chrisaxe Posted March 15, 2021 Share Posted March 15, 2021 Hi all, I was just wondering if anyone would be able to help me please! I have recently bought an early 60’s Hofner 500/3 Bass, with the one knob control panel. I understand that this features a volume pot, as well as the usual three treble / bass / rhythm and lead switches. My question is how this worked with only the one pickup, as my understanding is that usually the treble and bass switches were on/off switches for the two pickups. I can’t seem to find any information about how this control panel works with a one pickup bass such as mine, as there is no treble pickup to turn on and off. Currently the volume control works but the switches do not seem to do anything, so I was looking gain an understanding of how these controls worked on a one pickup bass before I open it up and check the solder joints and wiring. Many thanks in advance! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoulderpet Posted March 15, 2021 Share Posted March 15, 2021 (edited) I cant help you with any in depth technical info but on the 2 pickup Hofner's the bass On position switches off the bridge pickup but also engages a capacitor that rolls off the treble, the Treble slider in the On position switches off the neck pickup and engage a bass cut capacitor, I imagine on the one pickup basses it engages the above capacitors just without switching off pickup(s) Edited March 15, 2021 by shoulderpet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisaxe Posted March 15, 2021 Author Share Posted March 15, 2021 13 minutes ago, shoulderpet said: I cant help you with any in depth technical info but on the 2 pickup Hofner's the bass On position switches off the bridge pickup but also engages a capacitor that rolls off the treble, the Treble slider in the On position switches off the neck pickup and engage a bass cut capacitor, I imagine on the one pickup basses it engages the above capacitors just without switching off pickup(s) Interesting! I had no idea. I'll open up the control plate soon and see if there are any capacitors that suggest this is what is happening. Thank you for your help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grahambythesea Posted March 16, 2021 Share Posted March 16, 2021 Also remember that the switches work backwards to the labelling. If I remember correctly “bass on and treble on “ is written at the bottom of the plate, but the switch is on when clicked away from the label. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maude Posted March 20, 2021 Share Posted March 20, 2021 I've made a replacement control plate for my Hofner Club with no labelling on. It makes more sense than the original. 😄 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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