Not sure how to describe...

Skeevenmac · #1 06-04-2011, 05:30 PM

I recently had a jazz bass put together and I have finally dialed in a great tone. I do find an issue, however, with the pickups - at least, I think they are to blame.

With the neck pup by itself, there is a wonderful warm, punchy tone.

With the bridge pup by itself, there is a wonderful jazzy growl.

When both knobs are up, it seems that the two pups fight each other and tones get cancelled out.

Does this sound like it could be a wiring issue? Have I played nothing by my p-bass for so long that I forgot what a jazz is supposed to sound like?

If more details are needed then I can provide them. If this has been covered in a new thread then, I am sorry.

Please post a link.

Bob C · #2 06-05-2011, 10:12 AM

Is the sound thin and not very loud? If so, the pickups could be wired out of phase.

Also, were the pickups purchased as a set? I believe one should be reverse wound. I think this is to insure hum cancelling, and may not relate to your problem at all.

I do think it is normal to lose some of the extreme tonal characteristics when running both pickups equally. But if the sound is totally "blah" or way quieter, you may have a wiring problem.

Sorry I can't offer more specific help. Hopefully this thread bump will alert some of the experts here.

i_got_a_mohawk · #3 06-05-2011, 10:39 AM

Certainly sounds like it could be the pickups being out of phase.

SGD Lutherie · #4 06-05-2011, 02:43 PM

If it's sounding thin, with little low end and low volume, they are out-of-phase. Just reverse the two wires on one pickup.

However, if they just sound different, without the tone of each pickup soloed, that's normal. Often they sound diffused with less mids.

mcnach · #5 06-06-2011, 10:49 AM

Like others have said: if it lacks bottom end, the pickups may be out of phase. Solution: swap wires on one of the pickups.

If the "problem" is that it sounds "hollow" and lacks presence... then you're describing the sound you get with two pickups on wired in parallel

HOWEVER: you can alter that sound *a lot* by adjusting the heights of each pickup. Experiment a bit. Bring one down a bit and see how it affects the tone.. then the other... etc. Experiment until you find the balance that sounds good to you.

ctmullins · #6 06-06-2011, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcnach

If the "problem" is that it sounds "hollow" and lacks presence... then you're describing the sound you get with two pickups on wired in parallel

HOWEVER: you can alter that sound *a lot* by adjusting the heights of each pickup. Experiment a bit. Bring one down a bit and see how it affects the tone.. then the other... etc. Experiment until you find the balance that sounds good to you.

It may go without saying, but that's what volume/blend knobs are for. Some people always dime them, but you may find the tone you want with, for instance, the neck pup at 100% and the bridge pup at 80%. A little goes a long way. I've noticed that both pups dimed does sound a little bit hollow, but rolling off of the bridge pup a little bit brings a lot of the fullness back, without removing that nice brightness.

Skeevenmac · #7 06-07-2011, 05:58 AM

Thanks for the input you all! You rock and I'll try these suggestions!

Thanks again!

Skeevenmac · #8 06-20-2011, 09:59 AM

I think I may have found part of the issue. The main thing is that I am the only one who can hear the difference with the pickups solo'd and together. I just heard a recording of my bass and it sounds great in the crowd but when I'm in front of my amp it sounds whimpy. I think it is time to play with my eqs.

SGD Lutherie · #9 06-20-2011, 12:32 PM

You will never get the solo sound of the pickups when the two are combined. Not out of a passive bass anyway.

You can try tuning one down a little and see if that helps.

Mushroo · #10 06-20-2011, 12:35 PM

Most jazz bass players will tell you that "both pickups at 100%" is a pretty bad sound. You need to have one pickup louder than the other (which one depends on your style) if you want the midrange "growl" that is signature of the jazz bass.

james_ryan · #11 06-20-2011, 02:20 PM

Like three others said you shouldn't have a volume cut with both on. But being a long time jazz bass player I hate the sound of both pickups 100%. I use the neck for a round pbass sound, and the neck pickup for most of my work both at 100%.