single coil hook up

Pbman said:

I know much has been written about the single coil mod for the L2000 and L2000 trib. Is there a way, inside the cover, just to hook up the proper wires and listen to it before doing all the work

thanks

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Because of the series/parallel switch (which is replaced or reconfigured as part of the mod) and the fact that the pickups connect there, there really is no easy way to lift the appropriate wires and connect them elsewhere to test. It is possible, to be sure, but my opinion is that doing so is just as much work as the mod itself.

You can come close by adjusting your pickups to simulate single coil mode (mock SC mode), but you'll still have the somewhat muffled sound of the humbucker.

Ken...

Put it in series, then jumper across the coil connected to ground. That should get the closest simulation possible.

Jim

Pbman said:

Ken you seem to know this bass and single coil subject well. I've looked at the available Dave Bass mods and it kind of makes your head spin. I'm very capable to solder in a switch but which mod is THE one to use.

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I can't tell you which set of coils to use, and Daveplaysbass has given us lots of options which makes it harder to decide. My L-2500 is wired using the "outer" coils when in SC mode; the neck coil closest to the neck and the bridge coil closest to the bridge. The sound is very definitely G&L and MFD, but with greater clarity that really shines through in the bottom end. Though it sounds nothing like a Jazz Bass or a JB-2, it is the G&L jazz bass I hear in my head. Others have used the "inner" coils and can perhaps shed some light on the sound.

As to wiring, this is probably what you have now, or at least close. Click the image for a PDF suitable for high quality printing.



Click here for the PDF if the image doesn't display.

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Below is a diagram of the circuit I used. It MUST be noted that I did not use the G&L preamp, so the arrow pointing off to the volume control is incorrect if the G&L preamp will be retained. The pickup selector switch is only shown here for the purpose of providing a "destination" of sorts for the leads coming off the series/single/parallel switch. Click the image for a PDF suitable for high quality printing.



Click here for the PDF if the image doesn't display.

Order the series/single/parallel switch Invalid Link Removed.

Access to the stock circuit can be a pain and you may have to temporarily lift out the pots to get at the switch. If so, just do it very carefully without disconnecting anything. What you'd then do is carefully desolder and lift out your current series/parallel switch. Leave everything else as-is. Then solder in the new series/single/parallel switch. Be sure that the shank keyway (that little slot) is oriented toward the neck.

Good luck!

Ken...

Pbman said:

I can see using the neck side coild for the deeper sound. I'd also like a deeper sound for the bridge side. Should I use the neck side coil on the bridge pickup? I figure I get the grit and some bass with the neck side coil. I don't want all twang from the rear unless you recommend it because the blend with front and rear is beneficial

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A couple things:

1. I'm thinking that using the coils you suggest will make the bass noisy because the two coils will not hum cancel each other (think Jazz bass with both volumes set the same). Single coil mode is true single coil mode - no phantom coils are hidden away to cancel hum.

2. I don't get a bunch of twang from mine unless I want that. I generally use both pickups (using the switch - no blend) and EQ to taste. The sound can be as fat & thick, or as twangy, as I want.

Ken...

Pbman said:

I installed the switch without any issues and I can see it's benefit. I can see why players would like it. I noticed that it seems to smooth out the mid range the bass already was strong in. Kind of closer to that Fender woody character.

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I've found that all three modes are notably different from each other. Single coil does have a kind of woody character when played lightly, but snarls when I up the attack.

....If I remember right your bass is only passive bass. What did you do with the passive/preamp switch?

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I have a preamp in there - an Aguilar OBP-3.

The coil switching section feeds the pickup selector switch which feeds a standard 250K audio taper volume pot. From the pot, the signal goes to a DPDT (ON-ON) active/passive switch wired to Aguilar spec. In passive mode, the switch sends the signal directly to the jack tip and isolates & grounds the preamp input. So I have passive mode available, but with no EQ when in that mode.

Ken...

Pbman said:

HI Ken

I was thing about the preamp you talked about. Compared to the stock one why would I want the Aguilar?

Thanks

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Truly active, cut and boost, EQ

More transparent than the G&L preamp.

Passive mode is really passive - the preamp is completely isolated from the signal chain.

Ken...