What exactly is the difference? I know this is probably a dumb question but I ran a search and didn't find anything. I was also wondering: is it possible to wire a MM pickup to have both coils running at once, one coil only, and a split coil mode (like a P pickup)?

Series is louder than parallel usually is the biggest difference I can tell. I dont know too much about specifics, but it doesnt really appear to change my tone too much going between the two, but it does get noticably louder and more pronounced in series mode.

Series is louder than parallel usually is the biggest difference I can tell. I dont know too much about specifics, but it doesnt really appear to change my tone too much going between the two, but it does get noticably louder and more pronounced in series mode.
That does make sense; series should potentially double the voltage (which would increase volume because the amp or pre input is high-impedance), and parallel would tend to double the current (more specifically: half the output impedance, which wouldn't make much difference in volume because it would go from a small fraction of the pre's input-Z to a smaller fraction).

That being the case, I'd think that bassists would prefer parallel, because they wouldn't get a big jump in volume when they switched. ...Hm - unless they WANTED to have an instant boost available.

Joe

That does make sense; series should potentially double the voltage (which would increase volume because the amp or pre input is high-impedance), and parallel would tend to double the current (more specifically: half the output impedance, which wouldn't make much difference in volume because it would go from a small fraction of the pre's input-Z to a smaller fraction).


Then there's also the tone side of things, as the inductance changes with the series/parallel settings.
In series, you get more lows and low-mids, and less highs.
In parallel, you get more highs

that's it?
that's all series parallel does?
make it louder?
that doesn't sound very attractive at all to have one

Also you can't have independant volume controls for the two pickups when they're in series.

why not?

It doesn't just change the volume, it changes the tone.

And yes, you can still have seperate volumes if you wire it a certain way, so that the volume pots would be considered as parts of the pickups.

It doesn't just change the volume, it changes the tone.
+1 The sound will be "fatter" (more lows and lows-mids, more punch) and with less clarity (less highs). It has its uses.

When I switch to serie, I decrease a little bit the volume, that way it's easier to hear the differences between the 2 modes.

Series:
.....................Coil 1...........Coil 2...
Signal IN--->[++++++]--->[++++++]--->Signal OUT


Parallel:
.....................Coil 1..
Signal IN--->[++++++]--->Signal OUT
Signal IN--->[++++++]--->Signal OUT
.....................Coil 2..

A pickup of course being made up of either 1 or 2 coils in most cases


As far as tone goes, and this is likely to bring in a variety of opinions.

Series: More Mid-Range definition

Parallel: More low end and high end definition

Single Coil: "Vintage" 60's type tone.

My latest bass has even three pickups in parallel!

http://home.planet.nl/~heess045/fotos/dsc00899.jpg

I just could not make a choice between Precision and Jazz bass :smug:

Actually the P-element consists of two parallel coupled parts...
The three pots regulate the volume of each element separately. Therefore I had to remove the tone pot.

What exactly is the difference? I know this is probably a dumb question but I ran a search and didn't find anything. I was also wondering: is it possible to wire a MM pickup to have both coils running at once, one coil only, and a split coil mode (like a P pickup)?

Series adds the resistance of each coil, and parallel divides, so two 5k coils would be 10k in series and 2.5k in parallel. It's the same with speakers. So you can get an idea of how the pickup would sound in both settings.

As others have correctly pointed out, series sounds fuller and parallel brighter.

With a MM pickup you have two side by side coils, so you can do series, parallel or single coil. Traditionally MM basses had the coils in parallel, and some had switches for selecting various combinations. I think the EB basses have the pickup in series.

The OLP basses have the coils in parallel with a separate volume for each coil. I think that's a waste of a big humbucker myself as I like series mode better most of the time.

You can't do split coil like a P-bass unless the pickup is made that way.

Series sounds fatter and louder. But you lose the humbucking so it will be nosier.

Series is actually quieter due to the higher resistance

No, pickups in series have more output. The output of both coils is added together. Pickups wound to higher resistance have more output. This is why high output pickups have a higher DC resistance.

But more windings also increases the inductance, which gives you more lows and mids and less top end. That's a generalization, as wire gauge and magnets also come into play. But in general series has more output. This is why almost every humbucker is wired in series.

of running in a stright line and on a j bass series wiring produces a brighter clearer tone and parrellel on a p bass creates a slightly thinner and skinnier tone thats louder but in my opinion

Jazz basses have the pickups wired in parallel, as do most two pickup instruments. The two halves of the Precision's split humbucker are wired in series. If you switch it to parallel, it will get brighter and thinner, but the output also drops. It might seem louder if you are running through a rig with not much bottom end, as it will be brighter, or with more sensitivity to high frequencies. If you have a dark sounding bass, turning up the treble on the amp wont do much, but switching the bass into parallel will.

