• 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.

SG & EB Bass Club

#881
I am a complete noob on electronics and stuff but i really want to change the potentiometers on my EB3. My real question is: Will any potentiometer work with any bass? If No How can i find one potentiometer that my bass is compatible with? Also: How do i know if one potentiometer is better than another?
 
#882
jim_dragons said:
I am a complete noob on electronics and stuff but i really want to change the potentiometers on my EB3. My real question is: Will any potentiometer work with any bass? If No How can i find one potentiometer that my bass is compatible with? Also: How do i know if one potentiometer is better than another?
Click to expand...

Couple things I would ask first.
One being what do you hope to accomplish by changing the pots?

Second, you will need a soldering iron and flux core electrical solder (both available at hardware store)


Past that, Alpha pots are ok, CTS pots are much better. When purchasing, be mindful that they don't have the same size or style of shafts, both in installed length inside the control cavity, and where the knob goes on.

If you give me some time, I can post examples this evening, unless someone gets to them first:)
 
  • Like
Reactions: GBassNorth
#883
Camaro69 said:
Couple things I would ask first.
One being what do you hope to accomplish by changing the pots?

Second, you will need a soldering iron and flux core electrical solder (both available at hardware store)


Past that, Alpha pots are ok, CTS pots are much better. When purchasing, be mindful that they don't have the same size or style of shafts, both in installed length inside the control cavity, and where the knob goes on.

If you give me some time, I can post examples this evening, unless someone gets to them first:)
Click to expand...

first reason to change the pots is because they are not placed correctly and somtimes they kinda get pushed on and they mesh up the electronics. Second reason is that i am going to do a complete rewire because the circut is messed up and it doesnt low down the volume completely. I really dont care if this bass deserves the money to be fixed... I really want to fix this bass and also making it sound better by changing other things too. I really like sg shape and the fact that it is longscale. I can wait for your examples ;)
 
#884
Pot replacement can be fairly straight forward as long as you purchase the right pots, there are lots of different options so make sure you know what you need before buying any. As mrb327 noted, the first step is to clearly identify what it is you are trying to do (i.e. change the tone, add blend, replace like for like, install a control plate, etc.).

Some of the many options...
Audio vs linear taper
Resistance value
Stacked vs single
Long shaft vs short shaft
Split shaft vs set screw shaft
Shaft diameter
CTS vs Alpha vs other brand
Mil spec vs commercial spec
Center detent vs no detent
Solder eyelets vs PCB prongs
Etc.
 
  • Like
Reactions: mrb327
#886
jim_dragons said:
first reason to change the pots is because they are not placed correctly and somtimes they kinda get pushed on and they mesh up the electronics. Second reason is that i am going to do a complete rewire because the circut is messed up and it doesnt low down the volume completely. I really dont care if this bass deserves the money to be fixed... I really want to fix this bass and also making it sound better by changing other things too. I really like sg shape and the fact that it is longscale. I can wait for your examples ;)
Click to expand...
I'm an advocate of making a bass you like do what you want to make it a bass you love, regardless of purchase price.

I have a few basses I have done the same!
 
  • Like
Reactions: jim_dragons and GBassNorth
#887
Hello fellow SG/EB:ers and a happy new year to you all!
So guess what, i busted my string during the last rehearsal. TI's Jazz SS that I've had on the bass for about one and a half years and I absolutely love them! In the beginning I thought they were a bit to "loose" for me but after spending some time with them I really like the "loose feel".
But now when the A string popped I'm in need of a new set of strings, and I'm thinking; Maybe I should try another brand?

So fellow SG/EB:ers what do you have and why, would you recommend them to me or not? :)
The criteria is that they have to be flat wound and no tapes! :)

Hit me up! :bassist:
 
#888
Rsword said:
Hello fellow SG/EB:ers and a happy new year to you all!
So guess what, i busted my string during the last rehearsal. TI's Jazz SS that I've had on the bass for about one and a half years and I absolutely love them! In the beginning I thought they were a bit to "loose" for me but after spending some time with them I really like the "loose feel".
But now when the A string popped I'm in need of a new set of strings, and I'm thinking; Maybe I should try another brand?

