vol/tone vol/tone on a PJ

**butchblack** · #1 07-09-2008, 07:57 PM

Hi

Just ordered a set of DiMarzio PJ (passive) that are going into a Fernandes PJ (APB90 I think) active. I currently have 4 pots. I'm thinking of going vol/tone vol/tone. Will that work? Is there any reason not to. I'm assuming my other options are vol/vol/tone/blend or vol/vol/tone/unused pot. My thinking is that I'll get the most versatility from the vol/tone vol/tone set up?

Any feedback or suggestions are welcome

The bass is going to be run passive.

PilbaraBass · #2 07-09-2008, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by butchblack

Hi

Just ordered a set of DiMarzio PJ (passive) that are going into a Fernandes PJ (APB90 I think) active. I currently have 4 pots. I'm thinking of going vol/tone vol/tone. Will that work? Is there any reason not to. I'm assuming my other options are vol/vol/tone/blend or vol/vol/tone/unused pot. My thinking is that I'll get the most versatility from the vol/tone vol/tone set up?

Any feedback or suggestions are welcome

The bass is going to be run passive.

it will work

go to the fender website...support...wiring diagrams...

follow the schematic for the 62 Jazz Bass...

I suggest changing the 0.05 cap to a 0.1 for the neck pickup...

Steveaux · #3 07-09-2008, 08:48 PM

The '62 Jazz uses two stacked pots.

What you want to do is wire it like a Les Paul ... with or w/o the selector switch.

Look at this ... http://www.guitarnucleus.com/gitschems/FenToronado.pdf

If you don't use a switch, just let the blue/yellow leads in the diagram represent the hot leads from your pups.

Caps can both be .047.

PilbaraBass · #4 07-09-2008, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steveaux

The '62 Jazz uses two stacked pots.

What you want to do is wire it like a Les Paul ... with or w/o the selector switch.

Look at this ... http://www.guitarnucleus.com/gitschems/FenToronado.pdf

If you don't use a switch, just let the blue/yellow leads in the diagram represent the hot leads from your pups.

Caps can both be .047.

yes...I know the 62 uses stacked pots...there's no difference between stacked pots and individuals...just break the pot levels into two separate pots...easy peasy...

it isn't necessary to add the complexity of a selector switch...but it DOES make for quick switching between three settings.

Steveaux · #5 07-10-2008, 01:28 AM

I agree ... but some who are new to wiring seem to get wierded out by stacks. I like 'em.

With two vol's, I've never really liked the switch.

bigd4207 · #6 07-10-2008, 05:37 AM

one note, when using two volumes it's kinda pointless to use a blend, one idea and i used to have a bass like this, is vol, blend. bass tone, treble tone, you get more tonal range because each tone has different caps producing higher highs and lower lows. still completely passive, also for the vol, blend, the blend i prefer because you really keep the volume of the pup while shifting loads with blend, but i always run full vol, easier for me anyhow. anyways hope this helps, good luck with your project

millahh · #7 07-10-2008, 08:10 AM

V/V/T/Varitone might be an option worth exploring.

The "mojo" knob seems to be popular around these parts as well.

**butchblack** · #8 07-10-2008, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PilbaraBass

it will work

go to the fender website...support...wiring diagrams...

follow the schematic for the 62 Jazz Bass...

I suggest changing the 0.05 cap to a 0.1 for the neck pickup...

What difference will I get going from a .05 to a .1 cap?

bigd4207 · #9 07-10-2008, 05:19 PM

different caps filter different frquencies, like i was saying about the bass treble tone pots, 2 different caps, can't remember what values , but lets say the bass is a 1.0 and treble is .34, the bigger cap will focus on the bass and small one focuses on treble, when using a single tone, you usually have something in between like the .5, even different brand caps like the vitamin c capacitor, leaves different subtlties in sound. really depends on what you want out of the instrument. with both tone knobs you have a lot more usable selection, but if you want to keep single tone, just think of wht you use the bass more for, with a funk type bass you may want a cap that emphasizes treble power, with let's say reggae or r&b you probably want a bass focused cap. the values determine the sweep and what frequencies are focused on. most single tone caps are .47, let's say if you add a .5 you will get a little more bass or treble, can't remember how cap values work, but it pretty much extends the scale of tone

bigd4207 · #10 07-10-2008, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by millahh

V/V/T/Varitone might be an option worth exploring.

The "mojo" knob seems to be popular around these parts as well.

varitone? mojo knob?, btw butch, you may want to check out the greasebucket master tone, i like it, standard on highway 1 jazz

millahh · #11 07-10-2008, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigd4207

varitone? mojo knob?, btw butch, you may want to check out the greasebucket master tone, i like it, standard on highway 1 jazz

varitone = rotary switch with a different capacitor at each position, so you have a selection of caps to work with rather than the usual one.

mojo = dummy knob. When someone asks you to turn down or change the tone, just tweak the mojo knob, and it'll probably shut them up.

PilbaraBass · #12 07-10-2008, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by millahh

varitone = rotary switch with a different capacitor at each position, so you have a selection of caps to work with rather than the usual one.

mojo = dummy knob. When someone asks you to turn down or change the tone, just tweak the mojo knob, and it'll probably shut them up.

someone suggested once a while back on TB to have a knob on your bass that would turn the GUITARIST down...

now THAT would be useful

Steveaux · #13 07-10-2008, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PilbaraBass

someone suggested once a while back on TB to have a knob on your bass that would turn the GUITARIST down...

now THAT would be useful

I keep a small hammer in the back of my rack for that very reason.

bigd4207 · #14 07-12-2008, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by millahh

varitone = rotary switch with a different capacitor at each position, so you have a selection of caps to work with rather than the usual one.

mojo = dummy knob. When someone asks you to turn down or change the tone, just tweak the mojo knob, and it'll probably shut them up.

never heard of that before, the varitone concept is an intriguing one. wish i had enough room in my cavity for a rotary switch, but i think with vol tone vol tone vol tone, i'm kinda out of room, that plus 18v. so i guess technically you could get a 10 postion rotary knob, and put 10 different caps on. that has to be as close to active versatility as you can get without actually going active huh? interesting concept. might try it on my next bass, as for mojo knobs, can't imagine having an unused knob on my bass, and if sum1 doesn't like your sound, tell them to get up there and play bass, after all if they could, they wouldn't be in the audience would they