so i just got my brand new MIM p bass, and i absolutely love it!! only thing i could possibly be less than ecstatic about is how my tone pot seems to be either on, or off. it seems that it's either full bright, or totally mellow, no in between. in fact, if i play a note, and turn the knob, i can hear where the tone seems to "switch." im not all that worried about it, and i can definately live with it, but if it's an easy fix i could do myself for cheap, i don't see why not!
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tone pot on my new p bass...
- Thread starter gimmethelowend
- Start date
If you've only just bought it I would take it back to the store (or contact them online etc) for them to deal with. You've just spent a substantial amount of money on what should be a perfectly functioning instrument so it's only fair that they sort it out and if you start investigating the fault yourself the store probably won't help.
Obviously this is going to be more difficult if you bought the bass online but if you complain you may find that they give you a small refund to help with any tech costs.
Obviously this is going to be more difficult if you bought the bass online but if you complain you may find that they give you a small refund to help with any tech costs.
Some passive tone pots are like that. Id just replace the pot and cap for better functioning tone pot. On my warlock bass which I converted back to passive I used 500k pot and cap from an earlier guitar or bass which gave excellent results. Rolling down a loittle doesnt cut treble just changes its char a bit. Then as you roll down past 7 you start getting some treble cut which becomes useful down to around 3 on the tone pots knob number. I'm an active kind for bass, but for this one passive works better. Due to pups output and extended tone range being so much more then most pups passive. Lol.
This reminds me of another thread that I replied to just recently. The difference being your bass is "brand new". Here's a link to that thread...
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f38/off-tone-pot-variance-806520/
What I'd like to know is if your bass is left-handed, and is it absolutely "brand new" or just new to you...? I would take it back and have the seller deal with it as Collider suggested. Especially if it's brand new. With that failing, I don't think it's a difficult fix. It sounds like the tone pot is wired backwards, or possibly an incorrect pot installed in the bass from the start. I can't offer much more without knowing further details on the instrument. Take a look at the other thread.
Good luck.
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f38/off-tone-pot-variance-806520/
What I'd like to know is if your bass is left-handed, and is it absolutely "brand new" or just new to you...? I would take it back and have the seller deal with it as Collider suggested. Especially if it's brand new. With that failing, I don't think it's a difficult fix. It sounds like the tone pot is wired backwards, or possibly an incorrect pot installed in the bass from the start. I can't offer much more without knowing further details on the instrument. Take a look at the other thread.
Good luck.
Thanks for the input guys! the bass is brand new out of the factory, and i bought it online at musiciansfriend.com. i'm a little hesitant to try to return the bass, seeing as in my excitement, i changed the strings, put on some stap locks, and i went and peeled that weird plastic film off the pickguard. however, i did keep both the stock strap pins, and strings, so i guess i could just slap em back on and see if they'll take it?? or maybe i "forget to mention" the little "modifications"?? lol plus i really like the grain on this particular bass, and im hopping they don't just give me a totally different bass.
Fire off an email to musiciansfriend.com, tell them the problem and see what they're prepared to do for you. What have you got to lose? If they want it sent back to them in pristine condition then you're out of luck but I still say it's worth a try, especially if you pitch them the idea of refunding a portion of the repair costs (get a ball-park figure on these first).
- Aug 21, 2008
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- Owner, SGD Music Products
I'd keep the bass, but see if you can bring it to an authorized Fender service center and have it looked at. There's no need to send it back for that. They can fix it in warrantee if there is something wrong.
If it's just needs a better taper pot, you can do that.
Might be down to sample variance of the potentiometer, even the CTS parts used aren't of the highest tolerance(20%). I'd suggest experimenting with a significantly smaller value tone cap. To me this approach has made a control I never touched the one I find the most useful of all. Assuming your pickup has the same specs as the Fenders replacement part I'd suggest trying a .0022uf(not .022uf) tone cap.
