Need help with replacement blend pot for Ibanez SR1825

[Pat C.]

Stating up front that I'm completely electronics ignorant.

The blend pot on my SR1825 has started going wonky. Signal cutting out when panning, intermittent function, etc. I brought it to my local shop and they ordered a replacement. They just called to tell me it has to be ordered from Japan and won't be in until June.

I'm a professional bassist and this is my main gigging bass, so obviously that's not going to work.

So here I am, looking for another source. The pot is labeled 'A500k'. I've found some 500k pots at Partsexpress and a few other sites, how do I know what will fit my bass?

 

[Passinwind]

Stating up front that I'm completely electronics ignorant.

The blend pot on my SR1825 has started going wonky. Signal cutting out when panning, intermittent function, etc. I brought it to my local shop and they ordered a replacement. They just called to tell me it has to be ordered from Japan and won't be in until June.

I'm a professional bassist and this is my main gigging bass, so obviously that's not going to work.

So here I am, looking for another source. The pot is labeled 'A500k'. I've found some 500k pots at Partsexpress and a few other sites, how do I know what will fit my bass?

If it's actually a dual pot (likely), then you'll need to look at the labeling on the other section as well. Typically it would be a C500K, reverse audio taper. If so, you need a 500K AC blend pot. Then you need to measure the threaded section of the bushing for both diameter and length. If you can't readily find a 500K AC pot, a 500K MN one will behave a little differently but work fine.

Now you will have to deal with the little circuit board the pot's attached to. This is time for a real tech to step in, IMO and IME.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

If it's using 500K Ohm pots it's probably not directly connected to the pre-amp. The volume pot would be sending signal to the pre-amp.
I was able to get volume pots from the local Ibanez dealer in a week.

If your local Ibanez dealer can't get you the blend pot, ask for a volume pot instead & just make it Volume/Volume instead of Vol/Bal.

 

[Pat C.]

If it's actually a dual pot (likely), then you'll need to look at the labeling on the other section as well. Typically it would be a C500K, reverse audio taper. If so, you need a 500K AC blend pot. Then you need to measure the threaded section of the bushing for both diameter and length. If you can't readily find a 500K AC pot, a 500K MN one will behave a little differently but work fine.

Now you will have to deal with the little circuit board the pot's attached to. This is time for a real tech to step in, IMO and IME.

I appreciate the replies.

Not sure what a dual pot is, nor do I have the tools to go about getting proper measurements. I do not trust myself to go in and detach the pot form the body to look for additional markings.

I will definitely look for a real tech to handle it. Actually finding a local "real tech" with the knowledge and the willingness to help is the challenge.

If it's using 500K Ohm pots it's probably not directly connected to the pre-amp. The volume pot would be sending signal to the pre-amp.
I was able to get volume pots from the local Ibanez dealer in a week.

If your local Ibanez dealer can't get you the blend pot, ask for a volume pot instead & just make it Volume/Volume instead of Vol/Bal.

The main preamp circuit board seems to be floating separately in the control cavity. There is a small circuit board next to or connected to the blend pot as well.

I'd be fine with vol/vol setup rather than vol/bal.

I'm gonna check with the other local shop in town to get their take. The closest Ibanez dealer is about an hour away, that'll be my next look.

 

[Pat C.]

I poked around on the Ibanez site, seems like they sell the replacement as a set with vol/balance.

This seems like it could be it.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

Oops, not sure why I didn't acknowledge that board attached. This is probably why it would need to come from Japan.
Your other option is to allow whoever does the job to just use regular Ibanez pots & connect the leads from the PCB to the correct terminals.

Here's the volume pots I ordered & they fit a SR1800E, which shouldn't be much different from a SR1825.

Invalid Link Removed

I wish Ibanez sold a M/N taper blend, but they only use A/C, which I don't like!
I'd much rather have a M/N taper, which is why my solution was to use two volume pots.

BTW, off-the-shelf pots will NOT fit the holes in your Ibanez. I found this out after ordering from Mouser twice. Once for a M/N balance & again for a 500K Ohm linear taper pot.

A/C taper leaves 10% of the resistance of the track between the signal & the output when the pot is in the zero'd position. M/N taper leaves zero resistance.