Normal volume for P/J pickups ?

dogbass · #1 06-07-2007, 11:22 AM

I recently picked up a Peavey Forum with a P/J config and V/V/T control. I can really get this thing a-thumpin' on the neck (P) pickup alone. When I dial in the J, it noticeably cuts the overall volume while bringing in some "J" growl. If I solo the "J", I have to push my amp gain from about 9am to 2pm to equate to "P" volume solo'd full. I read in Dimento's troubleshooting guide that "...it's normal for a bridge pickup to have about 1/3 the output of a neck pup." So this is normal ? (I never noticed this big a difference on my jazz bass with blend control.) What if I want more output from my J pickup ? It looks like they are both 50k audio pots in there now. Thanks.

Juniorkimbrough · #2 06-07-2007, 11:43 AM

My jazz basses are the same way.

solo the neck pickup and it's louder than when both pickups are on.......the bridge pickup is also not as loud as the neck although I've tried to adjust the height on them to make it not so bad.

dogbass · #3 06-07-2007, 04:01 PM

Yeah, I noticed the bridge pu was a little low to the body so I raised that up and it helped a bit. I just didn't expect that kind of output disparity.

Painless · #4 06-07-2007, 04:07 PM

My MIM fretless Fender Jazz has the individual volume potts for the two pickups and is exactly the same as you both describe. My guess is that the width of the strings vibration is less nearer to the bridge, hence the lower output.

I tend to run mine with the bridge pickup on full and about a quarter turn on the neck volume pot to put a little fullness and volume into it.

+1 to raising the bridge pup, I need to get around to fiddling with that too.

Russ.

Foamy · #5 06-07-2007, 04:16 PM

There's not nearly as much string action that far back. So, adjusting the heights can help, so can playing with volumes. I replaced my stock tone pot with a blend pot so I can dial it to exactly where I want with 1 pot. Or, you can enjoy that nice growl that is not too overbearing.

4Mal · #6 06-07-2007, 04:27 PM

Assuming 'standard' jazz type wiring, it is normal to have a very slight volume drop when running both pickups full up. If it's really noticible your pickup's may be wired out of phase. I've done a lot of J and PJ pickup swapping this year and at least 50 % of the combinations I've tried need to have the polarity reversed on the bridge pickup - it's worth a check.

Pickup height is also critical in achieveing a useful balance between the pickups on a J or PJ. Typically the neck pickup has to be lower into the body and the bridge pickup has to be higher to achieve good balance.

Then there is the issue of manufacturer. That a pickup maker would sell a PJ set where the bridge output is 1/3 of the neck is pathetic - at best. There are many truly unbalanced sets out there and several that are real well balanced.

Try the Bill Lawrence P-46 & J-45 set. Great tone, great balance, really quiet.

I also really favor the Aero Type 1. I've heard that they can be inconsistent but I've had two sets, J's and PJ's. I still have the PJ's loaded in my Reverend. It's the best PJ set for capturing a 60's vibe that I've ever heard - and with a little height adjustment, the J is right there with the P.

In terms of straight J sets the Lawrence J-45's, Areo Type 1's, Duncan SJB-1's and SJB-2's, Fender MIA 62 RI J sets all have good balance and offer up a pretty wide variety tonally.

In spite of the balance you do lose a smidge of output when both pikups are full up. Use it to your advantage. Set your overall tone and volume for the both full up setting. When it comes time for a little soloing goose, roll off the meck pickup a bit and you get a touch of volume and re-emphasize the mids for cut through... want a fatter ballad tone, roll off the bridge just a bit, ease up on the picking strenght a bit ... it's a wonderful quirk when used to your advantage.

dogbass · #7 06-07-2007, 11:49 PM

Thanks for some great feedback 4Mal ! You know, in reading through Dimento's FAQ I was wondering about reversed wiring on the J pickup but of course my assumption was that this came out the shop that way. I guess, especially on a used older bass, thats not a good assumption. Nonetheless, I'm gonna look into those Bill Lawrences. Ideally, I'd like to be able to change up the tone/mix without huge affects on overall output.

PilbaraBass · #8 06-08-2007, 03:23 AM

I have a yamaha RBX170 P/J...controls are V/V/T...

it exhibits everything that you've described about 100/100 volume drop....

first...you can put the bridge pickup quite close to the strings, because the strings don't move very much back there...I also run 2 layers of electrical tape over all of my pole pieces (I can't stand pole-piece "pop")....

second...my P pickup is quite weak (8.8 kOhm) so it doesn't overpower the bridge pickup....

when I play ballad, I play P-pickup solo...when I play grind, I play 100 bridge and roll the P off about 20%....dial 100/100 and then slowly roll off the p-pickup...you'll hear the sound "open up"...at this point, you're at the pickup blend sweet spot...

I also have a series mod on my bass...pull the bridge vol pot and the neck and bridge go into series for a seriously FAT sound.

dogbass · #9 06-08-2007, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PilbaraBass

I have a yamaha RBX170 P/J...controls are V/V/T...

I also have a series mod on my bass...pull the bridge vol pot and the neck and bridge go into series for a seriously FAT sound.

This sounds like a great idea for a mod ! What would be the ideal pot resistance to put there? Right now its a 50k....

Human Bass · #10 06-08-2007, 10:10 AM

Both pups have the same volume in my MIA Deluxe Jazz. But of course the bridge pup is raised higher.

PilbaraBass · #11 06-08-2007, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dogbass

This sounds like a great idea for a mod ! What would be the ideal pot resistance to put there? Right now its a 50k....

you have a passive bass with 50k pots?

that's odd...normally a 2-pickup passive bass has 250k pots....

i just replaced the 250k bridge volume pot with a 250k pot with a push-pull dpdt switch...the neck volume pot is the one that is functional during series mod (it was unchanged)

Foamy · #12 06-08-2007, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PilbaraBass

you have a passive bass with 50k pots?

that's odd...normally a 2-pickup passive bass has 250k pots....

i just replaced the 250k bridge volume pot with a 250k pot with a push-pull dpdt switch...the neck volume pot is the one that is functional during series mod (it was unchanged)

I'll bet 500's, not 50's.
:-)

dogbass · #13 06-08-2007, 11:37 PM

I might have implied it was a passive bass in the thread, but it is an active bass with 9v preamp. I looked at the pots and they have 50k stamped on them but I know sometimes with electrical devices, like resistors, thats actually "code" for something else. I suppose I'll open 'er up again and put an ohmeter across the pot to check it. 50k does seem rather low....