What a Difference Some Pot Makes!

[Craig_S]

I ordered some (5) CTS, vintage style (flat bottom), brass shaft, 250k pots and some Sprague Orange Drops (200v .047uf) for my P and J. I spent about an hour replacing electronics today, just for giggles. Mind you, the pots in both basses were CTS Fender style (stamped depression in the back and exposed shaft center). The caps were undoubtedly ceramic.

Anyway, the sound in my Jazz improved, with an apparent slight mid bump (oooh growl!). I'm thinking "cool, that was worth the work. Time to do the Precision."

The Precision has turned into a monster! I cannot believe the output and tone difference in this thing! It has that wonderful vintage thumpy Precision hollowness (more mid honk) and the high end just sparkles! I liked the sound of the Duncan SPB-1 before, but now... It has just taken the place of my Jazz as my favorite bass.

For those who are interested in hearing about the Orange Drops, I actually ordered four of them so I could test them and use the ones that were the closest to the actual value. They were all so close, it didn't matter. The .047uf caps seem to cut a LOT of highs, when the knob is rolled back all the way, but they are still very usable. I like them.

It had been so long since I replaced "the guts" in one of my basses, I had forgotten how much of a difference it can make.

So, for anyone thinking of upgrading the electronics. Don't hesitate. You'll be glad you did it.

 

[John Wentzien]

ALWAYS worth it!

 

[Simon Langley]

Thanks, I just ordered a new Harness for my Highway One P from Bayou and was wondering if it would be worth it.

 

[Funkinthetrunk]

Oh...that kind of pot. That is the most misleading title ever.

 

[Craig_S]

Oh...that kind of pot. That is the most misleading title ever.

That was my intent.

I remember the difference the other type made, too. Notice how that was in the past tense.

 

[Jazzdogg]

I was hoping you'd recorded before & after clips; that would have been the icing on the cake!

 

[Craig_S]

I didn't think of it. And I just purchased a Micro BR, too... You'll have to just take my word for it, this time.

 

[Rusty the Scoob]

Where did you get them? I've got a P that I want to make passive again after many years of being active.

 

[NORAMACTIVE]

Awesome documentation of the bass project!

 

[Rusty the Scoob]

Thanks, Norm! Sorry for the hijack...

 

[Way Off Bass]

you can't own a bass, man

 

[Craig_S]

Where did you get them? I've got a P that I want to make passive again after many years of being active.

I got them from Guitar Nucleus. I ordered CTS GN0885EL-250 pots. The picture on the site isn't what I got, though. Mine have brass shafts (like Link Removed). The number stamped on the back is EP-885. If I wanted to get more, I think I'd get them from Guitar Parts Resource, as the stamped number and shaft are represented on the site.

You can find the 200v .047uf Orange Drops all over. Mine were from Link Removed. The only difference the voltage makes (200v) is, as I understand it, the size of the cap. The higher the voltage, the bigger the cap.

you can't own a bass, man

Fine example of what happens with the other kind of pot...

 

[steamthief]

I'm wondering if the used Hamer Cruise I bought needs some new pots. Even after cleaning, they are still scratchy, and the Duncan pickups project no definition or growl compared to the Fender CS pups in my other Jazz.

Craig, did replacing the cap make a big difference, or was it more the new pots?

 

[KarateKid25]

Oh...that kind of pot. That is the most misleading title ever.

+1 I thought perhaps there was a breakthrough regarding smoking the good gear and being able to understand electronics more...

 

[Craig_S]

I'm wondering if the used Hamer Cruise I bought needs some new pots. Even after cleaning, they are still scratchy, and the Duncan pickups project no definition or growl compared to the Fender CS pups in my other Jazz.

Craig, did replacing the cap make a big difference, or was it more the new pots?

Replace the pots in your Cruise.

Honestly, I can't see the capacitor--when the pot is wide open (no cut)--making the huge difference I hear with the P-bass, but I can't be completely sure. It's my feeling the potentiometers are responsible for the largest part of the improvement. It's probably a combination of everything (new pots, cap, wire, solder job). I was very pleasantly surprised with the difference.

+1 I thought perhaps there was a breakthrough regarding smoking the good gear and being able to understand electronics more...

Having smoked the "good gear" back in the day, I have to say there is a definite boost in the creative region, and an undeniable tendency toward greater understanding. The unfortunate part is you forget most of what you came to or end up to lazy to pursue it. Best solution: keep the tape rolling... ssssssss.... ere (cough)

 

[M.R. Ogle]

I ordered one of those exotic, oil-soaked paper, glass encased Russian capacitors the other day, I'll report in if I hear any difference with it installed in my Jazz bass. I'm a sucker for that kind of stuff, but if it doesn't make any difference, it'll probably be back to the good ol' orange drops.

BTW... No embibing on the smoke before sitting down with a schematic and a hot soldering iron... but after you're done and everything's bolted back up and sounding good... give yourself a little treat and enjoy your handiwork!

 

[Craig_S]

Let us know about the cap. I'm very interested!