Active to Passive Conversion .. suggestions ??????? Schecter Omen IV

[DKCO]

I've grown attached to this bass, bought it new 4-5 years ago. The action is damn near perfect for me, spent alot of time adjusting it. I do not like the active sound recording. Any suggestions on making it passive, more vintage style? 2 volumes / 2 tones. I love my vintage fender jazz bass tone, but it wears my back out (heavy). I know this will never sound like that, but I am old school & want to convert this bass to old school wiring if possible. If all that is available is new school quick connects than fine. I know someone may have a good answer. I like a good overall tone for punk / fuzz / desert rock. A bit of natural gritty sound like my Jazz bass has. do NOT like weird wonky mid range areas that need to be surgically eq'd later. My ears are open to anything .. thanks!

pickups measure 3.5" x 1.47"

Omen Extreme-4 (schecterguitars.com)

 

[Matt Liebenau]

I can’t see the pickup connections in the pictures but if there’s no battery connection going to the pickups you should be able to copy any 2 pickup VVTT diagram. After that, if you don’t like the sound there are undoubtedly a number of replacement pickups that size, just measure and shop.

 

[DKCO]

I can’t see the pickup connections in the pictures but if there’s no battery connection going to the pickups you should be able to copy any 2 pickup VVTT diagram. After that, if you don’t like the sound there are undoubtedly a number of replacement pickups that size, just measure and shop.

eq maybe the only active part? Im not sure

 

[Matt Liebenau]

I thought you wanted completely passive. What, exactly is the goal for the mods?

 

[DKCO]

complete passive. 2 vol / 2 tone.

 

[BlueRock]

Nice bass. Nordstrands would be some pickups to look at. They’re good and hold their resale value if they aren’t good for you.
4 String Soapbar Bass Pickups

 

[DKCO]

I guess I am thinking too hard. I've swapped pups / wiring / pots on 5 of my guitars. I dont know squat about bass pickups really.

 

[Matt Liebenau]

You should be able to do something like this. Just remove the eq completely.

Those pickups are generically referred to as soapbars and can have a variety of configurations under the cover, humbucker, single coil, split coil and others. They are usually designated by size. Measure the length and width and someone on here can help you find replacements if needed.

We would need a better picture of the pickup wires where they connect to the blend potentiometer but, assuming they’re fully passive pickups, I’d probably start by removing all the electronics except the pickups and output jack (take good notes and/or pictures of where everything hooks up in case you decide to put it back) then copy the above diagram. Play the bass like that for a while then if you don’t like the tone tell us what you don’t like and what you want and somebody should be able to recommend drop in replacement pickups.

 

[DKCO]

Cool. thanks for the responses. I will research pickups .. I read the "aguilar" is good .. spelling?

I going to gut it complete, old school wiring. maybe this should be in the forum "pickups"... long day, thinking too hard .. thank you

guitar center sales guy cold called me today .. maybe use this to my advantage ..

 

[DKCO]

I can’t see the pickup connections in the pictures but if there’s no battery connection going to the pickups you should be able to copy any 2 pickup VVTT diagram. After that, if you don’t like the sound there are undoubtedly a number of replacement pickups that size, just measure and shop.

looked closer. trying to figure out if the pups are true passive & that the eq is the only active part in this system

theres a 2 conductor wire from each pickup routed to eq pot.. red (neck) black (bridge)

battery is routed to the eq module (+) & input jack (-)

there is a green insulated 2 conductor wire routed from that eq pot to the eq module.

the red spliced wire is the battery cable touching the body, the green 2c wire is terminated next to it

 

[Matt Liebenau]

I only see 2 connections for the pickups, hot and ground. If the pickups themselves were active there would be a third wire from each pickup connected to the battery. That means they will work passively. It is possible the pickups are voiced to work best with an active eq but the only way to know is to try. If you don’t like the tone the pickups can be replaced later.

 

[DKCO]

I only see 2 connections for the pickups, hot and ground. If the pickups themselves were active there would be a third wire from each pickup connected to the battery. That means they will work passively. It is possible the pickups are voiced to work best with an active eq but the only way to know is to try. If you don’t like the tone the pickups can be replaced later.

thats the plan. did some research at lunch. gonna try jazz bass wiring, 2 vol / 1 tone / 4th knob will be a dummy. gonna gut it this weekend. have parts already. if those pups dont sound good, Im looking at Seymour Duncan ssb-4 .. see how it goes

thanks for the answers .. cheers !!

 

[DKCO]

Seymour Duncan ssb-4 passive & new pots, wires

late update: installed them .. working good, nice tone. No more electrical interference noise w/ computer & monitor while recording.