PJ in series, sound?

pattyløve · #1 08-06-2010, 09:06 PM

I was wondering what a P and J pickup wired in series would sound like. Im assuming standard wiring is parallel, but please correct me if I'm wrong.

My thoughts while playing the bass the other day at rehearsal (with both volume knobs up all the way) was that it was lacking mid range and output. Do you think putting a parallel/series switch will make a worthwhile difference? Can anybody who has done this please share their thoughts?

Thanks

PilbaraBass · #2 08-07-2010, 01:27 AM

PJ in series sounds great, IMO...

beefier than a P alone...not as detailed as P/J in parallel...

but I did it on a cheap Yammy RBX170 a few years back and drove it in that mode a LOT!

pattyløve · #3 08-07-2010, 05:12 AM

What was your personal preference between series/parallel?
Was there a huge difference? See, this idea came to me only just after making the decision that i want to install a 3 way switch on my PJ rather than VV setup.

So either I'd have to decide which wiring i'd prefer... or maybe find a 4 way switch?

I guess I can play around with it, see what i prefer.

i_got_a_mohawk · #4 08-07-2010, 05:32 AM

Sounds pretty good.

With the DiMarzio Model P & J I have in my PJ, it's maybe a bit too thick for me, doesn't cut quite as much as I usually like.

You could always try a rotary switch? Or use a push/pull switch on one of the volumes to switch to series?

timbledum · #5 08-07-2010, 05:35 AM

You could do what another guy with a jazz asked for schematics on a week ago, a five way switch with one for bridge, one for neck, one parallel, one series and one muted with no volume knobs. Seems like a good idea to me.

pattyløve · #6 08-07-2010, 06:49 AM

I was actually thinking that exact thing

Although, do you think i could find a 5-way switch in pot/knob form?

thrashingbass · #7 08-07-2010, 08:38 AM

Beefier tone, a bit less clarity, but more low mid punch. In my case, done with two humbuckers (P + Soapbar), and still remained very clear and articulate. As long you don't expect it to be as clear as parallel, you are good to go. Why not?

thrashingbass · #8 08-07-2010, 08:46 AM

Forgot to add, it does add more output, but not by a LOT. Expect for it to fulfill the needs you mentioned, though (a noticeable but not overwhelming boost to both output and mids).

timbledum · #9 08-07-2010, 02:36 PM

Switching help needed! JJ pickups / 5-way blade switch is the one!

MagicMan_841 · #10 08-07-2010, 02:40 PM

I just built a P/J with a 4-way pickup selector (P only, both in parallel, J only, both in series) and my favorite sound BY FAR is both pickups in series.

Blues Cat · #11 08-07-2010, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MagicMan_841

I just built a P/J with a 4-way pickup selector (P only, both in parallel, J only, both in series) and my favorite sound BY FAR is both pickups in series.

Magic do you find yourself missing the balance pot?

I've got a 4 way rotary knob on my Dingwall. I was thinking of doing this with a double reverse P.

MagicMan_841 · #12 08-07-2010, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blues Cat

Magic do you find yourself missing the balance pot?

I've got a 4 way rotary knob on my Dingwall. I was thinking of doing this with a double reverse P.

I'm not a big balance pot fan, really (I've tried). YMMV.