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Pots for jazz bass...

descendent22

descendent22

Jul 29, 2015
1,543
924
39
Connecticut
#1
Just got a used fender jazz bass from GC. It's in great condition works fine BUT, I'm not to fond on the stock pots. I can't fit fender black vol/tone knobs with the white numbers on the shaft for starts. The shaft is solid and thicker then a regular stock shaft/pot. 2 they're a little static sounding. Basically I wanna change them and I'm going to. The question is, I'm gunna go to my local GC and grab them of the wall in the tech department. I just don't know what I'm looking for. Obviously I need 3 of them so what size am I getting ( 250k or 500k ) and the size of the shaft, I prefer spilt shaft.???
 
#2
Ive got another post with a similar question, only my jazz bass is almost 40 years old and has been played the whole time, the pots are started to quit on me. I had an Engineer/Tech from a very well known reputable shop tell me that there is absolutely zero way a pot could alter or change the tone to the extent that the human ear could differentiate. Assuming of course its the same value and material. He has a test rig with a scope to measure frequencies, etc to prove his point. In my case however, the tone pot in particular is just plain worn out.
 
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#4
If you're happy with the tone of the bass and the feel of the controls buy pots with the same value and taper.
The diameter of the shaft is also important. You woudn't want to buy 16mm pots if yours are 24mm. You would have difficulty to mount them on large holes.
If you can do it, remove your control plate from the bass and bring it to GC together with the knobs you want to use. Then choose the appropriate pots with the help of the tech deptartment staff.
 
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#5
ex-tension said:
If you're happy with the tone of the bass and the feel of the controls buy pots with the same value and taper.
The diameter of the shaft is also important. You woudn't want to buy 16mm pots if yours are 24mm. You would have difficulty to mount them on large holes.
If you can do it, remove your control plate from the bass and bring it to GC together with the knobs you want to use. Then choose the appropriate pots with the help of the tech deptartment staff.
Click to expand...
I got a few different control plates, small and big whole size. But your saying the larger pots are 24mm?
 
#6
You can probably look up the pots from the code on the back. That worked for me when I was looking. If you like the current tone without the scratchiness, go with the same ohm rating (500 vs 250). You may already know that you'll need another cap as well. My local GC sells allparts stuff, and the pots are CTS.
Also, if you're looking to use regular jazz knobs, just pop bring the knob or use one of the ones they sell to make sure the diameter is correct
 
#9
flojob said:
You can probably look up the pots from the code on the back. That worked for me when I was looking. If you like the current tone without the scratchiness, go with the same ohm rating (500 vs 250). You may already know that you'll need another cap as well. My local GC sells allparts stuff, and the pots are CTS.
Also, if you're looking to use regular jazz knobs, just pop bring the knob or use one of the ones they sell to make sure the diameter is correct
Click to expand...
Yeah I have plenty of control plates with different size wholes. I collect fender parts as doing tech stuff is fun to me.
 
#11
descendent22 said:
Thank you.. Yeah pots have nutting to do with tone change AT ALL. I think they're a little warn out but my biggest thing like I said is the size of the shaft.its thicker then the average most common size. I want split shaft not solid
Click to expand...

A higher value on the volume pot will add brightness by reducing losses when flat out (esp. with Jazz Bass wiring) but will also more quickly lower the cut-off frequency of the tone control as you back the volume off. A higher value tone pot will simply create a less sensitive tone control.
 
#12
The pots really do make a little difference to the sound. Linear volume pots have been nice on my jazz bass. CTS pots are good basic pots. Don't trash the old pots. They are nice to have if you ever sell the bass.
 
#13
I posted before but didn't get the answers I was looking for. I have a Mim fender standard jazz bass. I want to change the pots on it. I want split shaft not solid. The shaft alone on it's to thick, I can't fit vol/tone knobs on it. I'm gunna change them so I don't wanna read anyone trying to talk me out of it. I'm searching for answers and my questions are... There's volume,volume, and tone control. In that order what exact pots do I need to get .? I know nothing about these things
 
#17
descendent22 said:
That's all just 500k pots or 250k pots split shaft. There's nothin else to it?
Click to expand...

Same advice as last thread, go into GC and tell the tech "I need 250k split-shaft pots for my Fender."

Push on knobs = split shaft
Set screw = solid shaft
Guitars only use 250k and 500k.
It's just that easy. If you cannot get solid shaft in the value (more likely taper) you want then you can get sleeves from All Parts to make splits into solids, Dingwall uses them.

While there are different sizes of pots out there, there are not on Fender. Fender is the industry standard so replacing pots on them is exceptionally easy.

CTS pots are the best ones to get followed by Alpha. Fender uses CTS.

I hope that helps.
 
#18
DiabolusInMusic said:
Same advice as last thread, go into GC and tell the tech "I need 250k split-shaft pots for my Fender."

Push on knobs = split shaft
Set screw = solid shaft
Guitars only use 250k and 500k.
It's just that easy. If you cannot get solid shaft in the value (more likely taper) you want then you can get sleeves from All Parts to make splits into solids, Dingwall uses them.

While there are different sizes of pots out there, there are not on Fender. Fender is the industry standard so replacing pots on them is exceptionally easy.

CTS pots are the best ones to get followed by Alpha. Fender uses CTS.

I hope that helps.
Click to expand...
Yes.. I know about that the sleeves and solid/split shafts and the knobs. I just wasn't sure if there was like a certain pot for tone and a different one for volume. Also 1 more question. What size shaft, like length wise? I'm def getting split, I just don't like solid.
 
#19
descendent22 said:
Yes.. I know about that the sleeves and solid/split shafts and the knobs. I just wasn't sure if there was like a certain pot for tone and a different one for volume. Also 1 more question. What size shaft, like length wise? I'm def getting split, I just don't like solid.
Click to expand...

Nope, they'll be audio taper. You can use linear taper if you want, I use two for my volumes, but that is not the standard. I am pretty sure the shaft length is 18mm. Just say "Fender" and they'll be correct.
 

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