TRBboy Posted April 8, 2019 Share Posted April 8, 2019 Hi guys, just bought an old Yamaha BB5N as a backup bass (and for a bit of a project 😁). It's a JJ config. I want to rewire it using better pots, etc (e.g. CTS), and I want a blend pot rather than two volumes. I assumed I want 250k pots for the vol and tone, but I noticed some people use 500k.... which should I be looking at? Also struggling to find a suitable dual blend pot in the UK, can anyone point me in the right direction? Finally, is a 0.47u orange drop cap the best choice? Many thanks! 😁👍 PS: If anyone has any 5 string hum cancelling jazz pickups for sale let me know! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
therealting Posted April 8, 2019 Share Posted April 8, 2019 My Sadowsky is wired with a blend and I wouldn’t have it any other way. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grangur Posted April 8, 2019 Share Posted April 8, 2019 On passive basses 500K pots give a more aggressive tone than 250K. Some like that, others don't. I recall someone I was talking with once who wouldn't stop talking about 500K being an "upgrade". It's not an "upgrade" unless the more "electric", metallic, clanky sound is what you want. My personal preference is to change back to 250 if 500s have been fitted. Blend pots are made by fitting a single pot that is 2 pots stacked and controlled using a single knob. So, you're, in effect winding pup-1 up and pup-2 down as you turn. If the pot is in the centre its actually making both pots/pups at 50%. What it does do is stop you from ever putting both pups at 100% and getting that dip in output at the top. I think I've got a blend pot here I've never used. If you're really sold on the idea and want to give it a go, and I can find it I can send it to you. But before you do, you need to think - this will leave a hole empty on your bass, as the 2 volumes become 1. What will you do with the empty hole? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
therealting Posted April 8, 2019 Share Posted April 8, 2019 25 minutes ago, Grangur said: I think I've got a blend pot here I've never used. If you're really sold on the idea and want to give it a go, and I can find it I can send it to you. But before you do, you need to think - this will leave a hole empty on your bass, as the 2 volumes become 1. What will you do with the empty hole? Shouldn’t leave an empty hole. Two volumes become a volume and a blend. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRBboy Posted April 8, 2019 Author Share Posted April 8, 2019 32 minutes ago, Grangur said: On passive basses 500K pots give a more aggressive tone than 250K. Some like that, others don't. I recall someone I was talking with once who wouldn't stop talking about 500K being an "upgrade". It's not an "upgrade" unless the more "electric", metallic, clanky sound is what you want. My personal preference is to change back to 250 if 500s have been fitted. Blend pots are made by fitting a single pot that is 2 pots stacked and controlled using a single knob. So, you're, in effect winding pup-1 up and pup-2 down as you turn. If the pot is in the centre its actually making both pots/pups at 50%. What it does do is stop you from ever putting both pups at 100% and getting that dip in output at the top. I think I've got a blend pot here I've never used. If you're really sold on the idea and want to give it a go, and I can find it I can send it to you. But before you do, you need to think - this will leave a hole empty on your bass, as the 2 volumes become 1. What will you do with the empty hole? Very interesting, and I hadn't realised that centred, both pickups are only at 50%, but it makes sense of each extreme is 100% for that pickup. With VVT though, does the dip in output with both pickups at 100% equate to the same thing? Would be easier to go VVT as I can just buy a jazz bass wiring kit! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBunny Posted April 8, 2019 Share Posted April 8, 2019 4 minutes ago, TRBboy said: Very interesting, and I hadn't realised that centred, both pickups are only at 50%, but it makes sense of each extreme is 100% for that pickup. With VVT though, does the dip in output with both pickups at 100% equate to the same thing? Would be easier to go VVT as I can just buy a jazz bass wiring kit! Or you could buy a Noll Mixpot and both pickups are 100% in the centre position. It would require room for a battery and is a lot more expensive than V/B/T. http://noll-electronic.de/guitar-electronics/mixpot/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRBboy Posted April 8, 2019 Author Share Posted April 8, 2019 11 minutes ago, BassBunny said: Or you could buy a Noll Mixpot and both pickups are 100% in the centre position. It would require room for a battery and is a lot more expensive than V/B/T. http://noll-electronic.de/guitar-electronics/mixpot/ Thanks, an interesting idea! However, I bought this bass after both of my (active) basses went tits-up at Friday's gig, so I'm keen to keep the wiring as simple and uncomplicated as possible! 