Tone control not working.

[TheUberRhys]

Hey, I thought I'd see if anyone could help me with a small problem seen as I'm an absoloute beginner at bass electronics. The Tone Control on my Precision Bass isn't working. Everything appears to be connected apart from this small blue wire.

I was just wondering how to fix it, thanks.

 

[David Jayne]

Looking at the picture, it's meant to attach to the 'lower' leg of the volume pot. You'll have to solder it.

 

[khutch]

Like this:

 

[bumperbass]

That is correct. Connect it to the LOWER leg in the picture. However, the UPPER leg of the volume pot should be connected to the black wire. Most people bend this tab over and solder it to the back of the volume control.

 

[David Jayne]

However, the UPPER leg of the volume pot should be connected to the black wire. Most people bend this tab over and solder it to the back of the volume control.

Doesn't matter. That's where the black wires are soldered anyway. And in this bass the pot cases are joined by an additional ground wire, which then runs to ground at the jack. All good.

 

[bumperbass]

In the picture, I don't see that upper lug connected to anything. If it's not connected, you'll never be able to turn your bass all the way down. It's gotta be grounded. It doesn't matter where all the black wires are connected. That upper volume lug MUST be grounded somehow.

 

[David Jayne]

Ya, I figure it must actually be connected but we can't see it in the pic.

 

[TheUberRhys]

So if everything else is connected (which it appears to be) it's just a case of soldering the blue wire to the bottom leg of the volume pot?

 

[David Jayne]

Yep.

 

[TheUberRhys]

Alright thanks for your help guys

 

[bumperbass]

It doesn't surprise me that the tone control was unhooked in the first place. I don't use mine (or should I say I always have it on 'ten'.
As far as the volume leg not grounded, that was just overlooked, I guess.
Good luck. Let us know if it works.

 

[khutch]

So if everything else is connected (which it appears to be) it's just a case of soldering the blue wire to the bottom leg of the volume pot?

Yes, and if your volume control is working correctly the top leg of the volume pot is connected correctly even though we cannot see the connection in your photo. It is not impossible that a previous owner would disconnect both the tone wire and the volume pot leg to get the brightest possible sound out of the bass. The volume and tone controls on the main amp are convenient enough for some players. But your photo does not show any evidence that the top leg of the volume pot was ever connected to anything so I assume that it is connected and we just can't tell from the photo.

Ken