jimcroisdale Posted June 27, 2021 Share Posted June 27, 2021 HI all, I've purchased a Wilkinson WJM pickup to go into my Sterling SB14. It will replace the active system. Previous thread about this here: Basically, it's a Stingray type pickup, but the bridge-side coil is "jazz" style - which appeals to me for reasons I won't bore you with. (okay, it's the Jaco thing 😄 ) Info about these pickups is scant, but there is a wiring diagram for the Fretking Esprit bass, which features this pickup. See diagram attached. I suppose my question is about what they call the "vari coil" knob, which gradually rolls ONE of the coils off to ground. So, why does that need the dual-gang pot shown?? Regards, Jim fretking esprit wiring.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigguy2017 Posted June 27, 2021 Share Posted June 27, 2021 Hmmm... as drawn that second 250K pot does nothing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigguy2017 Posted June 27, 2021 Share Posted June 27, 2021 Maybe they fit the stacked pot for two pickup models? So why not save a few bucks and use a single pot with the single pickup... Strange. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itu Posted June 27, 2021 Share Posted June 27, 2021 The third pot is feasible only if you use a Bourns 250 k MN and blend the coils with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimcroisdale Posted June 28, 2021 Author Share Posted June 28, 2021 Yes, it's really odd. The pickup has arrived today, and at least the wiring colours seem to match with what was found on that previous thread. Just need to decide how I want to wire it up now! Assuming a master tone (a la Jazz bass) there are a few options: 1) Separate volume pot for each coil 2) Blend pot with centre detent and master volume knob 3) Jazz coil always on, with pot to bring the MM coil in or out, plus a master volume 4) MM coil always on, with pot to bring the jazz coil in or out, plus a master volume 5) Perhaps a series parallel switch to change the sound when both coils are being used.... WWYD? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_5 Posted June 28, 2021 Share Posted June 28, 2021 I used an on/on/on switch for mine - front coil, both, then bridge - only needs a single volume and tone then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimcroisdale Posted June 28, 2021 Author Share Posted June 28, 2021 Did you wire the coils in series or parallel? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_5 Posted June 28, 2021 Share Posted June 28, 2021 Parallel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimcroisdale Posted June 29, 2021 Author Share Posted June 29, 2021 Im thinking I may as well keep the active circuit in the SB14 and just swap the pickup in. Then ive got Vol/Bass/Mid/Treble and a switch that goes series, parallel and single coil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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