Chambo Posted April 9, 2012 Share Posted April 9, 2012 I've got a jazz bass copy that I'm playing around with at the moment. I'm interested in swapping the pots and cap, or even adding a pre-amp. What would people recommend? This is just something that I'm messing around with at the moment Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeFRC Posted April 9, 2012 Share Posted April 9, 2012 what do you want to improve? what change do you want to see/hear? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icastle Posted April 9, 2012 Share Posted April 9, 2012 If you're changing pots then the only difference you're going to get is a possible change in the way the controls work (i.e. the pots need more or less of a turn to achieve the same thing you got previously). Changing the cap may (or may not) make an audible difference to the low frequencies if you use a different value to the original, but there's a limit to the amount of difference you're going to get - you're only working on the low frequencies after all. If you want to make a noticeable and tangible difference* to the way the bass sounds then you're looking at adding a pre-amp. [size=3]*My definition of a 'noticeable and tangible difference' is something you can actually hear rather than have to measure on a piece of lab test gear to prove it's happened. [/size] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chambo Posted April 9, 2012 Author Share Posted April 9, 2012 Just interested in having a play around really Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeFRC Posted April 11, 2012 Share Posted April 11, 2012 fancy building your own preamp? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Heeley Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 (edited) or buying a cheap one and fitting it? will give you a wider tonal range to play with. I agree with icastle on the pots and caps issue, unless you are replacing a scratchy or faulty pot you will get little difference Edited April 12, 2012 by Al Heeley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StraightSix Posted April 15, 2012 Share Posted April 15, 2012 These are an inexpensive way to improve your bass's electronics: [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Jazz-bass-Wiring-Kit-poly-capacitor-Alpha-pots-/130409643934?pt=UK_Guitar_Accessories&hash=item1e5d053f9e"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Jazz-bass-Wiring-Kit-poly-capacitor-Alpha-pots-/130409643934?pt=UK_Guitar_Accessories&hash=item1e5d053f9e[/url] If not, try looking at something like a John East preamp but the price is rather higher. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icastle Posted April 15, 2012 Share Posted April 15, 2012 [quote name='StraightSix' timestamp='1334479159' post='1616549'] These are an inexpensive way to improve your bass's electronics: [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Jazz-bass-Wiring-Kit-poly-capacitor-Alpha-pots-/130409643934?pt=UK_Guitar_Accessories&hash=item1e5d053f9e"]http://www.ebay.co.u...=item1e5d053f9e[/url] [/quote] Assuming of course that these components are better than what is already in there... the component parts in the kit are pretty much bog standard. Changing like for like does not constitute an upgrade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StraightSix Posted April 15, 2012 Share Posted April 15, 2012 OK well, potential improvement then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icastle Posted April 15, 2012 Share Posted April 15, 2012 [quote name='StraightSix' timestamp='1334480464' post='1616569'] OK well, potential improvement then [/quote] SOLD!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KiOgon Posted April 15, 2012 Share Posted April 15, 2012 [quote name='StraightSix' timestamp='1334479159' post='1616549'] These are an inexpensive way to improve your bass's electronics: [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Jazz-bass-Wiring-Kit-poly-capacitor-Alpha-pots-/130409643934?pt=UK_Guitar_Accessories&hash=item1e5d053f9e"]http://www.ebay.co.u...=item1e5d053f9e[/url] [/quote] Not inexpensive - just cheap! I made some kits using Alpha pots as I was asked to make some cheaper sets for a particular job. Then when I tested them I had to buy 4 replacement pots, not happy. The way they are made is just not the same as CTS pots, so if you're going to go to the trouble of getting new pots, at least get proper ones that are built to last. IMHO, Cheerz, John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyman Posted April 18, 2012 Share Posted April 18, 2012 Bugger,wish i'd read this before i fired alpha pots into my bass just recently. I only done it cos i was replacing the scratch plate and the old pots looked a bit wonky,now it sounds a bit muddy,theres no sharpness to the bass's sound,would i have been beter off with cts pots and an orange drop ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icastle Posted April 18, 2012 Share Posted April 18, 2012 [quote name='andyman' timestamp='1334790742' post='1621508'] Bugger,wish i'd read this before i fired alpha pots into my bass just recently. I only done it cos i was replacing the scratch plate and the old pots looked a bit wonky,now it sounds a bit muddy,theres no sharpness to the bass's sound,would i have been beter off with cts pots and an orange drop ? [/quote] The capacitor might be a bit flakey so 'yes' to that part, but the pots don't affect the tone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyman Posted April 19, 2012 Share Posted April 19, 2012 thanks for the info man,i'll give changin' the cap a go,cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyman Posted May 6, 2012 Share Posted May 6, 2012 nah,eventually put in an orange drop cap,didn't make any difference,cheers anyway man. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StraightSix Posted May 6, 2012 Share Posted May 6, 2012 Did you use the same value pots when you changed them...? I like the Paper In Oil caps (PIO) myself...one of those might be worth a try yourself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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