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Need Parallel/Series Jazz Bass Schematics

Guiseppe

Guiseppe

Oct 26, 2003
1,553
961
Vancouver, WA
#1
While my first choice for my J Bass would've been volume/blend/tone, I know that's not doable. So...I'll be going volume/volume/tone, with a push/pull pot in one of the positions to swap between series and parallel.

I've looked through these threads but haven't seen a schmatic yet. Can any of you point me in the right direction? (Note: These are Fralin split-jazz pups - they each have THREE wires).

Thanks, everyone!
 
#2
I don't have a schematic, but if you want a prewired solution for not too much at all, check out the series/parallel pre-wired jazz bass harness at:

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Resonable price for quality components pre-wired, I'd say. I just ordered one today. I understand they come with easy to follow pickup connections/instructions. In your case with multiple wires, you may want to call the owner, Butch, a very knowledgeable guy. Hope it helps.
 
#4
BlackLake said:
Just did a mod like this...about to do another.

There is a good diagram at seymourduncan.com under support, then wiring diagrams.

Another one, slightly different at guitar-mod.com

*just curious...why is V/B/T not doable?
Click to expand...

From what I've been told, passive basses do not work well with blends. When you center the blend, the overall volume will be much lower than when you dial it either way. As you turn it toward one pickup of the other, it will get even louder. That is why Fender has never put a blend control on a passive jazz bass. That is also why preamps are used. Preamps have active buffers that isolate the pickups from each other so that will not happen. So, it's not entirely "non-doable", but the results may not be what you had in mind.
 
#6
stingray69 said:
From what I've been told, passive basses do not work well with blends. When you center the blend, the overall volume will be much lower than when you dial it either way. As you turn it toward one pickup of the other, it will get even louder. That is why Fender has never put a blend control on a passive jazz bass. That is also why preamps are used. Preamps have active buffers that isolate the pickups from each other so that will not happen. So, it's not entirely "non-doable", but the results may not be what you had in mind.
Click to expand...

I'll have to look into that a little more. When I got my J45s Bill sent me a wiring diagram (passive) V/B/T, I have a blend knob here, I'll try it in my mod bass, see if there is that situation, and I'll try to get Bill's thoughts on this too.
 
#7
BlackLake said:
I'll have to look into that a little more. When I got my J45s Bill sent me a wiring diagram (passive) V/B/T, I have a blend knob here, I'll try it in my mod bass, see if there is that situation, and I'll try to get Bill's thoughts on this too.
Click to expand...

Please do check back in with your results if you get a chance. I'd love to hear the results on the passive blend wiring mod. Personally, I've never tried a blend configuration in a passive bass. I've always played active basses until just very recently. Although I've been told there will be a lowering of volume in the "both pickups on full" setting, I wonder just how much lower than in "pan" mode. To be honest, I spend 80-90% of my time with both pickups on full. A slight volume increase during panning may be something I'm willing to tolerate, given both the pickups overall output is not unacceptably limited during the "both full on" (blend at dead-center) position.
 
#8
Everyone, appreciate the input.

I looked on the Fralin website, but didn't find an email...will have to call later. Would the 3rd wire on these pups be for a coil tap (to split?)

I've found several diagrams, but none show the parallel/series layout w/ the 3rd wire.

Thanks again!
 
#9
JazzSeriesParalllelDiag.jpg
 
#11
Guiseppe said:
Everyone, appreciate the input.

I looked on the Fralin website, but didn't find an email...will have to call later. Would the 3rd wire on these pups be for a coil tap (to split?)

I've found several diagrams, but none show the parallel/series layout w/ the 3rd wire.

Thanks again!
Click to expand...

Hi i would like to see there wiring diagrame s to see what the 3 wire is did they give you a standard wiring diagrame ?
 
#13
stingray69 said:
Please do check back in with your results if you get a chance. I'd love to hear the results on the passive blend wiring mod. Personally, I've never tried a blend configuration in a passive bass. I've always played active basses until just very recently. Although I've been told there will be a lowering of volume in the "both pickups on full" setting, I wonder just how much lower than in "pan" mode. To be honest, I spend 80-90% of my time with both pickups on full. A slight volume increase during panning may be something I'm willing to tolerate, given both the pickups overall output is not unacceptably limited during the "both full on" (blend at dead-center) position.
Click to expand...

it is my understanding that the pickups will drop slightly in volume regardless if you use a blend pot, or separate volumes because of the phase of each pickup.
 
#14
stingray69 said:
From what I've been told, passive basses do not work well with blends. When you center the blend, the overall volume will be much lower than when you dial it either way. As you turn it toward one pickup of the other, it will get even louder. That is why Fender has never put a blend control on a passive jazz bass.
Click to expand...

I play a Fender MB-5 (not a Squier)

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It just happens to have two passive j-bass pickups, wired with a blend control - and that is how it came, right from Fender in Japan.

Is the volume lower with the blend centered? Yep. Is it a huge amount? No.
 
#15
aborgman said:
I play a Fender MB-5 (not a Squier)

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

It just happens to have two passive j-bass pickups, wired with a blend control - and that is how it came, right from Fender in Japan.

Is the volume lower with the blend centered? Yep. Is it a huge amount? No.
Click to expand...

Well there we have it, apparently they did at on at least one model it seems. I wish they'd offer it on all passive basses, but you can't please everybody I suppose. Personally, I can't stand having two separate volumes. I've played actives for so long, it's what I've become accustomed to - having a single volume knob. I like the ability to shut down the volume in one quick turn, not two. Thanks for the info on that model, it seems there may be hope for a new passive guy like me after all. :cool:
 
#18
After more internet research, I found this passive Jazz bass harness from HAS-Sound which features a single master volume, series parallel mode & among other things, a passive midrange cut feature.

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And a similar harness from Rothstein Guitars that I believe also offers an optional passive midrange cut feature, if so desired. This site also has very nice sound samples:

http://www.guitar-mod.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=J100&Category_Code=PJA
 
#19
stingray69 said:
Well there we have it, apparently they did at on at least one model it seems. I wish they'd offer it on all passive basses, but you can't please everybody I suppose. Personally, I can't stand having two separate volumes. I've played actives for so long, it's what I've become accustomed to - having a single blend knob. I like the ability to shut down the volume in one quick turn, not two. Thanks for the info on that model, it seems there may be hope for a new passive guy like me after all. :cool:
Click to expand...

I have an SX Jazz that I'm going to modify to be the same when I get a chance.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Should pretty much be what you're looking for.
 

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