Jazz Bass- 500k Pots

[Matt R.]

Have any of you had experience using 500k potentiometers on passive single coil Jazz Bass pickups? Do they sound brittle or too harsh? I’m thinking of using them on a build I’m currently working on.
I know they are typically best on humbuckers and such, but I figure if they sound good on my single coil Curtis Novak Darkstar type pickup, they could be fine on a Jazz (?)

[tim]

This might be a bit too far removed to be very useful, but I switched the pots on my SB-2 from 250K audio to 500K audio. I feel the difference more in the upper mids than the treble, so no, I wouldn't call the results harsh. I did notice that I am able to get a broader range of tones when mixing the two pickups.

In any case, it's a cheap and reversible mod, so I say go for it.

[Matt R.]

Nah I think that’s similar enough. That’s a passive PJ setup right?
Your response is kind of what I’m hoping for, a broader tonal range. Thanks!

[tim]

Yes, passive P/J. No tone control on mine, either. So the tonal variation from the pots is pretty useful

[Billw97]

I am pretty sure some of the Vintage Modified Jazz basses came with 500k pots.
The two that I had both had 500k pots.
They seemed brighter to me.

[tim]

Did you ever get around to trying this mod?

[Matt R.]

Did you ever get around to trying this mod?

Not yet. It’s actually part of a Warmoth Jazzmaster bass build. The bass is together, but currently in Nashville waiting to get the frets leveled. Hopefully in another week or so. I’ll let you all know and I’ll of course put pix up!

[superheavydeathmetal]

Yes! Please do!