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Replacing pots in passive jazz bass

Not particularly, but I know enough to know they didn't reinvent the wheel, so it should follow all the same basic construction and electronics principles. :D

CTS pots are one of the standards, so you probably won't go wrong with them, but you'd want to ensure you have enough room in your cavity to fit them those old style pots are pretty wide, about an inch.

When selecting, also make sure they have the right shaft length - short for mounting to a pickguard, and long if they're mounting through the body top. There are also split shaft vs solid shaft - if you change, you'll probably need new knobs too, ones that are compatible with the shaft style.

Many of us, including myself, just use what's around, and don't put too much thought into brands, instead mostly focusing on parameters, but I do like Bourns stuff - the quality is good.

Any pics of the bass? I'm curious now... :laugh:
 
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Not particularly, but I know enough to know they didn't reinvent the wheel, so it should follow all the same basic construction and electronics principles. :D

CTS pots are one of the standards, so you probably won't go wrong with them, but you'd want to ensure you have enough room in your cavity to fit them those old style pots are pretty wide, about an inch.

When selecting, also make sure they have the right shaft length - short for mounting to a pickguard, and long if they're mounting through the body top. There are also split shaft vs solid shaft - if you change, you'll probably need new knobs too, ones that are compatible with the shaft style.

Many of us, including myself, just use what's around, and don't put too much thought into brands, instead mostly focusing on parameters, but I do like Bourns stuff - the quality is good.

Any pics of the bass? I'm curious now... :laugh:
lol..lol.. I'm trying to upload some photos but they want upload! I'll catch one of my sons and have one of those guys to upload photos for me.. So , pots don't make much difference in the sound for a passive bass?
 
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I think it can matter, but I think once you're in the realm of quality hardware, it doesn't matter greatly. There are some who will scream "heresy!" At such an assertion, but I like real world experience over tradition... :D:smug:
 
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I think it can matter, but I think once you're in the realm of quality hardware, it doesn't matter greatly. There are some who will scream "heresy!" At such an assertion, but I like real world experience over tradition... :D:smug:
lol..thanks! I'm looking for someone that know something about how I can find out about the year/ model of my Fernandes bass
 
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Unless your pots are doing something wrong there’s no real point in changing them for something with the same properties.
Changing them to 500k pots does make a difference in producing more high frequencies. That is mainly a matter of taste though, not of quality. I use them on my fretless basses as I can use the extra edge. I probably wouldn’t on a fretted bass.

What kind of inprovement are you looking for on your bass?
 
I think it can matter, but I think once you're in the realm of quality hardware, it doesn't matter greatly. There are some who will scream "heresy!" At such an assertion, but I like real world experience over tradition... :D:smug:
^^^ This. The OP might notice a difference. Hope I'm not being Captain Obvious, but there are some modifications that can make a major difference, and others that are barely, if at all, audible in a live band or a mix. Personally, I don't replace pots unless they stop working correctly.
 
Upgraded the controls on a MIJ Jazz a couple years ago with a prewired CTS/Switchcraft harness from this guy:
Paul's Electric Parlor Guitars | eBay Stores
I happened to put in a set with a push/pull series/parallel switch. Killer improvement for less than fifty bucks.
The series/ parallel switch push/pull ! I think this is what I'm looking for !!!
Thanks
 
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Unless your pots are doing something wrong there’s no real point in changing them for something with the same properties.
Changing them to 500k pots does make a difference in producing more high frequencies. That is mainly a matter of taste though, not of quality. I use them on my fretless basses as I can use the extra edge. I probably wouldn’t on a fretted bass.

What kind of inprovement are you looking for on your bass?
Really just want to get the best out of the bass 70s passive Fernandes jazz bass
 
Upgraded the controls on a MIJ Jazz a couple years ago with a prewired CTS/Switchcraft harness from this guy:
Paul's Electric Parlor Guitars | eBay Stores
I happened to put in a set with a push/pull series/parallel switch. Killer improvement for less than fifty bucks.
Lowfreek, can you get me a contact number? Also will this work on a passive bass?
 
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CTS are pretty much standard. I tried Bournes to save a few dollars, and I hated them. They turned too freely, which I thought made them feel cheap.

CTS pots are less than $5 each, so it's not a huge investment. Replacing the pots is the first thing I do when I get a new bass usually. Some people don't think pots make a difference, but depending on what your bass already has in it, I think upgrading electronics helps a lot with the clarity. Plus, $15 is totally worth it to me to have the peace of mind knowing that if my bass sounds like butt, it's not the pots' fault.
 
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Got a 4 string passive Fernandes jazz bass . pots are 250 Vol/Vol/ Tone recommendation ( brand) on new pots?
these are nice plus, easy install. put'm in a squire and no more buss/humm with split coil pups. if you do this check pup dimensions as i am not familiar with your bass
Invalid Link Removed


EDIT: if you are just looking to replace pots i don't know if emg does that. maybe call and ask?
 
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CTS are pretty much standard. I tried Bournes to save a few dollars, and I hated them. They turned too freely, which I thought made them feel cheap. Amen!!!!!!

CTS pots are less than $5 each, so it's not a huge investment. Replacing the pots is the first thing I do when I get a new bass usually. Some people don't think pots make a difference, but depending on what your bass already has in it, I think upgrading electronics helps a lot with the clarity. Plus, $15 is totally worth it to me to have the peace of mind knowing that if my bass sounds like butt, it's not the pots' fault.
 

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