pickup selector plus blend pot.

Nev375 · #1 01-07-2011, 01:24 AM

Hi I'm trying to work out a wiring diagram for my dean rhapsody 12 which I'm converting to fully passive. Now, I think I have it figured out, but I'd like someone to verify my thinking is correct.

The controls I'm wanting are as follows.

Tone - Neck pickup
Tone - Bridge pickup
Master volume
Pickup blend/fade
3-way switch
position 1 - Neck only (full)
position 2 - Both (controlled by blend pot)
position 3 - Bridge only (full)

Now, if I'm not mistaken, a Gibson style 3-way switch will NOT work because it's on/on/on.

My first thought was I would want a true 4 connection SPTT switch to wire in after the blend. But those seem to be almost non-existant.

So now think I need an on/off/on switch that will basically short either pickup directly to the master volume and bypass the blend pot which is wired normally.

Is this right?

madmatt · #2 01-07-2011, 01:38 AM

IMHO you are making a joke?
If not, then you are making this way too difficult/complicated.
The two tones will affect each other. The only way to get two tones out of a two pickup bass is to have two output jacks (one for each pickup), and two amps.
What I would do is have two volumes and one tone knob. Use 500K pots on the volumes and a 250K pot for the tone. Done.

Nev375 · #3 01-07-2011, 05:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madmatt

IMHO you are making a joke?
If not, then you are making this way too difficult/complicated.
The two tones will affect each other. The only way to get two tones out of a two pickup bass is to have two output jacks (one for each pickup), and two amps.
What I would do is have two volumes and one tone knob. Use 500K pots on the volumes and a 250K pot for the tone. Done.

Yeah, I prefer simplicity too. Problem is there's 5 holes in the bass and I want a control to fit into each hole.

...Although I AM open to other control layout suggestions.

And no, this isn't a joke.

**line6man** · #4 01-07-2011, 11:13 AM

This does sound a lot like a joke.
This is one of the most absurd wiring schemes I've ever heard anyone ask for, because it's ridiculously overcomplicated.

If you have 5 holes to fill, go with two volumes, one tone, a series/parallel switch and a pickup selector switch.

millahh · #5 01-07-2011, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nev375

Yeah, I prefer simplicity too. Problem is there's 5 holes in the bass and I want a control to fit into each hole.

...Although I AM open to other control layout suggestions.

And no, this isn't a joke.

Well, what about a "mojo" knob? Or possibly a "producer" knob? ((i.e. you're in the studio and happy with your tone. the producer askes you to change your volume/tone/eq, so you turn a dummy knob that you put there to fill one of the holes...and the producer is placated).

topcat2069 · #6 01-07-2011, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by millahh

Well, what about a "mojo" knob? Or possibly a "producer" knob? ((i.e. you're in the studio and happy with your tone. the producer askes you to change your volume/tone/eq, so you turn a dummy knob that you put there to fill one of the holes...and the producer is placated).

+1 go simpler not more complex,.... dummy knobs don't refer to the owner.

and there is always the active route
Bart 5.2
http://www.bestbassgear.com/bartolini-preamps-ntmb.htm#

Nev375 · #7 01-07-2011, 07:03 PM

The bass already has an active preamp. The idea is to get rid of it as I've had nothing but problems with active electronics and batteries. Passive has never let me down.

And as I said, I prefer simplicity and If i had my way about it the bass would have one pickup, 1 volume and no tone control. However, that option involves getting a custom made body or leaving huge gaping holes in this bass.

As for the dummy knob I think I'd rather have the gaping hole than have something useless there. But thanks for the suggestion and thinly veiled ambiguous derision.

Anyone else have any input?

Darkstrike · #8 01-07-2011, 07:11 PM

I remember the Warwick Streamer LX 2008 having a blend/switch setup, so I checked the wiring diagram, but it dosen't look much help.

http://www.warwick.de/media/manuals/...0056_LTD08.pdf

Nev375 · #9 01-07-2011, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darkstrike

I remember the Warwick Streamer LX 2008 having a blend/switch setup, so I checked the wiring diagram, but it dosen't look much help.

http://www.warwick.de/media/manuals/...0056_LTD08.pdf

Actually, that schematic is very helpful. Not only does it Illustrate How the pickup selector switch wires to the blend, but I might adopt the coil selector switches instead of tone controlls. I had not considered that.

Thank you.

millahh · #10 01-07-2011, 07:46 PM

Since you don't want holes in the bass, what if you had a control plate fabricated, and put that on there, with it only having spots for the controls you wanted to keep? Depending on the color/finish/hardware on your bass, it could look really good (or at the very least, unobtrusive).

Nev375 · #11 01-07-2011, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by millahh

Since you don't want holes in the bass, what if you had a control plate fabricated, and put that on there, with it only having spots for the controls you wanted to keep? Depending on the color/finish/hardware on your bass, it could look really good (or at the very least, unobtrusive).

That's actually not a bad idea, but this body is a contoured arch top and does not lend itself real well to a control plate.

millahh · #12 01-07-2011, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madmatt

IMHO you are making a joke?
If not, then you are making this way too difficult/complicated.
The two tones will affect each other. The only way to get two tones out of a two pickup bass is to have two output jacks (one for each pickup), and two amps.

Actually, this isn't entirely true. If you place a small resistor (don't remember the value off the top of my head) downstream of each tone pot but upstream of where the two signals come together, you can get the tone pots to operate essentially independently.

Additional thoughts on what to do with empty holes:
-Find some way to cap them with something black and semi-gloss.
-Put LEDs in them, which will run off the battery that used to power the preamp.
-Cigarette holders for you and your bandmates...

**line6man** · #13 01-07-2011, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by millahh

Actually, this isn't entirely true. If you place a small resistor (don't remember the value off the top of my head) downstream of each tone pot but upstream of where the two signals come together, you can get the tone pots to operate essentially independently.

Downstream/upstream?

You can run resistors in series with the signal path from the output of the volume pots to keep the two circuits isolated. The problem is, it's going to cost you output.

Darkstrike · #14 01-08-2011, 06:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nev375

Actually, that schematic is very helpful. Not only does it Illustrate How the pickup selector switch wires to the blend, but I might adopt the coil selector switches instead of tone controlls. I had not considered that.

Thank you.

Glad to be of service!

topcat2069 · #15 01-08-2011, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nev375

As for the dummy knob I think I'd rather have the gaping hole than have something useless there. But thanks for the suggestion and thinly veiled ambiguous derision.

Hmmm... I didn't think I was making a "thinly veiled ambiguous derision"
I've had "dummy knobs" and I don't (though some may) think I'm a dummy... hence the comment.... sorry if you thought I was taking a "thinly veiled ambiguous pot shot" at you.... no offense meant.

friends?

BTW I had the Dean Rhapsody 4BB and I loved the sound and yeah... control plates and pickguards are pretty much out of the question.

What about Vol, Blend, series/parallel switch for each pickup and Tone. ? It seems that may be simple, versatile and look clean ....

millahh · #16 01-08-2011, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by line6man

Downstream/upstream?

You can run resistors in series with the signal path from the output of the volume pots to keep the two circuits isolated. The problem is, it's going to cost you output.

That's much more clear than the way I said it.

Note to self: Don't drink and post.