Thinking of adding a humbucker to my mexican precision (pics)

de la mocha · #1 10-29-2006, 04:01 PM

I'm thinking of adding a humbucker to my precision but I want to keep it passive. With the humbucker, how many more tone knobs do I need to add? Two or three?

Also, what will the humbucker generally sound like this close to the bridge? Will it be thick and juicy, or growly? The red rectangle is where I want the humbucker to go.

Tbirdbassist · #2 10-29-2006, 05:39 PM

It's going to be growly. It will brighten your basses sound overall.

I'd suggest putting an MM style pickup there. As it's common and looks good.

As far as wiring it, you've got A LOT of options.

You could have a more tame two volume-two tone setup. Or these...

V-V-T
V-V-T-Series/Parallel switch
V-Blend-Tone
V-T-T
Master V-V-V-T-T-Series/Parallel

You've got a lot of options. All depends on what sound you want, and how much sound control you want at your hands.

de la mocha · #3 10-29-2006, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tbirdbassist

It's going to be growly. It will brighten your basses sound overall.

I'd suggest putting an MM style pickup there. As it's common and looks good.

As far as wiring it, you've got A LOT of options.

You could have a more tame two volume-two tone setup. Or these...

V-V-T
V-V-T-Series/Parallel switch
V-Blend-Tone
V-T-T
Master V-V-V-T-T-Series/Parallel

You've got a lot of options. All depends on what sound you want, and how much sound control you want at your hands.

You see this is where it gets complicated because this is where my bass playing knowledge peaks at. I have no idea about the technical aspects of series, parallel, ect.

The only thing I want on this bass is one more knob, a stacked knob for the humbucker. I'm looking to keep my precision pick up sound, but the ability to switch to a raw growly pornographic all out sound with the humbucker.

I wish some one can break down in stupid terms the different options I have. The only thing I'm sure of is I only want one more stacked knob on this, or perhaps three stacked knobs? Hmmmmm.......

de la mocha · #4 10-30-2006, 07:09 AM

Can I get some help?

vindy500 · #5 10-30-2006, 07:17 AM

my vote is vvt just use a jazz bass schematic a series parralell switch could be cool if the humbucker allows it.

de la mocha · #6 10-30-2006, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vindy500

my vote is vvt just use a jazz bass schematic a series parralell switch could be cool if the humbucker allows it.

What does vvt mean? Oh hell, that's what my luthier is there for!

vindy500 · #7 10-30-2006, 07:47 AM

it means having a volume control for each pickup and then a standard tone for the whole bass. like on a jazz bass.

vindy500 · #8 10-30-2006, 07:48 AM

like that

dragon5363 · #9 10-30-2006, 08:33 AM

you could try the humbucker used in the american ddeluxe fender P, which is like a double J i think (it lists as a humbucker on the fender website). If i was you, id definately go with a series/parallel switch.

de la mocha · #10 10-30-2006, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vindy500

like that

Oooooooh, I get it now! Man, i'm not mechanically or technically inclined, forgive me. This is the start of something beautiful I see....

One last stupid question:

How does series sound and how does parellel sound?

vindy500 · #11 10-30-2006, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by de la mocha

How does series sound and how does parellel sound?

well the s1 switch makes a jazz bass sound fatter, not sure if that changes it from series to parrallel or the other way round. i would think a coil tap would be better on the humbucker than a s-p switch

Captain_joe6 · #12 10-30-2006, 12:32 PM

I'm surprised nobody chimed in about him wanting a more 'raw growly pornographic all out' sound.

Don't all those words kinda mean the same thing when coupled with 'pornographic?'

vindy500 · #13 10-30-2006, 01:30 PM

de la mocha · #14 10-30-2006, 03:31 PM

I'm gonna have my P bass knobs stacked for volume and tone and the humbucker stacked for volume and tone (keeping just two knobs on my bass) and leave the bass passive.

fenderx55 · #15 10-30-2006, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain_joe6

I'm surprised nobody chimed in about him wanting a more 'raw growly pornographic all out' sound.

Don't all those words kinda mean the same thing when coupled with 'pornographic?'

::nods quietly.::

Captain_joe6 · #16 10-30-2006, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by de la mocha

You see this is where it gets complicated because this is where my bass playing knowledge peaks at. I have no idea about the technical aspects of series, parallel, ect.

The only thing I want on this bass is one more knob, a stacked knob for the humbucker. I'm looking to keep my precision pick up sound, but the ability to switch to a raw growly pornographic all out sound with the humbucker.

I wish some one can break down in stupid terms the different options I have. The only thing I'm sure of is I only want one more stacked knob on this, or perhaps three stacked knobs? Hmmmmm.......

See! See! He said it right there! I'm not as insane as you all though I was!

vindy500 · #17 10-30-2006, 11:55 PM

ahh i see....

de la mocha · #18 10-31-2006, 03:38 PM

...................

jady · #19 10-31-2006, 03:58 PM

Let me know how this works out, I have a MIM Dirnt and adding a MM is an interesting idea.

bass4nds · #20 11-07-2006, 01:29 PM

If you were to have one volume and tone for each pickup (4 knobs in all) would you be able to blend the sounds to get a Stingray/P-bass sound at the same time? How would you connect that to the input jack?