Pot Question and Recommendations

[fcleff]

Question: are volume and tone pots interchangeable?

The pots I am replacing are on a J style bass. Both volume pots are labeled B500K-5DW. The tone pot is labeled A500K-5IW.
Any recommendations on good replacements?

f

 

[testing1two]

The volume pots are a different taper (linear taper) than the tone pot (log taper aka audio taper). The linear taper volume pots allow for more subtle adjustments when blending the two pickups while the audio taper tone pot sounds the most natural when rolling off high end.

As far as replacements, the first thing is to determine whether your control plate has 3/8" holes. Many import basses have smaller 6mm holes designed for import mini-pots so if you want to use standard full size pots the control plate holes will need to be enlarged.

There aren't a lot of choices for 500k linear taper pots but typically the better quality ones have: brass shafts instead of aluminum and a tighter tolerance (10% or less), meaning the pot's actual resistance will be within +/- 10% of specification (although having a resistance higher than stated is usually more acceptable than lower). 500k audio taper pots are easy to find.

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There are also modified audio taper pots that work well with jazz basses. DiMarzio, RS Guitarworks, and others offer "superpots" with a modified taper.

RS Guitarworks 500k SuperPot™ - Short

 

[fcleff]

As far as replacements, the first thing is to determine whether your control plate has 3/8" holes. Many import basses have smaller 6mm holes designed for import mini-pots so if you want to use standard full size pots the control plate holes will need to be enlarged

Thank you. I will measure the holes and go from there. I appreciate all the info and links.

f

 

[fcleff]

They are 3/8” so I will order accordingly. Thanks @testing1two