SKB2006 Nordy DC's, Aggie 0B3, 3-W Switch - Volume Issue

[jzbass6]

Help!! does anyone else have this same configuration? I had the Bart NTMB switched out for the 0B3 and had 3-W mini's for single/series/parallel switching. The different combo's sound great the only problem is I seemed to have lost half to volume on the bass. I have Big Singles and a 0B3 in another bass and the volume is fine. I suspect something is wired wrong but the person who wired it says he wired it correctly. He did say he changed the volume pot and I'm wondering if that could be the issue. Any suggestions to help get this corrected would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

[lsu921]

Does it matter what position the switch is in? I know wiring it parallel will cause about a 50% drop in output.

[xkimsungminx]

There isn't much you can do about it. It seems to be especially worse since Roscoe pups are wound Series [including the Nordy DC's that they get] I think most people get their Nord DC's etc wired Parallel, and Carey recommends that you have the pups wound for a Parallel configuration if you're looking to utilize the switching.

Even regardless of that, there will still be volume drop out while switching [the Nordstrand NJ6 Deluxe I used to own had Nordy DC6's + Aggie OBP3 with the switches for each pickup and the volume drop out was apparent on that bass as well; it was just SLIGHTLY less significant in volume drop out]

I have the exact same set up: Nordy DC5's + Aggi OBP3 with 2 switches instead of one for Series/Single Coil/Parallel for each pickup.

Once I start playing, I don't need to change the switch configuration so it's not a big deal to me but there IS a significant volume drop in both Parallel and Single coil compared to when the pickups are switched to Series.

[jzbass6]

Originally Posted by lsu921

Does it matter what position the switch is in? I know wiring it parallel will cause about a 50% drop in output.

No it seems to be consistent no matter what the switch position.

Originally Posted by xkimsungminx

There isn't much you can do about it. It seems to be especially worse since Roscoe pups are wound Series [including the Nordy DC's that they get] I think most people get their Nord DC's etc wired Parallel, and Carey recommends that you have the pups wound for a Parallel configuration if you're looking to utilize the switching.

Even regardless of that, there will still be volume drop out while switching [the Nordstrand NJ6 Deluxe I used to own had Nordy DC6's + Aggie OBP3 with the switches for each pickup and the volume drop out was apparent on that bass as well; it was just SLIGHTLY less significant in volume drop out]

I have the exact same set up: Nordy DC5's + Aggi OBP3 with 2 switches instead of one for Series/Single Coil/Parallel for each pickup.

Once I start playing, I don't need to change the switch configuration so it's not a big deal to me but there IS a significant volume drop in both Parallel and Single coil compared to when the pickups are switched to Series.

So your saying it's the switches being incorporated that causes the volume drop? if so removing the switches would bring it back to the normal volume? I know the Bart Pre and the DC's had plenty of volume before.
Thanks, WIll

[xkimsungminx]

Originally Posted by jzbass6

So your saying it's the switches being incorporated that causes the volume drop? if so removing the switches would bring it back to the normal volume? I know the Bart Pre and the DC's had plenty of volume before.
Thanks, WIll

Well what I'm saying is the volume of the bass is the loudest when both pups are switched to SERIES on my bass, and after that going to either Single Coil or Parallel would result in a significant volume drop. If you took the switches out of the equation, the volume would be as if you left the switch in SERIES all the time.

If your volume is just cut significantly regardless of which mode the switch is switched to, then I have no idea what the problem could be.

[Jimin]

Hey jzbass6

I guess it may be switch’s problem?
I have read a discuss talk about that.
New SKB ordered!
I guess it may have a little help.

[jzbass6]

Originally Posted by xkimsungminx

Well what I'm saying is the volume of the bass is the loudest when both pups are switched to SERIES on my bass, and after that going to either Single Coil or Parallel would result in a significant volume drop. If you took the switches out of the equation, the volume would be as if you left the switch in SERIES all the time.

If your volume is just cut significantly regardless of which mode the switch is switched to, then I have no idea what the problem could be.

Thanks xkimsungminx,
That's what gets me there's a pronounce level drop overall and a slight difference between series & parrallel. Go figure, I'm going to contact Stew at Nordstrand and see if they can help me out.

Originally Posted by Jimin

Hey jzbass6

I guess it may be switch’s problem?
I have read a discuss talk about that.
New SKB ordered!
I guess it may have a little help.

Thanks Jimin,
I'm sure there on/on/on I purchase myself from Best Bass Gear along with the 0B3 pre.