Wiring a Jazz up in series gives a fuller tone with more bottom and less highs.

the best sound is stock american jazz or stock american precision just as they are cranked through and all tube ampeg b10 being played by john paul jones or james jamerson but he didn't use ampeg but I digress... play an american fender, and loud.

Jamerson played through a B-15-N, not a B-10. It's a nice sounding amp, but it's only 30 watts. You can't be heard over a drummer with one of those! I know because it was my first good bass amp back in 1970. Its good for studio work.

There's nothing special about Ampegs, and they weren't used all that much back then. Everett Hull (the founder of Ampeg) hated loud rock music, which is why they never made a popular guitar amp.

This whole Jazz bass and SVT fad is annoying at best. Sure, play though a muddy distorted bass amp. It covers up for sloppy playing. ;)

Series sounds fatter and louder. But you lose the humbucking so it will be nosier.

No, you don't lose the hum cancelation. That has to do with coil and magnet polarity, and not series/parallel wiring. Most humbucking pickups are wired in series.

The way a humbucker works, and this is also true of a Jazz bass with both pickups on, is each coil is wired out-of-phase with the other coil, either by reversing the wires, or winding one in the reverse direction. Normally two out-of-phase coils would sound very thin, with little bottom end. This is because of phase cancelation. The reason the entire signal does not cancel is because the pickups are sensing the string differently, because each coil is in a different location.

However, each coil's magnets are opposite polarity. So one has north poles, and the other has south. Because of this, each coil picks up the string in phase, but because noise doesn't reply on the magnets, just the coils, noise is picked up out of phase, and is canceled out while the string's signal is added together.

Makes no difference if the two coils are series or parallel. Series wiring sounds fuller and louder because each coil adds to the other. So if you have two 5K coils, that's 10K. In parallel the pickup would be 2.5K, and would sound brighter.

This whole Jazz bass and SVT fad is annoying at best. Sure, play though a muddy distorted bass amp. It covers up for sloppy playing. ;)
....

So it is a fad ? Well then, I guess I'm glad I haven't pulled the trigger on an SVT just ;) yet.

No, you don't lose the hum cancelation. That has to do with coil and magnet polarity, and not series/parallel wiring. Most humbucking pickups are wired in series.

The way a humbucker works, and this is also true of a Jazz bass with both pickups on, is each coil is wired out-of-phase with the other coil, either by reversing the wires, or winding one in the reverse direction. Normally two out-of-phase coils would sound very thin, with little bottom end. This is because of phase cancelation. The reason the entire signal does not cancel is because the pickups are sensing the string differently, because each coil is in a different location.

However, each coil's magnets are opposite polarity. So one has north poles, and the other has south. Because of this, each coil picks up the string in phase, but because noise doesn't reply on the magnets, just the coils, noise is picked up out of phase, and is canceled out while the string's signal is added together.

Makes no difference if the two coils are series or parallel. Series wiring sounds fuller and louder because each coil adds to the other. So if you have two 5K coils, that's 10K. In parallel the pickup would be 2.5K, and would sound brighter.

Thanks for the explanation! I assumed that since the series was a bit nosier, that it was due to losing the humbucking effect.

The Fender American Jazz Bass. It also features an S-1 switch that changes the pickups from parallel to series when engaged, creating a fatter, wider, almost humbucking tone

From musicians friend describing a a fender jazz american bass
My uncles bass is an american deluxe 2003 jazz it has s1 switiching like the modern standards and when engaged the sound is thin and pretty bad so somthing must be different because I know pressing down on the switch engages series but when pressed on my uncles it is about 30% quieter so I am pretty unsure on anything relating to this because apperantly my uncles bass (klugeguitar) does not conform to the description on musicians friend. But youre probably right and I have no idea why my uncles bass dosent match discriptions.



www.klugemusic.com

ps the s1 switch on a precision I belive works in reverse switching from series to parrallel

My uncles bass is an american deluxe 2003 jazz it has s1 switiching like the modern standards and when engaged the sound is thin and pretty bad so somthing must be different

I'd check and see if the pickups aren't being wired out of phase. Something is wrong here. I had a dual P pickup bass I made back in 1977 and I had a series switch on that, as I did with my fretless P-J in the 80's

And I didn't mean that james jamerson played through a b10 I meant that john paul jones did.

