IBANEZ ARTCORE TONE PROBLEM SOLVED !!!

[bwildt]

I also went the opposite direction of pot replacement and dropped in a Bartolini M34C-B. Yes, it was more expensive than changing pots, but I still have standard value pots in case I want to do some further pickup modding. However, I don't think I will. I like the Bart.

 

[Eilif]

If you've got the Bart in there, I don't think any pot selection would make your bass sound better with the stock pickup.

I no longer have the Cassady'ed Artcore.
Nice bass, but it just wasn't getting any play and the drop-off still annoyed me (though it was much improved) so it became a victim of my downsizing.

 

[Bassamatic]

POTS!! In case anyone is looking - https://www.amazon.com/uxcell®-Silv..._rd_t=40701&psc=1&refRID=M3P5JCK9CPXH5CHP6T8V

It is 6 pots - you could re-sell them to others if you want.

 

[Skillet]

Yep, the question is, is the threaded part of the shaft long enough to get through the top. Those look like the ones I got that didn't make it.

 

[Haysfordays]

Hi! This thread is awesome and old, but I'm here to possibly thicken the pot? I haven't done the mod yet, but was playing around on the bass with the tone off and I pulled the volume down to around 8-9. BOOM!! All the mid honk was gone and what was there were big lows and very smooth mids. So, I started playing around with different combinations. i have it going direct into a UAD Neve 1073 pre with the eq set as shown on photo. I cannot believe how it responds to volume differences. I was going to do the mod but now I'm not so sure. It has become 2 basses in one. Almost like how Peavey has the T-60 guitar set up. Although the tone and volume full on is a little too honky and undefined for me still.But it's definitely aggressive. Anyone else find this to be the case? Am I just stating the obvious? Is the volume really a single/humbucker selector???

 

[Bassamatic]

Since your bass is not yet modified, the difference you hear is the change in loading of the pickup as you turn the pots. This should not happen if the pot values are correct - the loading should stay roughly consistent.
when the values are wrong, the pot resistance and the inductance of the pickup and the tone cap all form unintended filters that affect your sound. That is why it is not consistent.

And NO it is not a single/humbucker selector - it is just a pot that has too much influence on the sound quality as well as the level.

 

[Haysfordays]

Excellent! Thanks so much for this reply. So, post-mod, does it more resemble the full volume tone profile? Or the smoother slightly rolled off one? And let me add, this bass is such an enigma! haha

 

[Bassamatic]

Sorry - That is beyond my memory range! What I can tell you is that post mod the tone and volume work properly. Maybe contact one of the others that has done this recently and they can tell you.
Good luck!

 

[sdgrfan]

So, post-mod, does it more resemble the full volume tone profile? Or the smoother slightly rolled off one?

I've modified 3 of these AGB140s now. I've not noticed any change in overall volume with the mod. And though I would say that the mod seems to be more of a treble cut than anything else, it still doesn't have the full effect of a typical tone control found on other passive basses. It certainly doesn't have the effect found on active basses where treble/mid/bass can be boosted or cut. But it is a great "low cost fix" to the ABG140s' OEM setup. My opinion only.

 

[Bassamatic]

Congrats on spreading the fix! the mod should not change the volume level, just make it work more smoothly.

You cannot get any boost from a passive tone control. You need an active preamp for that. All you can do is set some roll-off of the high frequencies like all passive basses.

 

[sdgrfan]

POTS!! In case anyone is looking - https://www.amazon.com/uxcell®-Silver-Metal-Split-Potentiometer/dp/B00J2N4IUO/ref=pd_rhf_cr_s_vtp_ses_clicks_1_6?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00J2N4IUO&pd_rd_r=4b1a1179-fbad-41a1-9f02-9340ad1208bf&pd_rd_w=XhBzO&pd_rd_wg=7jKEY&pf_rd_i=desktop-rhf&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=05d75987-58ed-4d36-bbfa-515cd87e4ee3&pf_rd_r=M3P5JCK9CPXH5CHP6T8V&pf_rd_s=desktop-rhf&pf_rd_t=40701&psc=1&refRID=M3P5JCK9CPXH5CHP6T8V

It is 6 pots - you could re-sell them to others if you want.

I have another one of these Artcores to modify, Bassamatic, and, like Skillet, I found that these particular pots do not have long enough shafts. Even after breaking off the position nib (to give more clearance), the nut barely gets enough bite. There sure is not room to put a tooth washer on the inside (to keep the pot from spinning) and the thin washer on the outside. So I would not recommend these particular pots. My old supplier for these pots no longer carries these values, so I'm not sure what I'm going to do yet. I want to mod this bass, but I'm not sure I want to route the top of this bass so that I can use these pots with the nuts getting more bite.

 

[Bassamatic]

Hi sddrfan - I see your point. We need a bushing length of around 1/2", I think to clear everything. I sure wish I remember where I got my 50K pots. I see someone in a earlier post got them at Guitar Fetish. We need to check all the usual suspects = StewMac, WD Music, Guitar Parts Resource, Mojotone, Link Removed, etc.

This pot from Mouser looks like it will work - Link Removed

Maybe no washer on the inside if it is too close.

Good Luck!

 

[sdgrfan]

Yeah, the original busing length is 3/8" or around 18mm. I've ordered some AllParts EP-0282-000. I'll let you know how they work out.

 

[sdgrfan]

So I got the All Parts pots in (EP-0282-00) and they fit well. The shaft was long enough, they are the right value, and the only thing I had to do was to make the holes in the bass just a bit larger. It was such a small amount that I didn't want to risk a drill. I just used a flat blade screwdriver and reamed the holes out a bit. As those of us following this thread know, this mod helps the Tone control to work oh-so-much better. No increase in output volume, but I do think the volume control is smoother now.

 

[Bassamatic]

Congratulations!! There is no reason for greater output - just a proper curve and frequency response from the pots now.

Enjoy, and thanks for the info on the right pots!

 

[Keger Jupit]

WOW! I am really pleased that my fix is continuing to help AGB owners! Every time I see one for sale, I wonder if it is because it is this same problem.

Congrats on fixing it yourself.

Hey @Bassamatic thanks for starting this so many moons ago! I found an AGB140-TBR-12-01 at a local GC. I liked it, but was underwhelmed. I discovered this thread this morning, & I think I'll go buy the thing now!! I haven't had a hollowbody since I sold my EB-2C years ago. This little AGB rekindled the hollowbody love.

 

[Bassamatic]

Looking forward to your good news! Strings are important on the AGB, so be sure to try a couple different types for best results.

 

[Keger Jupit]

Looking forward to your good news! Strings are important on the AGB

Interesting...I normally prefer RW Elixir nickels. Any suggestions? I'd love to get your take. Thanks again!

 

[Jscriv]

This thread is awesome. Love the bass but not the plugged in sound. Sound alike in going to be ordering some pots

 

[Bassamatic]

Kager - the Elixirs are great - love the sound and feel - but the end result is so different on different instruments. Good luck!

Jscriv - The difference will be amazing. Congrats.