Jono Bolton Posted April 8 Share Posted April 8 (edited) I've updated the thread title rather than create a new thread as the issue seems to be wiring related, rather than the pickup itself. This might be a daft question as I've got one of the Fender Vintera Telecaster Basses, but I'm a bit perplexed by the Wide Range Humbucker in the neck. The tone control doesn't work in the same way as a P Bass does where turning it down rolls off the top end; rolling it from 0 to 100% seems to provide different voicings to the pickup but the difference is quite subtle. It could be because I'm usually playing at low levels at home, or my ears are a bit duff. Perhaps that's just how they sound, but I'm struggling to find much information on them and how they're wired. I was expecting a big boomy sound with the tone turned right the way down. Edited April 16 by Jono Bolton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neepheid Posted April 8 Share Posted April 8 I find the tone knob does weird things (or naff all) when playing at low levels or with headphone amp on most basses. I thought it was just me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jono Bolton Posted April 8 Author Share Posted April 8 5 minutes ago, neepheid said: I find the tone knob does weird things (or naff all) when playing at low levels or with headphone amp on most basses. I thought it was just me. I probably wouldn't have questioned it but I can hear the difference in my P Basses very clearly. I didn't wonder if it was perhaps a duff pot as the volume control in the Telebass is garbage; once you turn it down to about 8, it's off completely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neepheid Posted April 8 Share Posted April 8 1 minute ago, Jono Bolton said: I probably wouldn't have questioned it but I can hear the difference in my P Basses very clearly. I didn't wonder if it was perhaps a duff pot as the volume control in the Telebass is garbage; once you turn it down to about 8, it's off completely. Sounds like you need a @KiOgon... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jono Bolton Posted April 8 Author Share Posted April 8 1 minute ago, neepheid said: Sounds like you need a @KiOgon... I did think that, though it's a bit shite to have to replace the wiring in a 4-month old bass that cost a grand Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neepheid Posted April 8 Share Posted April 8 (edited) 20 minutes ago, Jono Bolton said: I did think that, though it's a bit shite to have to replace the wiring in a 4-month old bass that cost a grand Isn't it though?! I really think the big manufacturers are taking the proverbial these days. They think we're stupid, but all they've done is created the perfect environment for the likes of Sire to pop up and provide no-nonsense, decent quality instruments at sensible prices - something they seem to have abandoned or are now incapable of doing through greed or incompetence (probably a bit of both). Edited April 8 by neepheid 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted April 8 Share Posted April 8 Exactly what Fender did in the late 70s/ early 80s. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cato Posted April 8 Share Posted April 8 (edited) In my experience it's not unusual for tone controls on basses to be more on/off or for all the noticeable changes to happen in the last 1/4 turn rather than a smooth transition between maximum and minimum as you roll the pot. No idea why they're like that. Edited April 8 by Cato Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bloke_zero Posted April 8 Share Posted April 8 Volume off at 8 sounds like a QC issue to me - if it's passive then it could be wired wrong/badly and affecting the tone control? Picture of the electronics? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highfox Posted April 10 Share Posted April 10 Reading this I went and double checked my Vintera 70's tele bass. I never noticed any issues with the tone or volume pots on mine. Not as responsive as a split - P for sure, but I get what I would expect in variations in volume/tone using the knobs. It's a fairly dark pickup for sure, but has a mellow bite when fully open. Hope you get yours sorted. I'm a big fan of these Mexican basses. I have four now A flea, Player plus, the 70's Tele and just picked up the Vintera ii 60's P. I can't knock any of them for craftsmanship, fit and finish. In some cases better than some American versions. I have had to do my own tweaks to get them how I like them, basic stuff, truss rod, string height and intonation, but after that I have been happy with them. People complain about the high prices on these and I agree somewhat, but hasn't everything sky-rocketed in price lately? I still think you get a good bass for your money in these middle tier Mexican range. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jono Bolton Posted April 10 Author Share Posted April 10 5 hours ago, Highfox said: Reading this I went and double checked my Vintera 70's tele bass. I never noticed any issues with the tone or volume pots on mine. Not as responsive as a split - P for sure, but I get what I would expect in variations in volume/tone using the knobs. It's a fairly dark pickup for sure, but has a mellow bite when fully open. Hope you get yours sorted. I'm a big fan of these Mexican basses. I have four now A flea, Player plus, the 70's Tele and just picked up the Vintera ii 60's P. I can't knock any of them for craftsmanship, fit and finish. In some cases better than some American versions. I have had to do my own tweaks to get them how I like them, basic stuff, truss rod, string height and intonation, but after that I have been happy with them. People complain about the high prices on these and I agree somewhat, but hasn't everything sky-rocketed in price lately? I still think you get a good bass for your money in these middle tier Mexican range. In terms of build quality, I have no issues at all with mine. The first one I had was returned due to a dent in the finish under the top coat, but this one is fine build-wise. I'll probably open it up and re-wire it at some point, but I suppose my main issue is that I don't know what it's supposed to sound like to begin with as I'm not that familiar with the pickup. I've watched a few YouTube vids and in some there's a clear difference between the tone at 0% and 100%, similar to a P Bass, but I've seen a couple where the sound isn't hugely different. The volume pot is definitely a duffer, but I can live with it for now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uk_lefty Posted April 11 Share Posted April 11 I'm interested in this too... I don't have a Tele bass, sadly, but for purely cosmetic reasons I'd love to stick one or two of these pickups into my P bass. Would be great if they sounded half decent too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jono Bolton Posted April 16 Author Share Posted April 16 I took the scratch plate off last night and had a look at the wiring. I've got a 1 Meg CTS pot in the tone position, but the solder on the volume pot is covering up the details; is it likely to also be 1 Meg or would it be lower? I didn't get a note of the cap values while I had it open so not sure what it is. Given the volume pot doesn't have a smooth sweep, it is worth just replacing the whole harness? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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