Biaeothanata-Bassist Posted September 7, 2013 Share Posted September 7, 2013 Hey guys Basically, I've just stripped the active electronics out of my bass and replaced the pick ups with passive Seymour Duncan SSB-5 soap bars. Problem is, the recommended wiring is essentially jazz bass wiring which is 2 volume and 1 tone but my bass has holes for 4 potentioments and I don't want to leave one of the holes opened. I don't want to go fitting an active pre amp again either. I was thinking of adding a 3 way switch and going Les Paul style but I'm not sure on it. Another option I thought of was to run each pick up to their own volume then off to a blend pot then a tone pot. Not sure on what to do though. Can anyone help please? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MoJo Posted September 7, 2013 Share Posted September 7, 2013 I did the former on my Ibanez SR800. It has a Les Paul pickup selector switch, two volumes, one tone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjones Posted September 7, 2013 Share Posted September 7, 2013 I have a bass with both a Jazz and a P pickup. It has a 3 position selector switch but frankly a blend pot would have been much more useful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingBollock Posted September 7, 2013 Share Posted September 7, 2013 (edited) I'd give each pickup it's own volume and tone knob. That would seem to be the most versatile choice that gets you your four pots. Edit: Am I right in thinking those pickups can be coil tapped? If they can I'd use push pull pots for the tone knobs and use them for tapping the coils. I did this in my Dean Cadillac (sorry it's not a bass) and it's the best, most versatile/useful, mod I've ever done. Edited September 7, 2013 by KingBollock Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommorichards Posted September 7, 2013 Share Posted September 7, 2013 I reckon as above. Or a rotary switch engaging different value capacitors for the tone pot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JapanAxe Posted September 7, 2013 Share Posted September 7, 2013 Or blank off the hole with a plug of some kind. Maplin do black plastic blanking plugs in various diameters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neepheid Posted September 7, 2013 Share Posted September 7, 2013 Kill switch? Handy if you want it to be quiet but you don't want to mess up your volume settings if you've got 'em set. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biaeothanata-Bassist Posted September 7, 2013 Author Share Posted September 7, 2013 [quote name='neepheid' timestamp='1378575171' post='2202049'] Kill switch? Handy if you want it to be quiet but you don't want to mess up your volume settings if you've got 'em set. [/quote] Already got a killswitch fitted from when I had the active electronics to stop battery drain and popping when removing the cable etc. but cheers for the suggestion anyway [quote name='JapanAxe' timestamp='1378566913' post='2201929'] Or blank off the hole with a plug of some kind. Maplin do black plastic blanking plugs in various diameters. [/quote] Nooooo god no thanks no. It would look so wrong and the bass is my cherished pride and joy haha [quote name='tommorichards' timestamp='1378565342' post='2201900'] I reckon as above. Or a rotary switch engaging different value capacitors for the tone pot. [/quote] Hmm, interesting, that could be something I'll look in to. Where would I be able to get one of these from? [quote name='KingBollock' timestamp='1378565082' post='2201893'] I'd give each pickup it's own volume and tone knob. That would seem to be the most versatile choice that gets you your four pots. Edit: Am I right in thinking those pickups can be coil tapped? If they can I'd use push pull pots for the tone knobs and use them for tapping the coils. I did this in my Dean Cadillac (sorry it's not a bass) and it's the best, most versatile/useful, mod I've ever done. [/quote] To be honest pal, i don't think they are. Doesn't say anything about them being coil tappable on the website else I would consider that as it would give me that Jazz bass tone when wanted/needed. Most likely am going to just end up going for a volume and tone on each pick up providing it'll work like that properly. Again, thanks for the suggestion though. [quote name='MoJo' timestamp='1378563922' post='2201882'] I did the former on my Ibanez SR800. It has a Les Paul pickup selector switch, two volumes, one tone [/quote] I'm seriously considering this option. I'm not sure it would look right on my bass though and i'm weird with it, I like things to look right. It is a damn good suggestion though and thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommorichards Posted September 7, 2013 Share Posted September 7, 2013 [quote name='Biaeothanata-Bassist' timestamp='1378596960' post='2202352'] Hmm, interesting, that could be something I'll look in to. Where would I be able to get one of these from? [/quote] Well, you can buy them, or this picture shows you how to easily make one (cheaper): You just need one of these, [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-pole-6-position-rotary-switch-pickup-switching-and-varitone-/151103879862?