[xkimsungminx]

Nice! I just read the post by lpjiang that he referred to, and I might give fixing this a try myself. Didn't know about the on/off/on vs on/on/on switching. Gard told me that there would be a volume drop when switching so I figured it was a normal thing, and it isn't exactly a problem for me since I always leave it in one position when I'm playing out at church.

Oh and another thing, I didn't notice this when I first read your OP, but does your other bass with the Big Singles have the switches as well? I thought only the Big Splits and Fat Stacks could be configured for a switchable setup.

Another TBer I got to meet [when I bought my Thunderfunk from him] mentioned that he put [I think if i remember correctly it was one of the other Nords; Big Splits, Big Singles or Fat Stacks since he was getting them custom made to fit his bass] Big Splits in his SKB3007 and said it was louder than the Nord DC's.

[jzbass6]

Originally Posted by xkimsungminx

Nice! I just read the post by lpjiang that he referred to, and I might give fixing this a try myself. Didn't know about the on/off/on vs on/on/on switching. Gard told me that there would be a volume drop when switching so I figured it was a normal thing, and it isn't exactly a problem for me since I always leave it in one position when I'm playing out at church.

Oh and another thing, I didn't notice this when I first read your OP, but does your other bass with the Big Singles have the switches as well? I thought only the Big Splits and Fat Stacks could be configured for a switchable setup.

Another TBer I got to meet [when I bought my Thunderfunk from him] mentioned that he put [I think if i remember correctly it was one of the other Nords; Big Splits, Big Singles or Fat Stacks since he was getting them custom made to fit his bass] Big Splits in his SKB3007 and said it was louder than the Nord DC's.

No switches on the Big Single bass, this is the first bass I've owned with a 3-way. I just figured that since they both had a 0B3 pre they characteristics would be the same. I never factored in the parallel/series switching eqaution.

[xkimsungminx]

Oh okay, I thought you were comparing them because your bass with the Big Singles + Aggie had the switches.

Keeping that in mind, I don't think you can really compare the two. The pickups are supposed to sound pretty different from each other to begin with. If the volume on the bass with the Big Singles is louder than your bass with the DC's with the switch in the SERIES position I think it's normal. As I said above, the TBer I met told me that the DC's are quieter than the pickups he had made for his SKB 3007. [He said he heard them back to back when he was at the Nordstrand shop]

I think I'll give the On/On/On switches a try, but maybe builders have a reason for using the On/Off/On switches? I think I'll give Carey or Stew an email and ask about that.

[JOME77]

Originally Posted by jzbass6

Help!! does anyone else have this same configuration? I had the Bart NTMB switched out for the 0B3 and had 3-W mini's for single/series/parallel switching. The different combo's sound great the only problem is I seemed to have lost half to volume on the bass. I have Big Singles and a 0B3 in another bass and the volume is fine. I suspect something is wired wrong but the person who wired it says he wired it correctly. He did say he changed the volume pot and I'm wondering if that could be the issue. Any suggestions to help get this corrected would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

It could be linked to the new volume pot (either incorrect value and/or audio verse linear tapper) but I would rather suspect it's due to a poor ground if you're loosing 1/2 of the volume. Even with an incorrect volume pot at full volume you should get fairly good output unless it's grossly mismatched (typically very high impediance value). You can confirm the recommended volume pot value from Nordstrand or Roscoe.

I'd ohm out all components and make sure that everything is grounded together properly (pre-module, bridge, pots, switches, output jack and batteries). Also check the wiring of the 3-way switches against the Nordstrand series/Parallel wiring diagrams available on the bestbassgear.com site.

[jzbass6]

Originally Posted by JOME77

It could be linked to the new volume pot (either incorrect value and/or audio verse linear tapper) but I would rather suspect it's due to a poor ground if you're loosing 1/2 of the volume. Even with an incorrect volume pot at full volume you should get fairly good output unless it's grossly mismatched (typically very high impediance value). You can confirm the recommended volume pot value from Nordstrand or Roscoe.

I'd ohm out all components and make sure that everything is grounded together properly (pre-module, bridge, pots, switches, output jack and batteries). Also check the wiring of the 3-way switches against the Nordstrand series/Parallel wiring diagrams available on the bestbassgear.com site.

Thanks JOME77, I'll check into all of the above, I refuse to believe that this is the best it gets.

[jzbass6]

My Roscoe is back to where I knew it should be!!!. I took to Third Coast Guitars in Chicago and had the volume pot replaced, problem solved. Thanks everyone for your advice. Stew from Nordstrand and Goef from Aguilar provided great support concerning this issue, +10 on the support scale.
Peace