can a pickup switch be used in a p bass set up

[bass4art]

hey, guys

just wondering can a pick up switch be used in a b bass set up?

I had already added to my bass a variant switch with 3 different size capacitors and it sounds switch and clean unlike before.

Kirk

[Stilettoprefer]

You can use a DPDT switch to take the pickup from series to parallel if you have a pickup that is capable of doing that...

[Stealth]

Every P-bass (tetris-block) pickup can be switched from series to parallel because all such pickups actually have four leads. Usually they're soldered together but you can split the wire connecting the two halves and splice a new one on the cut. Just be quick and precise with the soldering and you'll have it ready for a series/parallel switch. As Stilettoprefer said you'll need a DPDT.

[bass4art]

Stealth

thanks for the information.

just wondering if you or anyone else on the forum would have the wiring diagram for make such switch work. or any pictures of it. With specific instructions on how to do it.

I will see about using this, but before I do I am going to think through the process so I can get the effect I would like on my bass.

by the way the body and pickups of this instrument comes off from a SILVERTONE REVOLVER ELECTRIC BASS GUITAR. if that helps. Just change the neck to a defretted washburn jazz bass neck that I worked on last week.

Kirk

Kirk

[giacomini]

Originally Posted by Stealth

Every P-bass (tetris-block) pickup can be switched from series to parallel because all such pickups actually have four leads. Usually they're soldered together but you can split the wire connecting the two halves and splice a new one on the cut. Just be quick and precise with the soldering and you'll have it ready for a series/parallel switch. As Stilettoprefer said you'll need a DPDT.

I happen to like that definition of a P pickup! See sig

[bass4art]

Hey, I agree

actually what I am finding with the P bass pickups, I am able to get of a more upright bass sound with it, then I did with my jazz bass did.

and with the variant switch I had to my instrument, I defenitely get that tone. as well.

Kirk

[Stealth]

Originally Posted by bass4art

Stealth

thanks for the information.

just wondering if you or anyone else on the forum would have the wiring diagram for make such switch work. or any pictures of it. With specific instructions on how to do it.

One Google Image search later - presto:



The switch actually has six contacts and they should be soldered to like that.

Your pickups might not have wires of that exact color, but P-bass pickups are usually in series.

• The red wire in the image is the one coming from your pickups to one lug of the volume pot.
• The green wire is the one from your pickups to the ground (back of pot casing or the ground on the output jack).
• Once you split that wire currently connecting the pickups, the black in the image is the end of the coil with the red wire, while the white is the start of the coil with the green wire.

So solder on from there and you should get it done pretty fast. If you don't want to drill an extra hole for the switch, get a switching (push/pull) pot - that's one of the pots stacked on top of a switch.

Originally Posted by giacomini

I happen to like that definition of a P pickup! See sig

Exactly the place I found that phrase.