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item232e7e3ab6"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-pole-6-position-rotary-switch-pickup-switching-and-varitone-/151103879862?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item232e7e3ab6[/url] and 6 (5 if you decide for a no capacitor option) different value capacitors. Or even, im sure someone on here could knock one up for you for a very decent price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delberthot Posted September 8, 2013 Share Posted September 8, 2013 (edited) Alternatively you could do as I have done and have a pot that isn't wired to anything with a knob so it looks the same as the others Edited September 8, 2013 by Delberthot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biaeothanata-Bassist Posted September 10, 2013 Author Share Posted September 10, 2013 Thanks Tommo and Delbert. The varitone option does seem like a damn good one. I'm seriously thinking of making one to try out. Just in case I did go for the boring option and do 2 volume and 2 tone, would it be the same wiring method as if you're doing 2 separate p basses or how would I have to wire it to stop buzzing ( I believe these are him cancelling pick ups but just in case) and would I lose any volume or tone if it was done 2v2t way? Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommorichards Posted September 10, 2013 Share Posted September 10, 2013 as you have to wire the volumes together, its easiest to follow the les paul wiring diagram, as that has VVTT. To stop buzzing, you just need to ensure that everything is grounded, and shield paint/copper tape for the cavity helps. With regards to loss of volume and tone. When you have both pickup volumes full, altering the tone pot for one of the pickups will affect both pickups, ie, will remove treble from your overall sound, not the specific pickup. Heres a wiring diagram for you. Ignore the switch, and wire the two volume output lugs to eachother, then one wire from it to the jack. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biaeothanata-Bassist Posted September 10, 2013 Author Share Posted September 10, 2013 Thanks very much Thommo! That's really cleared up a lot of confusion. I'll get it wired up when the new pots arrive and let you all know how it went! Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iiipopes Posted September 11, 2013 Share Posted September 11, 2013 Keeping it simple: you could just get a snap-in grommet for the unused hole, and have V-V-T traditional wiring. [url="http://www.mcmaster.com/#snap-in-plugs/=ogq2gg"]http://www.mcmaster....n-plugs/=ogq2gg[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biaeothanata-Bassist Posted September 26, 2013 Author Share Posted September 26, 2013 Right, i'm posting this back up because i'm stuck in a rut now. I followed the Les Paul diagram but now when you turn one volume, it turns down the whole bass. I can't turn one pick up down and leave the other one up which is annoying me. Is there any way around this or should I just give up and go for a jazz bass style wiring with one no-load pot? Right now, i'm thinking this may be the best option. The bass sounds great as it is and it's pretty much the tone I've wanted to always get from it but the fact the controls don't work as they're supposed to annoys me. Curse being a tone chaser! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommorichards Posted September 26, 2013 Share Posted September 26, 2013 i believe you need to switch the pickup in lug on the volume pot with the volume pot out lug. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biaeothanata-Bassist Posted September 29, 2013 Author Share Posted September 29, 2013 Hey Tommo, i'm going to drop you a message. Might be a bit easier that way Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biaeothanata-Bassist Posted October 1, 2013 Author Share Posted October 1, 2013 Well, thanks to Mr TommoRichards, I have managed to wire my bass exactly how I wanted it. 2 volume, 2 tone all running separately. Works like a dream and sounds amazing. The man is a genius, i'd recommend talking to him if you ever have any issues! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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