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How does changing the pots change the sound?
Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2015 7:00 pm
by meursault42
Hello,
I've read several threads on here in which these kinds of modifications are discussed in great technical detail (most of it over my head unfortunately). How would changing the Tone/Volume pots change the sound? What's the recommendation for a new 4003?
Thanks
Re: How does changing the pots change the sound?
Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2015 7:28 pm
by Captain Bob
Re: How does changing the pots change the sound?
Posted: Fri Mar 13, 2015 2:33 pm
by woodyng
Paging Dr Dane Wilder,Dr Wilder?
Re: How does changing the pots change the sound?
Posted: Fri Mar 13, 2015 4:08 pm
by aceonbass
I think that article pretty much sums it up. Although the info presented is correct, it tends to fly in the face of current RIC wiring with 330K pots amd .047uF tone caps for everything....
Re: How does changing the pots change the sound?
Posted: Fri Mar 13, 2015 4:18 pm
by meursault42
So, if I wanted to bring out more midrange presence in the neck pickup, I would lower the resistance value for the volume and tone pots?
Re: How does changing the pots change the sound?
Posted: Fri Mar 13, 2015 8:16 pm
by iiipopes
meursault42 wrote:So, if I wanted to bring out more midrange presence in the neck pickup, I would lower the resistance value for the volume and tone pots?
No. That will lower the amplitude as well as the frequency of the resonant peak. Raise the values, especially the volume control, to the 500kohm.
Another thing that won't do much when the tone knob is dimed, but will as you turn it down, is to change the tone capacitor from .047 to .033. This will retain more mids as you roll off the tone.
Re: How does changing the pots change the sound?
Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2015 11:24 pm
by Captain Bob
Consult Dane Wilder (he posted earlier) about building you another 'drop in' harness. Then, de-solder your pups, install the new harness and solder the pup wiring into the new loom.
Re: How does changing the pots change the sound?
Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2015 6:09 pm
by meursault42
Dane, sent you a PM
Re: How does changing the pots change the sound?
Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2015 5:04 pm
by Redstrand
Dropped a harness from Dane and its a solid player again. Couple of quick solders and you're good to go
Re: How does changing the pots change the sound?
Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2015 5:17 pm
by cheyenne
Not a Rickenbacker sorry,,,, But what value pots would you suggest to brighten up a Thunderbird? I have an Epiphone Classic IV that I really, really like, but I cant quite get enough high end out of it. Its not a big enough issue to make me get rid of it,,, but if something this simple could be the answer, I'm all about it.
Re: How does changing the pots change the sound?
Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2015 2:11 am
by aceonbass
I added master volume and tone controls to my Gibson Blackbird using 500K pots and a .022uF tone cap. It made the bass sound really meaty with just the right amount of top end to add more definition to the tone.