Volumes or blends for 3+ pickups?

[Jagdmusik]

I'm putting together a multi-pickup bass and I'm having trouble finding clear information about how to mix the pups together.

One option is to just use switches, of course, but I want to be able to vary the contribution of each pup, not just turn it on or off. Another option is to use individual volume pots for each pup, but 1) I don't want to lose my highs by having multiple volume knobs at non-full settings, and 2) I want to be able to adjust overall volume with just one knob.

I figured using a tiered series of blend knobs could work: combining the first two pickups with blend knob #1, then combining that output with the third pickup via blend knob #2, and so on. This wouldn't result in a very straightforward mixing process, but would it get the job done? Any other drawbacks?

Is there another solution that I'm missing? And what sort of pot values would be appropriate (we're talking passive pups into switchable active pre)? I think the ideal would be something like a real mixing board, with faders for each pickup and a master fader, but I've been told implementing something like that onboard a bass would be impractical (custom preamp, blah blah blah).

[greenboy]

Blend knobs are in essence reverse-tiered volume pots, so the best way to avoid passive effects is to use a switch, a 5-position like a Strat has. My experience has been that using a switch and adjusting pickups well so that positions 2 and 4 are distinct is about all that one can reasonably use anyway. But if not, you can add an additional switch to get a 1/5 combo. Actually there are other things you can do too, but a law of diminishing returns applies, and you just end up with an over-knobbed fiddley instrument.

[BillyB_from_LZ]

When I had an Urge I (two Js and a P) I decided to try passive wiring. I simple added three volume controls wired like a two pickup Jazz bass (pickup to the middle terminal, end terminal to the jack). I probably used 500K pots, but I don't recall.

The stock wiring for an Urge was to have a blend for the Js and then a three position mini toggle to switch between P, the Js or all three. That worked fine too...and the switching/blending was all done before the preamp so it was still passive at that point.