Question Potentiometers

[Alvabass]

Hi everybody.

I'd just like to know the differences (aside from knobs' appearance) between the potentiometers used on Bongos and the ones used on Sterlings. I'm curious because I play [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKcqz8X8Foo&fmt=18"]a version of Eddie Van Halen's "Cathedral"[/ame], and that piece requires swelling the volume knob. The thing is, doing that is very easy on my Bongo. The pot doesn't offer any resistance while turning it. But one of my students recently got a Sterling and, when I tried to play the same thing, I noticed that repeatedly swelling the volume knob on that bass is a true stamina work. It turns smoothly, but not as fast as on my Bongo. Again, just curious. Thank you in advance!

 

[Alvabass]

a version of Eddie Van Halen's "Cathedral"

Hmm... I didn't notice that YouTube links now appear that way.

 

[the unrepentant]

Not sure but the pots on my SUB turn with such ease But they feel nice and solid still

 

[nicjimbass]

I would assume Sterling pots are similar to StingRay pots... if so, they are very similar to normal pots used in passive basses... big round silver metal part with a shaft. The Bongo's pots are much smaller... like a small DPDT toggle switch, only with a shaft, not a switch. I'm assuming since it's so much smaller, that's where the lack of resistance comes from... fewer parts rubbing together.

 

[oli@bass]

Alva! You kill me!

"I haven't heard any version of this on bass before". You know why?! Because it's out of this world! You are out of this world! And like all aliens from outer space, you completely lost your sense of reality for the human limitations. Damn!

This is so great, I have to try it myself (but I don't have a delay thingy)

Now regarding the knobs: I never played a Bongo, but if it uses the same potentiometers as the newer 'Rays (3Q 2006), then they do feel very smooth but are harder to turn. So, older StingRays and Sterlings have very light turning knobs, but newer ones will have those feeling ductile.

 

[ronnyG]

I would assume Sterling pots are similar to StingRay pots... if so, they are very similar to normal pots used in passive basses... big round silver metal part with a shaft. The Bongo's pots are much smaller... like a small DPDT toggle switch, only with a shaft, not a switch. I'm assuming since it's so much smaller, that's where the lack of resistance comes from... fewer parts rubbing together.

I usually can't stand when people answer a question on a forum based on assumption but I have been known to do that myself..I guess since "I am bound to be misunderstood and piss someone off"

But..what I really don't understand about the above assumption is how would the knob being smaller have anything to do with "fewer parts rubbing together"? regardless of the size of the knob it still would have the same amount of "parts" rubbing. As well....a smaller knob would in all theoretical applications offer an increase in resistance due to less leverage, all else being equal.

A better "ASSumption" might be that either ...A) the pots are different and the Sterling inherantly offers greater resistance or... B) one of the basses has a problem with the pot (either too lose or too tight), but that assumption is really pushing it.

So, I would say we patiently wait for someone to reply that actually knows the correct answer

 

[nicjimbass]

I usually can't stand when people answer a question on a forum based on assumption but I have been known to do that myself..I guess since "I am bound to be misunderstood and piss someone off"

But..what I really don't understand about the above assumption is how would the knob being smaller have anything to do with "fewer parts rubbing together"? regardless of the size of the knob it still would have the same amount of "parts" rubbing. As well....a smaller knob would in all theoretical applications offer an increase in resistance due to less leverage, all else being equal.

A better "ASSumption" might be that either ...A) the pots are different and the Sterling inherantly offers greater resistance or... B) one of the basses has a problem with the pot (either too lose or too tight), but that assumption is really pushing it.

So, I would say we patiently wait for someone to reply that actually knows the correct answer

Wow, thanks for the flame bro. I was trying to give my best answer to someone that needed help. Since I've owned both a Bongo and SR5, and since I've both opened them up and modified them, I figured I could give at least SOME sort of answer. I only put "assume" in there since I'm not 100% on all the facts of the internals of each pot.... never had the pleasure of opening either one up to see what's inside. The outside of each one is DRASTICALLY different, so I was making the observation that the innards may be different on each. Did it hurt anyone that I made the assumptions I did? No. Perhaps instead of blasting me, you could just keep it to yourself.

 

[ronnyG]

Oh bro I am sorry, I didn't intend on blasting you at all and even explained that I do the same thing. Sometimes it is hard to translate the "tone" of a statement made on a forum..yes perhaps I was emmiting a bit of sarcasm..but it was all meant with comradery of us fellow knuckleheads and no blasting intended. Besides your avatar rocks..I loved that movie, Napolian dynamite is awesome.

Now why don't you take apart those pots and count the parts? Kidding of course...

 

[nicjimbass]

It's all good man.

I found an old Bongo pot today, but that sucka is sealed tight. Might take a crack at opening it up anywat, just for curiosity's sake.

 

[ronnyG]

Just put it in a vice and have at it with a chisel.