😂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itu Posted April 8, 2019 Share Posted April 8, 2019 Bourns has these blend pots, where both are fully on (0 ohm) at centre. Double pots, markings are MN250K and MN500K. Check these from Digikey or similar: PDB182-GTRB1-254MN PDB182-GTRB1-504MN 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRBboy Posted April 8, 2019 Author Share Posted April 8, 2019 39 minutes ago, itu said: Bourns has these blend pots, where both are fully on (0 ohm) at centre. Double pots, markings are MN250K and MN500K. Check these from Digikey or similar: PDB182-GTRB1-254MN PDB182-GTRB1-504MN Thanks man, will try to find them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderpaws Posted April 8, 2019 Share Posted April 8, 2019 7 hours ago, Grangur said: On passive basses 500K pots give a more aggressive tone than 250K. Some like that, others don't. I recall someone I was talking with once who wouldn't stop talking about 500K being an "upgrade". It's not an "upgrade" unless the more "electric", metallic, clanky sound is what you want. My personal preference is to change back to 250 if 500s have been fitted. My Geddy Lee Jazz Bass is plenty clanky and about as driven sounding as i’d want my pups to be and they are all cts 250k pots. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fleabag Posted April 8, 2019 Share Posted April 8, 2019 I wouldnt get hung up on having Orange Drops. There's a lot of snake oil surrounding caps, so just buy the right tolerance for your needs, rather than a name 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuzzie Posted April 9, 2019 Share Posted April 9, 2019 For blend you will need 6 terminal pots this website is pretty reasonable https://www.axesrus.co.uk/Electronics-Pots-s/1951.htm 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRBboy Posted April 9, 2019 Author Share Posted April 9, 2019 3 minutes ago, Cuzzie said: For blend you will need 6 terminal pots this website is pretty reasonable https://www.axesrus.co.uk/Electronics-Pots-s/1951.htm Thank you! Just realised that's where I bought pots and stuff from years ago! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRBboy Posted April 9, 2019 Author Share Posted April 9, 2019 AxesRus only seem to have budget blend pots unfortunately, no CTS or Bourns.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
No lust in Jazz Posted April 9, 2019 Share Posted April 9, 2019 In the first instance, I'd be contacting KiOgon for any such messing. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuzzie Posted April 9, 2019 Share Posted April 9, 2019 Shame, I dint look at the make sorry! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuzzie Posted April 9, 2019 Share Posted April 9, 2019 May still do a job Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Marcoelwray Posted April 10, 2019 Share Posted April 10, 2019 Quite more expensive, buy I spare some stupid soldering using these https://m.thomann.de/intl/goeldo_balance_poti_250.htm?i11l=fr_GB%3ABE.EUR%3AEUR&o=7&search=1554925071 If you're looking for some nice J 5 pickups for not too policy money I can make you a quote for Delano. They are really decently priced. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRBboy Posted April 11, 2019 Author Share Posted April 11, 2019 11 hours ago, Marcoelwray said: Quite more expensive, buy I spare some stupid soldering using these https://m.thomann.de/intl/goeldo_balance_poti_250.htm?i11l=fr_GB%3ABE.EUR%3AEUR&o=7&search=1554925071 If you're looking for some nice J 5 pickups for not too policy money I can make you a quote for Delano. They are really decently priced. Thanks for the info, they look good, but I'll see if they have a split shaft version. Do you have some Delano JJ pickups for sale? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Marcoelwray Posted April 11, 2019 Share Posted April 11, 2019 2 hours ago, TRBboy said: Thanks for the info, they look good, but I'll see if they have a split shaft version. Do you have some Delano JJ pickups for sale? You're welcome I'm not sure about the split shaft version.... In stock I have a set of single coils 4 strings, but I order on demand and by order. Any pickup free of charge, is available in black or white, American size or normal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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