So fellow SG/EB:ers what do you have and why, would you recommend them to me or not? :)
The criteria is that they have to be flat wound and no tapes! :)

Hit me up! :bassist:
Click to expand...
There are several guys running LaBellas that are real happy with them.
Personally like Fender Flats on anything
 
  • Like
Reactions: Dubsly and GBassNorth
#889
My first try with Pyramid flats is on my '70 eb3L and I absolutely love them. They have an elastic feel that really sings. I have rotosound flats on my other bass, and I will probably try Pyramids on it, maybe in six months or so. My archtop is a short scale, and the best I have found was TI for it also because the truss rod is locked in place (and the tension is lower on the TI). Juststrings.com sells individuals for just about every set. It wont be broken in the same, but its cheeper than $70. Did the string break at the bridge?
 
#892
Hey All,
First time Gibson owner here. Just picked up the SG in my avatar here on TB. after setting her up, plays real nice. There were some mods done to her but, I wasn't really digging it that way. Had a Model one installed, as well as the electronics changed. It was wired with a V, Blend, and a tonestyler. Well, I didn't dig it so, I put the original neck pick up back in, and picked up 3 new Gibson pots and put it back to stock. I think it would be nice if Gibson would shield the cavity on these basses. I mean, this is not a cheap instrument but, when you pop the control cavity cover, it looks cheap! So, I shielded the cavity with stewmac shielding paint, and installed the pots, see pic!

I also flipped the bridge pickup around, (so the adjustment screws are closer to the neck) and it definitely is a litter fatter on it's own now.

All and all, it's a fun bass to play and once I got the strap to the right length, I had no problems with balance. So, gonna play with it for a bit to see if she's a keeper, may trade her on a Birdsong but, gonna give her a fair chance first.
 

Attachments

  • image.jpeg
    image.jpeg
    204.7 KB · Views: 99
  • image.jpg
    image.jpg
    221.4 KB · Views: 89
  • Like
Reactions: Squittolo, GBassNorth, Camaro69 and 1 other person
#894
Got the Dimarzio Model One delivered today. Wired it in after work. Went just with the regular setup. Might throw in a push/pull pot or 3 way switch later to vary the tone. It's a real departure from the factory sidewinder. A lot more low end is coming through now. Did raise the pole pieces about 2 turns as the pup sits lower than the factory model.

So now am at a stopping point in the modifications which have included threaded neck inserts, different neck plate, new pots, pointers and knobs, Switchcraft jack, different tone capacitor (went with a .33) and a different truss rod cover. Oh and used steel wool to dull the finish on the back of the neck. Total spent is right around $250. And am quite happy with the results. Not planning to, but would have no problem gigging with it.

Did I need to do any of these mods? No, it's a decent bass as-is. But when owning an electric instrument, I gotta mod it.

DSC02886.JPG
 
  • Like
Reactions: Squittolo, Tbone76, jim_dragons and 2 others
#895
Update - After thinking about it came to realize the Dimarzio pickup is physically thinner than the stock Epiphone pickup. Decided to try making a shim to see what would happen. Grabbed some mahogany strips and cut them to approximate length. Put it around 3 sides of the pickup and screwed the pickup back down. Things seem solid so far. Like the change. Definitely more volume. Probably worth the time and effort to do. If I were more serious about it would probably glue the edges of the shim. As it is the pressure of the screws seems to be sufficient. Strange depth of field photo below.

DSC02889.JPG
 
  • Like
Reactions: Squittolo and Camaro69
#898
joeeg33 said:
Hey All,
First time Gibson owner here. Just picked up the SG in my avatar here on TB. after setting her up, plays real nice. There were some mods done to her but, I wasn't really digging it that way. Had a Model one installed, as well as the electronics changed. It was wired with a V, Blend, and a tonestyler. Well, I didn't dig it so, I put the original neck pick up back in, and picked up 3 new Gibson pots and put it back to stock. I think it would be nice if Gibson would shield the cavity on these basses. I mean, this is not a cheap instrument but, when you pop the control cavity cover, it looks cheap! So, I shielded the cavity with stewmac shielding paint, and installed the pots, see pic!

I also flipped the bridge pickup around, (so the adjustment screws are closer to the neck) and it definitely is a litter fatter on it's own now.

All and all, it's a fun bass to play and once I got the strap to the right length, I had no problems with balance. So, gonna play with it for a bit to see if she's a keeper, may trade her on a Birdsong but, gonna give her a fair chance first.
Click to expand...
We dub you #81!
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back