modding a stingray's volume knob(anyone done this?)

[brandonbass]

Anyways, before anyone flame this noob for thinking about modding his ray I just wanna say that everything about my ray is perfect. From the neck to the tone. Id only ever change the pickguard and make a swap for a hipshot d tuner,,,, but:

Ive been experimenting with volume swells to simulate the sound of a cello recently(you use your pinky to adjust the volume knob as you pluck w your thumb). This technique pre-dominantly used by guitarists, but Ive come to find out that it sounds pretty good when done on the ray as well.

The thing is my ray's volume knob is kind of tight and it makes the technique harder to execute. Is it possible to change my knobs to looser ones since its using an active circuit?

Also, I tend to have my volume knob cranked full when Im playing. As in, I dont adjust the volume in between songs. Do you think it is for me to mod the volume knob so that the full range of volume adjustments can be made with just a 1/4 turn of the knob? It would be ideal if the knob is loose and my volume can go from zero to max with just a quarter turn.

Thanks!!!

 

[bassmonkeee]

I don't know of any volume pots that have a wide open value at 1/4 turn.

Why not just get a volume pedal? It'd be cheaper in the long run. And, you can use it with more than one instrument.

 

[brandonbass]

I don't know of any volume pots that have a wide open value at 1/4 turn.

Why not just get a volume pedal? It'd be cheaper in the long run. And, you can use it with more than one instrument.

Hmmm, you think theyd be pots with wide open value at say 1/2 a turn? My pedalboard is pretty huge as of now, another pedal might not be an option. Plus with a volume pedal, I feel like I dont have as much control as say a loose volume knob esp if Im playing a fast passage

 

[dedmouse]

In the 40+ years I've been doing electronics repairs, I've never seen a 1/4 or even a 1/2 turn panel mounted potentiometer...not to say they're not out there somewhere but I have never seen one.

 

[Golem]

`

The volume pots used for most passive basses go
from very low, not really zero though, to full in 1/4
turn more or less .... they just happen to do so in
the last quarter. IOW, in their first 3/4 range, from
zero on upward, very little useful volume occurs.
Thaz why passive basses are a PITA, control-wise
[as well as lacking real EQ control].

So ... you could think of these as the rapid action
pot you seek, with a huge "soft landing area" of not
quite zero but darned little volume at the bottom.

The questions I can't answer are at least two:

1. Is the impedance of such pots compatible with
the active system in the MM bass ?
2. Will you get your "cello" effect if the bottom
[the low-volume end] of your 1/4 [or 1/3] turn
spin is NOT toadally down to zero [fully "off"] ?
3. Why would a bassist have an overcrowded [or
even barely crowded] pedal board ?

OOooopzez .... seems that was more than two
questions, weren't it :-/

 

[tbonesullivan]

I'd second the volume pedal option. It is a great accessory, and definitely easier than trying to reach over and move the knobs all the time.