squire5 Posted March 24 Share Posted March 24 I have the Harley Benton 5 string MM lookalike bass.I've noticed that the tone control is acting like a volume control.When opened fully it will increase the output considerably and when turned down with both volume controls up full will reduce output to nearly nothing.Cant be right surely?The bass is passive.Any pointers guys? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmorris Posted March 25 Share Posted March 25 Sounds like you need to take a look at the wiring. Sketch it out to see if as expected Vol / Tone configuration. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Starr Posted March 25 Share Posted March 25 The tone control is probably just a simple capacitor (which passes high frequecies but not the lows) Turning the knob will short the signal to ground cutting out all the high frequecies. If the capacitor is short circuit then it cuts everything. The capacitor is probably wired from the middle prong on the control to the round case of the potentiometer. check that only one wire is touching the metal case and only at the soldered joint. If not the capacitor may be damaged internally (a capacitor costs a few pennies) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squire5 Posted March 25 Author Share Posted March 25 Thanx guys.I'll check those things out,soon as...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squire5 Posted March 25 Author Share Posted March 25 OK lads I've had a look.Firstly the pots are tiny wee flimsy things and the wiring seems a bit untidy,but,far as I can see,everything is where it should be and the cap doesnt seem to be shorting anywhere.I was thinking about doing a rewire with some more substantial components.I know its a cheap bass but I like it.Thanx for the input. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmorris Posted March 26 Share Posted March 26 I'd say work out what is going on with the existing circuit first. Suggestion - remove the cap. Then check that tone pot has no effect. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squire5 Posted March 26 Author Share Posted March 26 Just ordered a cupla Sprague O/Ds.See how that goes.The way I see it,there cant really be anything else at fault.Or can there...........? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmorris Posted March 26 Share Posted March 26 Yes. You could have a faulty pot in there. Electromechanical components are always high on the list of possible causes of failure. You can test the capacitor you remove. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squire5 Posted March 26 Author Share Posted March 26 I'll see how things are when I change the cap.I've noticed that the pots are tiny and dont look up to much.Likewise the wiring.Apart from that the bass plays fine,has a comfortable neck and actually looks great.Thanx. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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