I don't know where you heard that... JPJ played solid state Acoustic 360 bass amps, just like Jaco. ;)

Bass Guitars
1963 Fender Jazz Bass: Jones' primary bass from 1968-77.
1951 Fender Telecaster Bass: Introduced on stage in 1971.
Fender Fretless Precision Bass: Used on the 1972 tours and also on the 1975-77 tours for In My Time Of Dying.
Fender Bass V: This 5-string model was used on the 1973 tours.
Alembic 4-String Bass: Used on stage from 1977-80.
Alembic 8-String Bass: Used on stage from 1977-80 and in the studio on In Through The Out Door.
Arco Stand-Up Bass: Allegedly purchased "for about 10 dollars in Newcastle in 1969" as Plant explained at the 04/27/77 show. More Info
Framus Stand-Up Bass: Used on stage at Earl's Court in 1975 from Bron-Yr-Aur Stomp.
Hagstrom 12-String: Seen on stage in early 1973.
1953 Gibson EB-1 Bass: Appears on the inner wheel of Led Zeppelin III

Amps
Acoustic 360: 475W amp used from 1969-1979.
Acoustic FH118: JPJ used two of these cabinets from 1969-1980.
Fender Dual Showman Reverb: Amps & cabinets used with keyboards.
Gallien Krueger: Amps used in the 1980 tour.

Look at this photo. You can see him with the Fender Bass V and the Acoustic 360 in the background.

http://www.polarmusicprize.com/newSite/gfx/thumb/ledzeppelin003.jpg

Until the SVT, no one used Ampegs on stage because they didn't make big amps.

sorry

Nothing to be sorry about :)

The Fender American Jazz Bass. It also features an S-1 switch that changes the pickups from parallel to series when engaged, creating a fatter, wider, almost humbucking tone

From musicians friend describing a a fender jazz american bass
My uncles bass is an american deluxe 2003 jazz it has s1 switiching like the modern standards and when engaged the sound is thin and pretty bad so somthing must be different because I know pressing down on the switch engages series but when pressed on my uncles it is about 30% quieter so I am pretty unsure on anything relating to this because apperantly my uncles bass (klugeguitar) does not conform to the description on musicians friend. But youre probably right and I have no idea why my uncles bass dosent match discriptions.



www.klugemusic.com


That's right....the S1 switch adds the neck and bridge pickups together in series as opposed to parallel. You lose the blending capabilities of the pickups.

What can sometimes be confusing is that series/parallel can refer to one pickup or two. A jazz bass with series/parallel switching is wiring two indepent pickups in series versus the standard parallel. A humbucker like in a MM bass can be wired series or parallel due to the dual coils.

Basses with two humbuckers have the pickups wired in parallel (meaning the first pickup and second pickup are wired in parallel in the circuit), but the coils themselves within the pickup can be either in series or parallel. For example, Ken Smith basses have two humbucking pickups with series/parallel switches, but together they are wired in parallel in the circuit. A jazz bass cannot have each pickup with a series/parallel option, but you can wire the circuit in parallel or series. I hope that makes sense....

On my new Kinal I will have the neck pickup in series without switching and the bridge pickup available with a series/parallel switch.

I asked him on his web site hopfully I get a reply
How would you find out if pickups are out of phase and what causes is and what is out of phase and why do you think its out of phase

www.klugemusic.com

I asked him on his web site hopfully I get a reply
How would you find out if pickups are out of phase and what causes is and what is out of phase and why do you think its out of phase

www.klugemusic.com


In an Out of Phase condition the two signals from the two pups cancel each other but since the pups signals are different due to different locations, some of the signal is not cancelled. The lower frequencies vary less between pups so more cancellation happens there. The Peavey T-40 has a phase switch and when engaged, it sound like you are playing in a tin can, bottom end mostly dropped. Here is a sound sample with the phase switch engaged and then normal:

http://www.box.net/shared/static/kr8rly6dgy.wav

Hello Folks! Nice forum you have here.
The bass KlugeBass is speaking of is mine. It's a 2003 Jazz I bought new with a serial # starting with Z3 (deluxe 2003?). Here is the deal, with the S1 switch not depressed the bass is full/big/fat sounding. With the S1 switch pushed in the sound has less bottom end, more mid range, less overall volume. All of the bad/wrong info KlugeBass had was my fault :( I was going under the assumtion that with the S1 depressed the pickups would be in series, but if series is supposed to result in a volume increase than something is defineltly up. I will do some resistance checks to sort this out. It would seem that my switch is miss-wired from the factory? In any event I really dig this bass. I'm a guitar player primarily but I use this bass when I make any recordings.
PS> About that John Paul Jones ampeg B10 thing. I read that he used a b10 somewhere on the net. Don't believe everything you read I guess.

Maybe the big fat sound is series! That's what it sounds like to me. You can tell if the two volume controls don't work in that mode.

Well JPJ might have used a B-10 in the studio... you never know. I used to love my B-15, but I hated V4B's... just a lot of underpowered mush.

I have a Mesa 400+. I rarely use it anymore, but I think it sounds better than an SVT. I don't like the Ampeg tone controls.

