The Last Bass Outpost

Gear Discussion Forums => Bill's Shop: Projects, Mods & Repairs => Topic started by: jmcgliss on March 18, 2010, 12:11:57 PM

Title: Ever Had a Tone Pot or Cap Blow Out?
Post by: jmcgliss on March 18, 2010, 12:11:57 PM
Had a weird incident with my Dark Star P-bass where the tone pot (CTS) or .047 cap seems to have blown out. Was playing with moderate aggression, heard a loud noise, then the bass lost volume so I quickly shut things down. The amp is fine since I carried on using another bass. Testing later at home, I have a working Vol pot but no tone attenuation. A quick visual looks like all connections are normal.

I'm assuming a Dark Star doesn't put out enough energy to blow out a pot or cap, but I'd appreciate hearing if anyone thinks this could be component failure. I'll double check solder connections for now.
Title: Re: Ever Had a Tone Pot or Cap Blow Out?
Post by: exiledarchangel on March 18, 2010, 12:40:13 PM
There's no way a pickup, even Mudbucker the Mighty, could blow up a pot or cap.
Check your wiring for cold solder joint(s) and ofcourse the tone pot and cap itself.
Title: Re: Ever Had a Tone Pot or Cap Blow Out?
Post by: Highlander on March 18, 2010, 12:47:47 PM
"Aggressive" playing has been known to colapse a pot or two if your playing is in line with them...
Title: Re: Ever Had a Tone Pot or Cap Blow Out?
Post by: exiledarchangel on March 18, 2010, 12:51:13 PM
Well, if that's the case then it's normal to break a pot, the bass, or your geetard player's head...
Title: Re: Ever Had a Tone Pot or Cap Blow Out?
Post by: saltymonkey on March 18, 2010, 02:41:09 PM
I had the same thing happen to a Lakland DPLEII. Don't know the reason but the tone pot died. I replaced it and the cap and never had another problem.
Title: Re: Ever Had a Tone Pot or Cap Blow Out?
Post by: bassvirtuoso on March 18, 2010, 02:52:53 PM
Quote from: saltymonkey on March 18, 2010, 02:41:09 PM
I had the same thing happen to a Lakland DPLEII.

:'( The one that got away from me...
Title: Re: Ever Had a Tone Pot or Cap Blow Out?
Post by: jmcgliss on March 18, 2010, 07:39:04 PM
Thanks for the responses.  The DS harness came from Butch Ammons 3 years ago. Since he does impeccable soldering work as you probably know, I'll look for what I might have cocked up.