The sound of the pickups will remain open and the 250k tone pot will just tame high-end of the overall signal.

 

All 5s

 

Ooooo, that's an idea

 

John East J-Retro Preamp.
Learn it. Live it. Love it.

 

For reference, here's my MTD Beast with Bartolini B Axis pickups and TCT preamp with 500k vol/blend knobs. Alder body and maple neck/board.

 

It is, but all the knobs are at detent and since it has an active/passive switch the vol/blend are right after the pickups like they would be in a passive setup.

 

I think strings make a huge difference - i only like certain stainless ones because I prefer bright and zingy and I can't get it from most nickels after a few days of playing. And theres a difference between the brands of steels too - I cant get on with Ernie Ball unless its the Cobalts and my faves are HiBeams or Dunlop Super Brights. And if i read this correctly you're using Elixirs.....these are the absolute worst for getting a bright snappy sound. They sound a month old and rubbery when they're new to my ears. Can't stand them. The first thing i would do is pop some Dunlop Super Brights on and see how you go...