Hello Folks! Nice forum you have here.
The bass KlugeBass is speaking of is mine. It's a 2003 Jazz I bought new with a serial # starting with Z3 (deluxe 2003?). Here is the deal, with the S1 switch not depressed the bass is full/big/fat sounding. With the S1 switch pushed in the sound has less bottom end, more mid range, less overall volume. All of the bad/wrong info KlugeBass had was my fault :( I was going under the assumtion that with the S1 depressed the pickups would be in series, but if series is supposed to result in a volume increase than something is defineltly up. I will do some resistance checks to sort this out. It would seem that my switch is miss-wired from the factory? In any event I really dig this bass. I'm a guitar player primarily but I use this bass when I make any recordings.
PS> About that John Paul Jones ampeg B10 thing. I read that he used a b10 somewhere on the net. Don't believe everything you read I guess.

Wouldn't be the first time I've seen a faulty S-1 switch. I saw several defective switches when I sold Fenders at the music store. The switch is more of a gimmick than anything....it was just marketing trying to make you think they're doing something more special than what it is--and the pots they use for the switch are pretty bad. Sorry to break it to you--Fender is not what they used to be. I'm sure you can get it fixed though, probably under warranty.

In an Out of Phase condition the two signals from the two pups cancel each other but since the pups signals are different due to different locations, some of the signal is not cancelled. The lower frequencies vary less between pups so more cancellation happens there. The Peavey T-40 has a phase switch and when engaged, it sound like you are playing in a tin can, bottom end mostly dropped. Here is a sound sample with the phase switch engaged and then normal:

http://www.box.net/shared/static/kr8rly6dgy.wav

I actually had phase cancellation between mags and piezos in my Linc bass. I noticed a big volume drop when blending both signals--turned out the piezos were out of phase with the mags. Both mags were in phase with each other, but the piezos were not. RMC supplied a phase inverter and it's all fine now....

Wouldn't be the first time I've seen a faulty S-1 switch. I saw several defective switches when I sold Fenders at the music store. The switch is more of a gimmick than anything....it was just marketing trying to make you think they're doing something more special than what it is--and the pots they use for the switch are pretty bad. Sorry to break it to you--Fender is not what they used to be. I'm sure you can get it fixed though, probably under warranty.

not a gimmick...S-1 is a valid idea...at least for the jazz basses...too bad, Fender just didn't go ahead and put a decent push/pull pot (or better yet, a toggle) on instead...the "clever" little pushbutton was just a bad Idea, period

Yes I would tend to agree with PilbaraBass about the S-1. A nice push pull pot would be very nice. The S-1 switch itself is a bit on the cheesey side. I like and use the S-1 functions on my Strat. Also a push pull pot would be easy for me to operate quickly. I dislike having to look down and search out the exact place to push in on the switch while trying not to bump the volume up or down. I'd call it a functional gimmick.

not a gimmick...S-1 is a valid idea...at least for the jazz basses...too bad, Fender just didn't go ahead and put a decent push/pull pot (or better yet, a toggle) on instead...the "clever" little pushbutton was just a bad Idea, period

That's what I meant by gimmick. The series/parallel switch on a Jazz is great idea. The button pots don't seem to work very well though...(hence why I called it a gimmick) I'd vote for a mini-toggle instead.

That's what I meant by gimmick. The series/parallel switch on a Jazz is great idea. The button pots don't seem to work very well though...(hence why I called it a gimmick) I'd vote for a mini-toggle instead.

+1...gimmick switch...for sure!

yep, toggle is the best option, IMO for a production feature...most-reliable and most-serviceable.

the push-pull pot is the best option, IMO for most modifications, because no extra holes need to be drilled.

The Peavey T-40 has a phase switch and when engaged, it sound like you are playing in a tin can, bottom end mostly dropped. Here is a sound sample with the phase switch engaged and then normal:

http://www.box.net/shared/static/kr8rly6dgy.wav

I like the sound of that bass!

Can i have two humbuckers that are wired on series individually,but are wired on paralel between them?

Can i have two humbuckers that are wired on series individually,but are wired on paralel between them?

you can have anything you want...

you can have anything you want...

It was a dumb question since i've seen basses with two P pups :smug:

Ok I have figured out what was up with the bass. The hot leads from the pickups were reversed from the factory. So now with the switch engaged (in) the pickups are in series.
Big ....Fat....Full. Nice

In an Out of Phase condition the two signals from the two pups cancel each other but since the pups signals are different due to different locations, some of the signal is not cancelled. The lower frequencies vary less between pups so more cancellation happens there. The Peavey T-40 has a phase switch and when engaged, it sound like you are playing in a tin can, bottom end mostly dropped. Here is a sound sample with the phase switch engaged and then normal:

http://www.box.net/shared/static/kr8rly6dgy.wav

Is that sample being played on an old t-40?? Wow, it sounds AWESOME!! What do you think of it? How does it compare to the newer basses?

And yes, you can still have seperate volumes if you wire it a certain way, so that the volume pots would be considered as parts of the pickups.
No, each volume will still effect both pickups as they are in series. Draw it out you'll see.