• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

No more scratchy volume pots!

Sean S

Sean S

Apr 15, 2003
2,304
12
39
Sarnia, Ontario, Canada
#1
Actually, no more volume pots at all!

I did a simple rewire of my Squier VM Fretless, but it took me forever to figure out how things were wired. Anyway, I figured it out, made up my own little schematic, and made this pic after the fact;

layout.jpg
 
#12
OK, let me explain better, then. Money, I don't have, even ten extra dollars for a pair. Things have been extremely tight the last couple months. I had my iron and some solder, so I went at it. Time, because it's been getting worse, and I can't be having scratchy pots anymore, so this is the solution I came up with. I'll put new pots in if someone wants to donate some.

Also, I most often play with both p'ups on, and the only thing I really change is the tone control. I mute through my tuner or my amp, so "on/off" isn't an issue. As such, this was a simple, effective, cheap solution for me.
 
#13
The way your schematic is, you don't have a tone control at all, but his should work as a volume. But you have all your grounds going through the cap.

Because if you look, you have the ground from the jack going to the wiper on the pot, so turning the pot when they short out the signal from the pickups... that's a volume control.

The cap serves no purpose, except blocking DC voltage.

Maybe your drew the diagram wrong?

But I agree, I'd rather have a tone than a volume, I only use the volume as a mute when I'm not playing... but I do switch from pickup to pickup, so a blend a tone are the bare minimum. I did have just a blend for a while on my bass. :D
 
#14
SGD: As far as I can tell, that's exactly what I did. Perhaps the ground signal runs through the control plate to the sleeve, since the control plate is metal, and contacts the sleeve connection directly, which would put the pot in parallel to with the pickups/jack...I don't know.

I do know it works, was completely affordable, and I can reverse it if need be. I'll have a look and see if I need to change my diagram, though.
 
#17
I think that is more than just $$ issue, i still enjoy the moment that when i scratched my head and think of something that may turn the world over. I tried to install two preamp in one bass; have 10 knobs on a bass; removed all the knobs and using just one switch. Although i turn back to the very standard stock layout, but i have a hack lot of fun on it..thanks for sharing Sean
 
#20
bass_fish said:
just for a little while...

but if you never use the volume anyway, there was no need to resolder in my opinion, pots only scratch when you use them...
Click to expand...

I haven't had a scratchy pot in many years. They aren't supposed to do that. If you don't use them, they can oxidize, so it's a good idea to turn them back and forth every so often.

Good quality pots don't get scratchy.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back