K1803--mono pre-amp seems way too 'hot'

Kits Audio Hi Fi Projects
1

I’m using the K1803 as a pre-amp for my bass (standard Fender J-bass, passive electronics). The problem is that I can only use about 20% of the range of the potentiometer before the signal is way too overdriven. I was hoping to be able to use it like any other bass amp gain stage, where I could have use of most of the range of the pot to change my sound.

Is there a way to change the circuit that would give me that option? Like, perhaps, use a pot with higher resistance?

2

Apparantly, the input level is too high.
You could experiment and lower the gain, by replacing the trimmer with a lower resistance.